Electronic memory pad

• US 7,382,231 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marjorie Blumberg
• Original Assignee: Marjorie Blumberg
• Inventors: Blumberg, Marjorie
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US11/056,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20050190655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.15, 340/539.11, 340/539.12, 340/309.16, 340/309.7, 340/321, 340/691.6
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

An electronic memory device in which a user can customize the keys on a keypad, record the occurrence of and information related to an unscheduled medical event or a scheduled medical event, for example, the taking of medication, and set a predetermined time interval between scheduled medical events. The keys are customizable so that the user can identify specific medications or specific symptoms. The device can be in the form of a personal digital assistant-based memory pad having icon keys so that the user can easily enter data, and an electronic pen for activating the on-screen icon keys.

Claims

1. An electronic memory device comprising:

a first display screen;

a keypad having a plurality of event keys designating events to be recorded in the device and to be displayed on the first display screen, the plurality of event keys being interchangeably assigned an event;

a plurality of rating keys for recording and rating each of the events;

a memory circuit wherein a record of all events is recorded for storage and playback;

a time-comparison circuit for comparing a present time with an alarm time;

an alarm signal for generating an audible alarm at the alarm time,

a voice-activated control system that records and plays back voice-command information; and

a second display screen for displaying a current date and time.

2. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, wherein the event comprises a medical event.

3. The electronic memory device according to claim 2, wherein the medical event comprises a physical symptom.

4. The electronic memory device according to claim 2, wherein the medical event comprises taking a medication.

5. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of event key identifiers for customizing the plurality of event keys.

6. The electronic memory device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of event key identifiers comprises adhesive labels.

7. The electronic memory device according to claim 5, wherein the event key identifiers comprise labels describing a medical event.

8. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, wherein the time comparison circuit includes a timer for setting a predetermined time interval between events.

9. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a backlight that illuminates the first display screen and the keypad when any of the keys on the keypad are pressed.

10. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of event keys comprise icon keys on the first display screen.

11. The electronic memory device according to claim 10, further comprising a stylus pen for selecting any of the icon keys.

12. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, wherein the first display screen comprises an LCD.

13. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a timer for recording the duration of the event.

14. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone and a speaker.

15. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant-based memory circuit and time-comparison circuit.

16. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises personal digital assistant-based icon buttons.

17. The electronic memory device according to claim 1, wherein the second display screen displays a current date and time while the first display screen displays events to be recorded in the device.

18. A method of recording an event in an electronic memory device, the method comprising:

assigning a plurality of event keys with event key identifiers;

activating one of the plurality of event keys to display an event on a display screen;

activating a DATE AND TIME key to display and record a current date and time on the display screen; and

activating a BEGIN key to begin recording a duration of the event and an END key to conclude recording.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the at least one event comprises a medical event.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising rating the medical event.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of assigning comprises assigning customized labels to the plurality of event keys.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of recording the duration of the event comprises indicating a begin and end time of the event.

23. A method of scheduling a predetermined time interval between medical events in an electronic memory device having at least one display screen, a plurality of event keys, a memory circuit, and a time-comparison circuit, the method comprising:

assigning different medical events to different ones of the plurality of event keys;

storing a plurality of predetermined time intervals between the different medical events;

activating the time-comparison circuit for comparing a present time with a predetermined time for each of the plurality of predetermined time intervals;

issuing an alarm after each of the plurality of predetermined time intervals; and

displaying the event key in the at least one display screen at the issuance of the alarm.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of assigning comprises assigning customized labels to the plurality of event keys.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of activating the time comparison circuit comprises voice-activating a start and stop time of the time-comparison circuit.

26. A method of establishing a predetermined time interval in an electronic memory device having a voice activated control system, the method comprising:

receiving a voice activated command through the voice activated control system;

activating a time comparison circuit to start a timer;

comparing a current time to a predetermined time until the predetermined time is reached;

issuing an audible alarm at the predetermined time; and

displaying the predetermined time on a display screen,

wherein the display screen displays the time that has elapsed since the alarm began.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the audible alarm continues at predetermined intervals until deactivated.