Reminder device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A reminder device for notifying a user of the expiration of a first predetermined time period and of the expiration of an interval time period, the device comprising:
- a first timer for updating an elapsed interval time;
a second timer for updating a current interval time;
a memory for storing a plurality of predetermined interval time periods, said predetermined interval time periods being of generally increasing duration;
a logic unit for selecting one of said plurality of predetermined interval time periods;
a register for storing said selected one of said plurality of predetermined interval time periods;
a first comparator for comparing the current interval time to said selected one of said plurality of predetermined interval time periods and generating a first compare signal therefrom;
a second comparator for comparing the elapsed interval time to the first predetermined time period and generating a second compare signal therefrom to cease operation of the device when the elapsed interval time and the first predetermined time period are the same;
an alarm responsive to the first compare signal for notifying the user that the current interval time is equal to said selected one of said predetermined interval time periods signifying the expiration of said predetermined interval time period; and
a first switch for disabling the alarm and signalling the logic unit to select one of said predetermined interval time periods and store said selected predetermined interval time period in said register, reset the current interval time and restart the second timer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reminder device for notifying a user when to take a dosage of medication. The credit card size device includes a first time counter for maintaining an elapsed program time and a second time counter for maintaining a current interval time. An alarm notifies the user of the expiration of the current interval. The user takes a dosage of medication in response to the alarm. A switch is provided for resetting the second time counter after the user takes a dosage of medication.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A reminder device for notifying a user of the expiration of a first predetermined time period and of the expiration of an interval time period, the device comprising:
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a first timer for updating an elapsed interval time; a second timer for updating a current interval time; a memory for storing a plurality of predetermined interval time periods, said predetermined interval time periods being of generally increasing duration; a logic unit for selecting one of said plurality of predetermined interval time periods; a register for storing said selected one of said plurality of predetermined interval time periods; a first comparator for comparing the current interval time to said selected one of said plurality of predetermined interval time periods and generating a first compare signal therefrom; a second comparator for comparing the elapsed interval time to the first predetermined time period and generating a second compare signal therefrom to cease operation of the device when the elapsed interval time and the first predetermined time period are the same; an alarm responsive to the first compare signal for notifying the user that the current interval time is equal to said selected one of said predetermined interval time periods signifying the expiration of said predetermined interval time period; and a first switch for disabling the alarm and signalling the logic unit to select one of said predetermined interval time periods and store said selected predetermined interval time period in said register, reset the current interval time and restart the second timer.
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2. A reminder device for notifying a user of the expiration of a first predetermined time period and of the expiration of an interval time period, the device comprising:
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first timing means for updating an elapsed interval time; second timing means for updating a current interval time; means for determining and storing a predetermined interval time period; first means for comparing the current interval time to the predetermined interval time period and generating a first compare signal therefrom; second means for comparing the elapsed interval time to the first predetermined time period and generating a second compare signal therefrom to cease operation of the device when the elapsed interval time is the same as the first predetermined time period; an alarm responsive to the first compare signal for notifying the user that the current interval time is equal to the predetermined interval time period signifying the expiration of the predetermined interval time period; and a first switch for disabling the alarm and signalling the means for determining to determine and store a new predetermined interval time period, reset the current interval time and restart the second timing means. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A smoking cessation program comprising:
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a predetermined amount of nicotine chewing gum; and a reminder device for notifying a user when to chew a piece of said chewing gum and of the expiration of a first predetermined time period, said reminder device further comprising; first timing means for updating an elapsed interval time; second timing means for updating a current interval time; means for determining and storing a predetermined interval time period; first means for comparing the current interval time to the predetermined interval time period and generating a first compare signal therefrom; second means for comparing the elapsed interval time to the first predetermined time period and generating a second compare signal therefrom and for ceasing operation of the device when the elapsed interval time is the same as the first predetermined time period; an alarm responsive to the first compare signal for notifying the user that the current interval time is equal to the predetermined interval time period signifying the expiration of the predetermined interval time period, thereby notifying the user to chew a piece of said chewing gum; and a first switch for disabling the alarm and signalling the means for determining to determine and store a new predetermined interval time period, reset the current interval time and restart the second timing means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of reminding a user when to chew a piece of gum as part of a smoking cessation program, the program being of a fixed length having a predetermined program end point and including a plurality of predetermined intervals, the user chewing a piece of gum upon the expiration of an interval, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a timing device having an elapsed time counter for continuously maintaining the length of time that the user has been taking part in the smoking cessation program, an interval time counter for maintaining a current interval time, a comparator for determining the expiration of an interval and the expiration of the program, an alarm for notifying the user of the expiration of an interval, and a first switch for resetting the interval time counter and determining a new interval time; (b) initiating device operation by starting the elapsed time counter and the interval time counter; (c) actuating the first switch in response to the alarm notifying the user that an interval has ended, thereby disabling the alarm, resetting the interval time counter and determining a new interval time, the user chewing a piece of gum in response to the alarm; and (d) repeating step (c) until the comparator determines the expiration of the program, thereby signifying that the program has ended. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of reminding a user when to take a dosage of medication over a predetermined time period, the time period being of a fixed length having a predetermined end point and including a plurality of predetermined intervals, the user taking a dosage of medication upon the expiration of an interval, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a timing device having an elapsed time counter for continuously maintaining the time from inception of the predetermined time period, an interval time counter for maintaining an interval time, comparator means for determining the expiration of an interval and the expiration of the program, an alarm for notifying the user of the expiration of an interval, and a first switch for resetting the interval time counter and determining a new interval time and a second switch for disabling the alarm; (b) initiating device operation by starting the elapsed time counter and the interval time counter; (c) actuating the first switch in response to the alarm notifying the user that an interval has ended, thereby disabling the alarm, resetting the interval time counter and determining a new interval time, the user taking a dosage of medication in response to the alarm; and (d) repeating step (c) until the comparator determines the expiration of the program, thereby signifying that the program has ended.
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Specification