GB2466717A - Time management training apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A morning routine training apparatus is disclosed, comprising: a clock 100 with an alarm, a housing 102 with at least one slot 104 a card 106 for fitting into each said slot and a card reader in each slot for identifying said card. The apparatus has a button associated with each slot and preferably also a light. In use an alarm will sound to alert a person, preferably a child, to perform a task. The cards and slots correspond to the tasks to be performed.

Description

Programmable morning routine training toy

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to interactive clock toys for training children to complete tasks at an allotted time.

[2] Clocks for indicating sleeping and waking time are known in the art. For example, Us 2002126580 to McGuire discloses a children's sleeptime timer and clock device. It includes a housing, at least one clock, and a sleeptime display timer contained within the housing. The sleeptirne display comprises a moveable, three dimensional display having at least two three dimensional illustrations, wherein, when a first three dimensional illustration is openly displayed, at least a second three dimensional illustration is hidden from view and vice versa. The first three dimensional illustration relates to a child's sleeptime and the second to waking time. The display further comprises a step-up mechanism connected to the three dimensional display. The drive mechanism is adapted to maintain the display in a first position to display the waking time display during waking hours, and to move the display such that the sleeptime display is shown during sleeping hours. The display further comprises timing means to operate the step-up device mechanism at predetermined times to move the three dimensional display; and setting means adapted to permit setting of the predetermined times. The timing means may include a programmable chip and the setting means may be an input pad.

[31 Clocks for displaying tasks to be completed at predetermined times are known in the art. US 2007147182 to itchey discloses an apparatus to teach children time telling, scheduling, and time management. The apparatus comprises a dual 12-hour clock and event markers which can be placed on the clock face. The apparatus may further comprise a hanging calendar to mark daily tasks or special events. An independent timer is provided with an audible alarm to train the child to recognize fixed time spans.

[4] Clocks for providing an alarm at predetermined intervals are known in the art. For example, US 2002009018 to Patella discloses a conditioning device for training children to perform special tasks such as bathroom visits during potty-training. The device utilizes a generated signal controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) which measures normal time intervals and activates a signal at the end of the interval. An accomplishment switch is provided which resets the timer to the normal time interval when activated. A clock is associated with the CPU to show the time remaining before the next signal activation, and visual means is provided to display timer intervals and real time. The signal may be audible, visual, vibratory, or combinations thereof. A reward feature may be provided to encourage children.

[5] More sophisticated versions of the above include clocks programmable to give reminders at predetermined times, to complete specific tasks. For example, US 2005277098 to Schmitt discloses an interactive clock which provides a child with instructions for completing his or her morning routine at appropriate, predetermined times, detailing which task to complete at what time. The clock includes a clock unit integrated with a timed reminder system having a central processing unit.

The central processing unit is programmed to coordinate visual and audible alarms with the clock unit, thus providing positive messages and encouragement for children.

Brief Suinniary of the Invention [61 It can be seen from the forgoing that there is a prevalent need for teaching children to be aware of time and to complete tasks at appropriate times. In particular, a need has arisen for means of teaching and encouraging very young children to perform morning tasks such as dressing, washing, eating breakfast and the like.

[7] It would be advantageous for such a teaching means to provide visual, and/or audible rewards to the child. It would be further advantageous for the apparatus to be operable simply and without the supervision of an adult. It would further be advantageous for the apparatus to require interactive input from a child, to enhance the game-like quality of the learning experience. It would be further advantageous for the clock to be programmable with a choice of tasks in a choice of orders, to adapt to the needs of different families. It would be further advantageous for the apparatus to be usable without reading, for very young children.

[8] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clock for interactively training children to complete required tasks at an appropriate time and in the required order.

In particular, the clock trains children to complete morning tasks, assisting parents to run a household smoothly and start the day on time.

[9] To this end, a morning routine training apparatus is disclosed, comprising: a clock comprising an alarm; a housing; at least one slot; a card for fitting into each said slot; a card reader in each slot for identifying said card; a button corresponding to each slot; a sound card; a loudspeaker; and a printed circuit board (ECB) for communicating with said card readers, sound card and loudspeaker. The apparatus preferably further comprises a light corresponding with each said button.

[10] An advantage of the present invention is that it can teach the child to perform a variety of tasks in any order. A further advantage is that it is easy and intuitive to programme and easy to change, requiring only that the cards corresponding to the required tasks are inserted into the slots in the required order. Changing a task requires only replacing one card with another.

[11] A further advantage is that the invention requires input from the child in the form of pressing a button, to record that each task has been completed, enhancing the game-like quality of the experience.

[12] A further advantage is that upon pressing a button, the child receives immediate rewards in the form of a light, and an announcement of the next task further encouraging the child to complete the tasks.

[13] A yet further advantage is that the pictures and pre-recorded messages enable the child to understand what is required without adult input and without needing to read. This enables the apparatus to be used for very young children who cannot use other equipment which requires reading.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [14] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [15] Figure 1 shows a frontal view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[16] Figure 2 shows the base of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[17] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2 wherein like numerals refer to like components, a morning routine training apparatus is disclosed, comprising: a clock 100 comprising an alarm; a housing 102; at least one slot 104; a card 106 for fitting into each said slot; a card reader in each slot for identifying said card; a button 120 corresponding to each slot; a sound card; a loudspeaker 118; and a printed circuit board (PCB) for communicating with said card readers, sound card and loudspeaker.

[18] The apparatus preferably further comprises a light corresponding with each said button, which lights communicate with the printed circuit board as described below.

[19] The clock may be a digital or analogue clock, and comprises an alarm, which may be any sound, vibration, or other alarming means. Furthermore, the alarm may simply be the announcement of the first task, as described below, and may not comprise any additional sound. In one embodiment, the clock is an analogue clock as shown in the figures, and the card slots are arranged around the face of the clock to indicate to the user that tasks should be completed as time passes. Preferably, the clock comprises controls for setting the time and the alarm. In particular, the clock may have four buttons marked time', alarm', hour' and minute' . Alternatively dials or any other means known in the art for setting a time and an alarm may be used.

[20] The alarm is connected to the PCB for sending a signal that the first task should be announced when the alarm time is reached.

[21] The housing preferably comprises polypropylene or other suitable material and may be any shape, for example that shown in the figures. Preferably, the housing comprises space for the clock buttons to be accessed, as well as space for batteries 122 or a power cord to be inserted.

[22] The slots are preferably disposed around the edge of the clock as shown, to give a feeling that the tasks are completed as time passes. Alternatively however, they may be disposed anywhere on the housing, in any shape or configuration.

Preferably, there are a multiplicity of slots, and in particular five slots, since this enables the necessary morning tasks to be incorporated into the clock, but is not overwhelming to the child. The slots are sized to admit the cards.

[23] The cards may be any shape or size and are preferably shaped and sized as shown in the figures, having an enlarged rounded end for holding and preferably for displaying a picture of the task, and a small end for inserting into the card reader.

The cards preferably comprise holes and the card reader preferably comprises contacts for interpreting the holes. An advantage of this is that it is a robust and cheap way of providing readable cards which will withstand rough treatment by children. Alternatively the cards may be magnetic or electronic and the card reader may be a magnetic or electronic reader respectively. The cards are preferably a hard plastic, to withstand rough treatment by children, although in other embodiments they may be soft plastics or cardboard or the like.

Furthermore, the slots, cards, and card readers may be any as known in the art.

[24] The cards preferably comprise a picture indicatin the required task. An advantage of this is that a child who has not yet learnt to read is able to use the apparatus. The tasks depicted on the cards may be any task required to be performed by a child or adult. In particular it is anticipated that the tasks will be morning routine tasks, for example but without limitation: get out of bed, wash, eat breakfast, brush teeth, dress, make bed, tidy up, pack bag, etc. [25] The buttons are preferably shaped as shown and disposed one button above or near each slot, for corresponding with each slot. The buttons are connected to the PCB such that when a button is pressed, the FOB may send a signal to the sound card to play the recording corresponding to the next inserted task card.

Furthermore, when a button is pressed, preferably the button itself, or alternatively a light associated with the button, is illuminated. An advantage of both of these responses -the light and the sound -is that the child is rewarded for completing the task. A further advantage of playing the recording instructing the child to complete the next task is that the child is reminded to complete the next task without the need to actively look at the apparatus. This is useful in children who are easily distracted from their task.

[26] The lights are preferably LEDs disposed inside the buttons, and the buttons are preferably transparent or translucent to allow light to penetrate through them.

Alternatively the lights may be incandescent or other light sources known in the art.

[27] The sound card is as known in the art and capable of playing, via the speaker, a section of prerecorded voiceover instructions, one corresponding to each card.

[28] The loudspeaker is as known in the art and preferably disposed in the base of the apparatus as shown although it may also be anywhere in the apparatus.

[29] The printed circuit board (FOB) is electronically connected to the card readers, the sound card, the loudspeaker, the buttons and preferably the lights. The PCB receives signals from the card readers concerning which cards are in which slots, and from the buttons concerning which slot's tasks have been completed, and sends signals to the sound card and loudspeaker to play the appropriate voice recordings in response to the buttons being pressed. Preferably the FOB also sends signals to the lights to illuminate in response to the buttons being pressed.

The PCB is also connected to the alarm. When the alarm time is reached and the alarm sounded, a signal is sent to the FOB. The FOB sends a signal to the sound card and loudspeaker, to play the voice recording corresponding to the first task. It will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art that it is well known in the art how to create a FOB to operate in this manner.

[30] Although the figures show one embodiment of the invention having an analogue clock with a particular shape and style, it will be readily appreciated that the form of the clock and housing, the position of the slots, and the appearance of the cards may vary while falling under the scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. Claims 1. A time management training apparatus comprising: a clock comprising an alarm; a housing; at least one slot; a card for fitting into each said slot; a card reader in each slot for identifying said card; a button corresponding to each slot; a sound card; a loudspeaker; and a printed circuit board for communicating with said card readers, sound card and loudspeaker.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a light corresponding with each said button, wherein said lights communicate with said printed circuit board.
3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each card represents a morning task, wherein each card comprises a picture representing said task, whereby young children can understand said task.
4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each card represents a morning task, wherein said loudspeaker plays a voice recording corresponding to said task, whereby young children can understand said task.