Abstract:
An apparatus for recording and replaying a message comprising a plurality of control buttons for controlling the apparatus; a processor connected to the record control button for communicating instructions to a memory; a memory connected to the processor for storing audio data; a microphone connected to the memory for providing audio data to the memory; and a speaker connected to the memory for producing audio output. Upon activation of a first of said plurality of control buttons a microphone is controlled to receive audio data. The microphone provides the received audio data to a memory for storing the audio data. Upon activation of a second of said plurality of control buttons the processor controls the memory to provide the stored audio data to the speaker for audiblizing at predetermined intervals.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to recording devices and, more specifically, to a recording device designed for subliminal suggestions, including a combined LCD alarm clock and recording device. The recording device digitally records a user&#39;s message and repeats the message in delayed increments of time. The recording device is able to record a message and replay the message at predetermined intervals until the cycle terminates or until activation of a stop button. Preferably, the recorded message is an affirmation or subliminal message in the user&#39;s voice which is continually listened to while the user sleeps. Additionally, the apparatus may include a teddy bear or other stuffed animal encasing, which is conducive to use of the invention by a child. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Numerous other types of recording devices exist in the prior art, including tape recorders, MP3 devices, digital voice recorders, and cell phone recorders, none of which, however, can record messages and repeatedly play them back at predetermined intervals. While these devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to recording devices and, more specifically, to a recording device designed for subliminal suggestions, including a combined LCD alarm clock and recording device. The recording device digitally records a user&#39;s message and repeats the message in delayed increments of time. The recording device is able to record a message and replay the message at predetermined intervals until the cycle terminates or until activation of a stop button. Preferably, the recorded message is an affirmation or subliminal message in the user&#39;s voice which is continually listened to while the user sleeps. Additionally, the apparatus may include a teddy bear or other stuffed animal encasing, which is conducive to use of the invention by a child. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   A secondary object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that includes an LCD alarm clock. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device including a processor, memory, microphone, speaker, adjustable volume, audio output jack, and a plurality of control buttons. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device wherein a plurality of control buttons activates at least one of a RECORD function, a PLAY function, a START function, a MODE function, and a SET function. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that is encased in a teddy bear. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device encased in a teddy bear wherein the control buttons are positioned on the external surface of the teddy bear. 
   Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that plays back a recorded message at predetermined intervals. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device wherein playback of the recorded message may be delayed for a predetermined period to allow the user to fall asleep prior to playback. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a recording device for replaying the recorded messages at predetermined intervals after the delay period. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device wherein the replay of the message provides subliminal instructions to the user. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device wherein the replay of the message provides affirmations to the user. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a recording device wherein the replay of the message provides subliminal suggestions to the user. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device simple and easy to use. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that is inexpensive to manufacture and use. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a recording device that plays a recorded message in the user&#39;s voice in delayed intervals in order to allow a user to listen to the messages while sleeping. The recording device is combined with an LCD alarm clock and is selectively positioned adjacent or atop a bed in which the user sleeps. The recording device may also be encased in a teddy bear or other stuffed animal so as to be positioned unobjectionably adjacent or atop a child&#39;s bed. The recording device includes a plurality of control buttons, which control the functions of the device. Using these control buttons, the user can record affirmations or subliminal messages for improving the self-confidence, self-image, and way the user lives his or her life. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the recording device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating the method of using the recording device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the recording device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the recording device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the recording device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a teddy bear encasing of the recording device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a cut-away view of the teddy bear encasing of the recording device of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the recording device of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the recording device of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures.
           10  recording device of the present invention     12  main body     14  processor     16  memory     18  microphone     20  speaker     22  volume control     24  START control button     26  MODE control button     28  SET control button     30  PLAY control button     32  RECORD control button     34  AC/DC power socket     36  power source     40  control buttons set  1       41  control buttons set  2       42  liquid crystal character display (LCD) screen     46  battery cover     48  audio output jack     50  teddy bear encasing     52  control button extensions       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims. 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views.  FIGS. 1 through 9  illustrate the recording device of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the recording device  10  of the present invention. The recording device  10  includes a main body  12 , a processor  14 , and a memory  16 , connected to the processor  14  and positioned within the main body  12 . The internal parts include the processor  14  and the memory  16 , which communicate with each other and other parts through a set of connections. The main body  12  also includes a power source  36  connected to the processor  14  for providing power to the recording device  10 . The power source  36  is preferably at least one of a battery, power acquired from external sources via AC/DC power socket  34 , or any other means for powering the components of the recording device  10 . Positioned on the main body  12  is a microphone  18 , speaker  20 , volume control  22 , AC/DC power socket  34 , first set of control buttons  40 , second set of control buttons  41 , LCD screen  42 , and an audio output jack  48 . The first set of control buttons  40  includes a START control button  24 , MODE control button  26 , and SET control button  28 . The second set of control buttons  41  includes a PLAY control button  30  and RECORD control button  32 . The control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  are connected to the processor  14 . The microphone  18  and speaker  20  are connected to the memory  16 . The volume control  22  is connected to the processor for controlling the volume of speaker  20 . 
   Upon pressing the RECORD control button  32 , processor  14  signals the memory  16  to store data received from the microphone  18 . Additionally, the processor  14  signals the LCD display to display “REC” thereon indicating the device is in the record mode. Preferably, the microphone  18  captures analog audio data representing the user&#39;s voice. The audio data is then converted into digital data and stored in the memory  16 . If data was previously stored in memory  16 , the previously stored data will be automatically deleted and replaced by the new message. 
   Upon pressing the PLAY control button  30 , processor  14  signals the memory  16  to convert the digital data into analog data for output by the speaker  20 . Hereinafter, the above described process will be known as “Replay.” Simultaneously, the processor  14  signals the LCD display  42  to display “PLAY” thereon indicating the device is in the play mode. The Replay can be terminated at any time by pressing either the PLAY control button  30  or RECORD control button  32 . If the user wishes to listen to the Replay through earphones, the earphones can be inserted into audio output jack  48 , which causes the Replay to be output through the audio output jack  48 . The user can also adjust the volume of the Replay by selectively moving the volume control  22  for increasing and decreasing the level at which Replay is output through the speaker  20  or audio output jack  48 . 
   If the user presses the START control button  24 , the processor  14  signals the memory  16  to perform a Replay in accordance with a timing mechanism configured in processor  14 . The timing mechanism predetermines the intervals at which Replays occur. For example, the timing mechanism may include a cycle of twenty Replays simultaneously, followed by a delayed period of an hour, followed by another cycle of twenty Replays, for seven hours. In the above example, the processor  14  signals the memory  16  to perform a Replay  20  consecutive times. The processor  14  includes a timing mechanism for keeping time. When one hour has expired according to the timing mechanism in the processor  14 , the processor signals the memory  16  to Replay the stored data twenty consecutive times. The processor  14  would continue this cycle until the timing mechanism determines that a seventh hour has passed. The pattern continues until the cycle of the timing mechanism completes or the user terminates the cycle by pressing the PLAY control button  30 . Preferably the default configuration of the timing mechanism is as follows: one Replay and then stop; one hour later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop. However, the above is described for purpose of example only and the cycle of Replays may be performed at any time intervals and for any number of cycles. 
   If the user presses and holds the SET control button  28  for a predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  causes control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  30 , and  32  to be locked in an inoperable state. The processor  14  simultaneously signals the LCD display  42  to display “HOLD” thereon. When the user presses and holds the SET control button  28  for a second predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  causes the control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  30 , and  32  to be unlocked and operable. Preferably, the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. However, the predetermined amount of time may be greater or less than two seconds. 
   If the user presses and holds the MODE control button  26  for a predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  instructs the recording device to enter into a clock setting mode, while simultaneously causing the LCD display  42  to display the digital clock with the minutes flashing. In the clock setting mode, the user inputs data representing the hour of the day which is simultaneously displayed on the LCD display  42 . The user can then press SET control button  28  to adjust the minutes as displayed on the LCD display  42 . By pressing the MODE control button  26  again, the user can toggle between hour, year, month, day, and hour display type (12:00 or 24:00) in sequence. By pressing the SET control button  28 , the user can adjust the values accordingly. By maintaining the SET control button  28  in a depressed position, the user can speed up the adjustment process. If the user does not press any control buttons for five seconds, the processor terminates the function and ends the clock setting. 
   If the user presses (without holding) the MODE control button  26 , the processor  14  causes the recording device to enter into an alarm setting mode, while simultaneously causing the LCD display  42  to display “ALARM.” In the alarm setting mode, the processor  14  collects the information input by the user while simultaneously displaying that information on the LCD display  42 . If the user depresses the MODE control button  26  for a predetermined amount of time, while the recording device is in the alarm setting mode, the processor  14  causes the LCD display  42  to display the clock with the minutes field flashing. Thereafter, the user presses the SET control button  28  to adjust the minutes as displayed on the LCD display  42 . By pressing the MODE control button a second time, the user can switch to hour, year, month, day, alarm on/off, and alarm type. By pressing the SET control button  28 , the user can adjust the values of the above fields accordingly. By holding the SET control button  28 , the user can speed up the adjustment process. The alarm types include “0”, which is a daily alarm, and “1”, which is the special recorder message playing circuit function, as described above. At the time when the alarm activates, the user can deactivate the alarm by pressing any control button. 
     FIG. 2  is a flow diagram that illustrates the steps performed in the main function of the recording device of the present invention. In step S 100 , the user presses the RECORD control button and records a message. In step S 102 , the user presses the START control button before he or she goes to sleep. The recording device plays the message back once and then stops, as stated in step S 104 . In step  105 , the timing mechanism in the processor waits for one hour. At the expiration of the hour, the processor instructs the memory to replay the message again, as stated in step S 106 . The processor then increments a counter in step S 108 . In step S 110 , the value of the counter is checked to see if it is greater than twenty. If the value is less than or equal to twenty, the message is repeated. If the value of the counter is greater than twenty, the device delays Replay for two hours. After two hours elapses, a second counter is incremented in step S 114 . The value of the counter is checked in step S 116 . If the counter value is less than or equal to two, the process returns to step S 106  to replay the message. If the counter value is greater than two, the processed is stopped as in step S 118 . The user can terminate the cycle at any time by pressing the PLAY control button, also shown in step S 118 . 
     FIG. 3  is a front view of the recording device  10  of the present invention. A plurality of pieces fit together as the main body  12 . Positioned on the main body of the recording device  10  are the microphone  18 , speaker  20 , volume control  22 , AC/DC power socket  34 , first set of control buttons  40 , second set of control buttons  41 , LCD screen  42 , and audio output jack  48 . The first set of control buttons  40  includes the START control button  24 , MODE control button  26 , and SET control button  28 . The second set of control buttons  41  includes the PLAY control button  30  and RECORD control button  32 . 
   Upon pressing the RECORD control button  32 , processor  14  signals the memory  16  to store data received from the microphone  18 . Additionally, the processor  14  signals the LCD display to display “REC” thereon indicating the device is in the record mode. Preferably, the microphone  18  captures analog audio data representing the user&#39;s voice. The audio data is then converted into digital data and stored in the memory  16 . If data was previously stored in memory  16 , the previously stored data will be automatically deleted and replaced by the new message. 
   If the user presses the START control button  24 , the processor  14  signals the memory  16  to perform a Replay in accordance with a timing mechanism configured in processor  14 . The timing mechanism predetermines the intervals at which Replays occur. For example, the timing mechanism may include a cycle of twenty Replays simultaneously, followed by a delayed period of an hour, followed by another cycle of twenty Replays, for seven hours. In the above example, the processor  14  signals the memory  16  to perform a Replay  20  consecutive times. The processor  14  includes a timing mechanism for keeping time. When one hour has expired according to the timing mechanism in the processor  14 , the processor signals the memory  16  to Replay the stored data twenty consecutive times. The processor  14  would continue this cycle until the timing mechanism determines that a seventh hour has passed. The pattern continues until the cycle of the timing mechanism completes or the user terminates the cycle by pressing the PLAY control button  30 . Preferably the default configuration of the timing mechanism is as follows: one Replay and then stop; one hour later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop. However, the above is described for purpose of example only and the cycle of Replays may be performed at any time intervals and for any number of cycles. 
   If the user presses and holds the SET control button  28  for a predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  causes control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  30 , and  32  to be locked in an inoperable state. The processor  14  simultaneously signals the LCD display  42  to display “HOLD” thereon. When the user presses and holds the SET control button  28  for a second predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  causes the control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  30 , and  32  to be unlocked and operable. Preferably, the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. However, the predetermined amount of time may be greater or less than two seconds. 
   If the user presses and holds the MODE control button  26  for a predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  instructs the recording device to enter into a clock setting mode, while simultaneously causing the LCD display  42  to display the digital clock with the minutes flashing. In the clock setting mode, the user inputs data representing the hour of the day which is simultaneously displayed on the LCD display  42 . The user can then press SET control button  28  to adjust the minutes as displayed on the LCD display  42 . By pressing the MODE control button  26  again, the user can toggle between hour, year, month, day, and hour display type (12:00 or 24:00) in sequence. By pressing the SET control button  28 , the user can adjust the values accordingly. By maintaining the SET control button  28  in a depressed position, the user can speed up the adjustment process. If the user does not press any control buttons for five seconds, the processor terminates the function and ends the clock setting. 
   If the user presses (without holding) the MODE control button  26 , the processor  14  causes the recording device to enter into an alarm setting mode, while simultaneously causing the LCD display  42  to display “ALARM.” In the alarm setting mode, the processor  14  collects the information input by the user while simultaneously displaying that information on the LCD display  42 . If the user depresses the MODE control button  26  for a predetermined amount of time, while the recording device is in the alarm setting mode, the processor  14  causes the LCD display  42  to display the clock with the minutes field flashing. Thereafter, the user presses the SET control button  28  to adjust the minutes as displayed on the LCD display  42 . By pressing the MODE control button a second time, the user can switch to hour, year, month, day, alarm on/off, and alarm type. By pressing the SET control button  28 , the user can adjust the values of the above fields accordingly. By holding the SET control button  28 , the user can speed up the adjustment process. The alarm types include “0”, which is a daily alarm, and “1”, which is the special recorder message playing circuit function, as described above. At the time when the alarm activates, the user can deactivate the alarm by pressing any control button. 
     FIG. 4  is a side view of the recording device  10  of the present invention. A plurality of pieces fit together as the main body  12 . Positioned on the outside of the recording device  10  is the microphone  18 , speaker  20 , volume control  22 , first set of control buttons  40 , second set of control buttons  41 , LCD screen  42 , and battery cover  46 . The first set of control buttons  40  includes the START control button  24 , MODE control button  26 , and SET control button  28 . Battery cover  46  connects with the main body  12  to hold the battery (not shown) within the recording device  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the recording device  10  is slim, yet balanced to stand upright. The slim structure and the optional battery power source make the recording device easy to transport. 
   If the user presses the START control button  24 , the processor  14  signals the memory  16  to perform a Replay in accordance with a timing mechanism configured in processor  14 . The timing mechanism predetermines the intervals at which Replays occur. For example, the timing mechanism may include a cycle of twenty Replays simultaneously, followed by a delayed period of an hour, followed by another cycle of twenty Replays, for seven hours. In the above example, the processor  14  signals the memory  16  to perform a Replay twenty consecutive times. The processor  14  includes a timing mechanism for keeping time. When one hour has expired according to the timing mechanism in the processor  14 , the processor signals the memory  16  to Replay the stored data twenty consecutive times. The processor  14  would continue this cycle until the timing mechanism determines that a seventh hour has passed. The pattern continues until the cycle of the timing mechanism completes or the user terminates the cycle by pressing the PLAY control button  30 . Preferably the default configuration of the timing mechanism is as follows: one Replay and then stop; one hour later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop. However, the above is described for purpose of example only and the cycle of Replays may be performed at any time intervals and for any number of cycles. 
   If the user presses and holds the SET control button  28  for a predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  causes control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  30 , and  32  to be locked in an inoperable state. The processor  14  simultaneously signals the LCD display  42  to display “HOLD” thereon. When the user presses and holds the SET control button  28  for a second predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  causes the control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  30 , and  32  to be unlocked and operable. Preferably, the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. However, the predetermined amount of time may be greater or less than two seconds. 
   If the user presses and holds the MODE control button  26  for a predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  instructs the recording device to enter into a clock setting mode, while simultaneously causing the LCD display  42  to display the digital clock with the minutes flashing. In the clock setting mode, the user inputs data representing the hour of the day which is simultaneously displayed on the LCD display  42 . The user can then press SET control button  28  to adjust the minutes as displayed on the LCD display  42 . By pressing the MODE control button  26  again, the user can toggle between hour, year, month, day, and hour display type (12:00 or 24:00) in sequence. By pressing the SET control button  28 , the user can adjust the values accordingly. By maintaining the SET control button  28  in a depressed position, the user can speed up the adjustment process. If the user does not press any control buttons for five seconds, the processor terminates the function and ends the clock setting. 
   If the user presses (without holding) the MODE control button  26 , the processor  14  causes the recording device to enter into an alarm setting mode, while simultaneously causing the LCD display  42  to display “ALARM.” In the alarm setting mode, the processor  14  collects the information input by the user while simultaneously displaying that information on the LCD display  42 . If the user depresses the MODE control button  26  for a predetermined amount of time, while the recording device is in the alarm setting mode, the processor  14  causes the LCD display  42  to display the clock with the minutes field flashing. Thereafter, the user presses the SET control button  28  to adjust the minutes as displayed on the LCD display  42 . By pressing the MODE control button a second time, the user can switch to hour, year, month, day, alarm on/off, and alarm type. By pressing the SET control button  28 , the user can adjust the values of the above fields accordingly. By holding the SET control button  28 , the user can speed up the adjustment process. The alarm types include “0”, which is a daily alarm, and “1”, which is the special recorder message playing circuit function, as described above. At the time when the alarm activates, the user can deactivate the alarm by pressing any control button. 
     FIG. 5  is a top view of the recording device  10  of the present invention. A plurality of pieces fit together as the main body  12 . Positioned on the outside of the recording device  10  is the volume control  22 , AC/DC power socket  34 , first set of control buttons  40 , second set of control buttons  41 , LCD screen  42 , and audio output jack  48 . First set of control buttons  41  includes the PLAY control button  30  and RECORD control button  32 . 
   Upon pressing the RECORD control button  32 , processor  14  signals the memory  16  to store data received from the microphone  18 . Additionally, the processor  14  signals the LCD display to display “REC” thereon indicating the device is in the record mode. Preferably, the microphone  18  captures analog audio data representing the user&#39;s voice. The audio data is then converted into digital data and stored in the memory  16 . If data was previously stored in memory  16 , the previously stored data will be automatically deleted and replaced by the new message. 
   Upon pressing the PLAY control button  30 , processor  14  signals the memory  16  to convert the digital data into analog data for output by the speaker  20 . Hereinafter, the above described process will be known as “Replay.” Simultaneously, the processor  14  signals the LCD display  42  to display “PLAY” thereon indicating the device is in the play mode. The Replay can be terminated at any time by pressing either the PLAY control button  30  or RECORD control button  32 . If the user wishes to listen to the Replay through earphones, the earphones can be inserted into audio output jack  48 , which causes the Replay to be output through the audio output jack  48 . The user can also adjust the volume of the Replay by selectively moving the volume control  22  for increasing and decreasing the level at which Replay is output through the speaker  20  or audio output jack  48 . 
     FIG. 6  is a front view of the teddy bear encasing  50 . The recording device  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  is positioned within the teddy bear encasing. The user can activate the control buttons as shown in  FIG. 1  by pressing control button extensions  52 , which are preferably strategically located on paws of the teddy bear. The above is described for purpose of example only and the encasing is not limited to teddy bears, but may also include any stuffed animal encasing that is conducive to the operation of the recording device by children. The operation of the recording device  10  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 1–5  and  8 . 
     FIG. 7  is a cutaway view of the teddy bear encasing  50 . The main body  12  of the recording device  10  is positioned within the teddy bear encasing  50 . If the user presses the control button extension  52  that corresponds to the RECORD control button  32  (e.g., the left paw), the recording device  10  can selectively record the voice message of the user through the microphone  18 . If the user presses the control button extension  52  that corresponds to the PLAY control button  30  (e.g., the right paw), the recording device  10  can produce a Replay of the user&#39;s voice message through the speaker  20 . If the user presses the control button extension  52  that corresponds to the START control button (e.g., the left foot), the recording device produces a Replay, or set of Replays, in accordance with an internal timing mechanism of the recording device  10 . The operation of the recording device  10  is described herein above and after with specific reference to  FIGS. 1–5  and  8 . 
     FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the recording device  10  of the present invention. A plurality of pieces fit together as the main body  12 . The internal parts include the processor  14  and the memory  16 , which communicate with each other and other parts through a set of connections. The main body  12  also includes power source  36 , which includes a battery and power acquired from external sources via AC/DC power socket  34 . The power source  36  provides power to any part of the recording device  10  that requires power. The external parts of the recording device  10  include the microphone  18 , speaker  20 , volume control  22 , control button set  40 , control button set  41 , LCD screen  42 , audio output jack  48 , and AC/DC power socket  34 . Control button set  40  includes START control button  24 , MODE control button  26  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), and SET control button  28 . Control button set  41  includes PLAY control button  30  and RECORD control button  32 . All control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  are connected to the processor  14 . The microphone  18  and speaker  20  are connected internally to the memory  16 . The volume control  22  is connected indirectly to both the memory  16  and the speaker  20 . Alternatively, if the recording device  10  is positioned within the teddy bear encasing  50  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a plurality of control button extensions  52  correspond to the first set of control buttons  40  and second set of control buttons, which are further connected to processor  14 . 
   Upon pressing the RECORD control button  32 , processor  14  signals the memory  16  to store data received from the microphone  18 . Additionally, the processor  14  signals the LCD display to display “REC” thereon indicating the device is in the record mode. Preferably, the microphone  18  captures analog audio data representing the user&#39;s voice. The audio data is then converted into digital data and stored in the memory  16 . If data was previously stored in memory  16 , the previously stored data will be automatically deleted and replaced by the new message. 
   Upon pressing the PLAY control button  30 , processor  14  signals the memory  16  to convert the digital data into analog data for output by the speaker  20 . Hereinafter, the above described process will be known as “Replay.” Simultaneously, the processor  14  signals the LCD display  42  to display “PLAY” thereon indicating the device is in the play mode. The Replay can be terminated at any time by pressing either the PLAY control button  30  or RECORD control button  32 . If the user wishes to listen to the Replay through earphones, the earphones can be inserted into audio output jack  48 , which causes the Replay to be output through the audio output jack  48 . The user can also adjust the volume of the Replay by selectively moving the volume control  22  for increasing and decreasing the level at which Replay is output through the speaker  20  or audio output jack  48 . 
   If the user presses the START control button  24 , the processor  14  signals the memory  16  to perform a Replay in accordance with a timing mechanism configured in processor  14 . The timing mechanism predetermines the intervals at which Replays occur. For example, the timing mechanism may include a cycle of twenty Replays simultaneously, followed by a delayed period of an hour, followed by another cycle of twenty Replays, for seven hours. In the above example, the processor  14  signals the memory  16  to perform a Replay  20  consecutive times. The processor  14  includes a timing mechanism for keeping time. When one hour has expired according to the timing mechanism in the processor  14 , the processor signals the memory  16  to Replay the stored data twenty consecutive times. The processor  14  would continue this cycle until the timing mechanism determines that a seventh hour has passed. The pattern continues until the cycle of the timing mechanism completes or the user terminates the cycle by pressing the PLAY control button  30 . Preferably the default configuration of the timing mechanism is as follows: one Replay and then stop; one hour later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop; two hours later Replay twenty times and then stop. However, the above is described for purpose of example only and the cycle of Replays may be performed at any time intervals and for any number of cycles. 
   If the user presses and holds the SET control button  28  for a predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  causes control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  30 , and  32  to be locked in an inoperable state. The processor  14  simultaneously signals the LCD display  42  to display “HOLD” thereon. When the user presses and holds the SET control button  28  for a second predetermined amount of time, the processor  14  causes the control buttons  24 ,  26 ,  30 , and  32  to be unlocked and operable. Preferably, the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. However, the predetermined amount of time may be greater or less than two seconds. 
   From the above description it can be seen that the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a recording device that repeats a message several times in one set and in delayed intervals between sets. The recording device provides an ideal medium for affirmation, self-hypnotic suggestion, or subliminal instruction. The recording device looks like an alarm clock and can be unnoticeably placed next to a user&#39;s bed. The alternate embodiment of the invention including the teddy bear encasing can be unnoticeably placed near a child&#39;s bed. The timing mechanism allows the user to listen to the affirmations, self-hypnotic suggestions, or subliminal instructions while in the subconscious state of sleep. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.