TALKING PACIFIER APPARATUS

Abstract

A talking pacifier that will serve as an interpreter and an advocate for the vocally challenged, namely infants. The device contains a microprocessor coupled to a speaker for providing short musings that will appear to be delivered by the user of the device. In a preferred embodiment an activation button releases a baby's musings on everything from potty talk to politics.

Claims

1. A novelty infant pacifier comprising: a pacifier; a strap formed from an elongated piece of flexible material having a proximal end secured to said pacifier and a distal end having a mechanism for coupling to object to prevent misplacement of said pacifier; a chamber formed between said first and second end; a microprocessor coupled to a speaker positioned within said chamber; a power source electrical coupled to said microprocessor; and a switch positioned between said power source and said microprocessor for coupling said power source to said microprocessor; whereby said strap is attached to object such as an infant's shirt and activation of said switch allows power to said microprocessor to produce sounds through said speaker whereby said sounds entertain those surrounding said infant for the purpose of entertainment, soothing, or education.

2. The novelty infant pacifier according to claim 1 including a memory chip coupled to said microprocessor, said memory chip having prerecorded sounds.

3. The novelty infant pacifier according to claim 2 wherein said memory chip will store up to 100 sound clips.

4. The novelty infant pacifier according to claim 2 wherein said sounds are up to 150 seconds in duration.

5. The novelty infant pacifier according to claim 2 wherein said microprocessor selects sound musings stored on said memory chips by requested selection or by random selection.

6. The novelty infant pacifier according to claim 5 wherein said short musings are about life as a baby.

7. The novelty infant pacifier according to claim 1 wherein said switch is further defined as a push button, wherein said push button can be activated to provide power from said battery source to said microprocessor by pushing, pulling twisting or squeezing.

8. The novelty infant pacifier according to claim 1 wherein said switch is selected from the activation group consisting of: a motion sensor, Bluetooth, or a wi-fi coupling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a pictorial of the pacifier and strap; and

[0032] FIG. 2 is a pictorial of the electronics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention to develop any appropriately detailed structure.

[0034] The present invention disclosed here is one of a talking pacifier. The pacifier contains a power supply and a speaker. Upon activation, the speaker would emit a series of words or sounds with the intent of entertaining those around the baby. The pacifier might give the impression that the baby is actually talking with short sentences, words, songs, noises, and animal noises (as examples; but not limited to such sounds) that would be entertaining in various languages with various accents. The speaker could be activated through active or passive engagement with the pacifier. This could include a push button on the housing of the pacifier that would activate a speaker when depressed. Alternatively, a portion of the housing, including but not limited to a ring loop, could be pulled to activate. Alternatively, a portion of the pacifier housing could be rotated to activate the speaker. Alternatively, the housing could be pinched or squeezed to be activated. Alternatively, the sucking motion of the child could activate the speaker. The speaker may also be activated wirelessly, via Bluetooth or the like wireless standards.

[0035] The speaker could also be activated through various passive means. If the pacifier was removed from the mouth of the baby, the speaker could be activated. A motion sensor could detect movement around the pacifier that could activate the speaker. An accelerometer could detect movement and activate the speaker. Random or interval timing could also activate the speaker.

[0036] The pacifier could include a central processing unit with associated memory. In the options defined above, memory would be included in the pacifier with any number of pre-recorded sayings. An access port, i.e. mini or micro USB, or similar future hardware standards, could allow connection to a computer to transfer new data to the memory. Alternatively, a receiver could be contained in the housing, allowing remote transmission of an audio signal (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.) to activate the speaker. In this scenario, a remote control device could be used to select the specific saying that would be activated. A mobile device, phone or computer could also be used to similarly choose a specific saying for transmission and activation of the speaker.

[0037] Alternatively, an additional component attached to the housing could contain the electronics. This could be any form of a plush toy, blanket, animal, or the like component. The electronics may include connection to: Hey Google, Amazon Alexa, and the like systems found in homes and automobiles.

[0038] In one configuration, the power supply could be replaced after the battery runs out. The pacifier could be sanitized through various methods without damaging the technology.

[0039] In one configuration, the electronics could be semi-permanently attached to the housing of the pacifier. This would allow swapping of various modules for a new power supply, different aesthetic designs, or with memory containing various prerecorded noises.

[0040] Along with pre-recorded noises, it could be possible to allow owners of the pacifier to record their own sayings. This could be stored locally on memory within the pacifier to subsequently be transmitted to a receiver on the pacifier.

[0041] Alternatively, this same concept and various embodiments could be housed in a pacifier strap.

[0042] The activation of the speaker could also allow a caretaker to locate a lost pacifier.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment. FIG. 1 depicts the device 10 which looks and feels like a traditional pacifier strap 12 with an attached pacifier 14. Within the strap 12 will be a microprocessor with memory 16, a speaker 18, a power source 20, and a means for activation 22, which, in this embodiment, is a push button. With a push of the button 22 by a parent, a friend, or the unsuspecting baby, the speaker 18 in the strap will allow a prerecorded voice to entertain those within an earshot by playing a short musing about life as a baby. The means for activation can be performed by pushing, pulling twisting or squeezing.

[0044] The following are copyright protected musing examples: [0045] Remove this pacifier at your own risk . . . Seriously . . . Step back quietly and think twice. [0046] It's true . . . I am an emotionally unstable pint size dictator. [0047] Stop it. I will blow you a kiss at my discretion. Begging is unbecoming. [0048] You would totally nap twice a day if it were socially acceptable. [0049] At least my pacifier doesn't give me a hangover. [0050] Your failure to understand me doesn't constitute a lack in my ability to communicate. [0051] My snuggles could solve major international problems. [0052] According to my research. I'm acting my age. You, my friend, have no such excuse.

[0053] In the preferred embodiment, the memory 16 will contain up to 100 different sound clips stored in the strap that in a preferred embodiment will last 4-6 seconds each and in other embodiments may last up to 150 seconds. The device will recite a single saying with each button push. A mini-USB connection 24 will allow recharging of the battery after approximately 700 clicks. In another embodiment the battery is non-replaceable, non-rechargeable allowing for reduced manufacturing costs. All the electronics will be preferably housed between two strips of fabric 26, 28 on the strap and double stitched 30, 32 for safety. Alternatively, the strap can be made of plastic or other flexible material with the electronics attached to one surface of the strap or between straps that are heat sealed or glued. The strap 12 will have a traditional loop tie connection 34 to the pacifier 14 and a shirt clip 36 on the opposite side.

[0054] Niche variations would utilize identical electronics, pacifier and overall design. However, a new set of recordings tailored to the topic and appropriate imagery will visually distinguish the subject matter and create a never-ending platform of musings: holidays, sports teams, political, superheroes, hobbies, etc. For example, the following are copyrighted University of Florida niche musings: [0055] The only thing that slobbers more than me is a Georgia Bulldog. [0056] How many Serainoles did it take to tackle Tebow? Good question, nobody knows. [0057] Nick Saban cheats. There is no other feasible explanation. [0058] Take the pacifier. Maybe it can help quiet down that tomahawk chop.

[0059] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

[0060] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

[0061] The terms comprise (and any form of comprise, such as comprises and comprising), have (and any form of have, such as has and having), include (and any form of include, such as includes and including) and contain (and any form of contain, such as contains and containing) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that comprises, has, includes or contains one or more steps or elements, possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that comprises, has, includes or contains one or more features, possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.