INFANT MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A mobile entertainment device comprising a housing with a touchscreen, where the touchscreen navigates through various screen applications and options; a disc player within the housing, where the disc player includes a disc changer on a side of the housing with an eject button; a pair of speakers on a lateral portion of the housing, where the speakers are forward facing; a USB port on a side of the housing, where the USB port receives a USB cable; and a pair of adjustable securing straps fastened against a backside of the housing, where the pair of adjustable securing straps enable the housing to attach to a stationary object. The housing may be secured against the headrest in a vehicle or attached to a stand attached to a crib thereby allowing versatile entertainment wherever the child desires.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an infant mobile with a video monitor to entertain the infant with videos and animated images.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Mobiles are popular soothing tools for infants and children, providing them with an entertainment device that captivates their attention. The mobile typically is a suspended device that hangs toys, shapes and objects over the child while they are resting in their crib. Many mobiles have music players to create sounds while the objects hang. Additionally, some mobiles are also mechanized so that the toys rotate or spin over the crib. The young infants often become mesmerized by the slow moving objects and soothing music, to peacefully lull the child to sleep.

[0005] While the mobiles are beneficial for young babies, older children often become bored with the simple toys. Older babies, toddlers and young children need toys that are attention grabbing while also being educational to ensure that their attention does not wane too quickly. Toddlers and young children typically like brightly colored toys that make noise or have buttons to push. The parents' house often becomes bombarded or overwhelmed with all the toys because the child's interests are continuously changing, so as one toy becomes obsolete another toy is necessitated to teach additional skills.

[0006] Recently, devices like computer tablet have applications for children that are both educational and entertaining to captivate the child while also teaching them a lesson. Parents and guardians like these devices because they are easily portable and encompass many different toys all in one device. A problem with these devices is that they are usually expensive and fragile, so adult supervision is required at all times. The child cannot be left alone to play with the tablet without the parent risking that the tablet will be harmed in an irreparable way.

[0007] Therefore it would be beneficial in the art to provide an entertainment device to occupy the attention of both babies and toddlers as they grow and develop. It would also be desirable in the art to provide an educational device that teaches a child lessons in a fun way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile entertainment device, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

[0009] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile device with an internal disc player to play CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray® discs. The mobile device also includes a touchscreen able to download content from the internet for hours of lessons.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile device that may be transported from a stand attached to a crib or playpen to a headrest within a vehicle.

[0011] To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a mobile entertainment device is described comprising a housing with a touchscreen, where the touchscreen navigates through various screen applications and options; a disc player within the housing, where the disc player includes a disc changer on a side of the housing with an eject button; a pair of speakers on a lateral portion of the housing, where the speakers are forward facing; a USB port on a side of the housing, where the USB port receives a USB cable; and a pair of securing straps fastened against a backside of the housing, where the pair of securing straps enable the housing to attach to a stationary object. The housing may be secured against the headrest in a vehicle or attached to a stand attached to a crib thereby allowing versatile entertainment wherever the child desires.

[0012] These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an infant mobile entertainment device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of an infant mobile entertainment device with a pair of securing straps in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2(A) depicts a back view of an infant mobile entertainment device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an infant mobile entertainment device mounted on a stand in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention relates to an infant mobile with a video monitor to entertain the infant with videos and animated images. The present invention provides an infant mobile entertainment device as a method to captivate the attention of an infant or child viewing the device. The infant mobile entertainment device includes a housing with an internal DVD player and a touchscreen monitor. The housing includes a USB port to connect it to a computer, electrical charger and even vehicle charger. The housing is able to be mounted to a stand on a crib or the headrest of a vehicle seat, thereby transporting the entertainment wherever the child desires.

[0019] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an infant mobile entertainment device 100 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The infant mobile entertainment device 100 includes a housing 102 with a scratch resistant touchscreen 104. The housing 102 may include an internal CD/DVD/Blu-ray® player to play various entertainment discs for a child or infant. The touchscreen 104 enables a user to navigate through the various screen applications and options provided by the device 100. Along the lateral portions of the housing 102 maybe a pair of speakers 106. The speakers 106 face forward to provide optimal sound projection. Around the edge of the touchscreen 104 a plurality of control buttons 108 may be positioned to enable the user to manually function the volume, power and disc change options. A sleep timer may be set with the touchscreen 104 to turn off the screen after a predetermined amount of time.

[0020] Along a side of the housing 102 may be a disc changer 110 to insert and exchange a CD, DVD or Blu-ray® disc. The internal disc player may receive up to 6 discs for a variety of entertainment options. By the disc changer 110 may be an eject button 112 to eject the selected disc from the housing 102 for removal and replacement of another disc.

[0021] To provide power the housing 102 includes a rechargeable battery 114. The housing 102 further incudes a USB port 115 to receive a USB cord. The USB cord enables connection of the housing 102 to a computer, electrical outlet or vehicle charger. This way the battery 114 is recharged for subsequent uses. Similarly, by connecting the housing 102 to the computer the user may download apps, videos, music and educational programing for continuous entertainment and learning for the child. Alternatively, the housing 102 may connect directly to the internet through Wi-Fi, allowing downloadable content to directly pass into the device 100.

[0022] Positioned above the touchscreen, the housing 102 may include a camera 116. The camera 116 allows the user to monitor the child while they are positioned in front of the housing 102. The camera 116 is coupled to a monitor 150 to display the child's movements and activities on a screen 152. The monitor 150 is battery operated and further includes an actuator button 154 to save battery life when not in use. The camera 116 may include an infrared LED to provide night vision on the monitor 150 for surveillance even in the dark.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2 a front view of the infant mobile entertainment device 100 is shown with a pair of securing straps 120. The securing straps 120 enable fastening of the housing 102 to a stationary object like a crib, playpen, stand or headrest. The securing straps 120 include fasteners 122 at each end to attach the straps 120 to each other, around the stationary object. The fasteners may be a hook and loop fasteners with a hook portion 122a and a loop portion 122b. Likewise, the fasteners 122 may be a buckle, snap or buttons or the like. The securing straps 120 are adjustable for a tight and customizable fit around the object. As illustrated in FIG. 2(A) the straps 120 may thread through a pair of channels 125 to allow the housing 102 to be repositioned along the straps 120 as needed for optimal viewing of the touchscreen 104.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3 a perspective view of the infant video monitor device 100 is shown mounted on a stand 130 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The stand 130 includes a shaft 132 extending upright with a perpendicular arm 134. The shaft 132 meets the arm 134 at a swivel joint 136 that allows the arm 134 to rotate about the shaft 132. The stand 130 attaches to a crib or playpen with a clamp 138 attached to the shaft 132. The clamp 138 tightens the shaft 132 against the crib to ensure that the housing 102 is secure while suspended from the arm 134.

[0025] The housing 102 is suspended from the stand 130 by attaching the securing straps 120 to the arm 134 and to a rotating gear 140. The rotating gear 140 is positioned by the swivel joing 136 and enables the housing 102 to tilt up and down thereby perfectly angling the screen towards the child. To provide continuous power to the housing 102, a power cord 142 is coupled to the device 100. The power cord 142 may pass through the stand 130 and terminate at a plug 144 for insertion into an electrical outlet.

[0026] With the infant mobile entertainment device the user is provided an entertainment device that engages and occupies the child's attention for hours. The housing is conveniently attached to a stand which is then positioned to a crib or playpen. Further, the housing may be transferred to a vehicle and attached to the headrest for a versatile, portable entertainment system. Along with being a captivating machine the device is also a security tool allowing the user to monitor their child even when the videos are not playing.

[0027] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A mobile entertainment device comprising: a. a housing with a touchscreen, where the touchscreen navigates through various screen applications and options; b. a disc player within the housing, where the disc player includes a disc changer on a side of the housing with an eject button; c. a pair of speakers on a lateral portion of the housing, where the speakers are forward facing; d. a USB port on a side of the housing, where the USB port receives a USB cable; e. an activation button on the housing to power the mobile entertainment device; and f. a pair of adjustable securing straps fastened against a backside of the housing, where the pair of adjustable securing straps enable the housing to attach to a stationary object.

2. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 1, where the housing includes a camera positioned above the touchscreen, where the camera is coupled to a monitor to view a child in front on the housing.

3. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 2, where the camera includes an infrared LED for monitoring in the dark.

4. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 1, where the pair of adjustable securing straps thread through a pair of channels on the backside of the housing.

5. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 4, where the pair of channels able the housing to move along the pair of adjustable securing straps.

6. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 1, where the pair of adjustable securing straps include a fastener at each end to attach the housing to the stationary object.

7. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 6, where the fasteners are one of at least hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snaps or buttons.

8. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 1, where the stationary object is a vehicle headrest.

9. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 1, where the USB cable enables connection to a computer, electrical outlet and vehicle charger.

10. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 1, where the housing connects to the internet via Wi-Fi.

11. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 1, where the housing attaches to a stand with the pair of adjustable securing straps, where the stand includes: a. a shaft positioned upright from an infant enclosure; b. an arm extending perpendicularly from the shaft; c. a clamp fastened to the shaft, where the clamp secures the stand to the infant enclosure; and d. a power cord coupled to the housing, where the power cord passes through the stand to plug into an electrical outlet.

12. The mobile entertainment device according to claim 11, where the stand further includes a. a swivel joint connecting the shaft to the arm, where the swivel joint enables the arm to rotate about the shaft; and b. a rotating gear positioned by the swivel joint, where the rotating gear receives the securing strap to rotate the angle that the touchscreen on the housing is facing.

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