IP Library Granted Patent US 12,365,272
Granted Patent B2
US 12,365,272 · App. 18/465,499 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

User-defined stimulation patterns for juvenile products

Inventors: Erica Sandbothe (Pittsbirgh, PA); Kevin Dowling (Westford, MA); Mary J. Koes (Pittsburgh, PA); Arjit Arora (Pittsburgh, PA); Suraj Joseph (Coraopolis, PA); Mara McFadden (Pittsburgh, PA); Richard Juchniewicz (Pittsburgh, PA)
Assignee: Monahan Products, LLC
B60N2/2809A47D9/02A47D13/00A47D13/10B60L1/14B60N2/002B60N2/265B60N2/2812B60N2/2821B60N2/2851B60N2/286B60N2/2863B60N2/2875B60N2/2884B60R21/013B60R21/0134B60R21/2072B60R22/105B62B5/004G05B19/414G05D1/0016G05D19/02G05F1/66G06F16/29G08C17/02H04W4/20H04W4/70B60L2200/20B60N2002/2815B60R2021/01252B62B7/10G05B2219/23051G05B2219/36168
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,365,272
App. No.
18/465,499
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods define a stimulation pattern for a juvenile product utilizing a mobile device that executes a mobile application that is linked to the juvenile product. The method comprises the step of recognizing, by the mobile device when executing the mobile app, the user-defined stimulation pattern for the juvenile product. The stimulation pattern can be a vibration pattern or a motion pattern, and can be detected in a number of different ways by the mobile device. The method further comprises the step of determining control signals for the actuator(s) of the juvenile product based on the user-defined stimulation pattern that is recognized by the mobile device. The method further comprises the step of, in response to receiving a command to execute the user-defined stimulation pattern, controlling the actuator(s) of the juvenile product based on the stored control signals for the user-defined stimulation pattern.

Claims (37)

1. A method of inputting a motion pattern for a movable juvenile product with a mobile device, the method comprising:

registering, with a controller of the juvenile product, mobile device communication signals including motion data embodying movement of the mobile device, imparted by user free motion, input via one or more motion sensor systems disposed within the mobile device and configured to inertially respond to the movement of the mobile device, imparted by the user free motion, the mobile device being separate and distinct from the movable juvenile product;

determining, by one or more processors, of the controller, communicably connected to the juvenile product, signals that actuate one or more actuators of the juvenile product to effect the motion pattern for the juvenile product according to the motion data that matches or mirrors the user free motion; and

in response to receiving a command to execute the motion pattern, controlling the one or more actuators of the juvenile product to impart the motion pattern, on the juvenile product, that matches or mirrors the user free motion;

wherein the movement of the mobile device defines movement of the juvenile product in up to three dimensions of movement.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the movement of the mobile device defines movement of the juvenile product, that matches or mirrors the user free motion, where the movement of the mobile device, imparted by the user free motion, defines a rocking motion, swaying motion, or a combination of rocking and swaying motion.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion data embodying movement of the mobile device, imparted by the user free motion, are uploaded to the juvenile product via a wireless communication link.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the movement of the mobile device, imparted by the user free motion, that defines movement of the juvenile product, is displayed on the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the movement of the mobile device is scaled to drive commands of the one or more actuators of the juvenile product.

6. A method of inputting a motion pattern for a movable juvenile product with a mobile device, the method comprising:

registering, with a receiver of the juvenile product, mobile device communication signals including sensor data embodying movement of the mobile device, imparted by user free motion, input via one or more sensor systems disposed within the mobile device and configured to determine the motion pattern, the mobile device being separate and distinct from the movable juvenile product;

determining, by one or more processors communicably connected to the receiver of the juvenile product, signals that actuate one or more actuators of the juvenile product to effect the motion pattern for the juvenile product according to the sensor data that matches or mirrors the user free motion; and

in response to receiving a command to execute the motion pattern, controlling the one or more actuators of the juvenile product to impart the motion pattern, on the juvenile product, that matches or mirrors the user free motion;

wherein the movement of the mobile device defines movement of the juvenile product in up to three dimensions of movement.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the one or more processors are of the mobile device, and determining the signals that actuate the one or more actuators of the juvenile product comprises determining, by the one or more processors of the mobile device, the signals that actuate the one or more actuators of the juvenile product.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the signals that actuate the one or more actuators, determined by the mobile device, are uploaded to the juvenile product via a wireless communication link.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the one or more processors are of one or more remote servers, and determining the signals that actuate the one or more actuators of the juvenile product comprises:

determining, by the one or more processors of the one or more remote servers, the signals that actuate the one or more actuators of the juvenile product, where the one or more remote servers are in communication with the mobile device via a computer data network; and

uploading the signals, determined by the one or more remote servers, from the one or more remote servers to the juvenile product.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein uploading the signals, determined by the one or more remote servers, from the one or more remote servers to the juvenile product comprises:

transmitting the signals to the mobile device via the computer data network; and

uploading the signals from the mobile device to the juvenile product via a wireless communication link between the mobile device and the juvenile product.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising storing the signals that actuate the one or more actuators in a memory of the juvenile product.

12. A method of controlling a juvenile product based on a predefined stimulation pattern for the juvenile product, the method comprising:

receiving, with a receiver of the juvenile product, mobile device communication signals including data embodying a predefined stimulation pattern for the juvenile product, the mobile device communication signals being registered with one or more sensor systems disposed within a mobile device and configured to determine the predefined stimulation pattern, the mobile device being separate and distinct from the juvenile product and the predefined stimulation pattern being determined by one or more of a camera and microphone of the mobile device;

determining, by one or more processors communicably connected to the juvenile product, signals for one or more actuators of the juvenile product according to the data embodying the predefined stimulation pattern; and

in response to receiving a command to execute the predefined stimulation pattern, controlling the one or more actuators of the juvenile product to impart the predefined stimulation pattern on the juvenile product;

wherein the predefined stimulation pattern determined by one or more of a camera and microphone of the mobile device defines movement of the juvenile product in up to three dimensions of movement.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors are of the mobile device, and determining the signals that actuate the one or more actuators of the juvenile product comprises determining, by the one or more processors of the mobile device, the signals that actuate the one or more actuators of the juvenile product.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the signals that actuate the one or more actuators, determined by the mobile device, are uploaded to the juvenile product via a wireless communication link.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors are of one or more remote servers, and determining the signals that actuate the one or more actuators of the juvenile product comprises:

determining, by the one or more processors of the one or more remote servers, the signals that actuate the one or more actuators of the juvenile product, where the one or more remote servers are in communication with the mobile device via a computer data network; and

uploading the signals, determined by the one or more remote servers, from the one or more remote servers to the juvenile product.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein uploading the signals, determined by the one or more remote servers, from the one or more remote servers to the juvenile product comprises:

transmitting the signals to the mobile device via the computer data network; and

uploading the signals from the mobile device to the juvenile product via a wireless communication link between the mobile device and the juvenile product.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising storing the signals that actuate the one or more actuators in a memory of the juvenile product.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2024
From: THORLEY INDUSTRIES LLC
To: MONAHAN PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 069532/0047 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17368405 · Jul 6, 2021
Continuation 16444179 · Jun 18, 2019
Continuation 15130128 · Apr 15, 2016
Provisional Application 62148563 · Apr 16, 2015
Related Publication 20240075856A1 · Mar 7, 2024
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