Patent Publication Number: US-8966683-B2

Title: Devices and implements for deterring monsters, specters, demons, and the like

Description:
This U.S. patent application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/758,835 filed on Apr. 13, 2010, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to calming the fears of children. More particularly, certain embodiments relate to devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is well known that young children often become afraid at bedtime because they imagine that there are monsters, specters, demons, or the like waiting to “get them”, for example, when the lights are turned out. This can cause much anxiety for the child and prevent the child from calming down and going to sleep in a timely manner. Many parents use nightlights, or turn on a hallway light outside of the child&#39;s bedroom, to help mitigate the fear of the child. However, this may not be enough to alleviate the fear and anxiety of the child, especially if the child has a very active imagination. The child may need some significant extra help in staving off the monsters, specters, demons, or the like. 
     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, and proposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such approaches with the subject matter of the present application as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the present invention comprises a bed cover for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. The bed cover includes at least one external surface, at least one interior region, and at least one insignia on the at least one external surface for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child. The bed cover further includes a controller unit integrated within the at least one interior region. The controller unit includes at least one of an audio transceiver device, an activating transmitter device, and an energy-emitting device. The bed cover also includes a user interface operatively connected to the controller unit and integrated into the at least one external surface. The insignia may be printed on or sewn on the at least one external surface. The bed cover may further include at least one air-through port configured to allow air to readily pass through the bed cover. The bed cover may also include a first side attached to a second side and configured to fit over an existing bed cover. At least a portion of the bed cover may be made of a special material that helps stave off the monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child. 
     These and other novel features of the subject matter of the present application, as well as details of illustrated embodiments thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a kit set up for bedtime for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of a hand-held controller unit of the kit of  FIG. 1  showing a housing and user interface; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example embodiment of the integrated circuitry of the hand-held controller unit of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment of an external device of the kit of  FIG. 1  which is capable of being activated by the hand-held controller unit of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of the integrated circuitry of the external device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example embodiment of a hollow air-through member of the kit of  FIG. 1  configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the covers of a bed and above the covers of the bed; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example embodiment of a kit for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child, where the kit includes a hand-held controller unit, an external device, two hollow air-through members, and a walkie-talkie transceiver device; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example embodiment of the kit of  FIG. 7  further including a scented perfume sprayer to help in staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example embodiment of a blanket or cover having a pocket for storing the hand-held controller unit of  FIG. 2 , an air-through port for providing air to a child hiding under the blanket or cover at bedtime, and printed or sewn insignia to help in staving off the monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example embodiment of the kit of  FIG. 8  further including the blanket or cover of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example embodiment of a cover having a controller unit and user interface integrated therewith. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a kit  100  set up for bedtime for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like (a.k.a., unfriendlies) as imagined by a child. The kit  100  includes a hand-held controller unit  200 , a plurality of insignia  110 , an external device  400 , a pair of hollow air-through members  600 , and a scented perfume  810  (e.g., a spray mist bottle containing a liquid having a particular scent). Alternatively, a spray mist or water spray may be used in lieu of the scented perfume  810 . For example, if a child is sensitive to a particular scent, the scented perfume  810  may be used as a container for a different anti-monster repellant. Each of the elements of the kit  100  are positioned with respect to a child&#39;s bed  150  and serve, in their own way, to stave off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child. In general, the kit  100  serves to provide psychological comfort to the frightened child at bedtime when it is suggested to the child how the various elements of the kit  100  will keep the child protected from such monsters, specters, demons and the like. 
     For example, a child may be afraid to go to bed because the child imagines that there are or may be unfriendlies lurking around the bed  150  or underneath the bed  150  when the lights are turned out. The child may hide under the bed cover(s)  152  of the bed in an attempt to hide from such unfriendlies. The insignia  110  are placed on and/or fastened to the posts  151  and/or the bed covers  152  of the bed  150  and serve to frighten and keep away such monsters, specters, demons and the like in the mind of the child. Similarly, the scented perfume  810  is in a container and may be sprayed or splattered on and/or around the bed  150  and serves to keep away such unfriendlies in the mind of the child. As used herein, the terms bed cover or bed covers refer to any of blankets, sheets, comforters, pillow cases, or any other type of bedding. 
     The hollow air-through members  600  are positioned to allow air to flow between underneath the bed covers  152 , where the child may be hiding, and above the bed covers  152  providing additional air circulation and comfort for the child. The hand-held controller unit  200  may be operated by the child, even under the bed covers  152 , to allow the child to actively stave off such monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child. For example, the external device  400  may be activated by the child via the hand-held controller unit  200  as is described in more detail later herein. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of the hand-held controller unit  200  of the kit  100  of  FIG. 1  showing a housing  210 , a user interface  220 , and an energy-emitting port  230 . The housing is substantially rectangular in shape, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. However, other housing shapes are possible as well. The user interface  220  is integrated into a top portion of the housing  210  and includes a plurality of depressible members or buttons  221 - 225  which may be activated by a child in his/her battle against the imagined unfriendlies. As an alternative, the depressible buttons may instead be touch-sensitive positions on the user interface  220 , for example, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible as well using, for example, switches or other user-activating means, in accordance with other alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
     As an alternative, the housing  210  may comprise a padded or compressible material, such that a child may safely sleep with it. For example, in one embodiment, the housing  210  may be a stuffed animal, such that the user interface  220  is integrated into an outer surface of the stuffed animal. Additionally, the controller unit  200  may be integrated into a padded ball, a sheet, a blanket, a throw, or the like, for example, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. 
     As an example, the button  221  may be depressed by the child to activate a flashlight capability that provides a broad and steady illuminating light out of the energy-emitting port  230 . In use, the flashlight capability may allow a child to take the controller unit to various areas in or out of the bedroom while having the ability to keep the area illuminated. Similarly, the button  222  may be depressed by the child to activate an audible sound capability that provides an audible sound out of the energy-emitting port  230  which the child believes helps to keep the monsters, specters, demons and the like at bay. The button  223  may be depressed by the child to activate a simulated laser capability that provides a narrow and pulsing illuminating light out of the energy-emitting port  230 . The button  224  may be depressed by the child to activate the external device  400  as is described in more detail later herein. 
     The button  225  may be depressed by the child providing the capability for the child to communicate with, for example, a parent of the child via a walkie-talkie capability. For example, when the child depresses the button  225 , the child may speak into the audio transducer  240  (serving as a microphone) to communicate with the parent who has a walkie-talkie transceiver device  710  (see  FIG. 7 ). When the child lifts up on the button  225 , the child may listen to a response of the parent via the audio transducer (now serving as a speaker). In this manner, the child may be comforted by the fact that he/she may communicate immediately with the parent at any time without having to scream or yell to get the attention of the parent. 
     As an option, the user interface  220  may include a nightlight  226  that provides a nightlight capability for the child, which may be especially desirable when the child is hiding under the bed covers. The nightlight  226  may be on all the time or may be turned on and off, for example, by pressing down on the nightlight  226  (e.g., the nightlight  226  may be configured as a depressible button). Alternatively, any or all of the buttons  221 - 225  may be illuminated, or may be made from glow-in-the-dark material, providing such a nightlight capability, and further allowing the child to more readily see the various buttons  221 - 225 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example embodiment of the electronic circuitry integrated within the hand-held controller unit  200  of  FIG. 2 . The circuitry of the hand-held controller unit  200  includes a user interface control circuit (UICC)  250  which operatively interfaces to the user interface  220 . For example, the various buttons  221 - 225  interface to the UICC  250  such that, when one of the buttons  221 - 225  is depressed, an associated command signal is sent to the UICC  250 . The UICC  250  includes various electronic components that are well known in the art for accomplishing the various functions described herein. Such electronic components may include, for example, resistors, capacitors, transistors, logic circuits, and a logic processor such as a programmable microprocessor. 
     The circuitry of the hand-held controller  200  further includes an activating transmitter circuit  260  operatively interfacing to the UICC  250 . When a user (e.g., a child) presses the external device button  224  on the user interface  220 , a command signal is sent to the UICC  250  and the UICC  250 , in response, sends a command signal to the activating transmitter circuit  260 . In response, the activating transmitter circuit  260  transmits a wireless signal (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to the external device  400  causing the external device to be activated as is described later herein in more detail. The activating transmitter circuit  260  may include a radio frequency antenna  261  facilitating RF transmission to the external device  400 . In accordance with certain other alternative embodiments, the activating transmitter circuit  260  may transmit an infrared signal or some other type of signal (e.g., wi-fi®, Bluetooth®) when activated. Alternatively, the activating transmitter circuit  260  may be hard-wired to the external device  400  (e.g., via a local area network or by any other communication means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art and chosen with sound engineering judgment). Additionally, the hand-held controller unit  200  may be hard-wired to other elements in the kit such as, for example, external lights attached to the bedposts of the bed  150 . 
     The circuitry of the hand-held controller  200  also includes an audio transceiver circuit  270  operatively interfacing between the UICC  250  and the audio transducer  240 . The audio transceiver circuit  270  provides a radio frequency walkie-talkie capability. When a user presses the walkie-talkie button  225  on the user interface  220 , a command signal is sent to the UICC  250  and the UICC  250 , in response, sends a command signal to the audio transceiver circuit  270 , commanding the audio transceiver circuit to switch from a receiving mode to a transmitting mode. When “on”, the audio transceiver circuit  270  is normally in a receiving mode. The user interface  220  may further include a walkie-talkie on/off button (not shown) which allows the audio transceiver circuit  270  to be turned on and off. The audio transceiver circuit  270  includes a radio frequency antenna  271  facilitating RF communication. 
     The circuitry of the hand-held controller  200  also includes a flashlight  280  (e.g., an energy-emitting device such as an incandescent light bulb or an LED array). When a user presses the flashlight button  221 , a command signal is sent to the UICC  250  and the UICC  250 , in response, provides electrical current to the flashlight  280  causing the flashlight  280  to emit a visible illuminating light. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the energy-emitting port  230  is configured to facilitate transmission of the light out of the housing  210 . For example, the energy-emitting port  230  may include an optical lens (not shown) to direct the light broadly. The flashlight capability may be used by the child to aid his/her vision under the bed covers  152  and/or to allow the child to view around the child&#39;s bedroom when the bedroom lights are turned out. 
     The circuitry of the hand-held controller  200  further includes an audible sound emitting device or audible transducer  290  (e.g., an energy-emitting device such as a beeper, a buzzer, or a zapper) capable of producing an audible sound when activated. When a user presses the audible transducer button  222 , a command signal is sent to the UICC  250  and the UICC  250 , in response, provides electrical current to the audible transducer  290 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the energy-emitting port  230  is configured to facilitate transmission of the audible sound out of the housing  210 . For example, the energy-emitting port  230  may include an amplifying cone or a speaker (not shown). The child may decide to activate the audible transducer  290  to help scare away monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child. 
     The circuitry of the hand-held controller  200  also includes a pulsing or flashing light  299  (i.e., an energy-emitting device) that simulates a pulsing laser beam, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When a user presses the pulsing laser button  223 , a command signal is sent to the UICC  250  and the UICC  250 , in response, provides a pulsed electrical current to the pulsing light  299 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the energy-emitting port  230  is configured to facilitate transmission of the pulsing light out of the housing  210 . For example, the energy-emitting port  230  may include an optical lens (not shown) to focus the pulsing light into a narrow laser-like beam. The child may decide to activate the pulsing light  299  to fight off any monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the hand-held controller unit  200  includes a replaceable battery  300  for electrically powering the various circuitry of the hand-held controller unit  200 . The battery  300  and the various circuitry  250 - 299  of the hand-held controller unit  200  are mounted within the housing  210  of the hand-held controller unit  200  via, for example, a printed circuit board (not shown). In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, other power sources other than the battery  300  may be used to power the circuitry of the hand-held controller unit  200 . For example, the hand-held controller unit  200  may be configured to plug into an electrical wall outlet via an AC-to-DC power converter (not shown). 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment of an external device  400  of the kit  100  of  FIG. 1  which is capable of being activated by the hand-held controller unit  200  of  FIG. 2 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the external device  400  is configured to be placed under the bed  150  and produce a flashing or pulsating light and/or an alternating audible sound (e.g., a “zapping” sound) when activated by the hand-held controller unit  200 . Such a flashing light and/or alternating audible sound annihilates any monsters, specters, demons and the like that are hiding under the bed as imagined by the child. When the child presses the external device button  224  on the hand-held controller unit  200 , the flashing visible light and/or alternating audible sound is produced by the external device  400 . The child may periodically press this button  224  while trying to go to sleep just to make sure that no such unfriendlies may survive under his/her bed  150 . As an alternative, the external device  400  may be configured to be placed on or attached to a bed post, placed in a closet, or placed in any other area where a child may imagine unfriendlies to be hiding. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the external device  400  may include a timing mechanism. For example, the external device  400  may be preprogrammed to turn off at a specific time corresponding to the child&#39;s occupancy of the bedroom. Additionally, the external device may operate for a specified period of time determined by preprogrammed information, or the operation may be terminated by the child using the hand-held control unit  200 , or via a switch on the external device  400 . The external device may further include a light sensitive sensor, wherein the external device  400  may automatically activate or deactivate depending on the lighting conditions in the bedroom. Other external devices are possible as well including, for example, lights that may be placed in a closet and activated/deactivated via the controller unit  200  and/or via a timer. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the external device  400  includes at least one speaker  410  and at least one flashing or pulsating light  420  integrated into a at least partially transparent housing  430 . The external device  400  may further include a base  435  for stability purposes when the external device  400  is placed on the floor under the bed  150 . The base  435  may include at least one through-hole (not shown) for mounting the external device  400  to the underside of the bed  150 , for example. Adhesives or hook and loop fasteners may also be used to secure the external device  400  to the underside of the bed  150 , or used to keep the external device  400  in a specific location chosen by the user. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of the circuitry integrated into the external device  400  of  FIG. 4 . The circuitry includes a receiver circuit  440  for receiving a transmitted signal from the activating transmitter circuit  260  of the hand-held controller unit  200 . The receiver circuit  440  may be configured to receive a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, an ultrasonic signal, or some other type of signal in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A radio frequency antenna  441  is operatively connected to the receiver circuit  440  to facilitate radio frequency reception, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The circuitry further includes a flashing or pulsating light driver device  450  operatively connected between the receiver circuit  440  and the flashing light  420 . When the receiver circuit  440  receives the transmitted signal from the hand-held controller unit  200 , the receiver circuit  440  sends an activating command to the flashing light driver device  450 . The flashing light driver device  450  provides electrical current to the flashing light  420  causing the flashing light  420  to emit a visible flashing or pulsating light. The flashing light driver device  450  and the flashing light  420  together constitute a pulsating or flashing light producing device. 
     The circuitry also includes an audio-driver device  460  operatively connected between the receiver circuit  440  and the speaker  410 . When the receiver circuit  440  receives the transmitted signal from the hand-held controller unit  200 , the receiver circuit  440  sends an activating command to the audio-driver device  460 . The audio-driver device  460  provides an audio signal that alternates in amplitude and frequency to the speaker  410  causing the speaker  410  to emit an alternating audio sound. The audio driver device  460  and the speaker  410  constitute an audio producing device. 
     As a result, when a child presses the external device button  224  on the hand-held controller unit  200 , the external device  400  is activated to produce both the flashing visible light and the alternating audio sound to annihilate any monsters, specters, demons and the like that are hiding under the bed as imagined by the child. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the external device  400  includes a replaceable battery  470  for electrically powering the various circuitry of the external device  400 . The battery  470  and the various circuitry of the external device  400  are mounted within the housing  430  of the external device  400  via, for example, a printed circuit board (not shown). In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, other power sources other than the battery  470  may be used to power the circuitry of the external device  400 . For example, the external device  400  may be configured to plug into an electrical wall outlet via an AC-to-DC power converter (not shown). 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example embodiment of a hollow air-through member  600  of the kit  100  of  FIG. 1  configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers  152  of a bed  150  and above the bed covers  152  of the bed  150 . The air-through member  600  includes a first open port  610  and a second open port  620 . The air-through member  600  is configured in a substantially inward flexing, C-shaped configuration such that the air-through member  600  may effectively clamp onto an edge of the bed covers  152  of the bed  150 , where the first open port  610  is above the bed covers  152  and the second open port  620  is beneath the bed covers  152 . In this manner, the flow of air is facilitated from above the bed covers  152  to beneath the bed covers  152  such that a child hiding under the bed covers  152  is supplied with sufficient air. As shown in  FIG. 1 , two hollow air-through members  600  are provided in the kit  100  and are clamped on either side of the bed covers  152  near the top of the bed covers  152  where a child&#39;s head is likely to be. In accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention, the hollow air-through members  600  may be configured differently such as, for example, as long substantially hollow members extending from beneath the bed covers  152  to a floor of the bedroom. Other configurations are possible as well. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example embodiment of a kit  700  for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child, where the kit  700  includes a hand-held controller unit  200 , an external device  400 , two hollow air-through members  600 , and a walkie-talkie transceiver device  710 . Such a kit  700  may be provided for sale in order to convert or retrofit an existing child&#39;s bed and bed coverings with the elements of the kit  700  in order to stave off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another example embodiment of a kit  800  for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child, where the kit  800  includes a hand-held controller unit  200 , an external device  400 , two hollow air-through members  600 , a walkie-talkie transceiver device  710 , and scented perfume  810 . Such a kit  800  may be provided for sale in order to convert or retrofit an existing child&#39;s bed and bed coverings with the elements of the kit  800  in order to stave off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example embodiment of a blanket or bed cover  900  having a pocket  910  for storing the hand-held controller unit  200  of  FIG. 2 , a air-through port  920  for providing air to a child hiding under the blanket or bed cover  900  at bedtime, and printed or sewn insignia  930  to help in staving off the monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child. Such a blanket or cover  900  may be used to replace or supplement the bed covers  152  on the child&#39;s bed  150 . As an alternative, a pillow case, a flat or fitted sheet, a throw, or the like may be substituted for the blanket or cover  900 , in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. The hand-held controller unit  200  may be placed in the pocket  910 , for example, during the day when the child is not using the bed  150 . The pocket  910  may be on the top of the blanket  900  for easy access by, for example, a parent, or underneath the blanket  900  for easy access by a child hiding under the blanket  900 . The air-through port  920  may take the place of or supplement the hollow air-through members  600 . The air-through port  920  is sewn into a top portion (near where a child&#39;s head would be) of the blanket or cover  900  and is made of an air-permeable material (e.g., a mesh material) that allows air to flow from above the blanket  900  to beneath the blanket  900 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, a strip of lighting may be provided as a part of an edge of the blanket or cover  900 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the blanket or cover  900  includes a first side attached to a second side and is configured to fit over an existing bed cover or covers  152  (e.g., slide over the existing bed covers  152  such that the existing bed covers end up between the first side and the second side of the blanket  900 ). In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the child may be told that the blanket  900  is made of a special material that helps to stave off the monsters, specters, demons, and the like as imagined by the child. Such a special material may be a material that the child is not familiar with such as, for example, silk or cashmere, to make the material seem special to the child. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a further example embodiment of a kit  1000  for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child, where the kit  1000  includes a hand-held controller unit  200 , an external device  400 , two hollow air-through members  600 , a walkie-talkie transceiver device  710 , scented perfume  810 , and the blanket or bed cover  900 . Such a kit  1000  may be provided for sale in order to convert or retrofit an existing child&#39;s bed and coverings with the elements of the kit  1000  in order to stave off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child. 
     Other kits having other combinations of the various elements described herein may be provided as well, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. For example, a kit may include only a hand-held controller unit  200 , one hollow air-through member  600 , and the external device  400 . Another kit may include only two hollow air-through members and the fastenable insignia  110 . Still another kit may include only the blanket  900 , the hand-held control unit  200 , and the scented perfume  810  (e.g., this embodiment may assume that the walkie-talkie capability is not desired, or that the walkie-talkie transceiver device  710  is not needed as part of the kit because the child and/or the parent already owns a walkie-talkie transceiver device which is operable with the hand-held controller unit  200 ). 
     A kit may also include a variation of color coded crystals, or colored materials, which may be comprised of special fabrics (e.g., silk) which helps, in the mind of the child, to stave off the unfriendlies. Additionally, pajamas, a security blanket, stuffed animals, or any other similar children&#39;s item may be configured with insignia or special monster repellant designs or colors, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention. 
     In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the hand-held controller unit  200  (or portions thereof) and/or the external device  400  (or portions thereof) may be integrated into the blanket  900 . A child may squeeze a select user interface part of the blanket or cover  900 , thereby activating the external device  400  or any other function provided by the controller unit  200 . For example,  FIG. 11  illustrates an example embodiment of a cover  1100  having a controller unit  1110  and user interface  1120  integrated therewith. The controller unit  1110  is very similar to the controller unit  200  of  FIG. 2 , except that the user interface  1120  has been separated out from the controller unit  1110  and sewn into an external surface  1130  of the cover  1100 . The controller unit  1110  is integrated into an interior region  1140  of the cover  1100 . The user interface  1120  is operatively connected to the controller unit  1110 . The cover  1100  includes a plurality of insignia  1150  printed or sewn on the external surface  1130  for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child. 
     In summary, devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime are disclosed. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface and which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided. The external device may be capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed. The supplemental bed cover may include insignia to help stave off the monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by the child. 
     While the claimed subject matter of the present application has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the claimed subject matter without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the claimed subject matter will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.