WARNING SIGNAL INTERRUPT DEVICE

• US 20080074546A1
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Abdulmohsen A. Momen
• Original Assignee: Abdulmohsen A. Momen
• Inventors: Momen, Abdulmohsen A.
• Application Number:
  US11/533,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20080074546A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/553
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications

Abstract

A warning and signal interrupt device for preventing a child from sitting to close to a TV includes a pressure mat for defining an area and sending a signal when an individual is within that area. The device also includes a timer for timing a period when the individual remains in the area. When the timer exceeds a first pre-selected increment of time, the device sounds an alarm which continues until the individual vacates the area. Then when the period of time exceeds a second pre-selected time interval, the device turns off the picture and mutes the TV sound. The device also restarts the TV when the individual moves outside of the area. A method for automatically training a child to sit at a proper distance from a TV screen is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A warning and signal interrupt device for preventing one or more individuals from occupying a space in front of and in close proximity to a television screen, said device comprising:

means defining a defined area in front of and in close proximity to a television screen;

means including a pressure switch for determining when one or more individuals are within the defined area;

timing means for timing the duration that one or more individuals are within the defined area;

means for sounding a warning when one or more individuals have been within the defined area for a first pre-selected period of time;

means for interrupting a television signal when one or more individuals have been within the defined area for a second pre-selected period of time; and

means for resetting the timing means when all individuals within the defined area have vacated the area.

2. A warning and signal interrupt device according to claim 1 in which said means for defining a defined area is a pressure mat.

3. A warning and signal interrupt device according to claim 2 in which said first pre-selected time is about 15 seconds.

4. A warning and signal interrupt device according to claim 3 in which said second pre-selected time is about 30 seconds.

5. A warning and signal interrupt device according to claim 2 in which said timing means is variable for selecting first and second time period.

6. A warning and signal interrupt device according to claim 5 which includes an electrical circuit, said circuit comprising a veristar and capacitor for providing a first selected time interval, a buzzer, a first relay and a first transistor for actuating said relay after a first selected period of time has passed to thereby cause said buzzer to emit a sound.

7. A warning and signal interrupt device according to claim 6 in which said electrical circuit includes a second veristar and a second capacitor for providing a second pre-selected period of time, a switch, a second relay and a second transistor for actuating said second relay after said second pre-selected period of time has passed to thereby turn off the TV.

8. A warning and signal interrupt device according to claim 7 which includes a master switch for turning off the device and in which each of said relays includes a diode.

9. A method for training children to view television programs from a proper distance comprising the steps of:

defining an area in front of and in close proximity to a television screen wherein a viewer may be exposed to harmful radiation;

providing a pressure mat including a switch to produce a signal when a child is present in the defined area;

measuring the duration of time that the child is within the defined area;

sounding an audio warning when a child remains in the defined area beyond a first pre-selected time;

interrupting the TV signal when a child remains in the defined area beyond a second pre-selected time; and

restoring the TV picture and silencing the audio alarm when the child moves outside of the defined area.

10. A warning and signal interrupt device according to claim 10 which includes the further step of increasing the volume of the audio warning as the time exceeds the first pre-selected time.