Adjustable count down timer

• US 7,885,146 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iverson Imports Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Potty Time Incorporated
• Inventors: Cochran, Katie, Parkinson, Alan, Parkinson, Pamela
• Primary Examiner(s): Figueroa; Felix O
• Application Number:
  US11/511,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20070047392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,625 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/109
• US Class Current: 368/109
• 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: G04F 5/00 Apparatus for producing preselected time intervals for use as timing standards generating clock signals for electric digital computers G06F1/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0076 Body hygiene; Dressing; Knot tying

Abstract

A timer device includes a timer housing. An electronic countdown circuit is disposed within the timer housing. The electronic countdown circuit is programmed to include at least one mode of operation. A display device is attached to the timer housing and in electronic communication with the electronic countdown circuit. The display device includes an LCD display and at least one flashable LED light. A power source is in electrical communication with the electronic circuit. At least one switch is in electrical communication with the electronic countdown circuit. The switch is adapted to select the mode of countdown operation.

Claims

1. A toilet training device for children, comprising:

a timer housing;

an electronic countdown circuit that counts down from a pre-selected timing interval disposed within the timer housing, the electronic countdown circuit automatically restarting the countdown to the pre-selected timing interval after completion of the pre-selected timing interval, wherein the pre-selected timing interval corresponds to a desired period of time between attempts to use a toilet by a child,

a display device attached to the timer housing and in electronic communication with the electronic countdown circuit; and

a first switch and a second switch in electrical communication with the electronic countdown circuit, the first switch and second switch operating the electronic countdown circuit, wherein, during the countdown from the pre-selected timing interval, the first switch and the second switch are each inoperable except when pressed simultaneously to end the countdown from the pre-selected timing interval.

2. The toilet training device as recited in claim 1, wherein the pre-selected timing interval is one of an automatically repeating thirty minute interval, an automatically repeating sixty minute interval, and an automatically repeating ninety minute interval.

3. The toilet training device as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical countdown circuit is adapted to provide an adjustable selection of the pre-selected timing interval.

4. The toilet training device as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic countdown circuit is programmed to toggle the mode of countdown when one of the first and second switches is pressed within a predetermined time limit after the first and second switches are pressed together.

5. The toilet training device as recited in claim 1, further comprising an attachment device connected to the timer housing, the attachment device being configured to secure the timer device to a user.

6. The toilet training device as recited in claim 5, wherein the attachment device consists of at least one of a wrist band, pin, clip, strap, band, belt, hook, buckle, and hook and loop fastener.

7. The toilet training device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a speaker disposed in the timer housing and in electrical communication with the electronic countdown circuit.

8. The toilet training device as recited in claim 7, wherein the electronic countdown circuit is programmed to play an audio signal that corresponds to the mode of countdown operation.

9. The toilet training device as recited in claim 7, wherein the timer housing includes a raised portion that is configured to contain the speaker, wherein the raised portion resembles the tank of a toilet, and wherein the display is contained in a portion of the timer housing resembling the bowl of a toilet.

10. The toilet training device as recited in claim 1, wherein the display device is configured to display a reward display at about the completion of the pre-selected time interval.

11. A method of toilet training a child, comprising:

providing a timer device with an electronic countdown circuit and a first switch and a second switch in electrical communication with the electronic countdown circuit, the electronic countdown circuit being programmed with a pre-selected time interval corresponding to a desired interval of time between toilet use attempts by the child being toilet trained;

pressing the first and second switches simultaneously by an individual other than the child being toilet trained;

receiving a selection switch signal in the electronic countdown circuit from the simultaneous pressing of the first switch and the second switch;

selecting the countdown mode from the electrical countdown circuit by pressing the first switch, the countdown mode being selected from the group including at least two of;

a demonstration mode,

a thirty minute timer mode,

a sixty minute timer mode, and

a ninety minute timer mode;

counting down the pre-selected time interval corresponding to the selected countdown mode; and

automatically restarting the counting down to the pre-selected timing interval corresponding to the selected countdown mode, each of the first and second switch being inoperable during the counting down to the pre-selected timing interval except when pressed simultaneously to stop the counting down.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising providing a reward period before the counting down is automatically restarted.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein providing a reward period further comprises playing an audio signal.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising playing an audio signal when the counting down is completed.

15. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising flashing an LED light when the counting down is completed.

16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein selecting the countdown mode further comprises toggling the countdown mode between at least two of the demonstration mode, the thirty minute timer mode, the sixty minute timer mode, and the ninety minute timer mode.

17. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein selecting the countdown mode further comprises playing an audio signal in the demonstration mode when the at least one switch is pressed.

18. A toilet training device, comprising:

a body having the general appearance of a toilet having a bowl portion and a tank portion and configured to be worn by a child being toilet trained;

a display disposed in the bowl portion;

a speaker disposed in the tank portion;

batteries disposed in the tank portion;

a first button being located adjacent to the display;

a second button located on a side of the body, the buttons being arranged such that it is difficult for a child to press both buttons simultaneously while wearing the device; and

electronic circuitry that automatically counts down and automatically repeats the countdown to a pre-selected time interval associated with a period of time between attempts by the child to use a toilet, wherein the time interval is interruptable and selectable only when the first and second buttons are pressed simultaneously, the first and second buttons being inoperable during the countdown except when pressed simultaneously, and wherein the electronic circuitry provides reward signals to the display and the speaker at the end of the countdown, the display signals providing a reward to the child to encourage an attempt to use a toilet.