Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CHILDCARE

INFORMATION

Technical Field

[1] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for providing childcare information; and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for providing current childcare environmental condition information and a childcare schedule. Background Art

[2] A lot of information is required for raising an infant. For example, required is information on when and what to vaccinate the infant at a medical institution, or information on a standard growth of the infant for checking whether the infant is growing normally. In addition, a mental development of the infant can be estimated on the basis of the movement and the reaction of the infant to the environments based on the number of months after birth of infant. For instance, such information can be organized as following Tables 1 to 4 according to the number of months after birth of infant.

[3] Table 1

[Table 1]

[4] Table 1. Infant's Standard Growth Table

[5] Table 2

[Table 2]

[6] Table 2. Main Developments by Months

[7] Table 3

[Table 3]

Period Vaccination

0-1 week Hepatitis B (1 ^st vaccination), BCG

1 months Hepatitis B(2 ^nd vaccination)

2 months DPT, polio (1 ^st vaccination) , Hepatitis B ( 3 ^rd vaccination)

4 months DPT, polio (2 ^nd vaccination)

6 months polio (3 ^rrt vaccination), Hepatitis B(3 ^rrt vaccination), DPT (3 ^rd vaccination)

12-15 MMR(l ^st vaccination), chicken pox vaccination months

[8] Table 3. Infant Vaccination Table [9] Table 4 [Table 4]

Time Schedule

5-8 feed milk or let infant sleep after bath

9-12 let infant sleep for about 2 hours after feeding milk (baby food)

13-16 let infant take a walk after feeding milk (baby food)

17-19 don' t let infant take a nap after feeding milk (baby food)

19-20 sleep

[10] Table 4. An Example of A Daily Schedule till 6 Months [H] Conventionally, such information is checked by referring to a childcare book or a calendar providing such information, which requires much time and effort. Furthermore, if the person could not refer to the book or the calendar, the person can miss an important vaccination period or can be mentally pressured not to miss an important schedule.

[12] Not only the childcare information according to the number of months after birth of infant as described above is indispensable, but also information about the environment is indispensable for raising the infant. For example, it is necessary to provide information on a favorable environment (such as cleanliness of air, temperature or humidity) for preventing a respiratory disease, an atopic disease or the like.

[13] An external environmental factor and an internal environmental factor are two big factors for the air pollution. The external environmental factor may include an increase of materials harmful to a human body such as a volatile organic compound generated

from construction materials, which are made of synthetic materials, like indoor furniture or wallpapers. The internal environmental factor may include an increase of carbon dioxide and a decrease of oxygen when the infant and the parents respire in a closed space where air is not well ventilated.

[14] A volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor, a carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) sensor, a hydrocarbon (HC) sensor or the like is used for measuring the pollution level caused by the environmental factors described above. However, in case of a conventional air pollution measuring device having a high cost, the pollution level is generally displayed by using numbers. In addition, in case of a conventional air pollution measuring device having a low cost, which is additionally embedded in an air cleaner, it simply raises a warning alarm or operates the air cleaner when the pollution level exceeds a predetermined critical level.

[15] The air pollution measuring device having a high cost employs an LCD or LED device to display the pollution level. However, it is difficult to constantly observe the pollution level while placing the air pollution measuring device close to an observer in an infant raising environment, and moreover, it is too expensive.

[16] Meanwhile, as for the air pollution measuring device having a low cost, it is difficult to recognize the condition of the current air before the warning alarm sounds.

[17] Accordingly, requested is a childcare supporting device capable of providing information on a childcare schedule and measuring the pollution level of indoor air as well as measuring the temperature and the humidity of the indoor. In addition, requested are an apparatus and a method capable of allowing a user to easily determine whether the air pollution level is appropriate for the childcare environment without checking the level of the gas sensor output. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[18] In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method capable of supplying environmental information or schedule information required for raising an infant.

[19] The present disclosure also provides an apparatus and a method capable of allowing a user to easily recognize a pollution level of environment without supplying environmental information by using the numbers representing specific gas density or the like. Technical Solution

[20] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing childcare information, including: a sensor unit for detecting environmental information on a surrounding environment; a time information unit for

generating time information; a memory for storing childcare information data including optimum childcare environmental information and a childcare schedule; a controller for generating current childcare environmental condition information by comparing the detected environmental information with the stored optimum childcare environmental information, and for searching current childcare schedule information from the stored childcare schedule based on the time information; and an output unit for outputting the generated childcare environmental condition information and the searched childcare schedule information.

[21] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing childcare environmental condition information, including: detecting environmental information on a current environment; receiving time information on current time; reading optimum childcare environmental information appropriate for raising an infant based on the time information; generating a comfort level of childcare environment by comparing the environmental information with the optimum childcare environmental information; and outputting the childcare environmental condition information based on the generated comfort level of childcare environment.

[22] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing childcare schedule information, including: receiving an individual childcare schedule and a childcare reference date from a user and storing the individual childcare schedule and the childcare reference date; receiving current time information from a real time clock (RTC); searching a non-completed childcare schedule from the stored individual childcare schedule based on the time information; calculating the number of days after birth of infant based on the time information and the childcare reference date, and searching a non-completed childcare schedule from a pre-stored common childcare schedule based on the number of days after birth of infant; outputting an alarm regarding the searched childcare schedule when there is the searched childcare schedule in the step of searching the non-completed childcare schedule from the stored individual childcare schedule or the pre-stored common childcare schedule; receiving a confirmation input indicating that the alarm is outputted; and storing the received confirmation input as a completed childcare schedule. Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing components of an apparatus for providing childcare information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[24] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing components of a signal processing unit in detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[25] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing components of an output unit in detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[26] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for providing childcare environmental condition information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[27] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for providing childcare schedule information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention may be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, it is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments but can be realized in various other ways. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted for the simplicity of explanation, and like reference numerals denote like parts through the whole document.

[29] Through the whole document, the term "connected to" or "coupled to" that is used to designate a connection or coupling of one element to another element includes both a case that an element is "directly connected or coupled to" another element and a case that an element is "electronically connected or coupled to" another element via still another element. Further, the term "comprises or includes" and/or "comprising or including" used in the document means that one or more other components, steps, operation and/or existence or addition of elements are not excluded in addition to the described components, steps, operation and/or elements.

[30] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing components of an apparatus for providing childcare information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[31] The apparatus for providing childcare information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 100, a signal processing unit 200, a time information unit 300, a controller 400, a memory 500 and an output unit 600.

[32] The sensor unit 100 detects environmental information, and converts the detected environmental information into an electrical signal so as to transmit it to the signal processing unit 200. The environmental information may include environmental factors surrounding an infant, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, VOC concentration, CO ₂ concentration, HC concentration, dust density and the like surrounding the apparatus for providing the childcare information.

[33] The signal processing unit 200 receives the electrical signal containing the environmental information from the sensor unit 100 to perform a signal conditioning process with respect to the received electrical signal. Then, the signal processing unit 200 transmits the electrical signal to the controller 400. The signal process performed

by the signal processing unit 200 may include, for example, a noise removing process, a signal amplification process or the like.

[34] The time information unit 300 generates time information on current date and time, and transmits the current time information to the controller 400. In this manner, the time information unit 300 transmits the current time information to the controller 400 so as to allow the controller 400 to obtain the childcare information in the current time with respect to a childcare reference date and to determine whether a warning is required. The childcare reference date may be, for example, an infant's date of birth. The time information unit 300 may be, for instance, a RTC (Real-Time-Clock).

[35] The controller 400 receives the electrical signal containing the environmental information from the signal processing unit 200, and determines the environmental information based on the electrical signal. In addition, the controller 400 reads childcare information data, which includes optimum childcare environmental information and a childcare schedule, from the memory 500. The optimum childcare environmental information includes information on an appropriate environmental condition for raising the infant according to the season and time. The childcare schedule includes a common childcare schedule, such as the vaccination date or the teeth development information, and an individual childcare schedule, such as when to feed the infant or when to change the diaper.

[36] The controller 400 generates a comfort level of a current childcare environment by comparing the received optimum childcare environmental information with the detected environmental information. Then, the controller 400 generates childcare environmental condition information corresponding to the generated comfort level so as to transmit an output signal including the generated childcare environmental condition information to the output unit 600. The comfort level of the childcare environment corresponds to a variation between the environmental information and the stored optimum childcare environmental information. The comfort level of the childcare environment may be the comfort level at the moment when the environmental information is detected or the comfort level for a certain period of time. In addition, the childcare environmental condition information is represented based on the comfort level of the childcare environment so that the comfort level is easily recognized.

[37] Moreover, the controller 400 receives the current time information from the time information unit 300 and reads the childcare schedule sent from the memory 500. Then, the controller 400 searches the currently required childcare schedule information by comparing the received current time information with the childcare schedule, so as to transmit an output signal based on the search result to the output unit 600.

[38] Further, the controller 400 stores the detected environmental information and the current time information in the memory 500 so as to later generate the environmental

information for a certain period of time by reading the stored environmental information and the time information from the memory 500.

[39] The memory 500 stores childcare information data provided for raising the infant. In addition, when the controller 400 requests for the childcare information data, the memory 500 transmits the childcare information data to the controller 400. The childcare information data may include the optimum childcare environmental information and the childcare schedule. Further, the memory 500 can receive the environmental information and the current time information sent from the controller 400 and can store the received information.

[40] The output unit 600 receives the output signal from the controller 400 and outputs the childcare environmental condition information and the childcare schedule information in response to the output signal.

[41] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing components of the signal processing unit 200 in detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The signal processing unit 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a filter 210 and an amplifier 220.

[42] The filter 210 removes the noise component from the electrical signal received from the sensor unit, and improves the electrical characteristic of the received electrical signal.

[43] When an A/D conversion is required for the electrical signal received from the sensor unit, the amplifier 220 amplifies the received electrical signal to minimize a quantization error. Therefore, the quantization error can be minimized by amplifying the electrical signal in the amplifier 220.

[44] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing components of the output unit 600 in detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The output unit 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include a display unit 610, a RGB output unit 620 and a speaker 630.

[45] The display unit 610 outputs the childcare environmental condition information and the childcare schedule information by using at least one of a figure and a letter. The childcare environmental condition information includes the current environmental condition information compared to an optimum environment for raising the infant. In addition, the childcare schedule information may include the childcare information required for the current date and time with respect to the childcare reference date, in which the childcare information includes, for instance, the vaccination date, the teeth development information, when to feed the infant, when to change the diaper and the like.

[46] The display unit 610 displays visual information. When the visual information is displayed in a figure, it can be implemented by using an LCD, and when the visual in-

formation is displayed in a simple number or letter, it can be implemented by using an LED segment or a VFD.

[47] The RGB output unit 620 outputs the childcare environmental condition information, which is the result of comparison between the environmental information and the optimum childcare environmental information, by using a color having a combination of R (red), G (green) and B (blue). In other words, the RGB output unit 620 visually outputs information on how appropriate the environment is for raising the infant by using the color, so that a user can easily recognize the childcare environmental condition at a distance. The RGB output unit 620 is installed in the childcare information providing apparatus. The RGB output unit 620 can be implemented by using the LED or a light bulb, and can serve as an illuminator.

[48] The color generated by the RGB output unit 620 may show particular environmental information, for example, information on air pollution level, temperature and humidity. In this case, intensity values of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) factors, which are the color components of the RGB output unit 620, can respectively be output in a predetermined range, for example, in the intensity value ranging from 0 to 225.

[49] In addition, the RGB output unit 620 can generate the color by independently varying two intensity values of R, G and B according to the environmental change while the remaining intensity value of R, G and B is varied depending on the independently varied intensity value.

[50] For example, a method of basically setting the values of R, G and B to have the intensity value of 255, the intensity value of R to correspond to the air pollution level, the intensity value of B to correspond to the temperature and humidity, and the intensity value of G to be dependent on the intensity values of R and B, can be taken into consideration.

[51] At this time, in view of the air pollution level, as the air pollution level deteriorates, the intensity value of R reduces from 255 to 0, and the intensity value of G also reduces in correspondence with the reduction of the intensity value of R.

[52] In addition, in view of the temperature and humidity, the intensity value of B reduces from 255 to 0 in correspondence with a variation between the temperature and humidity and the optimum temperature and humidity, and the intensity value of G also reduces in correspondence with the reduction of the intensity value of B. Further, the temperature and the humidity may independently exert influence upon the intensity value of R, and in this case, a variation between the temperature and the optimum temperature, and a variation between the humidity and the optimum humidity may independently be reflected on the intensity value of B.

[53] In this manner, the colors, which are generated by the RGB output unit 620 when the intensity values of R, G and B vary, can be expressed as shown in Table 5.

[54] Table 5 [Table 5]

[55] Table 5. Childcare Environmental Condition Information Output Colors [56] As described above, the RGB output unit 620 can generate the illuminations of corresponding colors by controlling the intensity values of R, G and B according to the conditions of air pollution level, temperature and humidity.

[57] Meanwhile, unlike the above-mentioned embodiment, a correspondence relation of certain environmental information corresponding to the R, G and B may be changed, and also, the types of the certain environmental information may be changed. Further, instead of constantly varying the intensity values of R, G and B according to the childcare environmental condition information to be outputted, a color table can be predetermined, and then a color corresponding to the determined childcare environmental condition information can be readout from the color table and be outputted.

[58] Accordingly, the apparatus for providing childcare information in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention is capable of allowing the user to easily recognize the conditions of air pollution level, temperature and humidity at a distance by using only the illumination colors displayed on the childcare information providing apparatus.

[59] The speaker 630 outputs the childcare environmental condition information or the childcare schedule information by using a sound. For example, when a level of the environmental condition exceeds a predetermined critical level which is inappropriate for raising the infant, the speaker 630 can output it in a warning alarm. The warning alarm can be raised in a short sound such as a simple 'beep' sound, or in a voice, or in various types of sounds. In addition, the warning alarm can be classified into various levels according to the level of warning, and different warning alarms can be raised depending on the level of warning.

[60] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for providing childcare environmental condition information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [61] In step Sl 10, current environmental information is detected. The environmental in-

formation may include environmental factors surrounding an infant, for example, temperature, humidity, pressure, VOC concentration, CO ₂ concentration, HC concentration, dust density and the like. The environmental information may be detected through a sensor.

[62] In step S 120, current time information is received. The current time information can be received from a RTC.

[63] In step S 130, the environmental information and the current time information obtained in the steps Sl 10 and S 120 are stored. If the obtained environmental information and current time information is stored, the childcare environmental condition information during a certain period of time can be analyzed.

[64] In step S 140, optimum childcare environmental information of current date and time are readout. The optimum childcare environmental information can be previously stored, and can vary depending on the season and time. Therefore, the optimum childcare environmental information corresponding to the current time information received in the step S 120 is readout from the previously stored optimum childcare environmental information with respect to the season and time.

[65] In step S 150, a comfort level of current childcare environment is generated. The comfort level of childcare environment is a variation between the environmental information detected in the step Sl 10 and the optimum childcare environmental information readout in the step S 140. The comfort level of childcare environment can be generated by comparing the environmental information detected in the step Sl 10 with the optimum childcare environmental information readout in the step S 140. The comfort level of childcare environment may be the comfort level at the moment when the environmental information is detected or the comfort level for a certain period of time.

[66] In step S 160, childcare environmental condition information according to the comfort level of childcare environment generated in the step S 150 is output. The childcare environmental condition information is information represented to allow a user to easily recognize the comfort level of childcare environment. The childcare environmental condition information may be variously represented by using colors, letters or figures. For example, when represented in the letters, it can be represented as "air pollution level high," "temperature little low" or the like. Further, when represented in the figures, it can be represented as a smiling face, an expressionless face, a frowning face or the like. Furthermore, childcare environmental condition information can be represented in the colors of green, red or blue according to the conditions of air pollution level, temperature and humidity.

[67] The aforementioned Table 5 illustrates the colors represented according to the intensity values of R, G and B, and mixture thereof based on the conditions of air

pollution level, temperature and humidity.

[68] In step S 170, determined is whether the current childcare environment falls within a dangerous condition range on the basis of the comfort level of childcare environment generated in the step S 150. Such determining process is performed with respect to factors used for generating the comfort level of childcare environment, that is, comfort level generating factors. For example, if the temperature, humidity, CO ₂ concentration, HC concentration and dust density are the comfort level generating factors, whether it has fallen within the dangerous condition range is determined on the basis of these factors. Accordingly, if the number of the comfort level generating factors exceeding a tolerance limit is greater than a predetermined number, it is determined to have fallen within the dangerous condition range. For example, if the determining process is established to determine it as the dangerous condition when two or more comfort level generating factors exceed the tolerance limit, it will determine that the current childcare environment has fallen within the dangerous condition range when the temperature is very low and the CO ₂ concentration is very high.

[69] In step S 180, if it is determined that the current childcare environment has fallen within the dangerous condition range in the step S 170, a warning is output. The warning may be output by using sounds, colors, letters or the like. For example, a warning alarm, a melody, a voice, a blinking of an illumination device or a display device, etc. may be employed.

[70] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for providing childcare schedule information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[71] In step S210, a childcare reference date and an individual childcare schedule, which are references for searching a childcare schedule, are inputted by a user, and the inputted childcare reference date and individual childcare schedule are stored in a memory or the like. The childcare reference date may include, for example, an infant's date of birth. The childcare reference date provides a reference for calculating the number of days after birth of infant to search a currently required childcare schedule. In addition, the individual childcare schedule may include a childcare schedule individually required for each infant, such as when to feed the infant or when to change the diaper.

[72] In step S220, current time information is received from a RTC, etc. The time information may include the date and time.

[73] In step S230, the number of days after birth of infant is calculated by comparing the childcare reference date inputted in the step S210 with the time information received in the step S220.

[74] In step S240, a non-completed childcare schedule is searched from a predetermined common childcare schedule based on the number of days after birth of infant

calculated in the step S230. In addition, a non-completed childcare schedule is searched from the individual childcare schedule stored in the step S210 on the basis of the current time information received in the step S220.

[75] For example, if the childcare reference date is 1 January 2007 and the current date based on the current time information is 1 May 2007, the number of days after birth of infant becomes 4 months. Then, a non-completed common childcare schedule, which is to be output with the alarm, required for a 4-month infant is searched from the predetermined common childcare schedule based on the number of days after birth of infant. The common childcare schedule may include a childcare schedule commonly required for all infants, such as the vaccination date or the teeth development information. In addition, as described above, the individual childcare schedule may include the childcare schedule individually required for each infant, such as when to feed the infant or when to change the diaper.

[76] In step S250, outputted are an alarm about the non-completed common childcare schedule and individual childcare schedule searched in the step S240. For example, the output of the alarm can be implemented by stimulating the auditory sense using a warning sound or a voice. Further, it can be implemented by stimulating the visual sense using the blinking of light by an illumination device such as a RGB output unit, the letters displayed on a display screen or the blinking of figures. Furthermore, it can be implemented by simultaneously stimulating the auditory sense and the visual sense.

[77] In step S260, determined is whether a confirmation input, which indicates that the alarm is outputted, is performed for the common childcare schedule or individual childcare schedule outputted with the alarm in the step S250. A user performs the process of the confirmation input when the childcare schedule is completed. The reason for determining whether the confirmation input is performed is to again output the alarm for the non-completed common childcare schedule or individual childcare schedule when the schedule is not completed even after the alarm is outputted.

[78] In step S270, the common childcare schedule or individual childcare schedule, which is determined to have gone through the confirmation input in the step S260, is stored as a completed schedule. Accordingly, the common childcare schedule or individual childcare schedule stored as the completed schedule is not outputted with the alarm afterward.

[79] The above description of the present invention is provided for the purpose of illustration, and it would be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without changing technical conception and essential features of the present invention. Thus, it is clear that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[80] In accordance with the present disclosure, it is possible to recognize environmental information required for raising an infant at a distance, and also, it is possible for a user to deal with a situation when childcare environment falls within a dangerous condition range by warning the user of the situation.

[81] In addition, it is possible to provide a childcare schedule required for raising an infant, and also, it is possible for a user to easily recognize the childcare schedule by outputting an alarm when necessary.