Invention, Intellectual Property and Income

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Dreamy Whale Slide

Invention: Dreamy Whale – Smart Baby Mobile

Dreamy Whale This interactive crib mobile is specially designed for babies. It features a smart sound sensor that automatically activates NeoPixel lights and a servo motor when it detects crying. Its purpose is to soothe and comfort the baby, promoting more restful sleep. With its soft materials and gentle, safe design, it is ideal for daily use in the crib.

This project integrates a sound sensor (KY-38) that detects the baby's cry, acting as the input trigger. In response, two outputs are activated simultaneously:

A Neopixel LED strip lights up in a soft, randomized color sequence.
A servomotor gently moves the structure, mimicking a calming rocking motion.

These two outputs work together to create a soothing and captivating experience for the baby. The 3D-printed whale, housing the Neopixels, glows from within—producing a magical and calming visual effect. The combination of movement and colored light is designed to comfort and distract the baby in a peaceful way.

The whale's structure—referred to as the “spinal column” for better understanding—is made from CNC laser-cut acrylic. This column is designed with articulated joints that allow movement between different body segments. One of these joints is connected to a servo motor, which generates rotational motion that drives both the first and third body segments.

The fourth segment is attached via an eccentric pivot point, allowing it to move without the need for an additional servo motor. This mechanism takes advantage of the primary movement generated by the servo, enabling the fourth segment to move independently through inertia and the mechanical dynamics of the structure.

Dreamy Whale is not only a comforting tool for infants but also a decorative object that evolves with the child—later serving as a soft night lamp.

Theoretical Framework

Sensory stimulation in infants is essential for their neurological development during the first months of life. One of the most effective and safe ways to provide this stimulation is through gentle visual stimuli, which support the development of perception without causing fatigue or sensory overstimulation.

In this project, visual stimulation is achieved through the use of NeoPixel-type LED lights, whose intensity and color are carefully controlled. These LEDs are enclosed within a 3D-printed whale figure made of opaque white filament with a thickness of 4 mm. The thickness and color of the material act as a natural diffuser, allowing the light to be perceived as soft and pleasant—ideal for infant rest environments.

Automation also plays an important role in this design. A servo motor is used to create controlled mechanical movement that simulates a gentle rocking or "tick-tock" motion. This movement is not abrupt; it is programmed to be smooth and slow, in order to avoid startling the baby and to contribute to a calm and harmonious sensory experience.

Altogether, the system offers a complete and safe sensory interaction by integrating light and movement in an automated, controlled, and baby-friendly manner.

Light Safety Calculation for Baby Exposure

📌 Objective

Estimate the illuminance (in lux) received by a baby located 60 cm away from a 3D-printed whale containing NeoPixel LEDs, using actual configuration data.

📊 System Specifications

Number of NeoPixels: 39
Brightness setting: setBrightness(100) out of 255 (~39.2%)
Material: 4 mm opaque white PLA (light transmission ≈ 4%)
Distance to baby: 60 cm (0.6 m)
LED luminous output (max): 60 lumens per LED

🧮 Formulas Used

1. Total luminous flux (lumens):

Lumens_total = lumens_per_LED × number_of_LEDs × (brightness / 255) × transmission

2. Illuminance (lux):

Lux = Lumens_total / Area

The illuminated area is modeled as a hemisphere with a radius of 0.6 m: Area = π × r² = π × 0.6² ≈ 1.13 m²

🔢 Calculation

Raw lumens (before material diffusion):
60 × 39 × (100 / 255) ≈ 917.8 lumens
Transmitted lumens (through 4 mm PLA):
917.8 × 0.04 ≈ 36.7 lumens
Illuminance at 60 cm:
36.7 / 1.13 ≈ 32.5 lux

✅ Conclusion

The estimated illuminance reaching the baby at 60 cm is approximately 32.5 lux.
✅ This level is considered safe for visual stimulation while the baby is awake.
❌ Not recommended for sleep environments, where <10 lux is preferred.

Reducing setBrightness() or limiting the color output to warm tones would further improve safety and comfort.

Intellectual Property & License

For the intellectual property of my final project Dreamy Whale, I have chosen to release it under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) .

This license allows others to:

Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format

As long as they:

Give appropriate credit
Do not use the material for commercial purposes
Do not modify or adapt the work in any way

I believe this license is appropriate because I want to share my work openly for educational and non-commercial use, while preserving the integrity of the project and preventing unauthorized commercial exploitation or alterations.

Future Income Possibilities

Although the current license does not allow commercial use, in the future I may consider creating a commercial version of Dreamy Whale. This could involve:

Offering a modified version under a different license or agreement
Collaborating with designers or companies interested in producing a market-ready product
Exploring crowdfunding options if there is enough interest

For now, the project remains open for learning and sharing within the maker and Fab Lab communities.

📄 Why did you choose that type of license?

The project is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license because:

It allows sharing the project freely, as long as proper credit is given.
It prohibits commercial use, preventing unauthorized profit from the project.
It does not allow modifications, ensuring the project is used as originally intended, preserving its educational and design integrity.

This license reflects Evelyn's commitment to open and educational dissemination while protecting the integrity and intended purpose of the project.

Income Strategy

At this stage, Dreamy Whale is shared under a non-commercial license, focusing on educational and creative communities. However, there is potential for future income generation through several pathways if the project is further developed.

Possible Income Models

Product commercialization: Creating a market-ready version of Dreamy Whale with improved design, safety certification, and user-friendly features for retail.
Open-source kits: Offering DIY kits or digital files for personal non-commercial use, with optional paid support or upgrades.
Collaborations: Partnering with educational institutions, toy companies, or design studios interested in producing or adapting the project.
Crowdfunding: Launching a campaign on platforms like Kickstarter to fund a small production batch and test the market interest.
Workshops or courses: Using Dreamy Whale as a hands-on learning tool in Fab Labs or STEAM programs, generating revenue through educational activities.

While the current focus is on open sharing and learning, these income strategies could support the sustainability and growth of the project in the future.

🎯 Target Audience

The target audience of the Dreamy Whale – Smart Baby Mobile project includes:

Parents and caregivers of babies who are interested in technological solutions for early stimulation and infant comfort.
Educational institutions and childcare centers seeking innovative tools for sensory development in children.
Makers and designers of educational toys interested in digital fabrication and interactive design.

📢 How will you reach your target audience?

Sharing within maker communities and Fab Labs, using platforms like GitLab and social media.
Participation in educational and tech events, presenting the project at fairs and workshops related to infant education and digital fabrication.
Collaboration with educational institutions, offering the project as a learning tool in technology and design education.

fabcloud/fabacademy/2025/labs/lima/students/evelyn-cuadrado