Toilet Training Timer System

A system for toilet training a child includes a device and, in some embodiments, a software application configured for communication with the device. The device includes a housing, a display, a user interface, a recorder unit, a loudspeaker unit, and a control unit having a timer unit and a memory unit. The system is used for reminding a child to use the toilet at predetermined intervals throughout the day, thus enhancing and supporting parents in toilet training their children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of toilet training of existing art and more specifically relates to a device and system used to enhance and support toilet training.

RELATED ART

Toilet training or “potty training” is the process of training a young child to use the toilet. Toilet training is often a challenging task for both parents and children; it is important for the process not to stress or rush the child and for the parent to be encouraging as possible whilst keeping the process as fun and positive as they can. Whilst toilet training is individual to each child, the process typically involves the parent(s) reminding the child at intervals throughout the day to use the bathroom, whether that involves telling the child to sit on the toilet at intervals throughout the day or asking the child if they need to use the toilet at certain intervals throughout the day. A problem with this, however, is that it requires the parent to be consistent and constantly remember to remind the child. This is not always possible for parents who work, are not always present, or are otherwise busy. As such, a suitable solution is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known toilet training art, the present disclosure provides a novel toilet training timer system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a system used for timing predetermined intervals and alerting a child when the predetermined interval has elapsed in order to remind them to use the toilet. Thus, the toilet training timer system aids in toilet training the child.

A system for toilet training a child is disclosed herein. The system includes a device having a housing, a display, a user interface, a recorder unit, a loudspeaker unit, a control unit and a power source configured to provide power to the device. The housing may include a front side opposite a rear side. The display may be located on the front side of the housing and the user interface may be located about the display. The recorder unit may be disposed within the housing and configured to record at least one voice message. The loudspeaker unit may be disposed within the housing and configured to audibly play at least one of the at least one voice message and at least one pre-recorded message.

The control unit may be disposed within the housing and in communication with the recorder unit and the loudspeaker unit. The control unit may include a timer unit and a memory unit, the memory unit configured to store the at least one of the at least one voice message and the at least one pre-recorded message. The timer unit may be configured to count down at least one predetermined time interval and cause the loudspeaker unit to play the at least one of the at least one voice message and the at least one pre-recorded message once the at least one predetermined time interval has elapsed. The timer unit may be automatically reset back to count down of the at least one predetermined time interval once the at least one the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

According to another embodiment, a method of using a system for toilet training a child is also disclosed herein. The method includes providing the system as above; setting the at least one predetermined time interval; selecting at least one of the at least one voice message and the at least one pre-recorded message, thereby allowing the loudspeaker unit to play the at least one of the at least one voice message and the at least one pre-recorded message once the at least one predetermined time interval has elapsed; and attaching the device to one of a wrist of the child, clothing of the child and a belonging of the child.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to toilet training devices and more particularly to a toilet training timer system used in reminding a child to use the toilet at predetermined intervals throughout the day, thus enhancing and supporting parents in toilet training their children. Generally, the toilet training timer system may include an interactive device that allows parents/guardians to customize a particular timing interval for the child. Further, the toilet training timer system may allow the parents/guardians to selectively record their voice and selectively choose a factory standard message and/or a voice of the child's favorite character. The standard messages may include a variety of different languages.

In some embodiments, the interactive device may include a wristwatch. In other embodiments, the interactive device may include a device attachable to clothing or a belonging of the child, such as a favorite blanket or stuffed toy. The interactive device may include a USB port and a battery for supplying power thereto. Preferably, the interactive device may include a reward setting. In this embodiment, the toilet training timer system may further include a sticker book. In addition to this, the toilet training timer system may include a software application to encourage toilet training in a fun and interactive way.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown inFIGS.1-7, various views of a system100. The system100may be particularly useful in toilet training a child5. Particularly, as shown, the system100may include a device101. As shown inFIG.1andFIG.3, the device101may be worn on or at least close to the child5so that the child5is able to hear and/or see alerts output by the device101. For example, as shown inFIGS.1-2C, the device101may be arranged as a watch. In this embodiment, the device101may comprise a watch strap114configured for attachment to the housing110and configured to attach the device101to a wrist of the child5.

In other embodiments, as shown inFIGS.3-4C, the device101may be configured to fasten to at least one of clothing of the child5. In some embodiments, this device101may also fasten to a belonging of the child5. For example, the belonging may be a blanket, a toy, or any other belonging that a parent may deem suitable. Particularly, the belonging may be one in which the child5carries with them often. In this embodiment, as shown, the strap113may include a fastener115configured to fasten the strap113thereto. In some examples, the fastener115may comprise a ring, such a key ring that can be easily attached to the clothing and/or belonging of the child5. In some embodiments, the strap113may be permanently attached to the device101. In other embodiments, the strap113may be removably attached to the device101. In this embodiment, the strap113may include a device fastener117for fastening the strap113to the device101. In some examples, this may also be a ring.

As shown inFIGS.1-7, the device101may include a housing110, a display120, a recorder unit130, a loudspeaker unit140, a control unit150and a power source160. As shown, the housing110may include a front side111opposite a rear side112. The housing110may include a periphery defining a top side opposite a bottom side and a left side opposite a right side (relative to the child5when worn). Further, in some embodiments, the housing110may further include a decorative plate119(FIG.4A) around the periphery thereof. As shown, the display120may be located on the front side111of the housing. In some embodiments, the display120may include a digital display121.

The display120may be used for alerting the child5and/or to allow the parent to navigate functions and settings on the device101. Further, the device101may comprise a user interface116. In some examples, as shown inFIGS.2B-2CandFIGS.4B-4C, the user interface116may include buttons1161,1162located about the display120on an exterior of the housing110and in communication with the control unit150. In additional examples, the user interface116may be integral to the display120. For example, the user interface116may include the device101having a touch screen (not illustrated).

The recorder unit130may be disposed within the housing110and configured to record at least one voice message. In some embodiments, the recorder unit130may be a digital voice recorder configured to convert sounds into a digital file. As such, the recorder unit130may comprise a microphone131configured to capture the sounds. As shown, the microphone131may include a small aperture in the exterior of the housing110. Preferably, the at least one voice message may include spoken messages from the parent. The loudspeaker unit140may be disposed within the housing110and configured to audibly play the at least one voice message.

Referring more particularly toFIGS.5-7, the control unit150may be disposed within the housing110and in communication with the recorder unit130and the loudspeaker unit140. The control unit150may include a timer unit151and a memory unit152. The control unit150may include at least one processor. The memory unit152may be configured to store the at least one voice message. Preferably, the memory unit152may be configured to store a plurality of voice messages so that the parent is able to store and use a variety of different messages for the child5. Preferably, the parent may utilize the user interface116to begin recording of the at least one voice message. They may then utilize the user interface116to playback and/or save the at least one voice message (via the at least one processor).

In addition, in some embodiments, the memory unit152may be configured to store at least one pre-recorded message, and as such, the loudspeaker unit140may also be configured to audibly play the at least one pre-recorded message. Again, preferably, the at least one pre-recorded message may be a plurality of pre-recorded messages. In some examples, the pre-recorded message(s) may include standard messages, songs, or the like. The standard messages may include voices of the child's favorite characters. Preferably, the pre-recorded messages may be provided in a variety of languages.

In some embodiments, the timer unit151may be integral to the at least one processor. In some embodiments, the at least one processor may include one processor configured to execute all actions of the device101(including actions of the timer unit151). In other embodiments, the at least one processor may include more than one processor: one configured to execute timer unit151actions and one (or more) to execute all other actions of the device101. The timer unit151may be configured to count down at least one predetermined time interval and cause the loudspeaker unit140to play the at least one of the at least one voice message and the at least one pre-recorded message once the at least one predetermined time interval has elapsed. For example, the parent may choose a time interval of one hour.

The timer unit151may automatically reset back to count down of the at least one predetermined time interval once the at least one the predetermined time interval has elapsed. For example, once the hour has passed, the timer unit151may anatomically begin counting down another hour. This may be set via the user interface116. Further, in some embodiments, the parent may choose a time interval for the timer unit151to switch on and off. For example, the time interval of one hour may begin at 7 AM and end at 8 PM every day. In some embodiments, again, this may be set via the user interface116.

In use, the parent may set the at least one predetermined time interval and either record a voice message or choose a pre-recorded voice message or a pre-recorded message and assign the chosen message to the at least one predetermined time interval. For example, a “time for potty” in the parent's voice may be assigned to the one hour interval. The timer unit151may then begin counting down the at least one predetermined time interval (again, for example, one hour). Once the at least one predetermined time interval, the control unit150may signal the loudspeaker unit140to audibly play the chosen message to alert the child5that it is time to go sit on the toilet. It should be appreciated that the loudspeaker unit140may not be the only means of alerting the child5. For example, in some embodiments, the display120may display a message, and/or the device101may vibrate.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.6-7, the system100may further comprise a software application102configured for communication with the device101. The software application102may be downloadable to and/or useable on an external device10, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, or the like. In this embodiment, the device101may comprise a communication means, such as a transceiver for facilitating communication between the software application102and the device101.

In some embodiments, the software application102may be used in addition to or instead of the user interface116as described above. For example, one or both of the user interface116and the software application102may be used for recording messages, for setting messages, for setting time intervals, and the like. For instance, the parent may record a message via a recording system integral with their external device10. In this embodiment, the system100may further comprise a server having a processor, a memory and a database for storing messages, time intervals and information pertaining to the child5.

Further, in some embodiments, the system100may comprise a ‘reward setting’. In this embodiment, the system100may further comprise a sticker book103, as illustrated inFIG.6, to allow the parent to reward the child5if a successful toilet training task is completed. This may be a physical sticker book103(as shown inFIG.6), and/or may be a virtual sticker book which may be displayed on the device101and/or the software application102(on the external device10). In this embodiment, the control unit150may be configured to receive information regarding completion of a toilet training task and actuate a reward setting based on the information. In some embodiments, the information may be received via the device101(user interface116) or via the software application102and manually input by the parent. In other embodiments, the device101may comprise a sensing means (such as audio sensor or motion sensor) to establish successful use of the toilet. In other embodiments, the information may be an elapsed time interval (as counted down by the timer unit151).

In some embodiments, the at least one of the at least one recorded message and the at least one pre-recorded message may include at least one reward message and the reward setting may include the control unit150causing the loudspeaker unit140to audibly play the at least one reward message. For example, if the child5uses the toilet successfully, the device101may play the reward message (such as “well done” in the parent's voice, a positive tune, applause, etc.) to encourage and positively reinforce the act of using the toilet for the child5.

In some examples, the device101may play the reward message after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. In this example, after the timer unit151has counted down the at least one predetermined time interval and the control unit150has caused the loudspeaker unit140to play the at least one of the at least one recorded message and the at least one pre-recorded message to remind the child5, the timer unit151may be configured to begin count down of a reward time interval (for example, 5 minutes). Once the reward time interval has elapsed, the control unit150may cause the loudspeaker unit140to play the at least one reward message. This may congratulate the child5if they were able to use the toilet or encourage the child5if they are still trying.

The power source160may include at least one rechargeable battery161. In this embodiment, the device101may include a charging circuit162disposed in the housing110. The charging circuit162may include at least one of a transformer, a rectifier, a voltage regulator, etc. and may be configured for connection with an external power source for charging the at least one rechargeable battery161. For example, the device101may include a cable for connecting the charging circuit162to an outlet in a building. In some embodiments, the charging circuit162may further include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port163, allowing the device101to be connected to the external power source via USB cable.

Referring now toFIG.8showing a flow diagram illustrating a method800of using a system for toilet training a child, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method800may include one or more components or features of the system100as described above. As illustrated, the method800may include the steps of: step one801, providing the system as above; step two802, setting the at least one predetermined time interval; step three803, selecting at least one of the at least one voice message and the at least one pre-recorded message, thereby allowing the loudspeaker unit to play the at least one of the at least one voice message and the at least one pre-recorded message once the at least one predetermined time interval has elapsed; and step four804, attaching the device to one of a wrist of the child, clothing of the child and a belonging of the child. Further steps may include: step five805, recording the at least one voice message via the recorder unit; and step six806, saving the at least one voice message to the memory unit.

An additional step may include: step seven807, providing the software application as above. At least one of the steps of setting802the at least one predetermined time interval, selecting803at least one of the at least one voice message and the at least one pre-recorded message, recording805the at least one voice message via the recorder unit and saving806the at least one voice message to the memory unit may be accomplished via the software application.

It should be noted that certain steps are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method800are illustrated using dotted lines inFIG.8so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method800. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using a system for toilet training a child are taught herein.