FERTILITY TRACKING AND STIMULATION DEVICE

A fertility tracking system is disclosed. The system includes a sensual fertility device that provides stimulation to the woman while also providing feedback regarding the status of the user's menstrual cycle in the form of changing colors of the sensual fertility device. The system further includes systemic software (such as a mobile application) that communicates with the sensual fertility device to determine and instruct which color should be activated on the sensual fertility device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fertility tools and, more particularly, to a fertility tracking and stimulation device that provides a changing visual aesthetic indicative of the current point in a fertility window a woman is that is using the device.

Devices generally shaped like an erect penis are frequently used for sexual stimulation or to enhance sexual pleasure. These devices include dildos and vibrators and are also colloquially referred to as “sex toys”. Prior to the present invention, they were only configured for use for stimulative purposes.

Conventionally, tracking ovulation when trying to conceive a child can be a stressful endeavor. Available options include, for example, a vaginal thermometer that is used to simply take temperature is not used for pleasure and can be awkward to use. Mobile applications also exist for tracking when a woman is likely ovulating. However, those are merely based on the calendar and where in a menstrual cycle a woman likely is, which is not necessarily accurate to what is actually occurring in the woman's body. Further, like taking temperature with a vaginal thermometer, they reduce sexual experiences to clinical ones.

These other devices and systems are deficient because they provide only a single benefit (either sexual stimulation or ovulation tracking) and they result in sex becoming a clinical process. This can add further stress on a couple that may already be having trouble conceiving. As can be seen, there is a need for a device in accordance with the presently described invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a fertility tracking system comprises: a computing device comprising a computing device processor, a memory, a user interface, and a computing device communication interface for communicating over a network; and a plurality of program instructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the computing device processor, cause the computing device processor to: identify a menstrual cycle phase of a user; select a device color instruction based on the identified menstrual cycle phase, the device color instruction comprising a selected color; and transmit, over the network, the device color instruction; and a sensual fertility device comprising: an outer substantially cylindrical body; a color-changing light housed within the body; a sensual fertility device communication interface housed within the body; and a sensual fertility device processor housed within the body and configured to receive the device color instruction and to activate the color-changing light to display the selected color.

In another aspect of the present invention, a sensual fertility device comprises: an outer substantially cylindrical body; a color-changing light housed within the body; a sensual fertility device communication interface housed within the body; a sensual fertility device processor housed within the body and configured to: receive a device color instruction based on an identified menstrual cycle phase of a user, the device color instruction comprising a selected color; and activate the color-changing light to display the selected color.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a fertility tracking and stimulation device (also referred herein as a sensual fertility device) that includes an outer substantially cylindrical phallic shaped body, a color-changing light housed within the body, a sensual fertility device communication interface housed within the body, and a sensual fertility device processor housed within the body. The sensual fertility device processor is designed to (1) receive a device color instruction based on an identified menstrual cycle phase of a user, the device color instruction comprising a selected color, and (2) activate the color-changing light to display the selected color.

More specifically, the sensual fertility device glows with changing colors (e.g., blue to purple to red) based on the current point within the fertility window of the woman using it. When used as a stimulating device (i.e., “sex toy”), it will be fun and pleasurable to use. Further, the visual stimulus for fertility (i.e., its additional use as a physiological measurement device) may enhance the excitement while removing the clinical feelings of family planning. The present invention is vastly superior to conventional methods of tracking ovulation because it is a sex toy, not a clinical tool. It is designed to make family planning simple, fun, and intuitive. While the present disclosure primarily describes use of the device in the context of conceiving a child, it will be appreciated that the device may also be used to indicate times of the month when extra precautions should be taken (in scenarios a woman does not wish to become pregnant) and may also be used to track the likely start of periods.

In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, a user simply turns on the device, and it is immediately usable for various purposes, such as: (1) for sexual stimulation, (2) to conceive a baby, (3) to avoid fertility windows when the user does not wish to get pregnant. When turned on, the device emits a color based upon either physiological measurements or based on the calculated phase of the user's menstrual cycle. The color the device glows serves as a visual indicator as to what phase of a menstrual cycle the user is in.

Referring toFIGS.1-4, a fertility tracking and stimulation device10may include, on an outer portion thereof, an outer sleeve12, a thermal sensor14(formed as, for example, a metallic ridge), a power button16, and a charging port door18. In certain embodiments, the outer sleeve12may be a transparent or translucent soft material, such as a silicone material. An internal housing20(also formed from a transparent or translucent material) is illustrated inFIG.2in dashed lines and serves to generally define the shape of the device10. It will be appreciated by those with skill in the art that, in certain embodiments, the outer sleeve12of soft material may be omitted where a hard outer shell is employed. In combination, the outer sleeve12and internal housing form a main body (which may be phallic shaped, as shown inFIG.1) that houses various internal components described in greater detail below. The power button16, when pressed, powers the device10on and off. As shown inFIG.2, the charging port door18selectively covers a charging port22for providing power to a rechargeable battery (not shown).

The thermal sensor14is disposed proximal a tip portion of the device10and may be, in certain embodiments, the metallic contact temperature sensor of a thermometer24for measuring the temperature of the inner walls of the vagina of a user36. However, other types of thermal sensors may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermometer24is coupled to a processor26(e.g., an integrated circuit), which is operable to perform a plurality of functions. For example, the processor26is capable of receiving temperature readings from the thermometer24. The processor26is also operable to selectively activate color-changing light emitting diode (LED) lights28(which are embedded within the internal housing20of the device10) to a preset color based upon the temperature reading, as will be described in greater detail below. As shown inFIG.3, the device10may further integrate a short-range wireless chip30(which functions as a communication interface), such as a BLUETOOTH™ chip. The chip30is contained within the internal housing20and allows for bi-directional communication between the device10and systemic software (e.g., mobile application32) loaded on a computing device, such as a mobile device34, of the user36.

The mobile device34of the present invention includes at least a processing unit coupled to a form of memory and a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface) for providing inputs to and viewing of the mobile application32. It will be appreciated that the computing device may include, but is not limited to, a microprocessor, a server, a desktop, laptop, and smart device, such as, a tablet and smartphone. The computing device includes a program product including a machine-readable program code/instructions for causing, when executed, the computer to perform steps. The program product may include the systemic software, which may either be loaded onto the computing device or accessed by the computing device. As mentioned above, the loaded systemic software may include an application32on a mobile device34. The systemic software may also be accessed by the computing device using a web browser. The computer may access the systemic software via the web browser using the internet, extranet, intranet, host server, internet cloud and the like.

In use, the mobile application32provides various functionalities in combination with the device10.FIG.4is an exemplary flow chart illustrative of such functionalities achieved by this pairing of application32and device10. First, the application32may be loaded onto the mobile device34of the user36. The user36may be prompted to input the date of the first day of her last period. The application32can thus thereafter track fertility cycles based upon a calendar method mode provided in the application32. There is also provided a temperature tracking mode, which will be described in greater detail below. The device10, after being powered on, may be automatically synced/paired with the application32. Syncing may occur in a number of ways, such as (but not limited to) every time the device10is turned on, periodically, or manually through the application32. When paired with the device10, the application32may be contacted passively to gather updated data on, for example, the date of the last menstrual period. Updates within the application32may be made by the user, with the device10automatically updating its internal memory when powered on. Thus, after initial setup, all communication between the device10and the application32may occur in the background.

In embodiments where the calendar method mode is used to identify (synonymous with other terms, such as “determine” and “calculate”) at what point of the menstrual cycle the user36is at, the mobile application32is operable to track the user's cycle according to the calendar and to communicate to the processor26what color light28should be displayed. For example, red may be indicative that the user36is ovulating, purple may be indicative of ovulating soon, and blue may be indicative that the user36is not ovulating. It will be appreciated that other color combinations may be used in accordance with the present invention. Due to the transparent/translucent materials used (as previously discussed with respect to the inner housing20and outer sleeve12), the device10effectively “glows” the appropriate color when activated and paired with the mobile application32.

In a similar manner, a temperature tracking mode may be enabled within the application32. When this mode is enabled, the mobile application32stores temperature data received from the device10via the wireless connection. The mobile application32tracks slight variations in temperature readings from the thermometer24, which is indicative of where in a menstrual cycle the user36is. Thus, the point at which the user36is in her menstrual cycle can be determined/calculated/identified. For best results with this method, the device10should be used daily (ideally around the same time) to accurately track temperature fluctuations. Like the calendar method, the mobile application32(after recording and processing the temperature readings/data from the device10) communicates to the processor26what color light28should be displayed on the device10. Thus, the user36(and, potentially, her partner) is/are provided with visual feedback regarding her fertility status in a non-clinical, convenient way. The application32may also provide periodic prompts to the user36to confirm or update the tracking of her menstrual cycle. Referring to the sixth box ofFIG.4, will be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, rather than using a calendar method or a temperature tracking method, an algorithm may be employed to incorporate both the date and sensor data to provide greater accuracy in terms of the calculation of the menstrual cycle phase.

To summarize, a user may utilize this device10prior to having sexual intercourse (or as so desired, or at a specific time of day). By using the device prior sex, the is more likely to be focused on the pleasure of intercourse and of using the device10, rather than fixating on getting pregnant. As described above, the color of the device10provides visual feedback to the user and may be concurrently with the stimulative use of the device10. The present invention would not only make the person more likely to have more intercourse, and increase likelihood of pregnancy, but would also relieve the stress associated therewith, which could very well inadvertently be a secondary barrier to conception.

Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces.

The computer-based systemic software program (e.g., the mobile application) described above is for purposes of example only, and may be implemented in any type of computer system or programming or processing environment, or in a computer program, alone or in conjunction with hardware. The present invention may also be implemented in software stored on a computer-readable medium and executed as a computer program on a general purpose or special purpose computer. For clarity, only those aspects of the system germane to the invention are described, and product details well known in the art are omitted. For the same reason, the computer hardware is not described in further detail. It should thus be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific computer language, program, or computer. It is further contemplated that the mobile application of the present invention may be run on a stand-alone computer system, or may be run from a server computer system that can be accessed by a plurality of client computer systems interconnected over an intranet network, or that is accessible to clients over the Internet. To the extent the present application discloses a system, the method implemented by that system, as well as software stored on a computer-readable medium and executed as a computer program to perform the method on a general purpose or special purpose computer (e.g., a smartphone), are within the scope of the present invention. Further, to the extent the present application discloses a method, a system of apparatuses configured to implement the method are within the scope of the present invention.