Habit cessation aide

• US 6,839,305 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel Mapes-Riordan, Neil Perlman
• Original Assignee: Daniel Mapes-Riordan, Neil Perlman
• Inventors: Mapes-Riordan, Daniel, Perlman, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lindinger, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US09/788,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20020114223A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 131/270, 368/10, 368281-282, 368/278, 368/223, 368/228, 368107-113
• US Class Current: 368/109
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 15/005 with means for limiting the frequency of smoking, e.g. with time-control, counting means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 47/00 Smokers' requisites not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/006 for operating at a number of different times cigar or cigarette receptacles or boxes with means for limiting the frequency of smoking A24F15/005

Abstract

A habit cessation aide includes a timer to determine the interval between starting a habitual act, a display for displaying messages in operative connection to the timer, and a strap for securing to a user'"'"'s body. A widely held habit is smoking, for which the illustrated embodiment is directed towards. The habit cessation device also includes an alarm, which may be auditory, vibratory, or a combination. As shown, the device is in the form of a wristwatch and also functions as a standard wristwatch and includes features such as calculating and displaying items including at least time, date, and elapsed time. Depending upon the frequency of cigarette smoking, signaled by the push of a specialized button, different messages are displayed, such as encouraging, statistical or informational, to help the user quit the habit.

Claims

1. A habit cessation aide comprising:

a timer assembly to detect the times a habit occurs in a pre-established historical period, and the time the habit most recently occurred,

a first display section for displaying messages, such messages not to include a message that the habit can or should be performed, in operative connection to the timer assembly; and

a second display section for displaying a relative length of time since the most recent occurrence of the habit.

2. A habit cessation aide as claimed in claim 1 wherein the habit is smoking.

3. A habit cessation aide as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an alarm.

4. A habit cessation aide as claimed in claim 3 wherein the alarm is selected from the group consisting of auditory and vibratory.

5. A habit cessation aide as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aide is in the form of a wristwatch.

6. A habit cessation aide as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a means for functioning as a wristwatch and displaying items including at least time, date, elapsed time.