This invention generally pertains to timing devices, and more particularly to a device for indicating the passage of time intervals.
Various devices are known in the art for timing events. Timers may be categorized in one of two groups as either an incremental (i.e., count-up) or decremental (i.e., count-down) device. Various mechanical, electro-mechanical, and electrical clocks or stopwatches have been employed to tell time and/or time activities and events in a count-up manner. Such count-up devices typically provide a visual indication using hands or numerals for designating the hour, minute and second of the time of day or elapsed time of the activity. Although the foregoing count-up devices are often useful for telling the time of day and for timing simple events such as a race by use of a simple “lap” time functionality, such devices are not well suited for providing an indication of the time remaining in an activity.
Count-down devices are best suited to management of remaining time. Count-down devices include hourglasses filled with sand, egg timers and timers on microwaves and ovens that ring or buzz when time has expired. Such devices are useful for timing activities, such as taking a test, and assisting with time management where the instant of time expiration is focal. However, such count-down devices do not typically provide a clear indication of an individual's progress in an activity since the devices often require an event participant to calculate, interpret or judge how much time is remaining in the active interval and estimate or extrapolate his or her progress relative to the total length of the activity. Moreover, such devices place a particular importance on the instant of time expiration by providing a single audible or visual signal, and they are not well-suited for use with activities having multiple steps or intervals or providing a gentle and/or progressive warning for assisting a participant of an activity with his or her time management.
Further, interpretation of the foregoing count-up and count-down devices may be hindered by the fact that these devices typically must be viewed close up as they are not easily viewable from a distance, particularly if a plurality of participants are involved in the activity or event. In a further example, if the activity or environment is noisy, a conventional timer that sounds a warning may not be well-suited to the activity since the warning may not be heard by the participants. To that end a visual indication such as a light or combination indication such as a light and sound would be helpful. Additionally, such devices primarily rely on visual or aural interpretation of the device and therefore preclude the participation of an individual who is visually or hearing impaired or who is at a great distance from the timing device. For example, in a classroom where students are engaged in a time-delimited activity like small group time or free time, the teacher may want to warn the students in several areas of the classroom simultaneously of the approaching end of the activity and to start cleaning up. For certain tasks, it is desirable to give a gentle or progressive warning that the deadline is approaching, and clocks do not provide such a warning. Therefore, in view of the foregoing, a time interval indicating device providing visual and audible cues for timing activities or events including two or more intervals would be welcomed.
A device for indicating the passage of two or more time intervals is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the device includes a base portion with a user interface and a light portion. The light portion includes two or more lights, which may be of different colors, disposed in a vertical arrangement above the base portion. The user interface includes a display and a keypad for programming the device with one or more time durations, and for associating one or more of the lights with each time interval. A controller is in communication with the user interface and operatively coupled with the lights to illuminate each light during its associated interval. The device may include an audio section linked to the controller for further indicating the intervals or transitions therebetween by outputting one or more audio signal.
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As previously mentioned, the device 100 may output various audio signals coincidentally, sequentially, or otherwise in association with the illumination of lights 242-246. Controller 210 may include a memory of one or more pre-recorded sounds and the controller 210 may be operative to drive an audio amplifier for speech or melody synthesis. For example, the controller 210 may be operative to drive audio amplifier 252 with a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. Thereafter, the audio amplifier 252 processes and amplifies the PWM signal for outputting a sound through speaker 254. Additionally, as known in the art, the system may include a microphone or means for coupling an external microphone to the controller 210 so that the user may record a sound to be output from the audio module 250 during operation of the device 100. For example, a teacher may record his or her voice saying “time to clean up” or the like for an ending sound signal. Although the light module 240 and the audio module 250 provide sensory indicators (i.e., outputs or signals) to the one or more users of the device 100, other sensory indicators may be provided in addition or alternative to the modules 240, 250, such as, for example tactile and olfactory indicators. As known in the art, a tactile indicating means such as a vibrating motor, liquid emitting device or the like may couple with the controller 210 for providing a user with a tactile indication. Further, an olfactory indicating means such as an odor or fragrance emitting device may couple with the controller 210 for providing a user with a scent indication.
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Hereafter, the operation, programming and method of use for the device 100 is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the device 100 includes one or more programming modes and one or more time-indicating modes relative to the programming modes. In a first programming mode hereinafter referred to as the “automatic” programming mode, the exemplary device 100 receives a user-input total duration of time for an activity and automatically subdivides that total duration of time into subintervals in accordance with pre-programmed or otherwise established percentages, ratios or fractions. In an “automatic” operating mode that is associated with the “automatic” programming mode, the device 100 times an activity having the user-input total duration of time, which was entered in the “automatic” programming mode, so that the activity is timed in a subdivided manner with multiple intervals making up the total duration of time. In a second programming mode hereinafter referred to as the “manual” programming mode, the exemplary device 100 receives multiple user-input time intervals that define the total time duration or length of time of an activity as the sum of the user-input time intervals. In a “manual” operating mode that is associated with the “manual” programming mode, the device 100 times an activity having the user-input intervals of time, which were entered in the “manual” programming mode, so that the activity is timed in a subdivided manner with the multiple intervals making up the total duration of time for the activity. The device 100 may also include a clock setting mode that may be used to program the controller 210 with the time of day such that the display 124 provides an hour, minute and second (HMS) time so that the device 100 may be used as a clock when it is not being used for timing an activity.
As briefly described, the device 100 may be programmed and operated to provide a sensory indication of the progression of the time duration for an activity having a pre-determined or known total duration. The activity may further include two or more sequential events or steps that subdivide the total duration of the activity. Thus, the device 100 may operatively indicate to an activity participant his or her progress relative to the total length of the activity, and assist in timely completion of the activity by indicating transitions from one step to another. In one example, the device 100 may be programmed for use in a classroom setting to provide assistance to students working as a team in a small group activity to indicate the various stages of the activity (e.g., drafting a hypothesis, experimental investigation, and drafting a conclusion). In another example, the device 100 could be used by a teacher as a way of gently or progressively reminding the students of when it is time to clean up. In one instance, if an activity is to last twenty minutes a green light may be programmed to illuminate for sixteen minutes, a yellow light may be programmed to illuminate for three minutes signifying time to clean up and a red light may be programmed to illuminate for one minute to indicate the end of the activity. Other types of exemplary uses would include baking, where the individual might want to check a cake at several times before the end (e.g., five and two minutes before the end) of the expected baking time due to temperature fluctuations in the oven, or in a laboratory experiment where the individual might want to change the reaction temperature after a certain period of time and then later add an ingredient or check the temperature after another interval of time.
In the “manual” and “automatic” programming modes a user may program or otherwise establish the duration of an activity by incrementing or decrementing a time setting by using buttons 128a and 128b. In the “automatic” programming mode of the exemplary embodiment, a user may input a total length or duration of time for an activity and the controller will subdivide that total length of time into a predetermined number of intervals of time to correspond with the number of light sections (e.g., three in
In the “manual” programming mode, the user may establish time intervals for each section 144, 146 and 148 independently of each other, thereby defining the total time duration or length of time of an activity as the sum of the time intervals. For example, the user may program a twenty minute duration of time for each of the three lighted sections 144-148 to provide an overall activity length of time or duration equaling one hour. Such a “manual” programming mode may generally be used when the individual programming the device 100 for timing an activity requires more flexibility and customizability than the “automatic” programming mode provides.
Additionally, in the foregoing “automatic” and “manual” programming modes, the user may also associate the output of one or more audio signals or sounds from the audio section 250 with one or more of the lighted sections 144-148, or with one or more of the transitions therebetween. In one embodiment, the user may associate a sound with one or more portions of each time interval (i.e., lighted sections 144-148), so that the sound is emitted, for example, at the start or end of each interval. Further, the user may assign a different sound for each lighted section to enable the user to better distinguish the beginning and/or end of each interval. Moreover, the active (i.e., illuminated) section 144-148 may flash one or more times (e.g., three times) or strobe at the end of its associated time interval to indicate an imminent transition to the subsequent time interval. For example, the green section may flash before the yellow section illuminates, the yellow section may flash before the red section illuminates and the red section flashes before the red section extinguishes (i.e., turns off). The flashing of the active section may generally coincide with the sound output from the audio section 250. Particularly, in the foregoing example with the flashing sections, the user may program sounds at the beginning of the green and yellow sections and at the end of the red section and the device 100 may automatically output a sound at the transition from the yellow section to the red section to provide a gentle warning.
While programming the device 100 with the intervals, the controller 210 may present the user with one or more queries via the display 124 for associating a sound with each of the intervals. If the user responds affirmatively to a query, the controller may then present a list of pre-recorded sounds via the display 124 for the user's selection. For example, the user may scroll through the pre-recorded sound choices using arrow buttons 128a and 128b and select a sound of interest with the enter button 128e. If the user responds negatively to a query for associating a sound with an interval, the controller 210 may present the user with the option of associating a sound with a subsequent or different interval until the controller 210 has presented the user with the option for associating a sound with each of the intervals. Once associated with an interval, the selected sound is emitted at some time within the associated interval. Having associated sounds with one or more portions of each interval, a user of the device 100 may assess his or her progress during the duration of the event through the auditory or visual signal or cues output by the device 100. The device 100 may thereby provide assistance to a group of individuals with differing sensory impairments, such as a combination of visually and hearing-impaired individuals. This feature may also prove useful for practical everyday tasks, such as working in the vicinity of a timed event requiring multi-tasking (e.g., baking a cake, performing a laboratory experiment) where the individual may either not see or not hear the alarm. Other practical uses for the device 100 include the use with small children who have time-limited activities like TV watching. Since young children are likely to consider the changing colors and the sounds as a form of reward, such visual and audible cues alone or in combination would be helpful in communicating the consequence of the elapse of time. By providing both visual and audible cues of the progression of time, the device 100 may be used for a variety of functions.
After having programmed the device 100 via one of the “automatic” and “manual” programming modes, the user may select a time-indicating (i.e., operating) mode corresponding to the associated programming mode. By pressing the menu button 128c and toggling between the time-indicating modes (i.e., the “automatic” or “manual” operating mode) with arrow buttons 128a and 128b the user may then select the operating mode of interest with enter button 128e. For example, if a user previously programmed the device 100 with a time duration via the “automatic” programming mode, the user may then subsequently time an activity lasting that programmed time duration by selecting the “automatic” operating mode. Conversely, if a user previously programmed the device 100 with a number of time intervals via the “manual” programming mode, the user may then subsequently time an activity lasting the sum of the programmed time intervals by selecting the “manual” operating mode. The time-indicating modes provide for timing an activity and indicating the progression of various stages (i.e., the intervals) of the activity by outputting sensory (e.g., visual, audible, etc.) cues.
The user selects one of the two time-indicating (i.e., operating) modes as appropriate or desired for a particular activity, and thereafter the display may show a prompt such as “START?” along with the pre-programmed duration of time for the activity. If the user wants to change the time duration or other user-selected options such as sounds or otherwise does not wish to activate the selected operating mode, the user may press the menu button 128c or simply let the controller 210 time out and return the display 124 to a default screen (e.g., the time of day clock) due to lack of input within a predetermined time input window (e.g., 10 seconds). If the user does wish to activate the selected operating mode, the user may press the toggle button 128d, which initializes the controller 210 to start a decremental time counter therein. In association with the initialization of the decremental time counter, the controller 210 initially illuminates the first lighted section 144 via LED grouping 242 to indicate the initial interval or portion of the activity. The controller 210 may also output a sound via sound section 250 if the user previously associated a sound with the first time interval during the programming mode.
Further, during the decremental timing operation of the controller 210, the controller 210 communicates with the display 124 to show a countdown timer (i.e., a continuously decrementing time display) relative to either the total time remaining in the event duration, or the time remaining in the active interval (i.e., the illuminated section 144, 146 or 148). Further, the user may operatively toggle the countdown timer display between the total time remaining in the duration (i.e., the time remaining in the active interval added to the durations of one or more subsequent intervals), or the time remaining in the active interval to further assist the user in assessing their progress throughout the event. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of the device 100, the countdown (decremental) timer is displayed on LCD panel 124 and may be toggled between the total time remaining for the activity and the time remaining in the active interval by pressing toggle button 128d. In addition, the controller 210 may provide for pausing the decremental timer and the countdown timer display by pressing one or more of the buttons 128a-e (e.g., pressing arrow buttons 128a and 128b together), such as during a temporary, unplanned interruption of the activity. For example, an interruption may be needed to provide further instructions, clarification, answer questions or the like to participants of the activity. After pausing the decremental timer and the countdown timer display, the timer and display may be re-started after the interruption by pressing one or more of the buttons 128a-e (e.g., toggle button 128d).
After the decremental timer has determined that the active interval has passed or expired, the controller 210 drives or otherwise actuates the appropriate subsequent LED grouping or groupings of the light section 240, and the audio section 250 for providing an indication of the transition between intervals and the state of the activity (e.g., start, middle, end). At the end of the activity duration, the device 100 may indicate the end of the total length of time such as by flashing the lights, strobing the lights, outputting one or more sounds, or any combination thereof such that the device 100 thereby provides a clear visual indication that the activity or interval is over.
Although the device 100 is mentioned above to be useful in a classroom setting for test taking or other group activities, the device 100 also has many other uses and applications. As previously mentioned, the device 100 may be used in a laboratory setting for providing sensory cues (e.g., visual, audible, etc.) to a particular step in an experiment or chemical reaction. Further, the changes in color from one region to another may indicate to a technician to add an ingredient, change the temperature, or some other operation. Moreover, the different colors of the lighted sections 144 through 148 may signify different activities. For example, green could mean monitor and experiment at a lab bench, yellow could mean stop monitoring the experiment and do desk work and red could mean stop desk work and hold a team meeting. In other exemplary uses, the device 100 may be used to provide a stepped or incremental warning that an event or activity is almost complete. The device 100 may also be used for limiting TV time for children, or progressive warnings that the end of the children's TV time is nearing. Additionally, the device 100 may be for activities such as baking, giving a speech, meetings, oral arguments in a courtroom and other activities having pre-determined lengths of time.
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Several embodiments of this invention are described. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/789,218, filed May 27, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/015,834 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,206), filed Dec. 17, 2004. The entire contents of both of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120033532 A1 | Feb 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12789218 | May 2010 | US |
Child | 13277714 | US | |
Parent | 11015834 | Dec 2004 | US |
Child | 12789218 | US |