Programmable baby mobiles and baby soothing devices

Abstract

Baby soothing devices for soothing a baby to sleep and/or for entertaining a baby. The device is mountable to a crib and includes a central operating unit including an interface component adapted to electronically interface with a portable music player. A speaker is operatively coupled to the central operating unit. A visual stimulation device is operatively coupled to the central operating unit and presents a visual stimulus above the baby crib. An attachment bracket is coupled to the central operating unit and is adapted to mount the central operating unit to the baby crib. The visual stimulation device may be in the form of a mobile, a projector or a side panel display. The interface component may be in the form of a docking station, a USB port or other type of port. The central operating unit may be powered by AC current, by batteries or other power means.

1 . A baby soothing device for mounting to a baby crib comprising:
 a central operating unit including an interface component adapted to electronically interface with a portable music player;   a speaker operatively coupled to said central operating unit;   a visual stimulation device operatively coupled to said central operating unit and presenting a visual stimulus above the baby crib; and   an attachment bracket coupled to said central operating unit and adapted to mount said central operating unit to the baby crib.   
   
   
       2 . The baby soothing device of  claim 1  wherein said visual stimulation device includes a mobile, said mobile having an arm coupled at one end to and extending from said central operating unit and said visual stimulus is rotatably coupled to an opposite end of said arm. 
   
   
       3 . The baby soothing device of  claim 1  wherein said visual stimulation device includes projector, said projector projecting said visual stimulus in an area above said central operating unit. 
   
   
       4 . The baby soothing device of  claim 1  wherein said interface component includes a docking station having a recess for receiving and holding the portable music player and a dock connector disposed in said recess, said dock connector adapted to electronically mate with a mating port on the portable music player. 
   
   
       5 . The baby soothing device of  claim 1  wherein said interface component includes a port for electronically coupling with the portable music player. 
   
   
       6 . The baby soothing device of  claim 1  wherein said central operating unit includes a power source, said power source including a battery. 
   
   
       7 . The baby soothing device of  claim 1  wherein said central operating unit includes an electrical cord adapted to couple with an AC outlet. 
   
   
       8 . The baby soothing device of  claim 8  wherein said electrical cord is housed within a rigid cover. 
   
   
       9 . The baby soothing device of  claim 1  further including a remote controller and wherein said central operating unit includes a remote sensor, said remote controller operative to control said central operating unit. 
   
   
       10 . A baby soothing device comprising:
 a central operating unit including an interface component adapted to electronically interface with a portable music player;   a speaker operatively coupled to said central operating unit; and   a mobile operatively coupled to said central operating unit, said mobile including an elongated arm coupled at one end to and extending from said central operating unit, said mobile including a visual stimulus coupled to an opposite end of said elongated arm.   
   
   
       11 . The baby soothing device of  claim 10  further including an attachment bracket, said attachment bracket coupled to said central operating unit. 
   
   
       12 . The baby soothing device of  claim 10  further including a remote controller and wherein said central operating unit includes a remote sensor, said remote sensor receiving signals from said remote controller. 
   
   
       13 . The baby soothing device of  claim 10  wherein said central operating unit further includes a projector, said projector projecting an image in an area away from said central operating unit. 
   
   
       14 . The baby soothing device of  claim 10  wherein said interface includes a docking station having a recess for receiving and holding the portable music player and a dock connector disposed in said recess, said dock connector adapted to electronically mate with a mating port on the portable music player. 
   
   
       15 . The baby soothing device of  claim 10  wherein said interface component includes an electronic port for electronically coupling with the portable music player. 
   
   
       16 . A baby soothing device for use in a room having a wall or a ceiling, the baby soothing device comprising:
 a central operating unit including an interface component adapted to electronically interface with an portable music player;   a speaker operatively coupled to said central operating unit; and   a projector operatively coupled to said central operating unit, said projector adapted to project an image on at least one of the wall or the ceiling of the room.   
   
   
       17 . The baby soothing device of  claim 16  further including an attachment bracket, said attachment bracket coupled to said central operating unit. 
   
   
       18 . The baby soothing device of  claim 16  further including a mobile operatively coupled to said central operating unit, said mobile including an elongated arm coupled at one end to and extending from said central operating unit, said mobile including a visual stimulus coupled to an opposite end of said elongated arm. 
   
   
       19 . The baby soothing device of  claim 16  wherein said interface includes a docking station having a recess for receiving and holding the portable music player and a dock connector disposed in said recess, said dock connector adapted to electronically mate with a mating port on the portable music player. 
   
   
       20 . The baby soothing device of  claim 16  wherein said central operating unit includes an electrical cord adapted to couple with an AC outlet.