Patent Application
20050050694
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to garment belts and more particularly to an adjustable buckle for a garment belt.
2. Description of the Background Art
The more popular and traditional garment belts are typically manufactured with a belt made of a form of leather, such as cowhide, deerskin, lizard skin, ostrich, and so forth. The belt is typically retained about the waist of the wearer and the ends of the belt material are fastened together with a belt buckle. One end of the belt material is fastened to one side of the buckle and the opposing end is referred to as the “tip” of the belt. A row of holes is generally positioned near the tip for engaging the belt buckle to adjust the size of the belt. These holes are typically spaced about three-quarter inch (¾″) to one inch (1″) apart which are used to engage the hasp of the belt buckle to provide retention.
To wear the belt, it is typically inserted through belt loops in the garment and then closed, or fastened, by inserting the tip of the belt through the interior of the buckle and inserting the proximal end 1626 of hasp 1622 into a hole in the belt material that is expected to provide the best fit. When properly fit onto the wearer, the belt will be under a selected level of circumferential tension. This tension also exists across the belt buckle itself, with forces in a first direction 1628a, 1628b pulling on the distal end 1616 of belt frame 1612 and an opposing force 1630 applied at the hasp/belt interface. It will be appreciated that the forces applied on the distal end 1616 of buckle frame 1612 are shown split into an upper and lower force as the belt material typically is slightly split at the point of attachment with the belt frame to accommodate the rotatable distal end 1624. When a non-compliant belt material is utilized, it will be appreciated that the tension of the belt is determined solely by the setting of hasp 1622 in relation to the girth of the individual and the position that their body has currently assumed.
It will be appreciated that the limited adjustability of the belt often results in the belt being either too tight, causing discomfort, or otherwise being slightly too loose, causing an unseemly droopy appearance where the buckle and/or portions of the belt sag about the waste. Placing the holes closer to one another is generally not an option because this weakens the material between the holes and the appearance of the belt is markedly diminished. In addition, the belt wearer may become uncomfortable while wearing the belt, due to changes in body position, or waist circumference, such as caused by the amount of food ingested and so forth. The discomfort may incline the wearer toward changing the belt setting, however, this is not always convenient, since in all but the most casual of surroundings such actions are not generally well received.
In the 1970's, in order to increase comfort and eliminate the need to adjust a belt while it is being worn, many belts utilized for casual wear were fabricated from compliant materials, such as elasticized cloth material. Despite their comfort, elastic belts, have not been fashionable for some time, and have enjoyed only slightly more current popularity than clip-on ties. It appears that the buying public would rather suffer the discomfort of a non-compliant belt to gain the aesthetics provided by belts manufactured from traditional substantially non-linearly compliant (stretchy) materials, such as leather, which have little natural compliance.
Therefore, a need exists for an improved belt buckle for a garment belt which provides improved comfort and fit while not sacrificing aesthetics. The compliant belt buckle, or belt system, in accordance with the present invention satisfies that need, as well as others, and overcomes deficiencies in previously known techniques.
The present invention describes a belt buckle, or belt with buckle, that introduces a limited amount of compliancy into the belt system without the need to rely the the use of stretchy belt materials, whose appearance is not fashionable. A belt buckle of the present invention is preferably configured with a substantially rigid frame having a compliant means which allows the circumference of the belt and buckle system at a given pressure setting to stretch under outward circumferential tension.
A number of embodiments of the invention are described. In most the embodiments the buckle is articulated in some manner and configured with a biasing means which urges the belt system into a first circumference. Under sufficient pressure, the biasing force of the biasing means is overcome increasing the circumference of the belt system. In one simpler the articulation and biasing are incorporated into a single member.
The compliant buckle system allows the belt to be aesthetically retained at a proper tension while not subjecting the wearer to undue constriction. The amount of compliance provided by the buckle of the present invention is preferably at least approximately one-eighth inch while being less than approximately two inches. More preferable the compliance, in terms of maximum circumferential change provided by the biasing means within the buckle, is between one-eighth inch and one-inch. Most preferably, the maximum allowable circumferential change should be at least one-quarter inch while less than three-quarter inch.
Up to about one-half inch of compliance would provide greatly increased comfort for most individuals and in most situations. In certain styles and sizes this much compliance can be difficult to achieve without beginning to sacrifice aesthetics. The amount of compliance allowed further depends on the style and size of the buckle utilized. It will be appreciated that providing up to one-half inch of buckle compliance will increase belt comfort, simplify achieving a correct fit, and aid in retaining belt aesthetics despite slight changes in waist circumference.
An embodiment of the present invention may be described as a garment belt, comprising: (a) an elongated strip of material; (b) a buckle configured for retaining the elongated strip of material in a loop about a garment being worn; (c) a first portion of the buckle configured for attachment to a first end of the elongated strip of material; (d) a second portion of the buckle configured for selectively engaging a second end of the elongated strip of material; and (e) means for applying a biasing force to alter the separation between the first and second portions of the buckle; (f) wherein the circumference of the elongated material closed into the loop by the buckle changes in response to relative movement between the first portion and second portion of the belt buckle which occurs in response to applied pressure. The first portion and the second portion of the belt buckle are configured to move, relative to one another, a sufficient distance to ease constriction of an individual wearing the garment belt; which typically is at least one eighth of an inch while not being more than about three-quarter inch to two inches.
The buckle is preferably sufficiently rigid to maintain the positional relationship between the first and second portions. The buckle may comprise a metal frame to provide sufficient rigidity, or it may be selected from the group of rigid materials consisting essentially of metals, resins, polymeric materials, thermoplastics, phenolic, bone, horn, wood, glass, minerals, or combinations. The elongated strip of material comprises a material which is not substantially lengthwise compliant. For example, the elongated strip of material comprises leather, or a combination of other materials and leather.
The first portion of the buckle is configured with means for permanent or semi-permanent attachment to the elongated strip of material. The relative movement between the first portion and the second portion is either hidden or not readily discernable to a viewer while the garment belt is being worn.
Thus the improved buckle, or buckle with attached belt, provides improved comfort without sacrificing any aesthetic considerations.
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:
Referring more specifically to the drawings for illustrative purposes, the present invention is embodied in the method generally described in
Throughout the specification numerous values and type designations may be provided for the elements of the invention in order that a complete, operable, embodiment of the invention be disclosed. However, it should be understood that such values and type designators are merely representative and are not critical unless specifically so stated. The scope of the invention is not limited to one or more specific exemplifications within a described embodiment.
The present system and method may be implemented in a number of ways, however, the following is limited to descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments of the invention that may be readily practiced and easily understood. It should be appreciated, however, that one of ordinary skill in the art can modify these embodiments, especially in view of the teachings found herein, to implement a number of variations on the embodied invention without the need for creative effort and without departing from the teachings of the invention as described and/or claimed.
The use of belts having a buckle, such as the conventional buckle described for
The above describes by way of diagrams some aspects of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the first portion and second portions of the buckle are defined in relation to how they hold the elongated strip of material, which is generally referred to as a belt. In most embodiments the first and second portions are articulated portions of the buckle which can move toward or away from one another and which are urged into a first direction, smaller circumference of belt closed by buckle, by a biasing force. One end of the belt material is permanently or semi-permanently (removably) attached. Typically this attachment is by way of a clamp, stitching, gluing, or otherwise coupling the material of the belt to the buckle. This attachment generally is not removed by the user under normal conditions of use. The opposing end of the belt, often referred to as the “tip” of the belt, is selectably engaged with the buckle. “Selectively” in this context referring to the fact that the user can select the minimum circumference of the belt—its tightness about their waist, or other use to which the garment belt is designated. In many belt embodiments the selectivity is provided by selecting one of a plurality of apertures into which the buckle is to be engaged. In another embodiment the movement between the first and second portions is described by a separate compliant member that provides biasing force as well as movement.
In response to the movement of the first and second portions from a first position of smaller circumference to a second position of increased circumference, a first and second circumference can be described. It will be appreciated that any intermediate positions between the first and second positions may be achieved in response to intermediate circumferential forces, between near zero force corresponding to the first position and the minimum force needed to fully overcome the biasing force to achieve the second position. Within the buckle is a compliant element that supplies a biasing force toward said first position and which must be overcome toward reaching the second position. It is preferable that the response of the biasing member be substantially linear, wherein the force required per unit of positional displacement increases linearly from the first to second positions.
The applied circumferential pressure is typically applied in response to girth or positional changes of the wearer. It will be appreciated that this force can be on the order of many pounds (i.e. 5-15 pounds) in a properly fitting belt. The elongated strip of material that comprises the “belt” per se, sans buckle is typically manufactured of leather or some other generally non-lengthwise compliant (stretchy) material. The material of the belt can be referred to as being not substantially lengthwise compliant. It will be appreciated that according to this definition, there would be no need of a compliant belt buckle IF the belt material itself were compliant. Therefore, a not substantially lengthwise compliant belt would be one that stretches less than about ⅛″-¼″ under the range of comfortable belt pressure ranges. This is a rough definition. It is appreciated that ALL materials have some level of compliance, but a material considered “not substantially compliant” herein, is incapable of providing sufficient circumferential change from a first to second circumference.
Following are a number of more specific example embodiments. It should be appreciated that not every possible embodiment can be detailed, however, from the teachings herein one of ordinary skill in the art can readily combine aspects of the teachings or implement additional variations without departing from the present invention.
The expanding buckle 1840 has a frame 1842 comprising first body section 1844 and second body section 1846 between which is slidably engaged expansion segments 1848 that are biased by biasing members 1850 toward retracting into the body sections. The biasing member may be any compliant member that acts to retract the expansion segments 1848 into first and second body sections 1844, 1846, such as springs, and so forth. The expanding buckle 1840 is configured with a permanent retention fastener 1852 on a proximal end shown with a loop of belt material 1854 (shown in phantom) attached thereto. The free end 1856 of the belt is retained within the buckle using a protruding pin 1858, or alternatively a locking hasp or other selective retention mechanism on the distal end of the expansion buckle, which for example may engage apertures 1860 in belt 1856 (although preferably further back from the belt tip than is shown).
In use the expansion pressure on the belt will overcome the bias force allowing the first and second body members 1844, 1846 to separate thereby increasing the circumference circumscribed by the combination of the elongated belt 1856 engaged with buckle 1840, thereby easing the tension and discomfort of the belt, without the need to use a compliant (stretchy) belt material.
It will be appreciated that the embodiment shown provides a dual expansion buckle which retains symmetry during expansion, however, any number of expansion sections may be utilized without departing from the teachings of the present invention. A single set of expansion sections may be provided which lowers the cost of manufacturing the belt buckle.
It should be appreciated that decorative facings of various designs may be utilized to reduce the visibility of the expansion mechanism (not shown). For example a solid facing may cover the expansion section, or a loose fitting material may surround the frame of the buckle, such as like what is often referred to as a “hair scrunchy”.
By way of example, the rear of hollow body 1872 is configured with a track 1878 into which a slide platform 1880 containing first portion 1881 which is configured, such as with a locking clasp 1882, to semi-permanently engage a first end of belt 1876. The semi-permanent belt retainer typically provides a lever style locking mechanism, wherein the cut end of a belt is inserted and the locking mechanism is closed to permanently retain the belt end (although it could be removed for cleaning and so forth it is not normally removed during normal use). A biasing means 1884 is configured to retract the slide platform 1880 and clasp 1882 toward the center of the buckle 1872. Springs are depicted to provide the biasing force, however, other sturdy stretchable elements may be utilized, such as elastic materials (i.e. rubber, polymeric material, etc.). It should be appreciated that the biasing forces could be applied to alternatively “push” the slider, as opposed to “pulling” the slider under the bias force. A number of biasing schemes and expansion configurations may be adapted without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
The slide platform is biased in a direction to reduce the circumference of the combination of belt and buckle. The buckle engages the ends of belt 1876 between clasp 1882 (first portion) and locking pin 1873 against body 1872 (second portion). In response to sufficient applied pressure the first and second portions separate to increase the overall circumference formed by the loop of the belt whose ends are engaged by the buckle. In response to the exerted circumferential pressure exceeding the biasing force the buckle expands to increase user comfort. This automatic adjustment in response to pressure can increase overall comfort as well as promoting proper circulation which reduces fatigue.
It should further be appreciated that a number of expansion mechanisms that would be known to one or ordinary skill in the art may be substituted on the buckle itself without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention may be implemented in various ways utilizing various sorts of compliant members such as compressible, extendable, rotationally compliant, and so forth.
Time has become the most precious of business commodities and businesspeople are becoming as zealous about tracking the use of time, both personally and within a business environment, as they have been at tracking expenses. However, persons that are required, or desire, to track the time accorded an assortment of tasks are left to record these on paper, or through computer time tracking programs, the times at which they start and stop various tasks. This is true even though a large variety of clocks exist for various manner of time display. Such as for displaying the time of day in one or multiple time zones, tide clocks, stop watches, and an assortment of additional clock types. These clocks typically display one or more offsets of a single time, for instance tide and time zone clocks, or are configured for the accurate timing of a single elapsed time as in a stop watch. Other timing devices include egg timers that can help in achieving the perfectly cooked egg, time punch clocks which can track a check in and out time, chess clocks for setting an upper limit on game time, and a variety of additional clock devices.
In situations in which a user desires to track time, such as for billing purposes, a many people struggle with the frustration, intense overhead, and proclivity for error associated with the use of computer billing programs. Users that are able to continue working on the same ongoing task for long periods of time without interruption may find the use of billing programs adequate. However, in many dynamic environments, the selection of ongoing tasks may change readily, and often the user is subject to frequent interruptions, such as telephones, the time for which, in many cases, also should be accounted for. In these instances, the shortcomings of computer based billing programs lead to frustration, wasted overhead time, and billing errors. When tracking hours within a billing application, the user must switch to the billing application (or load it if not resident), find and stop billing for the current task, create a new task (or find the correct billing category), start the new task.
It will be appreciated by anyone having utilized billing packages that the time required to traverse screens to change billing categories is a source of frustration. The overhead involved with switching tasks often prevents a user from properly recording the time spent on various tasks. In addition, the requirement to keep an application resident, especially a large one such as an accounting or billing package, ties up system resources and can create another source of problems. Often users attempt to roughly reconstruct the amount of time they have already spent on a new task, adding it to one category and attempting to subtract it from another, which increases the overhead, frustration, and inaccuracies. In addition, when the user is performing actual work on their computer, as opposed to worrying about their time, they may forget which task is being timed as it is not readily apparent. Furthermore, there are many categories of time expenditure which could be beneficially tracked by an individual that do not show up on a billing system, for example, time spent in meetings, various overhead, breaks and other non-productive time. Salespeople, for example, may be able to improve their commissions, and company profits, by allocating specific amounts of time to each of various duties, and many sales seminars tout the advantages of this form of time tracking. Time tracking can allow individuals in many professions and vocations to better meet their goals, if it can be performed with negligible overhead and task switching frustration.
As can be seen, therefore, the development of a simple clock that is capable of tracking the time accorded a series of tasks can simplify the time tracking process and overcome deficiencies in previously known techniques.
The present invention includes a multitasking clock (MTC) that provides a simple mechanism for tracking the accumulation of time (acctime) accorded to each of a plurality of tasks. The clock is portable with a self-contained power supply and occupies less than one hundred cubic inches, wherein it may utilized on a desktop or other convenient location. People in a number of career settings are faced with the prospects of juggling a series of tasks during their work day. Often it is beneficial, or necessary, to track the amount of time accorded to each of these multiple tasks. For example, a consultant may require that the time spent on each of their accounts during a particular day be tracked for billing purposes. A lone entrepreneur may wish to divide their time into specific intervals per day spread across a series of duties, such as marketing, sales, and accounting. Myriad applications exist wherein the tracking of the time spent on an assortment of tasks is either necessary or desirable.
Currently, persons typically record the start and stop times of the various tasks they wish to track during the day, and must spend time recording the times and then tallying the column of numbers at the end of the day. Stop watches provide for the recording of an accumulated time, and some provide split times, wherein the arrivals of each person in a race is given, however, these functions do not facilitate tracking task time. Furthermore, it would be inconvenient for an individual to obtain and use a series of stop watches as they would need to find the stopwatch on which elapsed time was being recorded, cause it to pause, then find the stopwatch for the new task that is to be performed and cause it to continue timing. Further complicating the process is the fact that the few clocks or stop watches that can start and stop a measured interval without resetting it are generally oriented for hand held use at a sporting event and the user interface is not convenient for office use. In addition, use of multiple devices make it difficult to assure that time is being accumulated for a single task only. Computer based time tracking is available, albeit, even a terminate and stay resident program (TSR) such as Time Slips™ requires a number of keystrokes to be entered for the stopping of one task and the opening and starting of another task. In order to switch between tasks to be tracked, time tracking programs generally require that the user open the billing program, open the active task, stop the active task, save the value for the active task, open a selection window, select a new task, or create a new task (filling in a set of fields prior to starting the task), start the new task. It will be readily appreciated that current clocks and methods are not conducive to the tracking of time accumulation for a series of tasks.
The clock of the present invention is capable of conveniently tracking the accumulated time accorded to any series of tasks and shall be referred to herein as a “multitasking clock”, or MTC. Users of the clock can readily switch task timing, or start new tasks, with negligible overhead because task switching is performed with a single action, for example rotating the housing, moving a selector, or pressing a button. Many preferred embodiments of the present invention allow for readily shifting from one task to another, preferably with a single action, such as rotating a housing or pressing a selector. Time is a critical metric and expense item today and business people are often very interested in tracking the time spent on various activities. Businesses which charge by billable hours are interested in getting accurately recorded times, which often includes phone calls, for which to bill clients. Entrepreneurs and others that perform multiple duties can use the clock to divide their time among these duties and keep daily and running totals. Use of the multitasking clock does not depend on being in the right screen of a computer application, and so may be used very readily without delay or stress. At any point in time the user can quickly determine the amount of time that has been spent in the different duties. The optional features of the clock allow for performing time calculations, such as the summation of selected task times, addition of fixed times to a time value, conversion of time formats between hours:minutes (HH:MM) to decimal hours (HH.HH), downloading and uploading of information from a PC, and so forth. Another optional feature allows task time to be accumulated in selected periods, such as recording a daily time and keeping a running total for the selected task. Additionally, the user can group any of the tasks into categories, wherein totals may be reflected both in a category or in total of all tasks. Preferably, the multitasking clock is configured to allow the user to write down a task name, or other task information, to be associated with the task, for example writing down a task name adjacent to a task indicator or selector so that a readily modified task reference is available.
Embodiments of the MTC anticipate the desire for more complex functions, which include the following: (1) totaling of selected tasks, (2) saving of prior value, (3) shifting time from one task to another, (4) timing task as MM:SS shifting to HH:MM as time reaches sixty minutes, (5) time calculator, (6) inclusion of conventional calculator, (7) configured to allow task name and information to be attached as a self-adhesive note, (8) configured to allow task name and information to written on electronic ink portion of clock, (9) interfacing with a computer, PDA, network, or other device to communicate time information. Furthermore, the multitasking clock may be manufactured in a variety of sizes and may incorporate, or be incorporated, with other accessories such as tablets, notepads, calendars, paperweights, telephone headset controller, picture frames, day planners, display cases, games, computer keyboards, and so forth.
By way of example, the MTC may be configured as a desk clock in a housing having a series of exterior facets. Accumulated time is accrued for the task associated with a particular orientation of a facet, such as downward (or upward). A person thereby need only change the orientation of the clock housing to stop the timing of one task and to start the timing of another task. The face of the clock is configured so that it can display, in the proper orientation, the accumulated time for any of the plurality of tasks. New tasks can be added by simply rotating the clock to an unused task indicator, or one for a temporary task, such that the time may be readily tracked for a phone call or similar interruption. Additionally, the clock may be configured to display the current time of day in addition to the displayed accumulated time for any task, or when no accumulated times are being displayed.
An object of the invention is to provide for registering the accumulated time spent on each of a plurality of tasks.
Another object of the invention is to allow for the quick selection of a task for which the accumulated time is to be registered.
Another object of the invention is to allow for single-action switching between tasks whose time is being tracked.
Another object of the invention is to allow for switching between tasks in response to rotation of the unit.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple-task recording clock that may be readily manufactured and which is attractive, reliable, and low cost.
Another object of the invention is to provide a task recordation clock that optionally provides a sum of the accumulated times being recorded.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multitasking clock that is capable of recording multiple temporary acctimes for later recall.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multitasking clock that is capable of recording voice annotations, which may be associated with individual tasks or temporary tasks.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple-task recording clock upon which each of the plurality of tasks available for selection is visible.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multitasking clock in which task names and/or notes may be written by the user adjacent to a task selector.
Another object of the invention is to provide a task recordation clock that allows the user to write task information on self-adhesive notes for adherence adjacent a task selector or indicator.
Another object of the invention is to provide a task recordation clock that may be implemented with either analog or digital display faces.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multitasking clock capable of registering acctimes, time of day, and numeric calculation data on a single calculator display.
Another object of the invention is to provide a task recordation clock that may be implemented with a flip-flop digital display face whose character up/down orientation is determined by the position of the multitasking clock.
Another object of the invention is to provide a task recordation clock that may be implemented with an analog LCD display face.
Another object of the invention is to provide a task recordation clock that may be implemented with an analog LCD display face whose hour dial markings may be reconfigured according to the rotated position of the multitasking clock.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multitasking clock in which task information may be written with an electrode stylus upon areas comprising electronic ink and erased electronically.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multitasking clock in acctimes and time of day may be displayed with a display comprising electronic ink.
Another object of the invention is to provide a task recordation clock that optionally provides for the retention of writing material for the recording of task name and information.
Another object of the invention is to provide a task recordation clock that optionally provides an interface to other devices, such as personal computers, wherein information may communicated such as for loading into a billing program.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multitasking clock upon which a time calculator may be incorporated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multitasking clock upon which a numeric calculator may be incorporated.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
The embodied MTC exemplifies tracking six tasks, however, it can be implemented for registering acctime on any number of tasks, preferably ranging from three tasks to twenty four separate tasks. The clock 10 is shown with exterior faceted sides 12, a front face 14, and a bezel with face 16. Face 16 of the clock is shown with hour hand 18, minute hand 20, and optional twelve-hour hand 21. The optional twelve-hour hand allows the display to register acctimes that exceed twelve hours, since the twelve-hour hand 21 indicates the number of twelve-hour periods which have been accumulated. Surrounding the hands are the hour markings comprising a large mark 22 corresponding to “12”, slightly smaller markings 24a through 24c corresponding to quadrant marks of “3”, “6”, and “9”, and the minor hour marks 26a through 26g corresponding to the hour marks of “1”, “2”, “4”, “5”, “7”, “8”, “10”, and “11”. In addition, a series of task tags 28a through 28f are shown about the periphery of the clock. The clock 10 can be rotated to rest on any of the six perimeter facets whereby time will accrue on the task associated with the downward facet. The displayed clock face, however, is electronically reoriented to remain vertical to simplify proper viewing of the time.
Upon sensing a new orientation, the face 16 of the clock (herein shown as an LCD) reconfigures into a vertical position for the new orientation, while acctiming for the previous task is suspended and timing for the new task associated with the new orientation commences. It will be appreciated that the movement is debounced in either hardware or software to assure stable transitions between registered orientations. The device preferably is capable of displaying the current time when oriented to a facet not containing a tag, and/or when lying on its back. It will be appreciated that no configurations need to be performed when a new task is started, such as prompted by a user receiving a phone call, wherein the user need only rotate the MTC to an unused task tag to commence acctiming. The reconfiguration of the clock face according to orientation is performed in this embodiment by utilizing a polar clock display with hands and hour marks that may be selected for any of multiple sizes. It will be appreciated that utilizing a color display device of sufficient resolution allows for displaying of multiple time values, such as TOD and acctime simultaneously, or a number of task acctimes without fear of confusion. The reorientation of the clock face may alternatively be performed in a variety of ways, such as mechanical rotation, graphic transform for a dot matrix display, or decoding changes for use in segmented displays.
Referring now to
A set of interval resets 58 is shown on another series of I/O lines. These interval resets 58 may be configured to sense the removal and insertion of the task tags associated with each task being tracked, such that the operations identifying the task and activating the task are combined. However, the software is preferably configured to allow a task tag to be swapped out without the immediate resetting of the associated interval, for instance to allow a “temporary” (catchall) task to be instantiated with a more appropriate name, as it preferably requires that the tag need be removed for at least a couple of seconds prior to performing the reset operation. To facilitate setting the time of day clock, and to allow initiating, or correcting, task tracking intervals a series of buttons 60, 62, 64 are provided for selecting setting 60 along with the advancement of either hours 62, or minutes 64. The device is shown powered by a battery source 66, such as a button cell lithium battery, however, it will be appreciated that numerous alternative power sources are available, such as solar power from a solar cell 68, and that any of these alternatives may be utilized within the device. Furthermore, the power from the battery may be directly connected to the clock or passed through a regulator 70 to optimize the source of power for use with the clock circuit. The microcontroller 52 is shown utilizing a crystal time base comprising quartz crystal 72 with load capacitors 74a and 74b. It will be appreciated that the quartz crystal sets a frequency of operation which should be rapid enough to provide for switch debouncing, provides for orientation sensing, and which facilitates proper control signaling, while the frequency should also be set such that an accurate timebase may be derived for registering seconds, minutes, and hours.
MTC 50 is shown optionally configured to communicate with external devices to transfer information therebetween, such as downloading or uploading. An infra-red optical communication link 76 and lens 78 are shown connected to microcontroller 52. It will be appreciated that wired connections, and radio links, may be alternatively employed to facilitate communication. The communication link can be used to facilitate communicating the time accorded to each of the tasks into a spreadsheet, or other logging software, such as may be running within a personal computer, personal digital assistant, or other electronic device. In addition, an optional audio annunciator 80, shown as a piezoelectric transducer, is preferably utilized for generating audio status tones. It will be recognized, however, that speech, music, and other audio may be generated by the device from the audio annunciator. By way of example, these sounds may be generated upon changing tasks, changing unit settings, and at predetermined or selected intervals.
It should be appreciated that the circuit of
The controls on the MTC are configured to provide simple rapid control of task timing. Controlling task timing is performed by setting a selector 508 for one of the tasks for which time is to be accumulated. Selector 508 is configured with a rotary control that may be positioned in any one of six task positions which are preferably indicated by markings 520a-520f, the mark 520b being the task currently selected by the selector 508. It will be appreciated that the note pad area is directly adjacent the selector so that a name, or designator, may be associated with any of the six tasks upon which times may be accumulated. In addition, the user can quickly insert other information relating to the task.
In using the MTC, the user starts a new task by rotating selector 508 to an open task position. Accumulation of task time commences immediately upon selecting the new task, the user is not required to do anything else. This aspect of the invention is very beneficial because when an event occurs, such as a client call, the user can simply select the new task without delay, and without traversing a set of screens. Selector 508 is implemented here as a rotary selector which provides a simple intuitive interface that can be operated with either hand. It is at user discretion whether they want to write down a name, or notes, on the pad for a particular task. The task associated with a telephone call may end with the call, or it may start a new task that the user will be working on at other times of the day. If no other work will be done according to that task, then the user may want to record the time spent and information necessary to record the time later. A task such as a telephone call may be considered a temporary task, which is in contrast with an ongoing task.
The controls exemplified with this embodiment of the MTC comprise acctime controls 510 which include setting controls having a SET 522a, HR. select 522b, MIN. select 522c, and a Clear All 522d. The separate acctimes for a selected task may be cleared by pressing the CLEAR button 524. A SELECT button 526 can be used for selecting given task values for a given function. A TOTAL button 528 allows for summing all daily task values with a single keypress of TOTAL 528. If pressed twice in rapid succession TOTAL operates to sum accumulated long-term totals. When a total is selected the user can move the task selector 508 and press SELECT button 526 to remove any values from the displayed total. A PREVIOUS button 530 allows a previous value, such as a previously cleared task total, to be recalled. A NEW DAY (period) button 532 adds the current total for the day to the total acctime for that task. A MODE button selects display modes, such as from display of acctime for a task on a given day to total acctime for the task. A NONE button 536 may be selected to pause all timers, and is pressed an additional time to resume timing. It may be preferable for the MTC to blank the displays and enter a low-power mode in response to pressing the NONE button 536. The acctime display is preferably configured to time accumulated time in a minute:second (MM:SS) format until the amount reaches “59:59” after which is switches to an hour:minute (HH:MM) format. Preferably, the display provides an indicator of which format is being timed, for example, a section of the display containing “HH:MM:SS” wherein the fields “HH” and “SS” may be alternatively selected depending on acctime mode, although the update rate itself is indicative of the nature of the time being registered.
A set of generally conventional set of clock setting controls 512 comprising a MODE button 538, SET button 540, and an ADVANCE button 542 are included within the embodiment so that user can view both accumulated task times and the time of day. It should be appreciated that acctime information such as cumulative totals may be selectably displayed on TOD display 506 when MTC 500 is held within select modes.
Electronically, MTC 700 senses the relative orientation of the rotatable portion of the upper housing, which is preferably configured with detents to prevent confusion as to the selection. A number of techniques may be used for position sensing, including those previously described, such as the use of electrical contacts engaging selectively conductive areas, magnetic sensing, and so forth.
Task selection is performed by rotating MTC 750 to the desired task associated with a facet. Adjacent each task selection facet is an area 764 upon which a task name may be written, a label applied, or a Post-lt™ type note applied. It should be appreciated that the unit is exemplified in an octagonal housing yet is configured for acctiming in relation to only six of the facets, so that that digital displays are retained in a position that provides for easy viewing.
It will be appreciated that a number of methods may be utilized for providing a rotating display 804 within housing 802, such as rotating display 804 about an axle in response to a off-center display mass wherein the display automatically rights itself based on position. In addition, the display may be variously elongated within housing 802 and configured with rotating members, such as wheels, the provide an interface for allowing the display to rotate. A number of methods exist for allowing the electronics of the device to sense the relative rotation of the display 804 to housing 802, including mechanical switches, magnetic sensors (i.e. hall-effect), inductive sensors, optical sensors, and so forth that are configured to distinguish one position from another. It will be appreciated that acctimes are preferably not subject to change while the display is transitioning. It will further be appreciated that tipping the display back on the rear facet can select another time for display, such as the time-of-day, or a temporary time interval. This position can be sensed with the aforementioned moving ball form of sensor as well as other methods. Furthermore, the unit can be set in a mode wherein the main display alternates between displaying time of day and the acctime for a specific task, such that the user is provided additional convenient information. In one preferred implementation, MTC 800 upon sensing that the rear facet is down, switches to the display of time of day and simultaneously commences the timing of a temporary acctime. After a few seconds have elapsed the acctime is shown and thereafter the display automatically toggles between the display of the temporary acctime and the time-of-day. This mode allows the user to quickly time phone calls or other events, as well as provides a clock display. The user at any time, may just tip back the unit to see the TOD.
It will be appreciated that numerous methods may be utilized for sensing the rotational position of dial-ring 852 in relation to display housing 854. Three binary bits are capable of representing up to eight states within which the six task positions and a seventh position indicative of no-selection, may be represented. These bits may be driven by electrical contacts, or various electronic and/or mechanical sensors. For example dial-ring 852 may be configured with conductive pads positioned in three concentric rings within an inner portion of dial-ring 852 which interfaces with display housing 854, which utilizes a three sets of dual-contacts that are each capable of sensing the presence of a pad underneath. The binary pad combination sensed would represent the selected task on dial-ring 852, while in the absence of sensing conduction on the three contact sets the dial-ring is known to not be positioned on any of the task selector portions.
MTC 1000 is preferably configured to operate in a variety of modes as controlled by mode selection buttons 1016-1024. An on/off control “ON” 1016 allows turning off the unit to save power when no tasks are being serviced. Preferably, the acctimes are retained in non-volatile memory, such as battery-backed memory, so that timing is retained from one use to the next. A calculator button “CALC” 1018 selects the unit for calculator mode. It should be appreciated that MTC 1000 is preferably configured to allow users to perform time-based calculations, such as performing addition and subtraction of various times and the conversion of HH:MM or MM:SS times to decimal based time. In addition, the unit is configured to provide user access to the acctimes which may be used as part of time-based calculations. A temporary time button “TTime” 1020 selects a mode for recording temporary tasks which are not subject to one of the ongoing tasks that may be recorded within task 1 through 6. A “Pause” button 1022 allows suspending both temporary and task timing. A acctime button “MyTime” 1024 selects the task timing mode of MTC 1000. A set of task selection buttons 1026, exemplified with six buttons labeled “1” through “6”, are provided for allowing the user to select which task is to be timed. It will be appreciated that an adjacent indicator is provided by way of task selection indicators 1010, which correspond to with task numbering indicia 114. The user can readily associate a task for which a name is written on the writing surface 1004 with a task number as shown on the display. Task indication in this manner is provided with one level of indirection, that is somewhat less preferable than the direct adjacent-location association of the majority of previous embodiments, however, the implementation of the interface has been simplified. An optional microphone 1028 is shown included within this embodiment for the recording of notes, which can be especially useful for taking voice notes about temporary tasks. It will be appreciated that digital voice storage may be readily implemented by one of ordinary skill. A number of features may be performed with MTC 1000 through a series of command buttons 1030 through 1046 along with calculator function buttons 1048.
The present embodiment incorporates a separate acctimer for temporary task time accumulation. It should be readily appreciated that the temporary timer may also be incorporated within the previously described embodiments of the invention. In operation, pressing a “TTime” mode button 1020 over-rides the setting of the selector and commences timing a temporary event. This allows the user to start timing any task without having to first consider what category the time will be accumulated within. An indicator 1012b preferably is used to signify that temporary accumulation is being performed so that the user readily recognizes that the accumulated time being displayed is not associated with the time selector. The temporary accumulation may be stopped by pressing “Pause” button 1022, whereafter the accumulated time may be restarted, cleared, or added to any of the existing tasks at the discretion of the user. Another preferable feature of temporary task timing “TTime” is that of storing temporary task times along with information associated with the task time. Often the time spent on even a temporary task, such as a fifteen minute phone conversation, should be applied to a task, or billing category. A temporary task generally differs from other tasks which are considered to be ongoing tasks. A person returns to an ongoing task after an interruption, while a temporary task IS an interruption. However, a temporary task is an interruption that in many situations should be kept track of. It will be appreciated that business people billing according to time spent, such as consultants, accountants, attorneys, and so forth have the need to record even small tasks, the time and event for which should be recorded for client billing. A temp-store feature allows the accumulated time to be saved, preferable in combination with a reference designator for the temporary task. Temp-store may be optionally implemented to save a time of day reference associated with either the start or end of the accumulated time. A designator for the temporary task may be stored automatically, such as by assigning a sequential number to each temporary task when it is stored. The user then can write out a designator for the temporary task. For example, the user may list client names, or other tasks, associated with each temporary task. A couple of implementation examples follow to help clarify the use of the Temp-store feature:
(1) Store Accumulated TTime in Sequence and TTime Designation:
MTC 1000 can simply store the time in a list under user selection, which may be recalled later. Preferably the MTC also stores the start time of the temporary task. The user manually maintains a list of designators on the note pad for each stored time. For example: “Dave C.—Headset”, “KJY”, “Yanni—check TMs”. By ordering these as vertical rows on the note pad the user can easily associate the designators and notes with the stored accumulated time and start time of each temporary task.
At a later time, such as at the end of the day, the user can display each entry in the list of temporary tasks. Preferably a number is indicated both when information about each temporary task is stored or recalled which aids in differentiating the tasks and the entries in the list.
(2) Store Accumulated TTime in Sequence and Voice Annotated Designation:
The MTC stores the TTime, and optional TTime start time, into a list and the user voices a short voiced designator into microphone 1028 which is digitally recorded on a digital recording circuit and stored in association with the other TTime information. At any time, such as at the end of the day, the user can recall the entries and handle entering the information in the proper categories or charging time to the proper clients. It will be appreciated that when recalling the entries the accumulated temporary time and the time of day at the start of the TTime may also be annunciated in addition to the stored speech segment.
By way of example, the present embodiment of MTC 1000 is configured with a number of control buttons whose functions is generally described below.
The calculator keyboard 1048 is substantially conventional, however, it contains additional calculation keys for selecting between numeric and time mode 1050, and for converting between HH:MM time and decimal time HH.HH (hours and decimal fractions of hours) 1052. The selection of time mode preferably defaults to HH:MM mode wherein times entered are assumed to be times and calculation are performed on them as time values. The conversion between HH:MM and HH.HH decimal time, and vice-versa, is a convenience feature as many situations require the use of one or the other format for entering time values.
Furthermore, the electronic ink can also provide an inexpensive display as the color of an array may be readily changed by applying a voltage across a portion of the paper to change the optical state of the material. The programming voltage is applied in conjunction with an opposing voltage plane at the backing. Applying a programming voltage changes the spheres to a color that is in contrast with the background, such as black against a background of spheres which are white. Erasure of a section of the electronic ink can be accomplished by applying a voltage that is of opposite polarity in relation to the programming. Preferably, a substantially transparent electrode overlays the front surface of the electronic ink, such as a closely spaced grid of metalization. To erase a section of the sheet of electronic ink, a voltage is applied to the front electrode in relation to the backing electrode that has an opposite voltage relationship as the programming voltage to the backing, such that programming is reversed.
In the aforementioned multitasking displays, any portions of the unit which are configured for accepting task names, an other notes, may contain electronic ink to allow the user to easily write task information and names. Preferably, the electronic ink is configured in task sections that are each provided with a separate erasure electrode connected to a task erase function. The task name may be written by the user with a stylus and later erased at user discretion, such as by pressing a separate task name erase button, or by double-clicking the clear button for the acctime on a particular task.
In a preferred implementation, the entire face of MTC 1000 contains electronic ink overlaying conductive segments and over which a transparent mesh of conductors is connected. The analog display can be implemented in similar manner to an LCD wherein the hour markers 1106, and hands 1108, 1110 are portions of the electronic ink which overlay separately addressable electrodes. Clock display 1104 is shown surrounded by acctime displays 1112a-1112f for representing the accumulated time for each selectable task. These displays are preferably configured as electronic ink sandwiched between electrodes and it will be appreciated that the use of electronic ink drastically reduces the cost and complexity of forming the display in relation to the cost and difficulty with creating a similarly sized LCD display.
Furthermore, the use of electronic ink in the facing of the display allow the user to write task information onto the electronic ink, which can be retained until that portion of the electronic ink is electrically erased. A stylus 1114 is connected by a wire 1116 to MTC 1100. The tip of the stylus 1118 is configured to generate an electric potential opposite that which is present behind the layer of electronic ink on each task segment 1120a-1120f on the face of the unit. The user need only write in one of these areas with the stylus to “program” the underlying electronic ink into a visible state. Each task segment on the face of the unit 1120a-1120f is configured with a separately addressable set of front or rear electrodes so that each task area may be erased separately under circuit control.
Preferably, controls on the rear of the unit allow for selection of which task area is to be erased, these controls also allow for the selection of clearing the time accumulated for each task. It should be appreciated that the use of electronic ink provides an extremely low power display, as power is only consumed during display changes as a result of the intrinsic material capacitance, and leakage currents. It should also be appreciated that the elements of the display may be a mixture of electronic ink and conventional display technologies.
The display may be implemented in a number of ways, such as in electronic ink, as an LCD or similar, and so forth. One way in which the number of addressable areas of the display can be reduced is by providing a rotating electronics assembly behind the face of the unit. The rotating electronics assembly would preferably contain the timing elements necessary for tracking the acctimes, TOD, and so forth, as well as electrode areas corresponding to a large display 1154 and a small display, such as 1156d. Upon sensing movement, the display discontinues updating, and upon stabilizing in a new position area about the large display 1154 is erased (exclusive of the areas of the acctime displays 1156a-1156f). The time-of-day is then output on the electrodes underlying display 1154 to set the segments of the display.
It will be appreciated that the electrodes associated with segments of the display to be turned off may be pulsed with opposite polarity voltages to clear the segments. This can be done by erasing the entire display area (requiring only a single electrode on one side) or by individually erasing the segment area, (requiring individually addressable segments on both sides of the layer of electronic ink). The acctimes for the currently active task are updated as time accumulates, yet the other acctime displays 1156a-1156c and 1156e-1156f retain the acctime value they had accrued when last selected, or default to zero when unused. In this way, the number of addressable electrodes has been reduced and the time-of-day display is always shown in an upright position. It will be appreciated that a number of implementation alternative may be provided by one of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts.
The electrodes on the facing side of the rotating layer of electronic ink are electrically connected to the electronics of the timer mechanism, and can sense position in a number of ways, such as previously described. Alternatively, a clear sheet having embedded electrodes may be retained stationary over the front facing task area, wherein the rotating layer of material containing electronic ink is rotated between fixed electrodes retained on opposing sides of the material. The rotation of the electronic ink areas allows the times associated with previously selected task to be retained for display. In addition, the time-of-day at which the task was last selected may be retained by simply not erasing the time-of-day for a non-selected task subsequent to the selection of a new task. Indicia 1216a, 1216b, may be included on the display in addition to the displays themselves, these indicia may be permanent or formed as part of the display elements. A task selector indicator 1218 is shown to clearly indicate which task is selected. It is preferable that the rotating portion of the housing be configured with detents to assure proper positioning of a task for selection. A set of controls 1220 are shown provided on the base 1204 of the unit. A stylus 1222 is connected to the unit with a wire 1224. The cylindrical vertical housing 1202 is shown configured for storage, such as a pencil-holder recess 1226. It will be appreciated that the unit may be configured in a large variety of shapes and configurations without departing from the present invention.
Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention provides a multi-tasking clock (MTC) device for easily tracking the accumulated time (acctime) spent on each of a plurality of tasks. MTCs may be implemented in myriad ways without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Specifically, it will be appreciated that selecting between tasks may be accomplished with orientation sensitive mechanisms and other forms of switching which provide for the association of a user written task name (and/or information) with a task selector. A variety of displays may be utilized upon which to display the accumulated intervals. Power and control circuitry may be configured in a number of ways that will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Embodiments have exemplified additional features which may be incorporated with multi-tasking clocks, such as: acctime totaling, modifying, accumulation into day periods and total cumulative times, time calculations, temporary acctime recording, and so forth. Implementations have been described to exemplify various mechanisms, display types, display formats, and operation. It should be appreciated that these aspects of the invention may be mixed or matched in various combinations within an MTC clock or incorporated within other devices without departing from the present claimed invention. The depicted embodiments are provided as examples to represent but a few of the numerous ways the present invention may be implemented. The MTC functionality and teachings of the present invention may be incorporated in various desk accessories as described, and within other devices, such as wristwatches, calculators, cellular phones, telephones, telephone accessories, PDAs and so forth. It will be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art can modify or extend the embodiments without departing from the present invention. The following describes a only a few of the alternative features and implementations considered within the present invention.
MTC clocks are well suited for implementation as desktop accessories, however, it will be appreciated that items such as wristwatches may be adapted to provide MTC functionality, which can be especially useful in concert with voice storage of task name and information associated with a task selector. The general functionality of the MTC may also be adapted to create a separate interface which provides a simpler time billing interface for computers, laptops, PDAs and so forth. The next section describes embodiments of these.
The TMux functionality can be alternatively implemented on devices such as personal computers (PCs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, and so forth which can accept programming for the task and need not be customized.
The use of a separate TMux device provides a number of advantages, however, it is difficult to transfer the data from the device to a tracking program. The present invention provides the very rapid time tracking control of the TMux device but adapted for use with a PC, PDA, or similar computer enabled device which can be configured with or without dedicated controls.
In one embodiment a computer keyboard is adapted for controlling TMux functionality. This allows for rapid selection of functions without the need of traversing software menu trees and the like; which slow the process of shifting tasks rapidly, such as when answering a phone. The keyboard itself can be configured for retaining the time values accorded the plurality of tasks, wherein it would be a variant of the devices already described.
Even if the keyboard can operate separately, it is preferable that software on the computer provides at least a logging mechanism for collecting longer term data and increased display capability, such as showing time tracked in each of 4 to 12 (or more), in a clear display, chart, text, or similar. The software also preferably allows the data to be read for populating a spreadsheet, or file associated with a time management application. The software communicates with the keyboard by multiplexing data over the standard connection, or a separate connection may be provided, such as a USB connection. It will be appreciated that many keyboards interface with the PC using a USB connection which has sufficient bandwidth for carrying both conventional keyboard data as well as the time multiplexing data. The software on the PC therefore collects the data from the time multiplexing circuits in the keyboard, and optionally sends control and/or display information to the keyboard. A full time multiplexing application, or a time-tracking application that integrates the time multiplexing functionality, can be readily incorporated into the software. The data being tracked may be automatically entered into a time tracking program on the computer. The features and controls are similar to those depicted in the embodiments within the above referenced patent application, however they are implemented within a keyboard connected to a computer. It will be appreciated that the task data may be stored in either the keyboard or within the computer itself. The time for a given task or all tasks may be displayed on a display on the keyboard or displayed on the monitor associated with the computer either constantly or upon user selection. Additional keys on the keyboard along with the existing keys may be utilized for controlling task selection, time resetting, up down control of times, and other desired functions.
Preferably software within computer is configured to either maintain the task times or to interface with the keyboard which is tracking task times. This software may be implemented as a separate routine or as part of an existing application. In one implementation the task time data is retained in within TMux software and then periodically or at user request may be communicated to a conventional time tracking program, such as timeslips. It will be appreciated, that in similar manner as described for the other embodiments, the control of task timing is readily achieved within the need of switching programs and entering text strings and so forth, while the data is readily available for use by the more sophisticated programs.
It should therefore also be appreciated that some or all of the time multiplexing control functions described within the keyboard, may be performed by the application in the PC; however this increases the operational load on the PC and the communication bandwidth needed between the PC and the keyboard. In either case the acctime values for time multiplexing can be updated, maintained, displayed, converted, cleared, set, logged, compared, and so forth.
The PC 1314 is configured with a keyboard interface 1316, a CPU 1318, memory 1320, an interface 1322 coupled to mass storage 1324, such as at least one hard disk unit, or other data storage means. An interface 1326 to the Internet 1328 is also provided. A means for maintaining time information 1330 is optionally provided, such as a real-time clock. It will be appreciated that most PCs have a real-time clock means that is built into the hardware or low level drivers. The real-time clock can be augmented with external synchronization, received wirelessly (i.e. GPS time signal, radio signal, TV signal, satelite signals, world wide time signal, etc.) or by wired connection to an external time module or by receiving time information over the internet connection.
The TMux application 1332 is configured for execution on CPU 1318 and it can be configured to perform TMux control, display output, accumulating of times, organizating of time output, logging of time intervals, long term logging of time data, interfacing time data with other applications, communicating time information to other systems (i.e. over the Internet), calculating statistics, logging statistics, generating graphical representations, performing formatting of data, and many other functions which may have been previously described, and combinations thereof.
A display 1334 attached to PC 1314 can also be utilized for providing TMux functionality. By way of example, acctimes may be displayed on the display 1336, such as by category at a fixed location on the screen, for instance in a row at the base of the screen. In this way the user has ready access to these times. The use of a touch-screen display allows the user to select a task for acctiming, preferably with a single click action, therein speeding up the process.
The interface is preferably implemented as a pop-up or resident application program that allows the user to quickly track acctimes without the time and overhead associated with entering and navigating through a time billing program. The simpler time multiplexing interface is configured to provide a simple standard output from which any program that utilizes time billing can extract information from. In the billing program the categories may be associated permanently with billing categories or the user can elect to direct the application of the times to the proper billing categories.
The acctimes 1362 may be displayed as separate fields 1364 on the screen with the accumulated time 1368, task designator (i.e. textual name, icon, or combo) 1370, and optionally a reference to the associated selection key, such as a function key or key combination. If the screen is a touchscreen then the application is preferably configured to allow the user to just touch the field associated with the task to be selected. In the example the acctimes are shown displayed in a format of HHHH:MM, wherein up to 9999 hours can be accumulated to a task with a resolution of one minute. Alternatively, a seconds field can be included. Alternatively, instead of tracking hours about a certain limit the system can convert these to days or some other reference. For example the format could be displayed as DD:HH:MM, wherein the HH field goes from 00 to 23 and the DD field is incremented as days.
On a non-dedicated keyboard pressing a task selection button, such as the F1 key shown, generates a control key string to the computer 1352 which is captured by the operating system and fed to the TMux application software, which controls acctiming. Pressing a function key associated with a different task than presently being timed, preferably causes the application to change the task being timed. Pressing the key associated with a running task causes it to stop timing (for example the user is taking a break), pressing a key associated with a task when no tasks are running causes acctiming to start for that task. These functions may be handled in alternative ways, although the present invention is preferably configured for allowing the user to switch between tasks very readily, preferably with a single keystroke or other input, in a similar manner as they can select a task manually with the dedicated TMux embodiment described previously. It will be appreciated that the task select button may sequentially allow selection of different tasks, and that task selection may be performed in a number of alternative ways without departing from the present invention.
The interface is preferably configured to allow single key access, such as pressing the F12 key to bring up a task list which can be displayed as just a row of buttons labeled with a key name, an acctime and a task name, for example “F1—02:45—Accounting”, “F2—00:12—Dunnings”, “F3—04:43—Marketing” and so forth. User can enter simple strings for a task and can control actions of these elements in a similar manner as described for the clock based MTCs described previously. Pressing the appropriate function key starts the selected task and pauses other task timing. Additional function keys such as F9-F11 can be utilized for functions such as those previously described, including “Clear”, “Mode”, “New Day”, and so forth. A button, such as “EDIT” can allow for editing any of the times and amounts using the keyboard or other input mechanisms for the device. These functions can be tied to the internet or intranet as well. On an intranet, when the time category is changed an email can go out to a time receiver recipient which will track company time. This would also allow top office personnel to track the tasks being performed company wide. The applications for the present invention extend into various business and personal areas wherein the time spent in each of multiple tasks should be tracked. The use of the function keys or the task timing brings an realistic use back to the function keys, whose recent use has been displaced by the mouse. Since the TMux application is useful to the individual whenever they operate the computer device (i.e. PC, laptop computer, PDA, cellphone, etc.) it makes sense for the functions keys to be dedicated to that task. However, a mode of the TMux application, allows the user to redirect the function keys to other applications which may be configured to use the function keys.
Dedicated, or non-dedicated, buttons on the keyboard (or keypad on a PDA, cellphone etc.) can also be utilized for resetting acctimes for a task, incrementing/decrementing the selected acctimes, setting acctimes, and so forth.
The task timing invention may be less preferably implemented as a front-end configured for use with a new or conventional billing applications to speed the control the task timing. Configuring software in the way provides a simplified “rapitrack” interface that allows the user to more readily control task timing and displays of timing.
It will be appreciated that conventional billing routines require the user to enter information about a new task prior to accruing time to it. Furthermore, in order to switch tasks the user must find and select the present billing category and stop the time accrual and then select the new task, or create a new billing slip for the new category. The present invention eschews the need to define the task or enter any information about the task, and the user can select a new task and stop the old task with a single click.
The TMux application may be adapted to output the current task time on the display at all times. Selecting a new task may be as easy as hitting the appropriate function key to start a different or new task into timing mode. Striking a task display key, such as the F10 key, can signal the program to generate information about the tasks currently running, such as the number, legend, days accumulated time, and total accumulated time. The user can change the displayed legends such as by pressing a define key prior to hitting the task select key, wherein they can enter text which is captured as the legend information. Two consecutive presses of the F1 key can be used to bring up timing control parameters or interfacing parameters for use with a billing system.
On a PDA, or other computer device having a touch screen, the selection of task is preferably performed by pressing a text or iconic represenation of that task on the screen to control which task is being timed. Alternatively, pressing a single icon on the screen can bring up a selection screen wherein the user presses the icon or text representing the task to be started, or for stopping the currently running task. Although this latter method requires two keypresses it saves on display area and can still be performed in less than a few seconds. Furthermore, a key can be used in place of the icon, for opening up a task selection pane by the TMux application.
The TMux application is preferably configured to selectively generate data about the task timing for logging and/or communication with other systems. For example, whenever a task timing change arises a message can be sent over an intranet to a time receiver recipient which will track company time for employees. This would also allow top office personnel to track what the company is doing. The acctimes can be communicated in response to task switching, time of day, periodic updates, in response to manual query, or other activation means.
The TMux application can perform a number of different functions. An embodiment may perform more or less than the functions on the following list.
The TMux application can be configured to include a mapping function wherein the task times can be mapped to billing categories and sheets within a billing application. If however, the program is provided as a front end, or integrated within an existing application, it can seemlessly pass the data to a billing sheet.
Garment comfort is a consideration that is important but lags behind issues of safety. One item of apparel that is particularly prone to causing serious injury is the conventional necktie. A necktie is often worn by business persons in many situations. A necktie surrounds the neck of the individual and drapes down in front of the individual. Wearing a conventional necktie poses a safety hazard, because if the extended portions of the tie is caught in a piece of machinery, such as shown in
The use of conventional neckties as shown in
Therefore, a need exists for a method of increasing the safety of ties and scarves, the present invention fulfills, that need as well as others.
The present invention includes a tension-controlled dress tie, bow-tie, or scarf, that upon being subjected to a predetermined level of tension (under 100 lbs. and preferably in the 20-40 lb. range) that fully or partially separates under tension so as to eliminate the possibility of strangulation, or other injury, to the wearer. By way of example, these garments may be easily manufactured by creating the tie in one or more discrete portions which are joined by a tension-controlled fastening means. The tension controlled fastening means may provide a one-time release (destructive) or a non-destructive release that allows the tie to be manually reassembled and reused thereafter. One example of a tension controlled fastening means can be implemented with a hook-and-loop fastener, or with snaps, that connect portions of the tie to one another, wherein the application of at least a predetermined level of tension causes the tie portions to separate, thereby preventing injury to occur to the neck of the wearer. Use of a non-destructively separating tension release joint which can be manually reassembled provides an additional benefit in that a small section of the tie material maybe configured with complementary fasteners on each end which may be inserted between portions of the tie to extend its length, as it will be appreciated that the proper length of a tie depends on the height of the individual upon which it is being worn. Another example of a tension-controlled fastening means is the use of a tear-away seam (destructive separation), wherein a minimal number of strands of a low-strength thread is utilized to retain the separate portions of the tie during wear and which thereby separate under at least a given level of tension to prevent wearer strangulation. The predetermined separation tension for a particular tie implementation should be determined through testing to assure that it lies within a safe range and provides repeatable separation.
An object of the present invention is to reduce the occurrence of deaths and injuries resulting from neckties being grasped manually or caught in machinery, such that the wearer is subject to strangulation, or other injury.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety tie, or scarf, that may be easily manufactured with convention equipment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety tie, or scarf, that may be fabricated to appear conventional and to follow existing styles.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety tie, or scarf, that may be reused after a separation in a tension-incident.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safety tie, or scarf, that may be inexpensively manufactured.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
It will be appreciated that a determination of the tension that must be applied prior to separation of the sections within the tie is not a simple matter of calculating the number of strands times the break strength. Such a calculation for the embodiment shown in
For example, a separation threshold of between 20 pounds up to about 40 pounds is presently a preferred range. It will be appreciated that a tradeoff must be made when selecting a separation threshold. A separation threshold that is too high may not prevent certain forms of injury, while a threshold that is set to low could cause the tie to separate when being applied or at other times that do not pose a threat to the safety of the wearer. Therefore, although the invention may be practiced with separation thresholds less than 20 pounds, such as 5 or 10 pounds, the tie can become separated if the wearer applied too much tension during application which may not make the wearer especially happy with purchasing another safety tie to replace the one he broke when tying the previous one. On the other hand, thresholds above 40 pounds, in particular on a slight individual, could allow the individual to become strangulated, or suffer other injury without the tie separating to relieve the tension. Neckties of a conventional construction have breaking strengths which exceed 100 pounds, and often far exceed that value, wherein the wearer is subject to very high tension levels and can be easily injured or killed if the tie becomes entangled in machinery or is subject to grasping by a hostile individual.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for reducing the safety hazard posed by conventional neckties by providing for separation of portions of the tie when a predetermined separation threshold is exceeded. It will appreciated that a tie according to the present invention, which separates under a given tension force, may be implemented in a large number of alternate construction forms and material choice without departing from the teachings of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that bow-ties, scarves, and other dress garments designed as neckwear may be implemented according to the present invention.
The removal of small projections, such as hairs, splinters, and so forth is still often performed with the use of some form of tweezers, precision needle-nose pliers, or hemi stat. Tweezing devices come in an assortment of styles, and sizes for a variety of applications, primarily cosmetic, but to a lesser extent medical. Tweezers provide a head which is capable of grasping an item generally too small to be removed by a pair of fingers. Typically the tweezing head provides a pair of opposed hard surfaces between which the item to be “tweezed” is first interposed, then grasped, then plucked. Often the items being grasped are very small, or located in a position, such that the person using the device is unable to control the interposing of the item between the head of the tweezers. For example, the removal of small hairs from the brow, the ear, or the nose. In addition, items such as splinters are often extremely small and may also be located in areas that are not amenable to easy viewing. The user is often required to just close the tweezers in the area and pull, hoping to remove the offensive splinter, hair, or other small projective item. Operating a tweezers in this manner is not only inefficient, with the user plucking at phantom projections, but often the skin, or other surface may be get inadvertently interposed between the head and when quickly clamped and pulled this can lead not only to a painful result, but it can break the skin causing a small wound.
As can be seen, therefore, the development of a tweezing device that would provide feedback to the user which would be indicative of the size and nature of items interposed between the head, could simplify the tweezing process making it more efficient, faster, safer, and more accurate. The tweezing device in accordance with the present invention satisfies that need, as well as others, and overcomes deficiencies in previously known techniques.
The present invention includes a tweezing device that provides feedback responsive to the interposition of items within the head, such that selective and accurate grasping/tweezing may be performed. The tweezing device is configured with a plurality of sensors in the head that detect characteristics of the interposing items. The characteristics may be such as depth, width, pressure, color, or other characteristics. The electronics interprets signals from the sensor to determine characteristics of the interposing item, after which it generates user feedback so that the user can more accurately grasp items in a more efficiently, safe manner. It will be appreciated that users with poor eyesight will be aided by the registration of small hard to see objects, which facilitates their ability to “tweeze”.
By way of example and not of limitation, an embodiment of the device provides a small tweezing apparatus with a self-contained power supply, having a series of optical sensors for registering interjecting objects between the opposing members within the head. The optical sensors register the presence, and preferably the size (width), number, and position of small objects interposed between the head portions. Feedback on size, number, and location of an objects to be tweezed allows the user to decide if they have the correct object, the right number of objects (such as one), the right type of object (e.g. hair instead of a fold of skin), and are properly aligned to remove the item with the tweezing head. Small objects which interject between the head portions block a portion of the light between a light source and a detector which allow for registration of the object. The light source and detector are preferably coupled to the small head of the tweezers with light-conducting pipes, such as sections of optical fibers. The electronic circuit of the device registers the changes in received light for each of the sensors in order to detect objects breaking the light path. The nature of the interposing item is characterized, for example, according to size (i.e. skin, single hair, multiple hair, void) and feedback is provided to the user through an indicator adapted to alert the user of the apparatus, for instance the generation of audio tone patterns associated with the character of the interposing item. It will be appreciated that the indicator may take other forms, such as visual, tactile, and combinations thereof.
Another aspect of the invention provides for the automatic tweezing of a hair or other small object being interjected at the tweezing head. The head portions of the tweezers are configured to move in a manner that pulls on the item being grasped toward the base of the tweezers, so that the tweezers themselves need not be moved by the user to “pluck” an item. This automatic tweezing is herein referred to as “autotweeze” and it can greatly speed up the tweezing process. By way of example, the autotweeze mechanism is triggered by the user, such as in response to a pulse of pressure applied to the handles of the tweezers after the optical head had registered the presence of an item interjected between the halves of the tweezing head. Preferably the motion of the head portions during autotweezing causes them to engage a cleaning member which removes the hair or other interjecting member that is being tweezed, so that the tweezers is prepared for a subsequent operation.
An object of the invention is to provide a tweezing device that is capable of registering the interposing of items within the head.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tweezing device that is capable of providing feedback as to the character of the item being interposed within the head.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tweezing device that provides user feedback that allows the user to determine if the correct item is interposed between the head and ready for being plucked.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tweezing device that provides user feedback while being reliable and inexpensive to manufacture.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tweezing device that provides user feedback and may be battery operated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of providing feedback for a tweezing device while additionally providing tightly focused light near the tweezers head.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of providing feedback for a tweezing device whose operation and accuracy are not unknowingly comprised by environmental contaminants.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of providing feedback for a tweezing device that provides internal calibration to minimize feedback generation in response to atypical device conditions, such as low battery, optical sensor damage, light source damage, head alignment error and so forth.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tweezing device whose power is activated by contacting the head portions with one another, and that shuts off automatically subsequent to use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tweezing device that provides user feedback while being easy to use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of providing feedback for a tweezing device that is applicable to any form of tweezing or similar precision grasping device.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tweezing apparatus which can automatically pluck an interjecting item between the halves of the head in response to user input.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tweezing apparatus with an automatic plucking mechanism which is self cleaning.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
Another aspect of the invention comprises a set of tweezers having a sensing head that alerts the user to the interposition of small objects between the opposing members of the head which are used to grasp obstructions, such as for plucking.
In operation, the light generated from the LED sources 2352a through 2352h are coupled through the fiber optics 2334 to the head portion 2320 and are directed at the corresponding fibers on head portion 2318. Light emitted from head portion 2320 that is not otherwise blocked by obstructions is received at head portion 2318 and coupled by way of the optical fibers 2334 to the optical coupler 2357 into the optical sensor 2358 to be registered and conditioned by conditioning circuitry 2360. As sensitive optical sensors and the associated circuitry are typically far more expensive than a light source, the exemplified circuit 2350 has been implemented with a single sensor 2358, but a collection of light sources 2352a through 2352h. To utilize a single sensor 2358 without a loss of information, the light sources 2352a through 2352h are sequentially activated wherein the control circuit 2352 monitoring the amplitude of the light received by the conditioning circuit 2360 can determine the amplitude of light being transferred across the gap between portion 2318 and portion 2320 of the head. Typically the amplitude of light crossing between the head gap is in direct proportion to coupling between the output and corresponding input. Therefore, the control circuit can determined the extent and character of an obstruction which is interposed between the portions 2318, 2320 of head 2317. For example, a small obstruction, such as a hair will cause the light amplitude to be reduced in one or perhaps two adjacent fibers and due to motion will typically have a bounded level of fluctuation between adjacent fibers. In contrast, a section of skin is likely to obscure a section of the sensors, either covering all sensors or a portion on one side or the other, and has less variation. The control circuit 2352 maps the variations per segment over periods of time, and at intervals correlates the information to determine the obstructive state of the sensor head, whereby it generates a corresponding audio output in transducer 2353. Users are thereby provided feedback as to the number of small protrusions interposed between the heads and the character of those protrusions. The feedback provides the user with the capability of directing the use of the tweezing device without the need of seeing the items that are to be removed. The control circuit also is capable of differentiating the relative closure of the tweezers head, as increases in the head gap lead to increased dispersion of the light, which is spread out more when it arrives at the optical sensor portion of the head. The resolution of the device is thereby increased as the user closes down the head near a possible projection, and the gap between the optical surfaces is reduced.
A simple implementation of the circuit 2350 for use within a cosmetic tweezers, for example for use in plucking hairs, generates no sound if all LEDs are received with equal brightness, and will generate a tone, or tonal pattern to be associated with “pluck me” when a small obstruction is registered between a small gap in the portions 2318, 2320 of head 2317. The tonal pattern is modified for the registration of multiple small obstructions, such as hairs. If a large portion of the light is blocked from one side of a head portion, then a piece of skin, or other obstruction is considered to be obstructing the device and a warning tone is generated to prevent the user from inadvertently causing injury.
Power is preferably activated within circuit 2350 by closing the head gap and touching the two conductive arms 2322, 2324 to one another, upon which power is activated and an alerting tone issued. As the head gap is closed, power from the battery passes through the conductive arms 2322, 2324 and head portions 2318, 2320 between the battery and the control circuit 2352; to thereby provide power to the control circuit 2352. After a first predetermined time period, such as 0.5 seconds, control circuit 2352 outputs a power latch signal to a power switching element 2362, which then retains the battery power to the device while it is being operated, and also generates an audible alert indicating that power has been latched on. In addition, the control circuit is preferable configured with a low battery sense wherein an audio pattern corresponding to “low battery” may be output. Once use has discontinued for a second predetermined interval, such as 3 minutes, the circuit powers itself off to conserve battery power.
As the speed of detection is quite rapid, the device need not constantly be in a mode of scanning the output LEDs and may either turn on all the light sources to provide lighting to the area on which the device is being used, or turn off the light sources to conserve battery power. Further battery conservation measures may be taken with regard to the use of a sleep mode within the control circuit 2352 and/or the conditioning circuitry 2360.
A loop, containing blocks 2406 and 2408 is then entered for registering a series of intensities as the output light sources are activated in succession. Unless the last light source has been registered as detected in block 2406, the next LED is illuminated and the corresponding light amplitude is registered and stored in block 2408. After all outputs are scanned and read in, the intensities are compared at block 2410. A determination of the interposition is performed based on intensities, preferably in addition to history of prior reading, as well as calibration data as per block 2412. If no obstructions exist, (light passes across unattenuated) then the condition is registered and the sensing loop can commence again. If obstruction is encountered as detected in block 2412, then the nature of the obstruction is determined first at block 2414 wherein the discernment of small objects is performed. Should the object be a small object, then a predetermined beep is registered according to the nature of it in block 2416. Larger objects are discerned within block 2418 and upon detecting a large object, such as a section of skin, a second type of beep is generated at block 2420. If the object is neither small nor large then additional beeps can be generated at block 2422. It will be appreciated that heuristic programming for the circuit may be performed at any level of complexity by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
A tweezer for performing powered removal of selected elements between the pincers, tweezer head, as described herein. To eliminate the need of the user quickly yanking the hair. It takes rapid movement to yank the hair, and this is unpleasant. A solenoid, or other electromechanical actuator, mounted to the tweezers that can be triggered by the user when a hair has been grasped. The tweezer can be made to actuate upon detecting a hair, but it is contemplated that it is best to provide user control so that areas of skin or other areas are not inadvertantly plucked.
It should be appreciated that the power tweezer, preferably includes the sensing apparatus of the present invention. The sense and power unit may both be contained within the tweezers, although they may be retained in a separate housing connected to the tweezer head. Activation of the actuator causes a rapid motion of the tweezer head to pluck the hair that has preferably been located using the sensing mechanisms previously described.
The actuator may be manually and/or automatically activated. For example the user can manually activate the tweezer at any time, such as in response to hearing the audio output indicating a hair has been sensed. Alternatively, the unit can optionally provide an automated mode in which in response to a threshold level of sensing, the plucking actuator is automatically engaged to pluck the hair, or other desired object. The manual activation allows the user to decide when the “pluck” operation is to take place. The manual input can comprise a button, sensing of pressure application on the sides of the tweezer (i.e. quick increase in clamp pressure activating the clamp and pluck operation, which is very intuitive. A preferred mechanism provides two touch sensitive pads 2516, such as piezoelectric material configured for sensing a change in applied force, on either side of the tweezer. The electronics then senses positive changes in pressure on both sides for engaging the jaws of the tweezer, and within this embodiment it may also engage the plucking actuator to pull the hair after the jaws have closed down on the hair. The jaws closing on the hair may also be sensed, such as with a pressure sensor, or other form of sensor, wherein the plucking operation becomes even more tightly controlled. The plucking actuator may comprise any desired form of electromechanical actuator, including motors, solenoids, muscle wire fibers, piezoelectric actuators, and so forth.
Alternatively, the device may rely on compressed air, such as from a small external compressor to pull a vacuum that drives a pneumatic cylinder. The same compressor may be used with a filter and attachment for removing material from the pores.
To provide sensing of the presence of small objects between the jaws of the tweezer, without the need to route fiber optics in both directions along the tweezers. A number of additional embodiments can be derived from the teachings of the present invention from which tweezers can be implemented, without departing from the present invention.
A Single Row of Optical Fiber.
The detection described in the application may be alternatively implemented using a single row of optical fiber which is positioned on a first jaw member and directed to reflect light from the second jaw member, which is so positioned and adapted with an optically reflective surface.
The optical fibers may be arranged as coupled to LED light sources (or other light sources) alternated with optodetectors. (i) All sources may be activated simultaneously, wherein the light detected on the adjacent fibers connected to the detectors could read the intensity. (ii) Preferably, only one light source (or only one within a given span of fibers) is activated at a time while the reflected light is registered on all the detectors (or all those in a given span such as 3 on either side of the output fiber. In this way the reflected light as sourced from EACH fiber can be unambiguously registered, with a view towards providing an enhanced ability to discern various conditions between the jaws.
Preferably, however, each fiber is connected to an LED that may be used as either a light source, or as a detector. It will be appreciated that any conventional LED can be used as an optical detector, however, the signal response is not as good as that provided by an optical element designed specifically as an optical detector. So the source/detector combination may utilize a single LED coupled with each fiber, wherein the LED can be driven to source optical energy or used in a detector mode to sense the level of optical energy. Another option is that of including both an LED and detector in close proximity for coupling to the same optical fiber. This mode allows for reducing the number of elements required for a given resolution.
Optical Sensors Built Into Jaw(s).
The optical sensing may be alternatively performed using sensors mounted in the jaws of the tweezers, for instance optical sensors, and optional pressure sensors. The sensors may be fabricated using conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques, or they may be fabricated from polymeric material, or the like, and/or using MEMs technology.
For example, LEDs and optodetectors may be fabricated on two separate die for positioning on each opposing jaw member, or fabricated on a single die for positioning on one jaw member and for directing a beam off of a reflecting portion of the alternative jaw member
It will be appreciated that LEDs may be fabricated on silicon circuits, on polymer circuits, such as so called “organic LEDs”, and in additional configurations.
The circuitry retained on one jaw member preferably comprises only the optical source, optical detector, and optionally simple conditioning circuitry such as amplifiers if the signal-to-noise ration would be otherwise compromised en route to a separate circuit. The separate circuit may be mounted in any desired location, however, proximal to the “Y” of the tweezer, or the handle is preferable as this is out of the way, and is convenient for the mounting of controls.
Pressure Sensing Built Into the Head.
Having the sensor bank at the head allows optional pressure sensors to be incorporated for detecting the amount of pressure being applied between the jaws, and optionally with sufficient resolution on the pressure registration, to detect the pressure from the object between the jaws. For example a bank of 16 pressure sensors across the surface of the jaws allows the unit to better detect what is retained between the jaws, and how many items. The sensing of pressure can be used to alter the indications to the user, or for triggering an automatic plucking cycle, if the unit is configured with an actuator.
The power to the automated tweezing device of the present invention can be derived from internal power supplies, such as capacitors or batteries, or it may be derived from external sources.
The use of a capacitor provides for high current for short operating times, and can be recharged in seconds when the unit is coupled to a charger device. It is a preferred power source for a self-contained tweezing device which provides the object sensing function, and/or the automated clamping, and/or the automated plucking as described within the present invention. These functions may be implemented separately or in any desired combination without departing from the present invention.
The power source for operating the device may also be derived externally. For example the tweezer may be coupled to a separate power supply that supplies at least some form of power, such as electrical power, pneumatic power, hydraulic power, or mechanical power.
A first actuator 2607 is shown for grasping hairs in response to manual input and/or automatically in response to said sense head detections. Pressure sensing device 2608, (i.e. piezo materials, switches, etc.), on one or preferably both sides of the device allow the user to manually control grasping and plucking with the device. A second actuator 2609 with is configured within the body of the tweezer for controlling a plucking action, wherein the user need not manually withdraw the tweezer with each “pluck”, thus speeding the plucking process.
In one embodiment the first actuator is actuated until it closes after which the second actuator is activated to perform the plucking process, in response to a sufficient positive pressure change detected on sensors 2608. The plucking actuator causes arms 2604 to retract 2610 into the housing of tweezer unit 2602. In this way the actuators can be utilized to augment conventional human interaction with the tweezer device. The device preferably also has a semi-automatic mode in which the user closes the jaws—upon which the second actuator is actuated to pluck, or a fully automatic mode in which the grasp and pluck operations are performed automatically in response to the device sensing a hair, or the target item being plucked.
It should be appreciated that the unit can be configured to allow the user to select the conditions under which semi-automated, or automated operation will arise, as well as desired threshold levels for sensing and actuation, and so forth. A selector 2612 is shown on the housing to allow user selection of mode and parameters of operation.
This embodiment is shown being powered by a combination of pneumatic power and electrical power shown supplied by a hose 2614 with integral electrical wiring 2616 which are coupled to a power unit 2618 deriving electrical power from an outlet 2619. The power unit for this embodiment contains an electrical power supply and a pump for providing pneumatic power. The advantage of the pneumatic system is that it readily converts to operating power for the actuators, using piston actuators, or the like, which are very inexpensive to produce.
It should be appreciated that a pneumatic system may be utilized for driving other similar device, or used in a pump mode for extracting contaminants from the pores of the user's skin, thus performing double duty for different cosmetic equipment.
Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention provides a tweezing device that generates feedback in response to the characteristics of one or more items interposed between the portions of the tweezing head. It should be appreciated, however, that the tweezing head may comprise any mechanism capable of grasping, and is not limited to the bifurcated head of the exemplified device. In addition, it will be recognized that grasping and/or tweezing may be accomplished with a variety of mechanical structures within which a sensing unit may be connected. It will be realized further that the optical sensing embodied herein is but one form of sensor that may be utilized, whereas other sensors such as pressure, inductive, capacitive, and even RF sensors may be used alternatively within the invention. Additionally, the invention can be configured to provide for power-assisted removal of small objects, such as hairs, using an autotweezing feature. The invention is directed primarily at cosmetic applications, however, it will be recognized that grasping and/or tweezing may be performed in other instances.
The aspects, modes, embodiments, variations, and features described are considered beneficial to the embodiments described or select applications or uses; but are illustrative of the invention wherein they may be left off or substituted for without departing from the scope of the invention. Preferred elements of the invention may be referred to whose inclusion is generally optional, limited to specific applications or embodiment, or with respect to desired uses, results, cost factors and so forth which would be known to one practicing said invention or variations thereof.
Moreover, a device made according to the various embodiments of the invention may be provided with all with all of features described herein, or only portions thereof, which combinations may be practiced and/or sold together or separately. It should, therefore, be appreciated that each aspect of the invention may generally be practiced independently, or in combinations with elements described herein or elsewhere depending on the application and desired use. Modes may be utilized with the aspects described or similar aspects of this or other devices and/or methods. Embodiments exemplify the modes and aspects of the invention and may include any number of variations and features which may be practiced with the embodiment, separately or in various combinations with other embodiments.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending regular application Ser. No. 10/039,709 filed on Jan. 4, 2002; which claims priority from provisional patent application entitled “Compliant Garment Belt Buckle” Ser. No. 60/302,897 filed on Jul. 2, 2001; and provisional patent application entitled “A Clock for Tracking Time Accorded a Plurality of Tasks” Ser. No. 60/301,193 filed on Jun. 26, 2001; and provisional patent application entitled “A Clock for Tracking Time Accorded a Plurality of Tasks” 60/259,955 filed on Jan. 5, 2001; and provisional patent application entitled “Tweezing Device with Interposing Projection Feedback” Ser. No. 60/260,106 filed on Jan. 6, 2001; and the application also claims priority to copending regular patent application entitled “Keyboard Device with Preselect Feedback” Ser. No. 10/612,777 filed Jul. 1, 2003; and provisional patent application entitled “RAST070102” Ser. No. 60/394,160 as filed Jul. 1, 2002; each of the foregoing application are incorporated herein by reference and priority to which is claimed.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60302897 | Jul 2001 | US | |
| 60301193 | Jun 2001 | US | |
| 60259955 | Jan 2001 | US | |
| 60260106 | Jan 2001 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10039709 | Jan 2002 | US |
| Child | 10971680 | Oct 2004 | US |
