Programmable event reminder apparatus
First Claim
1. A programmable event reminder apparatus, comprising in combination:
- user-controllable input means for entering selected parameters corresponding to a plurality of discrete events into said apparatus, said selected parameters including an event parameter identifying each event and a time parameter indicating a preset elapsed time relative to a predetermined reference time at which each event is scheduled to occur;
memory means for storing said selected parameters;
timekeeping means for measuring elapsed time relative to the predetermined reference time;
alarm means for generating a discrete alarm signal for each event, each discrete alarm signal identifying a corresponding event and the preset elapsed time relative to the predetermined reference time at which the corresponding event is scheduled to occur;
control means responsive to said selected parameters and elapsed time measured by said timekeeping means for controlling said alarm means to generate a particular discrete alarm signal when the measured elapsed time corresponds to the preset elapsed time of a particular event;
user-controllable means for disabling said alarm means from generating said particular discrete alarm signal; and
means for automatically disabling said alarm means from generating the discrete alarm signals corresponding to selected events which are scheduled to occur after the particular event until said particular discrete alarm signal is disabled by said user-controllable means.
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Abstract
A programmable event reminder apparatus is housed in a "pocket-sized" casing and includes a microcomputer for processing selected parameters representing a plurality of events and the times at which the events are scheduled to occur. The microcomputer keeps track of the actual time and generates an alarm signal at the time that each of the programmed events is scheduled to occur. The apparatus includes a visual display, whereby the particular event and the scheduled time of the event are displayed when the alarm signal is generated. A current alarm signal will continue until it is disabled by the user. The alarm signals corresponding to subsequently scheduled events will be at least temporarily disabled until the current alarm signal is disabled by the user, such that the user will not be reminded of subsequent events until the current alarm signal is acknowledged by the user. The apparatus further includes user-controllable switches for entering the selected parameters and for controlling the apparatus to display selected information relating to the data programmed into the apparatus. For example, the user can call up on the display the time parameters relating to a particular event in chronological sequence, which gives the user a quick indication of how the apparatus has been previously programmed. The user can also remind himself of when the next event is scheduled to occur by displaying the next event and the scheduled time thereof. The event reminder apparatus according to the present invention is particularly well-suited for use as a medication prompting device to alert the user that a particular medication is due to be taken at a particular time.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A programmable event reminder apparatus, comprising in combination:
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user-controllable input means for entering selected parameters corresponding to a plurality of discrete events into said apparatus, said selected parameters including an event parameter identifying each event and a time parameter indicating a preset elapsed time relative to a predetermined reference time at which each event is scheduled to occur; memory means for storing said selected parameters; timekeeping means for measuring elapsed time relative to the predetermined reference time; alarm means for generating a discrete alarm signal for each event, each discrete alarm signal identifying a corresponding event and the preset elapsed time relative to the predetermined reference time at which the corresponding event is scheduled to occur; control means responsive to said selected parameters and elapsed time measured by said timekeeping means for controlling said alarm means to generate a particular discrete alarm signal when the measured elapsed time corresponds to the preset elapsed time of a particular event; user-controllable means for disabling said alarm means from generating said particular discrete alarm signal; and means for automatically disabling said alarm means from generating the discrete alarm signals corresponding to selected events which are scheduled to occur after the particular event until said particular discrete alarm signal is disabled by said user-controllable means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification