Sensor-activated audible story lamp
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for sensing the presence of a person and directing an audible message to the person. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is configured to provide an interactive lamp that includes a housing, one or more sensors disposed within the housing, one or more speakers connected with the sensor, a light source for emitting light that functions independently of the sensor, and a microcontroller disposed within the housing for initiating communication of the audible message in response to a sensor event detected by the sensor. The audible message of the sensor-activated story lamp may comprise one or more messages that may be used for multiple purposes.
1. A lamp for sensing the presence of a person and directing an audible message to the person, the lamp comprising:
a housing;
at least one communication device configured to receive audible messages from a computing device;
at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the sensor configured to detect a sensor event;
at least one speaker connected with the at least one sensor, the speaker configured to transmit an audible message;
a light source disposed within the housing, the light source configured to emit light and to function independently of the sensor; and
a microcontroller disposed within the housing and configured to initiate communication of the audible message in response to a sensor event detected by the sensor.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of an audio sensor, a motion sensor, and a touch-sensitive switch.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a memory device connected to the microcontroller, the memory device configured to store at least one audible message.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the memory device comprises ROM memory.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the memory device comprises rewritable memory.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a microphone connected to the microcontroller, the microphone configured to enable creation of an audible message.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one communication device comprises a a wireless communication device configured to transmit and receive wireless communications.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one communication device comprises a USB connection.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a network of computing devices, a wireless communication device, a cellular phone, a USB compatible device, and a personal data assistant.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a removable memory card configured to store at least one audible message.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light source is an LED light.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of LED lights configured to pulsate in relation to an audible message.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a removable decorative lens.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a projector lens configured to project light images onto a surface.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a base for stabilizing the lamp and an extension configured to receive a decorative lens.
16. A system for sensing the presence of a person and directing an audible message to the person, the system comprising:
a lamp comprising;
a housing;
at least one communication device configured to receive audible messages from a computing device;
at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the sensor configured to detect a sensor event;
at least one speaker connected with the at least one sensor, the speaker configured to transmit an audible message;
a light source disposed within the housing, the light source configured to emit light and to function independently of the sensor; and
a microcontroller disposed within the housing and configured to initiate communication of the audible message in response to a sensor event detected by the sensor; and
at least one removable memory device configured to store an audible message.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of an audio sensor, a motion sensor, and a touch-sensitive switch.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one communication device comprises a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device configured to transmit and receive wireless communications.
19. The system of claim 18 , further comprising a companion electronic transmitting/receiving device configured to wirelessly communicate with the lamp.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the lamp further comprises a memory device disposed within the housing and connected to the microcontroller, the memory device configured to store at least one audible message.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the at least one memory device is rewritable memory.
22. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a rack for storing a plurality of removable memory devices.
23. A method for sensing the presence of a person and directing an audible message to the person, the method comprising:
providing a lamp comprising;
a housing;
at least one communication device configured to receive audible messages from a computing device;
at least one motion sensor disposed within the housing, the motion sensor configured to detect a sensor event;
at least one speaker connected with the at least one sensor, the speaker configured to transmit an audible message;
a light source disposed within the housing, the light source configured to emit light and to function independently of the sensor; and
a microcontroller disposed within the housing and configured to initiate communication of the audible message in response to a sensor event detected by the sensor;
detecting a motion and sending a communication to the microcontroller;
retrieving an audible message; and
transmitting the audible message to a speaker.
24. A method for sensing the presence of a person and directing an audible message to the person, the method comprising:
providing a lamp comprising;
a housing;
at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the sensor configured to detect a sensor event;
at least one speaker connected with the at least one sensor, the speaker configured to transmit an audible message;
a wireless communication device configured to transmit and receive wireless communications;
a light source disposed within the housing, the light source configured to emit light and to function independently of the sensor; and
a microcontroller disposed within the housing and configured to initiate communication of the audible message in response to a sensor event detected by the sensor;
receiving a communication via a wireless connection; and
retrieving an audible message.
25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising transmitting the audible message to a speaker.
26. The method of claim 24 , further comprising storing an audible message in a memory device.
27. A lamp for sensing the presence of a person and directing an audible message to the person, the lamp comprising:
a housing;
a removable memory card configured to store at least one audible message;
at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the sensor configured to detect a sensor event;
at least one speaker connected with the at least one sensor, the speaker configured to transmit an audible message;
a light source disposed within the housing, the light source configured to emit light and to function independently of the sensor; and
a microcontroller disposed within the housing and configured to initiate communication of the audible message in response to a sensor event detected by the sensor.
28. A system for sensing the presence of a person and directing an audible message to the person, the system comprising:
a lamp comprising;
a housing;
at least one communication device configured to receive audible messages from a computing device;
at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the sensor configured to detect a sensor event;
at least one speaker connected with the at least one sensor, the speaker configured to transmit an audible message;
a light source disposed within the housing, the light source configured to emit light and to function independently of the sensor; and
a microcontroller disposed within the housing and configured to initiate communication of the audible message in response to a sensor event detected by the sensor;
at least one removable memory device configured to store an audible message; and
a rack for storing a plurality of removable memory devices.
29. A lamp for sensing the presence of a person and directing an audible message to the person, the lamp comprising:
a housing;
a microphone;
a memory configured to capture an audible message from the microphone for subsequent playback;
at least one sensor disposed within the housing, the sensor configured to detect a sensor event;
at least one speaker connected with the at least one sensor, the speaker configured to transmit the audible message;
a light source disposed within the housing, the light source configured to emit light and to function independently of the sensor; and
a microcontroller disposed within the housing and further configured to initiate communication of the audible message in response to a sensor event detected by the sensor.