Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operation of an infant care device based upon whether the infant care device is occupied or unoccupied. One or more sensors are positioned within the infant care device to determine whether the infant care device is occupied or unoccupied. A controller receives the indication of the occupied status of the infant care device and operates the infant care device in a selected mode of operation. Upon a change in the occupied status of the infant care device, the controller adjusts various operating parameters and alarm parameters. The controller continuously monitors the occupied status of the infant care device and controls the operation of the infant care device accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operation of an infant care device based upon whether the infant care device is occupied or unoccupied. One or more sensors are positioned within the infant care device to determine whether the infant care device is occupied or unoccupied. A controller receives the indication of the occupied status of the infant care device and operates the infant care device in a selected mode of operation. Upon a change in the occupied status of the infant care device, the controller adjusts various operating parameters and alarm parameters. The controller continuously monitors the occupied status of the infant care device and controls the operation of the infant care device accordingly.

Abstract: A safety system that is used with an infant care apparatus comprising an infant platform with a planar surface for supporting the infant and a canopy that is vertically movable over the planar surface. A powered lifting mechanism operated by an electric motor causes the canopy to be selectively moved upwardly or downwardly by the user to enclose or open the space surrounding the infant. The safety system provides a continuous monitor of the torque of the motor and, when the torque exceeds a predetermined amount, the system disables the motor so that it terminates any further movement of the canopy. Thus, if the canopy encounters an obstacle in its travel upwardly or downwardly, the motor torque will increase as the motor tries to overcome that obstacle and the system will immediately disable the motor and terminate any further movement of the canopy to prevent damage to the obstacle or to the powered lifting mechanism.

Abstract: An infant care apparatus is provided that includes a support for underlying the infant within the apparatus for providing care to that infant. The apparatus has an alarm system that triggers upon the occurrence of some event indicating that a particular parameter or condition of the apparatus or infant is outside the prescribed limits or other fault condition. The alarm system thus provides a signal indicative of that alarm condition to activate a means of warning the caregiver of the existence of the alarm condition. A sound producing device and/or light producing device receives the signal produced by the audible sound or light producing device to alert the caregiver of the alarm condition. The sound producing device and the light producing device are positioned on the apparatus such that there is a sound barrier and light barrier, respectively, between the particular device and the infant so that the infant is protected from being startled, and thus stressed, by the alarm audible sound or light activation.