HUMAN GROWTH TRACKING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD

An apparatus, system and method for tracking growth of a human over time and in correlation with various notable events, for example, the size of an infant when the infant turns one month old, the size of an infant when the infant first rolls over, the size of an infant when the infant experiences a holiday for the first time, or the size of an expectant mother's expanded torso when she is 36 weeks into her pregnancy, through image capture of the growing human located proximate correlative indicia placed upon a display face of a flexible tracking sheet and during or close-in-time to the occurrence of a notable event.

BACKGROUND

The journey from infancy to full-grown adulthood is, for many, often filled will notable events or milestones that occur during the growth period. Moreover, pregnancy, in a somewhat similar manner, is also often marked by prominent occurrences as a woman's torso grows to full-term development. The human characteristics for physical growth has long prompted people to strive to capture or otherwise document growth progression. However, growth tracking and milestone capturing ordinarily occur separately and distinctly. Hence there is a need for an efficient and effective apparatus, system and method for tracking human growth while simultaneously documenting notable occurrences in human development.

A described aspect provides a human growth tracking apparatus comprising: a flexible tracking sheet, the flexible tracking sheet having at least one display face, wherein the at least one display face covers an area of at least four square feet, the at least four square foot area being defined by at least two perpendicular dimensions, each of the at least two perpendicular dimensions being at least two feet in length; and a plurality of indicia located on the at least one display face of the flexible tracking sheet, wherein the plurality of indicia corresponds to notable events that occur during a period of growth of a human.

Another described aspect provides a system for tracking human growth in correlation with notable events, the system comprising: an imaging device, the imaging device configured to capture at least one image of a growing human, wherein the imaging device includes a storage medium configured to store the at least one captured image of the growing human, and further wherein the at least one image is captured during or close-in-time to the occurrence of a notable event during a period of growth of the human; and a human growth tracking apparatus, the human growth tracking apparatus including: a flexible tracking sheet, the flexible tracking sheet having at least one display face, wherein the at least one display face covers an area of at least four square feet, the at least four square foot area being defined by at least two perpendicular dimensions, each of the at least two perpendicular dimensions being at least two feet in length; and a plurality of indicia located on the at least one display face of the flexible tracking sheet, wherein the plurality of indicia corresponds to notable events that occur during the period of growth of the human.

Yet another described aspect provides a method of tracking human growth, the method comprising: providing a human growth tracking apparatus, the human growth tracking apparatus including: a flexible tracking sheet, the flexible tracking sheet having at least one display face, wherein the at least one display face covers an area of at least four square feet, the at least four square foot area being defined by at least two perpendicular dimensions, each of the at least two perpendicular dimensions being at least two feet in length; and a plurality of indicia located on the at least one display face of the flexible tracking sheet, wherein the plurality of indicia corresponds to notable events that occur during a period of growth of a human; locating a human proximate the plurality of indicia located on the at least one display face of the flexible tracking sheet during or close-in-time to the occurrence of a notable event during the period of growth of the human; signifying specific indicia that correlatively identifies the particular notable event being identified as correspondingly relevant for tracking growth of the human; providing an imaging device; capturing at least one image of the growing human, as the growing human is located proximate the plurality of indicia located on the at least one display face of the flexible tracking sheet, wherein the image is captured during or close-in-time to the occurrence of the notable event during the period of growth of the human; and storing, at least temporarily, the at least one captured image of the growing human, wherein the captured image is stored during or close-in-time to the occurrence of the notable event during the period of growth of the human.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this disclosure contains many specific details, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the technology herein described and the appended claim(s). The scope of the technology shall in no way be construed as being limited to the number of constituting components, the corresponding relationship, if any, of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, the temperature employed, the order of combination of constituents thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as examples. The depictions and schemes shown herein are intended for illustrative purposes and shall in no way be construed as being limiting in the number of constituting components, connectivity, methodological steps, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, the order of system interactions thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an aid for understanding. The features and advantages of the described embodiments are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawing(s), wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawing(s). As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claim(s), the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

With reference to the drawing(s),FIG. 1depicts a top view of an embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus100. The human growth tracking apparatus100may comprise a flexible sheet110, formed for example of cloth, linen, woven or felted fabric made from wool, cotton, or a similar fiber, or other textile material. In addition, the flexible sheet110may be fanned of plastic or other polymeric material or thin flexible metal materials or foils, or any material or combination of materials that will facilitate a lightweight and flexible sheet110.

The flexible sheet110of the human growth tracking apparatus100includes at least one display face120. The term “face,” as used herein, refers, inter alia, to a designated side or portion of the flexible sheet110of the human growth tracking apparatus100that is configured for depiction of components located thereon. The flexible sheet110and/or the display face120may comprise a uniform coloring or shading scheme and/or may contain multiple colors or patterns. In addition, the display face120of the flexible sheet110may be configured to prominently present, show or otherwise exhibit a plurality of indicia130located on the at least one display face120.

The plurality of indicia130may be comprised of, formed or otherwise fashioned in any manner that effectuates visual presentation of information corresponding to notable events that may occur during a period of growth of a human. Moreover, the plurality of indicia130may be presented in the form of signs, codes, cryptograms, or other communication markers, such as alphanumeric symbols. For example, as exemplarily depicted inFIG. 1the plurality of indicia includes silk-screened numerals (1-12), as well as the cursive scripted word “months” silk-screened onto the display face120of a flexible sheet110of bamboo cotton muslin in the form of a swaddle blanket.

With continued reference to the drawings,FIG. 2depicts a top perspective view of the embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus100depicted inFIG. 1. The at least one display face120of the human growth tracking apparatus100covers an area of at least four square feet, the at least four square foot area being defined by at least two perpendicular dimensions (dimension140and dimension150), each of the at least two perpendicular dimensions (140and150) being at least two feet in length. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the two perpendicular dimensions (140and150) may intersect at a center of a circle (such that each dimension is the same length and representative of a diameter of the circle), may intersect at a foci of an ellipse, may form the base and height of an isosceles triangle or may be oriented in any manner such that the display face120includes at least four square feet of surface area and each of dimension140and dimension150are at least two feet in length. A four square foot surface area helps to facilitate better tracking of human growth.

As further shown inFIG. 2, the plurality of indicia130corresponds to notable events that occur during a period of growth of a human. For example, each of the printed numbers 1-12 represents a month of the year, with 1 being representative of January, 2 being representative of February, and so on, so that each number is an indicia130a.The indicia130bidentifies, through wording, that this human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100tracks “months.”

With additional reference to the drawings,FIG. 3depicts a top view of the embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus100depicted inFIG. 1being used in a manner to track the growth of a human, in this case, an infant baby90a.Once the human growth tracking apparatus100is provided, the growth-size of a human can be tracked in correlation with the occurrence of a notable event. Accordingly, the human infant90amay be located or otherwise positioned, oriented, placed and/or set-upon the display face120of the flexible sheet110. The location of the human infant proximate the display face120of the flexible sheet110may be during or close-in-time to the occurrence of the notable event. For example, if the size of the human infant90ais desired to be tracked in conjunction with the human infant's one-month birthday then the human infant90amay be located proximate to the display face120of the flexible sheet110either on the date of the human infant's one-month birthday, or within a day or so prior to or following that date, so that the size of the human infant will correspond accurately with growth up to that one-month birthday date. In addition to proximately locating the human infant90anext to or on the human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100, a user may also signify, circle, point-to, highlight, emphasize, or otherwise recognize specific indicia150that correlatively identifies the particular notable event being identified as being correspondingly relevant for growth tracking. Thus, in continuance of the example, a user may signify the first month (the silk-screen printed numbe “1” indicia150on the display face120of the human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100), to correspondingly identify that the human infant90ais approximately one-month old, or otherwise celebrating a one-month birthday at the time of the occurrence of growth tracking. An imaging device, such as a camera or other device capable of capturing an image, may be provided to capture at least one image of the human infant90alocated proximate the signified indicia150, of the plurality of indicia, thereby identifying the human infant90aas being approximately one month old in the captured image. For purposes of documenting or otherwise tracking the size of the human infant90aas captured in correlation with the notable moment, the captured image may be at least temporarily stored, such as on film or on a digital hard drive or flash drive, during or close-in-time to the occurrence of the notable event during the period of growth of the human infant90a.

With still continued reference to the drawings,FIG. 16depicts a top view of an embodiment of a system1000for tracking human growth. The system particularly comprises an imaging device900, such as a camera or any other device capable of capturing an image. The imaging device900may be configured to capture at least one image of a growing human, such as a human infant90aofFIG. 3, wherein the imaging device900includes a storage medium configured to store the at least one captured image of the growing human. Examples of a storage medium comprise film, magnetic tape, hard drives, floppy disks, compact disks, digital video disks, flash drives or any other medium capable of storing a captured image. The system100for tracking human growth further includes a human growth tracking apparatus, such as the human growth tracking apparatus100described and depicted in regard toFIGS. 1-3, or any other operable embodiment as set forth herein or equivalently understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Additional embodiments of a human growth tracking apparatus200,300,400,500and600will now be discussed in relations to drawingFIGS. 4-15, along with corresponding methodology and systems utilizing such embodiments. In particular,FIG. 4depicts a top view of another embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus200. This embodiment200is similar to embodiment100, but also adds additional indicia pertaining to “Days,” “Weeks” and “Years,” thereby affording a potential user the opportunity to track human growth in correlation to additional varying notable occurrences. For instance,FIG. 5depicts a top view of the embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus200depicted inFIG. 4being used in a manner to track the growth of a human child90b.Also depicted is the proximate location of the human growth tracking apparatus200near a standing human child90b.In this instance, the human growth tracking apparatus200may be hung or otherwise suspended vertically support components270. Furthermore, as depicted the human child90may be the means for signifying250which particularly indicia is/are correlatively appropriate for the image capturing the growth size of the human child90b.Moreover, as exemplarily depicted, use of extraneous indicia, such as the mustache symbol260cunder the “years” indicia, and/or the “0.5” half year symbol after the third year indicia, may serve to further clarify the time occurrence being captured in relation to the size of the human child90bat the time of the image capture. Other component elements, such as the display face220and the flexible sheet210are similar to comparable elements of the human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100described and depicted in regard toFIGS. 1-3.

Referring further to the drawings,FIGS. 6 and 7depict a top view of an embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus300being used in a manner to track the growth of a human infant90c.Notably, this embodiment is completely independent of time, and instead provides a plurality of indicia330focusing instead on milestone happenings, such as when a human infant90cfirst crawls. As depicted, a signifying350physical wooden hoop device is located around the “Rolled Over” indicia to indicate that, on or about the time the image was captured, the human infant90cfirst rolled over and had a body size of that shown in the captured and stored image. IN addition, indicia330cindicates vastly different font size and type as compared with indicia330b.The display face320and flexible sheet310are similar to that described with respect to comparable elements associated with human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100described and depicted in regard toFIGS. 1-3.

Again, referring further to the drawings,FIGS. 8 and 9depict a top view of an embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus400being used in a manner to track the growth of a human infant90d.Notably, this embodiment is completely devoid of time, and instead provides a plurality of, inter alia, pictorial indicia430focusing instead on milestone happenings, such as the height and weight of a human infant90d.Here, as exemplified, a blank spot indicia460ais purposefully left open on the scale image indicia430dand under the ruler image indicia430eand when filled in with informative data indicate that, on or about the time the image was captured, the human infant90dwas the height and weight shown in the captured and stored image. The display face420and flexible sheet410and indicia430bare similar to that described with respect to comparable elements associated with human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100described and depicted in regard toFIGS. 1-3.

With further reference toFIGS. 10 and 11, a top view of an embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus500is depicted and shown being used in a manner to track the growth of a human infant90e.This embodiment human growth tracking apparatus500focuses all notable events on first experiencing well-known holidays, as set-forth by the “My First” indicia530c.For example, when a human infant90eexperiences Valentine's Day for the first time, the human infant90ecan be located proximate the holiday indicia530band a garland heart550can be placed particularly around the “Valentine's Day” indicia signifying that the growth size of the human infant90eis what it is during or close-in-time to that particular holiday when the image of the same is captured. Moreover, further holiday accoutrements and decorations580, such as hearts, can also emphasize the holiday milestone. As before, the display face520and flexible sheet510and indicia530bare similar to that described with respect to comparable elements associated with human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100described and depicted in regard toFIGS. 1-3.

In addition to human growth from infancy to adulthood, human women also experience growth in the torso area during pregnancy. With still continuing reference to the drawings,FIGS. 12-15depict a human growth tracking apparatus600being used in various manners to track the growth of a pregnant human90f.Here, since a typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks, the plurality of indicia630are provided with indicia numbers 1-40. Depending on the numbered indicia630a,a correlation can be drawn between a particular week of pregnancy. The indicia “Weeks”630bis set forth to clarify the information presented for potential use for tracking purposes. Here also, a support component670is used to suspend a rod675from which the human growth tracking apparatus embodiment600is draped. As shown particularly inFIG. 13, a heart-shaped signifying element650is utilized to identify the 25 week as the notable event corresponding to the growing size of the pregnant human90f.The depiction inFIG. 14teaches a different approach to identifying significance; all of the indicia630prior to week25are crossed off650b,thereby leaving 25 as the week having notable significant in correlation with the growing size of the pregnant human90fIn a different manner, the depiction ofFIG. 15shows the pregnant human90fpointing to signify that week 25 of her pregnancy correlates with her size as may be recorded via image capture, so that the notable event(s) are signified by directed actions of the human, such as the pregnant human90f,for whom growth is being tracked. Again, as before, the display face620and flexible sheet610and indicia630bare similar to that described with respect to comparable elements associated with human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100described and depicted in regard toFIGS. 1-3.

With reference being made toFIG. 1-FIG. 16, methodology corresponding to the tracking human growth in correlation with notable events is described. Once an embodiment of a human growth tracking apparatus100/200/300/400/500/600is provided, the growth-size of a human90can be tracked in correlation with the occurrence of a notable event. Accordingly, the human90may be located near or otherwise positioned, oriented, placed and/or set-upon the display face120/220/320/420/520/620of the flexible sheet110/210/310/410/510/610. The location of the human90proximate the display face120/220/320/420/520/620of the flexible sheet110/210/310/410/510/610may be during or close-in-time to the occurrence of the notable event. For example, if the size of the human90is desired to be tracked in conjunction with a particular year, week, day, size, or accomplishment, etc., then the human90may be located proximate to the display face120/220/320/420/520/620of the flexible sheet110/210/310/410/510/610either on the date of the human's90notable event, or within a day or so prior to or following that date, so that the size of the growing human90will correspond accurately with growth up to that notable date and/or accomplishment. In addition to proximately locating the human90next to or on the human growth tracking apparatus embodiment100/200/300/400/500/600, a user may also signify, circle, point-to, highlight, emphasize, or otherwise recognize specific indicia150/250/350/450/550/650that correlatively identifies the particular date and/or notable event being identified as being correspondingly relevant for growth tracking. An imaging device, such as a camera or other device capable of capturing an image, may be provided to capture at least one image of the human90located proximate the signified indicia150/250/350/450/550/650, of the plurality of indicia130/230/330/430/530/630, thereby identifying the human90as being a tracked size on the notable date or day of accomplishment in the captured image. For purposes of documenting or otherwise tracking the size of the human90as captured in correlation with the notable moment, the captured image may be at least temporarily stored, such as on film or on a digital hard drive or flash drive, during or close-in-time to the occurrence of the notable event during the period of growth of the human90.

Although various aspects are illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the aspects, in whole and in part, are not intended to be limited to the details shown. For example, the apparatus, system and methods described herein may be utilized to track reduction in human size, as opposed to growth in human size, and may also be used to track any change in human size. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.