Attention-focusing device and method of use
First Claim
1. An attention-focusing device for supplying a plurality of sets of prompting signals for a plurality of corresponding self-improvement regimens, comprising:
- (a) a circuit means having a plurality of different operational modes for producing a respective plurality of sets of sensible prompting signals, each set of sensible prompting signals being (1) repetitive, (2) occurring at fixed, predetermined intervals, said intervals being non-alterable by a user, and (3) different from each other set of sensible prompting signals;
(b) an output means for generating a visible and an audible output that can be sensed by a user proximate to said device, said output means being arranged so that said visible output is not sensible to others less proximate to said device than said user;
(c) at least one user-operable input switch for enabling a user to cause said circuit means to enter a selected one of said plurality of said different operational modes; and
(d) a housing means which contains said circuit means, said output means, and said switch;
(e) said housing means being sized and shaped to fit conformably within a closed human hand, allow comfortable portability in a pocket or a purse, and camouflage the operation and purpose of said device;
(f) said housing means further having at least one flat bottom positioning surface for supporting said device on a horizontal surface so as to permit said device to be stood in an operating position and oriented so that that said visible output is in a direct line with a user'"'"'s vision and turned away from non-users;
whereby a user can unobtrusively and discreetly transport, deploy, and operate said device in a variety of settings.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An attention-focusing device (10) supplies sets of prompting signals for a plurality of related self-improvement regimens, and has a housing (12) of a structural form that fits within a closed hand, allows convenient portability, and camouflages use and purpose of device (10). The device has a visual sender (20) embedded within the housing (12) to shield the signal from direct observation by non-users, and an incurvate surface (22) formed in the housing (12) to further shield the visual sender (20) and provide a structural surface for kinesthetic contact. The circuitry (40) of the device (10) provides a mechanism for selectable visual, aural, or tactile signaling, gentle, non-coercive signals forms, a single switch (32) for selecting operational modes, and a microcontroller (42) that can be flexibly programmed to produce a plurality of temporally predetermined, sensibly distinct, repetitive signal sets that are operable individually or concurrently to implement multiple-objective programs, including several related self-improvement regimens for controlling human body weight.
75 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An attention-focusing device for supplying a plurality of sets of prompting signals for a plurality of corresponding self-improvement regimens, comprising:
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(a) a circuit means having a plurality of different operational modes for producing a respective plurality of sets of sensible prompting signals, each set of sensible prompting signals being (1) repetitive, (2) occurring at fixed, predetermined intervals, said intervals being non-alterable by a user, and (3) different from each other set of sensible prompting signals;
(b) an output means for generating a visible and an audible output that can be sensed by a user proximate to said device, said output means being arranged so that said visible output is not sensible to others less proximate to said device than said user;
(c) at least one user-operable input switch for enabling a user to cause said circuit means to enter a selected one of said plurality of said different operational modes; and
(d) a housing means which contains said circuit means, said output means, and said switch;
(e) said housing means being sized and shaped to fit conformably within a closed human hand, allow comfortable portability in a pocket or a purse, and camouflage the operation and purpose of said device;
(f) said housing means further having at least one flat bottom positioning surface for supporting said device on a horizontal surface so as to permit said device to be stood in an operating position and oriented so that that said visible output is in a direct line with a user'"'"'s vision and turned away from non-users;
whereby a user can unobtrusively and discreetly transport, deploy, and operate said device in a variety of settings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An attention-focusing device for supplying a plurality of sets of prompting signals for a plurality of related human weight control regimens, comprising:
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(a) a circuit, a plurality of stored instructions, and a portable power source, (b) said circuit having a plurality of different operational modes for producing a plurality of different respective sets of visible and audible signals, each set of signals being (1) repetitive, (2) occurring at fixed, predetermined intervals, said intervals being non-alterable by a user, and (3) different from each other set of sensible prompting signals;
(c) an annunciator and a visual sender for generating a visible output sensible by a user proximate to said device, while said visible output remains inconspicuous to others less proximate to said device than said user;
(d) at least one user-operable input switch for enabling a user to cause said circuit to enter a selected one of said plurality of different operational modes; and
(e) a housing which contains said circuit, said annunciator, said visual sender, and said switch, said housing being sized and shaped to;
i) fit conformably within a closed human hand;
ii) allow comfortable portability in pocket or purse;
iii) camouflage the operation and purpose of the device;
iv) provide an incurvate side surface containing said visible output and at least one flat bottom positioning surface for supporting said device on a horizontal surface so as to permit said device to be stood in an operating position and oriented so that that said incurvate side surface with said visible output is in a direct line with a user'"'"'s vision and turned away from non-users; and
v) furnish a visually-sensible output that is discreetly sensible to a seated user while being inconspicuous to other sitting humans proximate to said user when said device is on a horizontal dining surface or a user'"'"'s lap;
whereby a user can unobtrusively transport, deploy, and operate said device in a variety of settings.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of focusing a user'"'"'s attention for human body weight control, comprising:
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(a) providing an attention-focusing device programmed to have a plurality of different operational modes arranged to produce a plurality of respective sets of repetitive fixed-interval sensible prompting signals for a plurality of corresponding weight control regimens, each set of signals being repetitive and occurring at fixed, predetermined intervals, said intervals being non-alterable by a user, said signals comprising visible and audible outputs sensible by a user proximate to said device, where said visible output is inconspicuous to others less proximate to said device than said user;
said device having a flat bottom positioning surface for supporting said device on a horizontal surface so as to permit said device to be stood in an operating position and oriented so that that said visible output is in a direct line with a user'"'"'s vision and turned away from non-users;
(b) configuring said device to provide a user-sensible output selected from the group consisting of a visual sensation, an aural sensation, and a tactile sensation;
(c) setting said device to select one of said different operational modes so as to provide one of said sets of repetitive, fixed-interval sensible prompting signals for at least one of said weight control regimens, (d) placing said device at a location in sensible proximity to a user; and
(e) perceiving said repetitive prompting signals and performing at least one of said weight control regimens in response to said signals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification