Multi-event timer device

• US 7,522,477 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2006
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SCS Direct Inc
• Original Assignee: Gregory Scott Sheldon
• Inventors: Sheldon, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke; Renee S
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US11/432,359
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 368/109, 368/46, 368/96
• US Class Current: 368/46
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 11/00 Producing optical signals at preselected times

Abstract

A multiple-event timer device for timing various infant-related biological functions such as diaper changes, feeding and sleeping is described herein. The timer device has a plurality of digital timers corresponding to a plurality of displays and a plurality of buttons. Each timer, display and button grouping functions independently. Each button includes an icon and/or is shaped to designate an event associated with that button. To reset a timer, its corresponding button is pressed-and-released. Each timer has an independent programmable upper limit or alarm setpoint. If the upper limit for a given timer is reached, an LED behind the associated button is illuminated. In some embodiments, audible alarms are activated. To set an alarm setpoint, the appropriate button is depressed and held, then the same button is pressed-and-released until the desired setpoint is reached. The timer device allows a user to monitor a plurality of events simultaneously.

Claims

1. A timer device for keeping track of human biological functions comprising:

a. a plurality of count timers specifying a set time interval, each operating in increments of minutes and/or hours;

b. a plurality of displays coupled to the plurality of timers for displaying information; and

c. a plurality of buttons coupled to the plurality of displays and the plurality of timers for modifying the plurality of timers,

wherein the plurality of buttons each represent a function.

2. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a slide-switch on the timer device for indicating which breast was last used for feeding.

3. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an apparatus for attaching the timer device to another object.

4. The timer device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the apparatus for attaching is a clip.

5. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a wide bottom for enabling the timer device to stand upright.

6. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first button of the plurality of buttons is shaped to represent feeding, a second button of the plurality of buttons is shaped to represent sleeping and a third button of the plurality of buttons is shaped to represent diaper changes.

7. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 wherein an icon of an object or an activity is on or near each of the plurality of buttons according to the function represented.

8. The timer device as claimed in claim 7 wherein a first icon represents feeding, a second icon represents sleeping and a third icon represents diaper changes.

9. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 wherein text is on or near each of the plurality of buttons according to the function represented.

10. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 wherein an alarm setpoint is selectively set within each of the plurality of timers for alerting a user.

11. The timer device as claimed in claim 10 wherein a button of the plurality of buttons corresponding to a timer of the plurality of timers of the alarm setpoint illuminates when the alarm setpoint is reached.

12. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 wherein an audible alarm sounds when an alarm setpoint is reached.

13. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flashlight light source.

14. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a receiver for monitoring a baby'"'"'s sounds.

15. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a backlight for illuminating the plurality of displays in the dark.

16. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each single button of the plurality of buttons corresponds with a single timer of the plurality of timers and a single display of the plurality of displays.

17. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of displays are visible simultaneously.

18. The timer device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of displays are included within a single display device.

19. The timer device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

20. A hand-held timer device for keeping track of human biological functions comprising:

a. a plurality of up-count timers, each specifying a set time interval in increments of minutes and/or hours starting from 00;

00;

b. a plurality of displays coupled to the plurality of timers for displaying time-related information;

c. a plurality of buttons coupled to the plurality of displays and the plurality of timers for modifying the plurality of timers, wherein the plurality of buttons each contain a feature representing a function; and

d. an alarm setpoint corresponding to each of the plurality of timers for alerting a user when the alarm setpoint is reached.

21. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising a switch on the timer device for indicating which breast was last used for feeding.

22. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising an apparatus for attaching the timer device to another object.

23. The timer device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the apparatus for attaching is a clip.

24. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising a wide bottom for enabling the timer device to stand upright.

25. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the feature on each of the plurality of buttons is a shape of the button.

26. The timer device as claimed in claim 25 wherein a first button of the plurality of buttons is shaped to represent feeding, a second button of the plurality of buttons is shaped to represent sleeping and a third button of the plurality of buttons is shaped to represent diaper changes.

27. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the feature on each of the plurality of buttons is an icon of an object or an activity.

28. The timer device as claimed in claim 27 wherein a first icon represents feeding, a second icon represents sleeping and a third icon represents diaper changes.

29. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the feature on each of the plurality of buttons is text.

30. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 wherein a button of the plurality of buttons corresponding to a timer of the plurality of timers of the alarm setpoint illuminates when the alarm setpoint is reached.

31. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 wherein an audible alarm sounds when the alarm setpoint is reached.

32. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising a flashlight light source.

33. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising a receiver for monitoring a baby'"'"'s sounds.

34. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising a backlight for illuminating the plurality of displays in the dark.

35. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 wherein each single button of the plurality of buttons corresponds with a single timer of the plurality of timers and a single display of the plurality of displays.

36. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the plurality of displays are visible simultaneously.

37. The timer device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the plurality of displays are included within a single display device.

38. The timer device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

39. A method of utilizing a timer device for keeping track of human biological functions comprising:

a. selectively setting one or more alarm setpoints on a plurality of count timers specifying a set time interval, each timer corresponding to an event and operating in increments of minutes and/or hours, wherein the plurality of count timers are set using a plurality of buttons each representing a function;

b. monitoring a plurality of displays each corresponding to a count timer to determine how much time passed since each of the events; and

c. individually resetting the plurality of count timers after the corresponding event occurs.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein setting the one or more alarm setpoints further comprises:

i. pressing one of the plurality of buttons;

ii. holding the button for a period of time;

iii. releasing the button; and

iv. press-and-releasing the button until a desired alarm setpoint is reached.

41. The method as claimed in claim 39 further comprising indicating which breast was last used for feeding using a slide-switch.

42. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein a button corresponding to each timer is shaped representing an event and is used for selectively setting the one or more alarm setpoints and for individually resetting the timers.

43. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein a button corresponding to each timer contains an icon and is used for selectively setting the one or more alarm setpoints and for individually resetting the timers.

44. A timer device for keeping track of human biological functions comprising:

a. a plurality of count timers specifying a set time interval, each operating in increments of minutes and/or hours;

b. a plurality of displays coupled to the plurality of timers for displaying information; and

c. a plurality of buttons coupled to the plurality of displays and the plurality of timers for modifying the plurality of timers,

wherein the plurality of buttons each represent a function, and further wherein each of the plurality of buttons are shaped according to the function represented.

45. A timer device for keeping track of human biological functions comprising:

a. a plurality of up-count timers specifying a set time interval, each operating in increments of minutes and/or hours;

b. a plurality of displays coupled to the plurality of timers for displaying information; and

c. a plurality of buttons coupled to the plurality of displays and the plurality of timers for modifying the plurality of timers,

wherein the plurality of buttons each represent a function.

46. A timer device for keeping track of human biological functions comprising:

a. a plurality of count timers specifying a set time interval, each operating in increments of minutes and/or hours;

b. a plurality of displays coupled to the plurality of timers for displaying information;

c. a plurality of buttons coupled to the plurality of displays and the plurality of timers for modifying the plurality of timers, wherein the plurality of buttons each represent a function; and

d. a slide-switch for indicating which breast was last used for feeding.