Abstract: A security sensor apparatus senses movement of an object. The sensor apparatus includes an electronics arrangement having an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical receiver has an axis of reception. The optical emitter emits a first beam along an axis of emission in an emission direction. The axis of emission diverges in the emission direction from the axis of reception at an angle of at least two degrees. The electronics arrangement is mounted in association a first surface of the object or a second surface of a structure disposed in opposition to the first surface. A reflector arrangement includes at least one reflective surface and is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface. The at least one reflective surface receives at least a portion of the first beam and produces a second beam directed at and received by the optical receiver.

Abstract: A juvenile product includes a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source, and a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage. A power transmitter coupled to the power cable includes a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage. A power supply includes a receiver coil configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, and further includes a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current. An electrical load coupled to the power supply is configured for operation via the DC power.

Abstract: A video baby monitor system has a child unit with a back-up battery, a video camera, a microphone, and a transmitter configured to transmit video signals representing video images sent from the camera and audio signals representing sounds sent from the microphone. A parent unit having a receiver for receiving the video signals and the audio signals, a video screen for displaying the video images, and a speaker for emitting the sounds. The child unit is configured to operate on primary power from an external power source and to operate on back-up power from the back-up battery source. The monitor system is configured to switch from the primary power to the back-up power and to deactivate at least one video function upon detecting a loss of the primary power.

Abstract: A security assembly includes a first building structure at least partially defining a building opening. The first building structure has a first surface. A movable building structure is movable between a closed position in which the movable building structure covers the opening and an open position in which the movable building structure uncovers the opening. The movable building structure has a perimeter with a second surface disposed in opposition to the first surface when the movable building structure is in the closed position. An optical sensor apparatus includes an electronics module mounted in association with the first surface or the second surface. The electronics module has an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical emitter emits a first beam. A reflector arrangement is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A video baby monitor system has a child unit and a receiver unit. The receiver unit has a housing assembly with a first section having a viewing surface and a second section. The first and second sections are movable relative to one another between an open position exposing the viewing surface and a closed position where the second section covers the viewing surface. A video screen is provided on the viewing surface of the first section. The first section can be moved from the closed position to the open position such that the video screen faces upward for viewing.

Abstract: A diaper pail has a body with an interior container space and an access opening into the interior container space. A diaper receptacle is also in the body and has a diaper receiving opening into the receptacle. An obstruction is provided that can be moved between a receiving orientation and a dumping orientation. In one aspect, an input device I configured to signal a part of the diaper pail to automatically operate the obstruction between the dumping orientation and the receiving orientation to receive a soiled diaper into the diaper receptacle and to dump the soiled diaper from the diaper receptacle into the interior container space. In another aspect, an activated charcoal filter is in communication with at least the interior storage space and is designed to chemically eliminate odors that emanate from the soiled diapers in the interior storage space.

Abstract: A device for monitoring growth of a child includes a platform to support the child during a measurement of weight, a transducer coupled to the platform to generate an indication of the weight of the child, a controller configured to determine a timing of the weight measurement, a computer-readable medium in communication with the controller and configured to store data representative of the weight indication and the measurement timing, and a data output port coupled to the controller. The controller is further configured to incorporate the data in a data compilation representative of a set of measurements of the growth of the child for exportation of the data compilation via the data output port.

Abstract: A monitor system has at least first and second child units that can each monitor audio at a different location and can each transmit signals representative of the audio monitored. A parent unit can receive the signals from the first and second child units. In one aspect, the parent unit can have at least one multi-color notification light that can be illuminated in a first color when receiving the audio monitored by the first child unit and a second color different from the first color when receiving the audio monitored by the second child unit. In another aspect, the parent unit can emit an audible notification representing the audio monitored by each of the child units. In this aspect, a volume control is in communication with the parent unit and can be operated to adjust a volume level of the emitted audible notification for each of the child units independent of the other child units.

Abstract: A child monitoring system includes a transmitter configured to capture information and transmit a signal indicative of the captured information, and a receiver configured to receive the signal and to generate an output in accordance with the captured information. The receiver includes a portable unit and a docking station configured to engage the portable unit. The receiver includes a detector configured to determine whether the portable unit and the docking station are engaged. The receiver includes a processor configured to control generation of the output in accordance with whether the portable unit and the docking station are engaged.

Abstract: A security sensor apparatus senses movement of an object. The sensor apparatus includes an electronics arrangement having an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical receiver has an axis of reception. The optical emitter emits a first beam along an axis of emission in an emission direction. The axis of emission diverges in the emission direction from the axis of reception at an angle of at least two degrees. The electronics arrangement is mounted in association a first surface of the object or a second surface of a structure disposed in opposition to the first surface. A reflector arrangement includes at least one reflective surface and is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface. The at least one reflective surface receives at least a portion of the first beam and produces a second beam directed at and received by the optical receiver.

Abstract: A security sensor apparatus senses movement of an object. The sensor apparatus includes an electronics arrangement having an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical receiver has an axis of reception. The optical emitter emits a first beam along an axis of emission in an emission direction. The axis of emission diverges in the emission direction from the axis of reception at an angle of at least two degrees. The electronics arrangement is mounted in association a first surface of the object or a second surface of a structure disposed in opposition to the first surface. A reflector arrangement includes at least one reflective surface and is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface. The at least one reflective surface receives at least a portion of the first beam and produces a second beam directed at and received by the optical receiver.

Abstract: A security assembly includes a first building structure at least partially defining a building opening. The first building structure has a first surface. A movable building structure is movable between a closed position in which the movable building structure covers the opening and an open position in which the movable building structure uncovers the opening. The movable building structure has a perimeter with a second surface disposed in opposition to the first surface when the movable building structure is in the closed position. An optical sensor apparatus includes an electronics module mounted in association with the first surface or the second surface. The electronics module has an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical emitter emits a first beam. A reflector arrangement is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A security sensor apparatus senses movement of an object. The sensor apparatus includes an electronics arrangement having an optical emitter and an optical receiver. The optical receiver has an axis of reception. The optical emitter emits a first beam along an axis of emission in an emission direction. The axis of emission diverges in the emission direction from the axis of reception at an angle of at least two degrees. The electronics arrangement is mounted in association a first surface of the object or a second surface of a structure disposed in opposition to the first surface. A reflector arrangement includes at least one reflective surface and is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface. The at least one reflective surface receives at least a portion of the first beam and produces a second beam directed at and received by the optical receiver.

Abstract: A juvenile product includes a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source, and a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage. A power transmitter coupled to the power cable includes a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage. A power supply includes a receiver coil configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, and further includes a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current. An electrical load coupled to the power supply is configured for operation via the DC power.

Abstract: A baby monitor system includes a transmitter unit that has a first receiver to receive baby sounds, a transmitter to transmit a signal corresponding to the baby sounds, and a transmitter housing to house the first receiver and the transmitter. The transmitter housing includes a faceplate connector. The baby monitor system also includes a receiver unit having a second receiver to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter unit. The baby monitor system further includes a plurality of transmitter faceplates that can be interchangeably connected to the faceplate connector of the transmitter housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are child monitor systems and methods in which a device includes a receiver that receives a wireless signal including audio data indicative of sounds captured at a remote location. The receiver includes a demodulator to derive a digital data stream from the wireless signal. The device further includes a processor coupled to the receiver to obtain the digital data stream and configured to analyze the digital data stream to determine whether to initiate a vibration alert. In some cases, a transmitter device includes a processor configured to generate a vibration alert command based on an analysis of the digital audio data and for incorporation in the wireless signal.

Abstract: A parent unit of a video baby monitor system has a housing and a receiver for receiving video signals from a transmitter of the system's child unit. The parent unit also has a microprocessor programmed to control operational parameters of the monitor system. A video screen on the housing is configured to operate in a monitoring mode and an information mode The video screen displays video images representative of the video signals during the monitoring mode and displays at least functional information related to characteristics of the operational parameters during the information mode. At least one functional information display in the information mode provides a selectable on-screen option that, when selected, affects an operational parameter. A control device on the housing is actuable for choosing the selectable option to affect the operational parameter.

Abstract: A video baby monitor system has a child unit with a back-up battery, a video camera, a microphone, and a transmitter configured to transmit video signals representing video images sent from the camera and audio signals representing sounds sent from the microphone. A parent unit having a receiver for receiving the video signals and the audio signals, a video screen for displaying the video images, and a speaker for emitting the sounds. The child unit is configured to operate on primary power from an external power source and to operate on back-up power from the back-up battery source. The monitor system is configured to switch from the primary power to the back-up power and to deactivate at least one video function upon detecting a loss of the primary power.

Abstract: A video baby monitor system has a child unit with a video camera and a transmitter configured to transmit video signals representing video images received from the camera. The camera has a maximum field of view with a view center. A parent unit has a receiver for receiving the video signals, an image control device, and a video screen configured to display the video images. The image control device is actuable to selectively display on the video screen a full image utilizing the maximum field of view of the camera and a partial image utilizing a fraction of the maximum field of view.

Abstract: A video baby monitor system has a child unit and a receiver unit. The receiver unit has a housing assembly with a first section having a viewing surface and a second section. The first and second sections are movable relative to one another between an open position exposing the viewing surface and a closed position where the second section covers the viewing surface. A video screen is provided on the viewing surface of the first section. The first section can be moved from the closed position to the open position such that the video screen faces upward for viewing.