Abstract:
An addiction simulator for use in an educational program, operable for (i) periodically requesting simulated addictive behavior, (ii) receiving a satisfaction signal from an assigned individual in response to a generated request, representing consumption of an amount of addictant in limited supply, and (iii) refusing acceptance of a satisfaction signal when the supply of addictant has been exhausted. The duration of the interval between requests can based upon a physiological characteristic of the assigned individual.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/264,762 filed 9 Mar. 1999 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of smoking simulators, and more particularly to the field of devices which demonstrate to teenagers the loss of control over their lives caused by the habit of smoking cigarettes. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY 
     Cigarette smoking is an addictive habit which is extremely difficult to break. The harm to a person&#39;s health caused by smoking is well documented. Furthermore, the habit is costly to support even if the user is not a heavy smoker. Numerous devices have been developed to help smokers quit, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,412, issued to Boroski et al. The Boroski et al. device is a cigarette case which counts and rations the number of cigarettes dispensed to the user. 
     Various smoking elimination systems utilize a timer which establishes a basic timing period during which a cigarette case or lighter is locked. These patents include U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,953, issued to Herr, U.S. Pat. No. 2,681,560, issued to Shuttleworth et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 2,643,527, issued to Harris. When the basic timing period is over, the cigarette lighter or box may be opened to permit a single use of a cigarette. Sometimes the timing period is manually adjustable and generally the timer must be manually reset each time a cigarette is removed from the case or a cigarette lighting operation takes place. In such a smoking elimination system, each time the user desires to smoke, she must try to operate the cigarette lighter or open the cigarette case to determine whether or not she can smoke. A related device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,123, issued to Giffard, in which the lock is eliminated and a bell signals the user to that the basic timing period has expired. 
     Other more interactive programmable devices have been developed to assist, monitor, control or record various types of human behavior. U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,401, issued to Tutt et al. discloses a device that permits a user to input data representing caloric intake as well as expected caloric expenditure rates. The device then displays the instantaneous net balance of unconsumed calories. The Tutt et al. device does not generate any personalized program for behavior modification or any personalized programmed schedule of future event times. U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,568, issued to Hiller et al. discloses a device which records various personalized data and provides related output data to the user. While the output data may be of interest to the user and might conceivably affect the user&#39;s future activities, the Hiller et al. device does not actually stimulate human behavior modification in any meaningful sense. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,389, issued to Smith describes a device which is programmed to provide personalized metronome like audible signals designed to pace every other stride of a long distance runner. The necessary data may be manually input prior to the run, or the runner may manipulate manually accessible controls and modify the programming so as to conform with her actual stride frequency during a given run. Thereafter, the device is capable of providing a modified programmed stride rate so as to signal the stride rate required to achieve a desired run time. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,125, issued to Martindale et al. shows a medicine dispenser which signals the user each time a medication event is supposed to occur and also records the time at which each medication access by the user actually occurs. The device only provides a health care worker with such a factual record and no attempt is made to create any modified program schedule for the future. U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,050, issued to Pellegrini et al. discloses a device which accepts personalized data relating to skin tanning parameters and then provides the user with a program which should be followed so as to achieve a desired degree of tanning. There is no baseline learning phase, nor is the device directed toward modification of habitual human behavior associated with a sequence of events. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,854, issued to Behar et al., discloses a behavior modification device to help a user quit smoking. The device is a small pocket sized device that is controlled by a microprocessor programmed in read only memory with a specific control program. When a user activates the device by means of an external switch, the device begins a baseline establishment phase of the behavior modification process. Each time the user performs a habit related event, the user informs the device through the use of a switch. The device records the event at the time of its occurrence for future processing. The device remains in the baseline phase for a predetermined period of time. When the baseline period ends, the device notifies the user and proceeds to the withdrawal phase of the program. Once the personalized withdrawal phase occurs, the device prompts the user by providing visual and audio stimuli as to when the user may smoke one cigarette. A visual display also informs the user as to when permission to smoke again will be granted. The user notifies the device that the prescribed event has been committed by activating a switch. 
     Some devices exist which require a user to actually exhale into a handheld unit. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,898, issued to Wolf. The Wolf device is a breath analyzer which contains a tube into which a user exhales, the breath sample being analyzed for its alcohol content. 
     While some of the aforementioned devices deal with smoking and behavior modification, none address the problem of preventing a person from smoking who has never engaged in the habit. Further, none of these devices are actuated in a manner that attempts to accurately simulate the actual act of smoking. For example, none of the prior art devices simulate the spending of money to purchase cigarettes, cause the user to crave a cigarette at inconvenient times due to nicotine addiction or simulate coughing caused by long term cigarette use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device which demonstrates to prospective smokers, who are most likely teenagers, the loss of control over their lives caused by smoking. The device is preferably a box which has the same dimensions and appearance as a package of cigarettes. The box contains a microprocessor connected to a liquid crystal display which displays messages to the user, or preferably a voice recognition and synthesis circuit to permit spoken interaction with the device. The device gives orders to the user which simulate the effects of smoking while monitoring the user&#39;s responses. The device also presents the user with general information relating to the disadvantages of smoking and emphasizes the control that the habit of smoking can exert on the user&#39;s life. 
     The simulator also includes a vibrator and speaker or beeper to prompt the user to read the LCD display. A bellows switch is included to detect the action of the user inhaling or exhaling through a tube to simulate the drawing in of air through a cigarette and the need to catch one&#39;s breath after each draw. The tube is replaceable to permit the use of the simulator by different users. Occasionally the device will cough or the user will be prompted by the device to cough and the act of coughing is detected by a built in microphone. 
     In order to simulate the expense associated with the habit of smoking, a slot can be formed in the side of the simulator box which is sufficiently large to accept a dollar bill or suitable money substitute. A microswitch is placed within the cavity to detect when a dollar bill is actually inserted into the simulator. In a classroom environment, the currency accepting cavity can be opened by a key which is in the possession of the teacher. The times when the student is both permitted to smoke or required to smoke can be programmed into or calculated by the unit, and a pushbutton on the outside of the device can toggle through a choice of such time periods in, for example, five minute increments. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the device, the smoking simulation program which can be experienced by use of the device will last approximately three days. The first day simulates the demands of smoking approximately one half of a package per day. The second day simulates about one pack per day. The third day of the simulation approximates the use of two packs per day. The messages displayed by the device, which can include both requests and information, become increasingly demanding and onerous as the simulation progresses. Ideally, the simulator is capable of delivering hundreds of such messages in order to maintain the user&#39;s interest. When the program is complete, the student has gained a better understanding of the expense and inconvenience of smoking. The device is capable of storing various parameters related to the student&#39;s interaction with the device, and these parameters can be reviewed by the teacher in order to evaluate the level of the student&#39;s performance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation of a smoking simulator constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a portion of the present invention which includes a microprocessor and random access memory. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart depicting the general operation of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting the POWERUP AND INITIALIZATION portion of the software depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart portraying the TEACHER INTERRUPT portion of the software referred to in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a portion of the present invention which portrays the RUN subroutine. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a portion of the present invention which portrays the SMOKING NOTIFICATION subroutine. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of a preamplifier and power supply constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart depicting the INFORMATION NOTIFICATION subroutine utilized by the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side sectional view of one embodiment of a puff receptacle and sensor associated with the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a puff receptacle associated with the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart depicting the COUGHING INTERRUPT subroutine utilized by the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart depicting the STUDENT PUSHBUTTON INTERRUPT subroutine associated with the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart depicting the SMOKING ACTION subroutine utilized with the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart depicting the BUM CIGARETTES subroutine which forms a part of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart depicting the INFO ACTION subroutine utilized during operation of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of a second aspect of a simulated cigarette associated with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Nomenclature 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  1 
                 Smoking Simulation Apparatus, Simulator or Device 
               
               
                   
                  2 
                 Case or Enclosure 
               
               
                   
                  3 
                 Edge 
               
               
                   
                  4 
                 Hinge 
               
               
                   
                  5 
                 Front Surface 
               
               
                   
                  6 
                 Top 
               
               
                   
                  7 
                 Rear Surface 
               
               
                   
                  8 
                 Receptacle 
               
               
                   
                  9 
                 Speaker 
               
               
                   
                  10 
                 Microphone 
               
               
                   
                  11 
                 Recess (Storage Area) 
               
               
                   
                  12  
                 Switch 
               
               
                   
                  13  
                 Peripheral Holes or Perforations 
               
               
                   
                  15  
                 Display Window 
               
               
                   
                  16  
                 Earphone Jack 
               
               
                   
                  17  
                 Puffing Device (Simulated Cigarette) 
               
               
                   
                  17s 
                 Surface of Simulated Cigarette 
               
               
                   
                  18  
                 Side 
               
               
                   
                  19  
                 Microcontroller, Microprocessor or Integrated Circuit 
               
               
                   
                  20  
                 Random Access Memory Chip 
               
               
                   
                  21  
                 Dataport D7 
               
               
                   
                  22  
                 Dataport D6 
               
               
                   
                  23  
                 Dataport D5 
               
               
                   
                  24  
                 Dataport D4 
               
               
                   
                  25  
                 Dataport D3 
               
               
                   
                  26  
                 Dataport D2 
               
               
                   
                  27  
                 Dataport D1 
               
               
                   
                  30  
                 Dataport D0 
               
               
                   
                  32  
                 Visual Display 
               
               
                   
                  33  
                 Core Ground 
               
               
                   
                  34  
                 Core Power Supply Input 
               
               
                   
                  35  
                 I/O port 1.7 
               
               
                   
                  36  
                 I/O port 1.6 
               
               
                   
                  37 
                 I/O port 1.5 
               
               
                   
                  38 
                 I/O port 1.4 
               
               
                   
                  39 
                 I/O port 1.3 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 I/O port 1.2 
               
               
                   
                  41 
                 I/O port 1.1 
               
               
                   
                  42 
                 I/O port 1.0 
               
               
                   
                  43 
                 I/O port 0.7 
               
               
                   
                  44 
                 I/O port 0.6 
               
               
                   
                  45 
                 I/O port 0.5 
               
               
                   
                  46 
                 I/O port 0.4 
               
               
                   
                  47 
                 I/O port 0.3 
               
               
                   
                  48 
                 I/O port 0.2 
               
               
                   
                  49 
                 I/O port 0.1 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 I/O port 0.0 
               
               
                   
                  51 
                 Memory Data Port D0 
               
               
                   
                  52 
                 Memory Data Port D1 
               
               
                   
                  53 
                 Memory Data Port D2 
               
               
                   
                  54 
                 Memory Data Port D3 
               
               
                   
                  55 
                 Memory Data Port D4 
               
               
                   
                  56 
                 Memory Data Port D5 
               
               
                   
                  57 
                 Memory Data Port D6 
               
               
                   
                  58 
                 Memory Data Port D7 
               
               
                   
                  59 
                 Data Bus 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 Address Bus 
               
               
                   
                  61 
                 Address port A1 
               
               
                   
                  62 
                 Address port A2 
               
               
                   
                  63 
                 Address port A3 
               
               
                   
                  64 
                 Address port A4 
               
               
                   
                  65 
                 Address port A6 
               
               
                   
                  66 
                 Address port A7 
               
               
                   
                  67 
                 Address port A8 
               
               
                   
                  68 
                 Address port A9 
               
               
                   
                  69 
                 Address port A10 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 Address port A11 
               
               
                   
                  71 
                 Address port A12 
               
               
                   
                  72 
                 Address port A5 
               
               
                   
                  73 
                 Address port A13 
               
               
                   
                  74 
                 Address port A14 
               
               
                   
                  75 
                 Address port A15 
               
               
                   
                  76 
                 Address port A0 
               
               
                   
                  77 
                 Power Supply 
               
               
                   
                  78 
                 Analog Power Supply 
               
               
                   
                  79 
                 Battery 
               
               
                   
                  80 
                 Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                  81 
                 Diode 
               
               
                   
                  82 
                 Air Jets 
               
               
                   
                  83 
                 Resistor 
               
               
                   
                  84 
                 470 Microfarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                  85 
                 Audio Preamplifier 
               
               
                   
                  86 
                 Terminal 
               
               
                   
                  87 
                 Core Power Supply 
               
               
                   
                  88 
                 2.2 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                  89 
                 Electrolytic Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 Input/Output Power Source 
               
               
                   
                  91 
                 Resistor 
               
               
                   
                  92 
                 Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                  93 
                 Resistor 
               
               
                   
                  94 
                 Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                  95 
                 Reset Terminal 
               
               
                   
                  96 
                 Diode 
               
               
                   
                  97 
                 Bandpass Filter and Amplifier 
               
               
                   
                  98 
                 Automatic Gain Control Circuit (AGC) 
               
               
                   
                  99  
                 IGAIN0 Terminal 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 IGAIN1 Terminal 
               
               
                   
                 101 
                 1000 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 22000 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 103 
                 10000 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 First Stage Amplifier 
               
               
                   
                 105 
                 Third Stage Amplifier 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 0.22 Picofarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 107 
                 4700 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 680000 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 109 
                 27000 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 1000 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 111 
                 0.22 Picofarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 Fourth Stage Amplifier 
               
               
                   
                 113 
                 56000 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 1000 Ohm Resistor 
               
               
                   
                 115 
                 Low Analog Output Terminal 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 High Analog Output Terminal 
               
               
                   
                 117 
                 Digital Ground 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 Digital Power Supply Input 
               
               
                   
                 119 
                 Digital Ground 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 Digital Power Supply Input 
               
               
                   
                 121 
                 0.1 Microfarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 Digital Ground 
               
               
                   
                 123 
                 Core Ground Input 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 Core Power Supply Input 
               
               
                   
                 125 
                 0.1 Microfarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 126 
                 0. 1 Microfarad capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 127 
                 Core Ground 
               
               
                   
                 128 
                 Core Ground 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 Analog Ground Input 
               
               
                   
                 131 
                 Analog Power Input 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 0.1 Microfarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 133 
                 Analog Ground Connection 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 14.3 MegaHertz Crystal 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 Picofarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 137 
                 27 Picofarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 138 
                 Oscillator 1 Output 
               
               
                   
                 139 
                 Oscillator 1 Input 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 32.768 KiloHertz Crystal 
               
               
                   
                 141 
                 27 Picofarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 142 
                 27 Picofarad Capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 143 
                 Oscillator 2 Input 
               
               
                   
                 144 
                 Oscillator 2 Output 
               
               
                   
                 145 
                 Read Code port 
               
               
                   
                 146 
                 Write Code port 
               
               
                   
                 148 
                 Read Data port 
               
               
                   
                 149 
                 Write Data port 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                 74HCT08 Integrated Circuit 
               
               
                   
                 151 
                 Chip Enable port 
               
               
                   
                 152 
                 Output Enable port 
               
               
                   
                 153 
                 Write Enable port 
               
               
                   
                 154 
                 Pulse Width Modulation Output 
               
               
                   
                 155 
                 Pulse Width Modulation Output 
               
               
                   
                 160 
                 Microswitch 
               
               
                   
                 161 
                 Bellows Switch 
               
               
                   
                 162 
                 Sound Activated Switch 
               
               
                   
                 163 
                 Pushbutton (Student) 
               
               
                   
                 164 
                 Flow Restriction Portion 
               
               
                   
                 165 
                 Straw Portion 
               
               
                   
                 166 
                 Mounting Bracket 
               
               
                   
                 167 
                 Check Valve 
               
               
                   
                 168 
                 Filter 
               
               
                   
                 169 
                 Overview Flowchart 
               
               
                   
                 170 
                 POWERUP AND INITIALIZE 
               
               
                   
                 171 
                 RUN 
               
               
                   
                 172 
                 Bootup Procedure 
               
               
                   
                 173 
                 Password Request and Store 
               
               
                   
                 174 
                 SLEEP Mode 
               
               
                   
                 175 
                 Voice Verification 
               
               
                   
                 176 
                 Time Entry Prompt 
               
               
                   
                 177 
                 Clock Startup 
               
               
                   
                 178 
                 Teacher Prompt 
               
               
                   
                 179 
                 Pushbutton (Teacher) 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 Teacher Interrupt 
               
               
                   
                 181 
                 Wakeup from Sleep 
               
               
                   
                 182 
                 Request Prompt 
               
               
                   
                 183 
                 Report Command 
               
               
                   
                 184 
                 Run Command 
               
               
                   
                 185 
                 Buy Cigarettes Command 
               
               
                   
                 186 
                 Packs per Day Command 
               
               
                   
                 187 
                 Escalation Rate Command 
               
               
                   
                 188 
                 Metabolic Rate Command 
               
               
                   
                 189 
                 Susceptibility Command 
               
               
                   
                 190 
                 Information Frequency Command 
               
               
                   
                 191 
                 Set Number of Packages 
               
               
                   
                 192 
                 Initial Smoking Rate 
               
               
                   
                 193 
                 Escalation Rate 
               
               
                   
                 194 
                 Metabolic Rate 
               
               
                   
                 195 
                 Susceptibility 
               
               
                   
                 196 
                 Information Rate 
               
               
                   
                 197 
                 Return Path 
               
               
                   
                 198 
                 Verification of Password 
               
               
                   
                 199 
                 Brand Selection 
               
               
                   
                 200 
                 Personality 
               
               
                   
                 201 
                 Physiological Parameter Calculations 
               
               
                   
                 202 
                 Nicotine Craving Level 
               
               
                   
                 203 
                 SMOKING ACTION Module 
               
               
                   
                 204 
                 Internal Timers 
               
               
                   
                 205 
                 SMOKING NOTIFICATION Module 
               
               
                   
                 206 
                 Notification Methods 
               
               
                   
                 207 
                 Device Scheduler 
               
               
                   
                 208 
                 INFORMATION NOTIFICATION Module 
               
               
                   
                 209 
                 Notification Options 
               
               
                   
                 210 
                 Notification Timer 
               
               
                   
                 211 
                 COUGHING INTERRUPT Module 
               
               
                   
                 212 
                 Notification Methods 
               
               
                   
                 213 
                 Cough Prompt 
               
               
                   
                 214 
                 Retry Option 
               
               
                   
                 215 
                 Record Success 
               
               
                   
                 216 
                 Record Failure 
               
               
                   
                 217 
                 Student Command 
               
               
                   
                 218 
                 Random Number Generator 
               
               
                   
                 219 
                 Belligerence Path 
               
               
                   
                 220 
                 Repetition Step 
               
               
                   
                 221 
                 Cooperation Path 
               
               
                   
                 222 
                 BORROWING or BUMMING Module 
               
               
                   
                 223 
                 INFORMATION ACTION Module 
               
               
                   
                 224 
                 Inventory Inquiry 
               
               
                   
                 225 
                 None Available Announcement 
               
               
                   
                 226 
                 Smoking Permitted Announcement 
               
               
                   
                 227 
                 Continuous Listening Subroutine 
               
               
                   
                 228 
                 Consumption Rate Calculator 
               
               
                   
                 229 
                 Return Path 
               
               
                   
                 230 
                 Counter 
               
               
                   
                 231 
                 Demand 
               
               
                   
                 232 
                 Message Bank 
               
               
                   
                 233 
                 Message Generator 
               
               
                   
                 234 
                 Sound Monitor 
               
               
                   
                 235 
                 Interrogatory 
               
               
                   
                 236 
                 Record Failure 
               
               
                   
                 237 
                 Deathclock monitor 
               
               
                   
                 238 
                 Recorder 
               
               
                   
                 239 
                 Cigarette Inventory 
               
               
                   
                 240 
                 Question 
               
               
                   
                 241 
                 Failure Path 
               
               
                   
                 242 
                 Listen for Receive Tone 
               
               
                   
                 243 
                 Receive Tone Recognition 
               
               
                   
                 244 
                 Playback 
               
               
                   
                 245 
                 Decrement 
               
               
                   
                 246 
                 Loop 
               
               
                   
                 247 
                 Give Tone Recognition 
               
               
                   
                 248 
                 Increment 
               
               
                   
                 249 
                 Question 
               
               
                   
                 250 
                 Listening Interval 
               
               
                   
                 251 
                 Correct Answer 
               
               
                   
                 252 
                 Correct Register 
               
               
                   
                 253 
                 Incorrect Register 
               
               
                   
                 254 
                 Dollar Bill Slot 
               
               
                   
                 260 
                 BEDTIME module 
               
               
                   
                 270 
                 Memory address port A0 
               
               
                   
                 271 
                 Memory address port A1 
               
               
                   
                 272 
                 Memory address port A2 
               
               
                   
                 273 
                 Memory address port A3 
               
               
                   
                 274 
                 Memory address port A4 
               
               
                   
                 275 
                 Memory address port A5 
               
               
                   
                 276 
                 Memory address port A6 
               
               
                   
                 277 
                 Memory address port A7 
               
               
                   
                 278 
                 Memory address port A8 
               
               
                   
                 279 
                 Memory address port A9 
               
               
                   
                 280 
                 Memory address port A10 
               
               
                   
                 281 
                 Memory address port A11 
               
               
                   
                 282 
                 Memory address port A12 
               
               
                   
                 283 
                 Memory address port A13 
               
               
                   
                 284 
                 Memory address port A14 
               
               
                   
                 285 
                 Memory address port A15 
               
               
                   
                 286 
                 Memory address port A16 
               
               
                   
                 287 
                 Memory address port A17 
               
               
                   
                 288 
                 Memory address port A18 
               
               
                   
                 301 
                 Electrical Circuit (Normally Open) 
               
               
                   
                 302 
                 First Electrical Lead 
               
               
                   
                 303 
                 Second Electrical Lead 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  12 , a smoking simulation apparatus  1  is shown which is housed in a case  2  which approximates the rectangular shape and dimensions of a package of cigarettes. The case  2  is formed of a plastic or metallic material and houses the mechanical and electrical components which comprise the active components of the device. Analogously, the embodiment for other drug deterrence purposes might take the form of a package of hypodermic needles or other drug-related paraphernalia. The intent is to provide some sense of connection in the mind of the user between the deterrence device and the addiction or habit being deterred. 
     On the front  5  of the enclosure  2  are grills (unnumbered) for the speaker  9  and microphone  10 , which are mounted inside. The grill for the microphone  10  consists of two parts. First there is the central receptacle  8  for the straw portion  165  of the simulated cigarette  17  to fit into. This is the also primary opening for the microphone  10  to listen to speech and other sounds from the outside world. Second, the peripheral holes  13  surrounding the central receptacle  8  form jets of air  82  which impinge on the microphone  10  when the user (not shown) puffs through the simulated cigarette  17 . The jets of air  82  impinging directly on the microphone  10  create a relatively loud white noise which is recognizable as a puff by the sound recognition software. 
     An alternative embodiment also includes an LCD alphanumeric or graphics display  32  for communicating silently to the user. The LCD display  32  might show a pictorial representation of a cigarette as it is being smoked by the user, showing it getting shorter. Simultaneously, the LCD display  32  might show a deathclock, showing average life expectancy lost if present rate of smoking continues, counting up in realtime as the user smokes. And the LCD display  32  can display textual information to the user, educating them on other aspects of smoking. 
     The top  6  of the enclosure flips opens like a hardpack of cigarettes. Inside the top  6  of the enclosure are pushbuttons for the user (student)  163  or supervisor (teacher)  179  to awaken the microprocessor  19 . There is also an earphone jack  16  for communicating without disturbing those in the vicinity (such as in a classroom). The fliptop  6  also protects the buttons  163 ,  179  from being pressed inadvertently, and keeps the earphone jack  16  clean of dirt or pocket lint, since the device  1  is intended to be carried in a shirt pocket or purse (not shown). 
     The side  18  of the enclosure  2  has a recess  11  to hold a simulated cigarette or puffing device  17 . The puffing device  17  is held externally so its storage area  11  can be easily cleaned with an alcohol swab for sanitary purposes. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 13 , the puffing device  17  can include a flow restriction to portion  164 . The simulated cigarette or puffing device  17  has three main features: (a) a straw portion  165  that fits into the receptacle  8  on the enclosure  2 , (b) a check valve  167  that prevents the user from blowing into the receptacle  8  and to keep the receptacle  8  clean for sanitary reasons, and (c) fixed or removable filter  168  that acts as a flow restriction to simulate actual puffing resistance of typical cigarettes, as well as puffing difficulty caused by lung disease. A similar straw can also simulate inhaling cocaine and methamphetamines. An alternative embodiment for deterring other drugs replaces the simulated cigarette  17  with a simulated hypodermic (without the needle) that emits an inaudible but recognizable whistle when “injected.” The microphone  10  and software would hear and recognize the whistle and record that sound as an injection event. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  some of the electronics of the present invention  1  can be appreciated. The simulator  1  is capable of both sensing sounds made by the user, such as coughing and inhaling, as well as generating spoken messages which instruct the user of the device. The speech recognition and speech synthesis functions are performed by integrated circuit  19 , which is preferably an RSC-164 Microcontroller and speech processing circuit manufactured by Sensory, Incorporated, 521 East Weddell Drive, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94089. The specific function and features of circuit  19  are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,754, issued to Mozer et al. The circuit  19  is powered by three isolated power supplies and ground reference levels. Power source  90  supplies digital Input/Output pins  117 ,  118 ,  119  and  120 . Filtering is accomplished by capacitor  121  and digital ground connection  122 . Core power supply  87  supplies core processing via pins  33 ,  34 ,  123  and  124 . Filtering is accomplished by capacitors  125  and  126 , and core ground connections  127  and  128 . Analog power supply  78  furnishes power for audio processing via pins  130  and  131 . Filtering is accomplished by capacitor  132  and ground connection  133 . Processing speed is controlled by a high speed oscillator network composed of crystal  134 , capacitor  136  and capacitor  137 , which are connected to oscillator pins  138  and  139 . A low speed oscillator network consisting of crystal  140  and capacitors  141  and  142  is attached to microcontroller  19  at pins  143  and  144 . 
     The circuit  19  includes sixteen general purpose Input/Output ports  35 - 50 . Each pin can be programmed as input with a weak pull up, an input with a strong pull up, an input without pull up or as an output. Microcontroller  19  also includes an external memory interface that allows connection to a standard nonvolatile static random access memory chip  20 . Microcontroller  19  includes separate read and write signals for each external memory space. Microcontroller  19  is constructed with eight data input/output lines  21 - 27  and  30 , which are interconnected to the corresponding data input/output lines  51 - 58  via data bus  59 . Addressing is accomplished along address bus  60 . In this particular use of the microcontroller  19 , sixteen address lines ( 61 - 76 ) and three general purpose I/O ports configured as address lines ( 40 - 42 ) are used to address 512 kilobytes of memory stored in memory chip  20 . The nineteen address lines are connected to pins  270  through  288  of memory chip  20 . The microcontroller  19  controls memory access via pin  145  (read code), pin  146  (write code), pin  148  (read data) and pin  149  (write data). These pins are ANDED together by integrated circuit  150  to provide appropriate logic control to control memory chip  20 , the latter being controlled by pin  151  (chip enable), pin  152  (output enable) and pin  153  (write enable). The data written to or received from memory chip  20  is transferred via the data bus  59  to connecting pins D 0 -D 7  of microcontroller  19  and connecting pins  51 - 58  of the memory chip  20 . Audio output is provided via speaker  9  which is attached to the pulse width modulation output pins  154  and  155  of the microcontroller  19 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the power supply  77  includes three separate power supply elements. The analog power supply  78  receives its input power from system battery supply  79  which is preferably formed from three “AAA” alkaline batteries wired in series. Capacitor  80  and diode  81  form a half wave rectifier or filter which also protects the remaining circuitry against incorrect (reverse polarity) battery insertion. Analog power supply  78  is isolated and filtered by resistor  83  and capacitor  84 . The analog power supply  78  provides power to audio preamplifier  85  via terminal  86 . The core power supply  87  is isolated and filtered by resistor  88  and capacitor  89 . Core power supply  87  provides power to microprocessor  19 . The digital Input/Output power supply  90  is isolated and filtered by resistor  91  and capacitor  92 . The power source  90  provides power to memory chip  20 . The resistor  93  and capacitor  94  form an RC network with a time constant of approximately 0.1 second, thereby permitting transients to decay prior to the application of power to RESET terminal  95 . This ensures a clean reset and start of microcontroller  19  into an electrically stable environment. Diode  96  discharges capacitor  94  in the event of a major core power supply  87  transient, thereby providing for a reset of microcontroller  19  if such a transient occurs. 
     The audio preamplifier  85  is a four stage amplifier with a bandpass filter  97  and with a two bit automatic gain control circuit  98  as specified in the Sensory, Incorporated manual for the RSC-164 Development Kit. When terminals  99  and  100  are set for a high impedance input, the maximum gain is approximately 59 decibels at the center frequency of 1.49 KiloHertz. This is a gain for a typical application with the microphone about 1.0 to 1.5 feet from the user in a quiet environment. This may vary depending on the ambient environment. The 3 decibel cutoff frequencies are 580 KiloHertz and 4.2 KiloHertz. Resistor  101  supplies the power to a standard two wire electret microphone  10 . The voltage divider resistors  102  and  103  are used to provide the DC bias for amplifier stages  104 ,  97  and  105 , and is set to approximately one third of the voltage appearing at terminal  86 . The first stage  104  has a gain of approximately 2.2. The bandpass filter  97  has a gain of approximately 7.8 at the center frequency of 1.49 KiloHertz. The two bit AGC circuit  98  is a programmable voltage divider consisting of Capacitor  106 , resistor  107 , resistor  108 , resistor  109 , resistor  110 , and capacitor  111 . In order to prevent DC level shifts in response to AGC changes, the AGC circuit  98  is AC coupled by capacitor  106  and capacitor  111 . The AGC input control signals appearing at terminals  99  and  100  may independently be either at ground or at high impedance, giving four different levels of attenuation. The gain ratios for the AGC circuit  98  are 1.0, 0.36, 0.18 and 0.13. The third stage amplifier  105  has a gain of 6.6, while the fourth stage amplifier  112  has a gain of 8. Resistors  113  and  114  provide adequate output bias current to prevent crossover distortion between third stage amplifier  105  and fourth stage amplifier  112 . Both of the output terminals  115  and  116  are AC coupled and then DC biased such that at full swing the negative peak voltage goes below zero volts DC (analog ground) at the inputs of speech recognition microcontroller  19 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  there are several pushbuttons attached to the microcontroller  19  digital Input/Output ports ( 47 - 50 ). For example, a momentary microswitch  160  is activated by pushing a dollar bill into a slot  254  in the enclosure  2 . The switch  160  detects the action of a user paying for their cigarettes. A bellows switch  161  is an alternative method of detecting puffs or inhalations on a simulated cigarette  17 . The bellows switch  161  may also be replaced by a pressure sensor switch (not shown) which can perform a similar purpose. Sound activated switch  162 , such as described in the Radio Shack catalog No. 276-5011A, is an alternative method of detecting either puffing on a simulated cigarette  17  or coughing. Similarly, the simulated cigarette  17  can be designed to produce an audible or subaudible whistle tone during puffing. The whistle tone can be sensed by the sound activated switch  162  tuned with a bandpass filter (not shown) encompassing the whistle tone frequency spectrum. A further option, shown in  FIG. 19 , is to incorporate a normally open electrical circuit  301  on the surface  17   s  of the simulated cigarette  17  with the circuit  301  in electrical communication with the battery  79  and the microcontroller  19  by electrical leads  302  and  303 . The electrical circuit  301  is configured and arranged on the simulated cigarette  17  so that positioning of the simulated cigarette  17  between the lips (not shown), in simulation of actual smoking mechanics, closes the electrical circuit  301  and sends an appropriate signal to the microcontroller  19 . The puffing sound activated switch can be eliminated by using a sound integrator or sound recognition software. In addition, the pushbutton  163  may be used to activate or awaken the microcontroller  19  when it is in a power saving mode. 
     The following narrative referring to  FIG. 5  assumes that the smoking simulator  1  is used in a school environment. The “Teacher” is the person who sets up the device  1  for use by the “Student,” and afterwards evaluates the student&#39;s performance by commanding the device  1  to produce a recorded report. The various software flowcharts presented here are separated into modules which are functionally distinct from each other. The overview flowchart  169  shows the general relationship between modules, and the logical sequence of the flow of instructions from module to module. Subsequent flowcharts illustrate the inner workings within each module. 
     In many of the flowcharts there are references to Sensory, Inc.&#39;s proprietary software subroutines for various speech functions. Rather than explain them each time they are used, they are summarized here. Speaker Verification (SV) subroutines are used for storing and verifying passwords. SV subroutines can distinguish between individual speakers. Speaker Independent (SI) Recognition subroutines are used for recognizing specific commands or responses, no matter who says them. Speech Synthesis (SS) subroutines simply playback a prerecorded word, phrase, or lengthy message. Continuous Listening (CL) Recognition subroutines are used for recognizing specific commands or sounds that may occur at unpredictable times, and must be listened to for an extended period. 
     The software modules for the smoking simulation  1  are divided into two broad groups. The modules focusing on the teacher&#39;s activities start with POWERUP step  170 . The student&#39;s activities begin with the RUN module  171 . The teacher&#39;s activities configure the device  1  to recognize his or her passwords, provide the level of challenge they feel is appropriate and, after the simulation is completed, report the results of the student&#39;s use of the device  1 . The student&#39;s activities include recording their passwords, responding to demands from the device  1  to cough or perform simulated smoking, and listening to extensive educational material. The student also has the option of bumming cigarettes from other students with similar devices  1  and placing the device  1  in BEDTIME mode  260 . The active operating time of the device  1  is brief compared to the total time it is used, so it spends a large portion of time in SLEEP mode  174  to conserve battery power. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 6 , when the battery  79  is connected, the microprocessor  19  must perform a “bootup” procedure  172  to properly configure timers, input/output ports, and interrupts. Otherwise they might initialize in a random configuration. Once these basic housekeeping activities are done, the microprocessor runs the applications program for smoking deterrence. There is no on/off or “reboot” switch. Those functions are accomplished by connecting and disconnecting the battery  79 . So each time the battery  79  is reconnected, the software must request and store in step  173  the passwords from the teacher. In the preferred embodiment password security is twofold: (a) the teacher can keep their passwords secret and (b) the software recognizes in verification step  175  the voice patterns of the individual teacher, so it is difficult for a student to cheat even if they discover the teacher&#39;s passwords. The passwords are used to limit access to the subsequent simulation setup steps to the teacher alone. This precaution prevents the student from changing the conditions of the simulation. 
     A realtime clock, albeit not very accurate (say, plus or minus one hour), is needed to time some events for a specific part of the day. For example, as the exercise progresses to simulate more frequent smoking, the student may be awakened in the middle of the night to have a desperate smoke or have an extended coughing fit. Therefore the software asks for and stores the day and time of the start of the simulation at time entry prompt  176 . The day is preferred because the software must report the total elapsed time of the simulation, and reporting the starting day and time is easier to understand than reporting simply the number of hours elapsed. 
     Alternatively, the scheduling of events each day, such as smoking the first cigarette of the day and the late evening coughing fit, can be based upon the bedtime schedule established by the student, wherein the end of the bedtime period is used as the beginning of the daily schedule (e.g., eight hours after the student initiated the bedtime period the daily schedule commences and continues until the student again activates a bedtime period). 
     With the realtime clock initialized and running at clock startup step  177 , the device  1  can go to sleep and wait for the teacher to wake it up for further instructions to proceed with the student&#39;s portion of the software. Prior to entering SLEEP mode  174 , device  1  tells the teacher that it is awaiting their signal at prompt step  178 . This notification to the teacher is an attempt to make the device  1  user friendly and self-documenting. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 7 , the teacher awakens the device  1  by pushing at interrupt step  180  a wakeup button  179  which can be labeled “Teacher.” Upon completing wakeup step  181 , the device  1  will verify that it is indeed the authorized teacher who is responsible for the activation by asking for and verifying the teacher&#39;s password at step  173 . If password verification fails, the software returns to the step  178  in the POWERUP module to notify the teacher that it is going to sleep to await a valid wakeup call. If the teacher&#39;s passwords are correctly verified, the software asks the teacher via request  182  to state one of several commands, such as Report  183 , Run  184 , Buy Cigarettes  185 , Packs Per Day  186 , Escalation Rate  187 , Metabolic Rate  188 , Susceptibility  189 , or Information Frequency  190 . If command recognition fails, the software returns to the step  178  in the POWERUP module to notify the teacher that it is going to sleep to await a valid wakeup call, just as it would if password verification failed. If the teacher commands Report  183 , the device  1  will recite the appropriate measurements of the student&#39;s activity with the device  1 . A few examples of data included in the report recitation are elapsed time, number of cigarettes demanded, number of cigarettes consumed, number of delays in responding to demands to smoke, number of delays in responding to demands to cough, and number of cigarettes borrowed. If the teacher commands Run  184 , the software will jump to the RUN module  171  where the student-related software begins. 
     The day-to-day monetary cost of smoking is one of its aspects simulated by the device  1 . The device  1  keeps track of an imaginary inventory of cigarettes, decrementing the inventory whenever the student smokes, and incrementing the inventory whenever the student “purchases” more from the teacher. The software can be programmed to track the cost of the cigarettes purchased and/or smoked for use in educating students about the financial aspect of smoking. Therefore, when the teacher commands Buy Cigarettes  185 , the software will ask at step  191  for the teacher to set the number of packs of cigarettes available to the student before more must be purchased. The upper limit is high enough that it is effectively unlimited, in case the teacher does not want a limit. 
     The software has several other variables which can be set by the teacher to tailor the simulation to their needs. The initial level of addiction can be set by commanding an initial smoking rate  192  in packs per day. The teacher also sets the escalation rate  193 , that is, how many days it takes to escalate from one pack per day to two or three or four packs per day. This will often depend on how long the student can keep the simulator before it must be used by someone else, and how rigorous a lesson the teacher wants the student to endure. For example, the medium settings simulates a one pack a day habit on the first day, two packs a day on the second day, and three packs a day on the third day. 
     The student&#39;s physiological response to nicotine is simulated by gathering and setting a data point of the student for a variable recognized as influencing a persons physiological reaction to nicotine, such as metabolic rate  194  and susceptibility  195 . These variables are described in the curriculum literature that accompanies the device  1 . In general, these variables are dependent on the student&#39;s level of physical activity (active or inactive) and body weight. 
     The rate of educational information  196  recited to the student can also be set by the teacher. If the teacher sets the simulation to last only one day, the goal will typically be to inundate the student with a rapid rate of information  196 . If the simulation is intended to last a week, the information rate  196  may be reduced to a relatively meager rate. 
     After each variable has been set by the teacher, the program returns via path  197  to ask the teacher to give another command. When the teacher finishes setting as many variables as they wish, the teacher will respond to the request for command with silence or a noncommand word. The software will then return to idling step  178  in the POWERUP module and notify the teacher that the device  1  is going to sleep. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 8 , the RUN module  171  is an “Executive” routine because it performs calculations, checks lookup tables, and otherwise makes decisions that affect the course of events throughout the student&#39;s use of the device  1 . Most of the other modules in device  1  merely respond to calls from interrupts or from the RUN module  171 . The RUN module  171  is the only module that makes activity scheduling decisions. Throughout the simulation, the device  1  will make demands of the student, await the student&#39;s response, and measure and record that response for eventual reporting to the teacher. Each time the student responds to a demand, the device  1  will verify that the response is coming from the correct student (the student to which device  1  was assigned). This keeps the students honest and prevents them from giving the device to, for example, a little brother, to play with. An added benefit is that when the student knows they cannot cheat, they pay closer attention. 
     To enable verification of the student&#39;s identity, the device  1  as a first step  198  records a student&#39;s password. The verification step  198  of the software can only be accessed immediately after the teacher executes Run command  184 , so the teacher will be present to ensure that the designated student records their voice-dependent password. Once this is done, the student cannot access verification step  198 . The passwords can only be changed by the teacher, using their own passwords, or by removing the battery  79 , which is detectable by the teacher since it will affect the realtime clock  177  as well as the teacher&#39;s passwords. 
     The student is given some choices to tailor the simulation to their personal preferences, which will hopefully give the student a greater interest in the results. First the student selects at step  199  a brand of cigarettes. Each brand will have its own market appeal, cost, nicotine content, and carcinogenic effect, which will be recorded in the device&#39;s memory  20 , and will be used in calculations that follow. The student next chooses a personality  200  for their device. The personality  200  traits apply to only a few of the messages from the device  1 , but are hopefully frequent enough to keep the student interested and paying attention. Personality  200  traits include Humorous, Sarcastic, Motherly, Scientific, Suggestive, Teenage or Random. 
     The core of the simulation scheduling software resides in the next two steps  201  and  202  which calculate the realistic physiologic effects on the student of the simulated nicotine addiction defined by the values the teacher has previously set for the simulation variables. This includes calculation  201 , using equations from actual pharmacokinetic studies, of the student&#39;s simulated blood nicotine content using variables such as: (a) how long ago did they last smoke a cigarette, (b) what brand of cigarette was it (nicotine contents vary), (c) how fast did they smoke it, (d) how completely did they smoke it, (e) how fast do they metabolize nicotine, (f) what is their physiologic susceptibility to blood nicotine level, and (g) what time of day is it (metabolic rates vary). 
     From these physiological calculations  201 , the software will assign a simulated nicotine craving level  202  to the student. This craving level  202  ranges from mild agitation through many levels of anxiety and irritability all the way up to immobilizing nausea. This craving level  202  will be communicated to the student in several ways: (a) demands for a smoke, (b) nicotine level warnings, (c) general information and factoids, (d) detailed descriptions of how they would feel and demands for how they should act, (e) random and escalating nagging, and (f) general advice and guidance. Based on the student&#39;s simulated craving level  202 , the software will decide by using a series of lookup tables the appropriate level of intensity of educational messages at any given time during the simulation, and select the addresses within electronic memory  20  of the messages to playback to the student. Alternatively, the software can be programmed to generate a smoking demand signal whenever the calculated blood nicotine content falls below a defined minimum threshold value. 
     In the extreme case where a student excessively delays smoking to the point of withdrawal, such as determined by the calculated blood nicotine content falling an additional amount below the defined minimum threshold value, or determined by the time interval between generation of a smoking demand and the detection of a simulated smoking action exceeding a threshold value, the software can inform the student that the student has entered withdrawal and/or demand a vomiting episode once the long delayed cigarette is finally smoked in which the student must make a retching noise that the software can recognize. The vomiting episode activity is scheduled in the nicotine craving level step, although it is actually performed in the SMOKING ACTION module  203 . 
     As the simulation progresses to higher levels of addiction and more frequent smoking, the calculated physiologic effects  201  will escalate, and the simulated damage to the student&#39;s lungs will accumulate. Part of this calculation is based on the carcinogenic effect of the cigarette brand chosen by the student. As a result, the device  1  will generate more frequent and more severe messages, such as demands to smoke, demands for coughing fits from the student, an indication that the student just vomited, and an indication that the student is suffering from an anxiety attack, eventually to the point of waking the student up in the middle of the night to cough, smoke, and cough some more. By way of example, when the software is programmed to generate a smoking demand signal whenever the calculated blood nicotine content falls below a defined minimum threshold value, an escalation in the frequency of the smoking demand signal (i.e., a decrease in the time interval between sequential smoking demand signals), representative of the development of tolerance for nicotine, can be achieved by incrementally increasing the minimum threshold value as a function of the number of simulated cigarettes the student has smoked during an assignment period. Alternatively, the software can be programmed to generate a smoking demand signal at predetermined intervals throughout an assignment period wherein the interval between sequential smoking demand signals is diminished over time in a gradual or step-wise fashion for purposes of representing the development of tolerance for nicotine. While not preferred, it is, of course, also possible to program the software to simply provide intervals between smoking demand signals which are of substantially identical duration (e.g., each interval throughout an assignment period is 55 minutes) or of varying and patternless duration (e.g., sequential intervals of 20, 55, 90, 25, 20, 60, 35, 15, etc.). 
     Other information that may be calculated and communicated to the student includes the monetary cost of the cigarettes smoked, pulse rate variations, lung capacity reduction, blood pressure increase, stress on the heart, and other diseases or conditions to which smokers may be susceptible because of their smoking. The software will update the value of a “Deathclock” that measures the expected minutes/days/years of lifespan lost assuming that the current trend of simulated smoking proceeds unchecked. The deathclock is calculated by nicotine craving level block  202  but reported in the SMOKING ACTION module  203 , immediately after the student smokes, to give the student immediate feedback on the long term consequences of their smoking. 
     Once the nicotine craving block  202  has calculated what messages regarding smoking, coughing, and educational information should be communicated to the student, and when they should be communicated, the software will setup internal timers  204  to wake itself up at the appropriate times. The device  1  will go to sleep and wait for those interrupts. Once asleep, device  1  will also respond to pushbutton interrupts from either the student or the teacher. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 9 , the SMOKING NOTIFICATION module  205 , which is called by the RUN module  171 , simply notifies the student that it is time to smoke. The student must respond via the Student Pushbutton  163  before simulating smoking. Simulated smoking is processed by the SMOKING ACTION module  203 . The device  1  has three notification methods  206  of notifying the student that it is time to smoke. There is a pager-type vibrator that the student can feel if the device is in their pocket. There is a beeper-type beep that the student can hear if the device is in their purse or if they are asleep. Finally, after a short pause, there is a spoken demand for smoking. After notifying the student, the device scheduler  207  sets the next notification for five minutes in the future. Alternatively, the perceptible notice can be generated continuously until terminated by detection of simulated smoking by the student. This ensures an irritating nagging process for as long as the student puts off smoking. Then the software returns to calculator  201  and nicotine craving block  202  in the RUN module  171  to recalculate the student&#39;s simulated nicotine level and craving level based on the extra time elapsed, and then returns to SLEEP mode  174 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 11 , the INFORMATION NOTIFICATION module  208 , which is called by the RUN module  171 , simply notifies the student that it is time to listen to educational information, including information regarding the occurrence of voluntary (i.e., unscheduled trip to the market to purchase cigarettes) and involuntary (i.e., coughing and vomiting) addiction-induced physical actions. The student must respond via the Student Pushbutton  163  before listening to the information. The device  1  has three methods  209  of notifying the student that it is time to listen to information. There is a pager-type vibrator that the student can feel if the device is in their pocket. There is a beeper-type beep that the student can hear if the device is in their purse. And finally, after a short pause, there is a spoken demand for the student to listen to information. After notifying the student, the device  1  sets the notification timer  210  for five minutes in the future. This ensures an irritating nagging process for as long as the student puts off listening to the information. Then the software returns to the calculation  201  in the RUN module  171  to recalculate the student&#39;s simulated nicotine level, craving level and message intensity level based on the extra time elapsed. The device  1  then enters SLEEP mode  174 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 14 , the COUGHING INTERRUPT module  211 , called by the RUN module  171 , both notifies the student that it is time to cough, and monitors whether they do or do not cough. This action cannot be delayed, only passed or failed. The Student Pushbutton  163  is neither required nor active when module  211  is active. The device  1  has three methods  212  of notifying the student that it is time to cough. There is a pager-type vibrator that the student can feel if the device is in their pocket. There is a beeper-type beep that the student can hear if the device is in their purse. And finally, after a short pause, there is either a spoken demand for coughing or loud playback of a recorded cough. Alternatively, the perceptible notice can be generated continuously until terminated by detection of the requested coughing action by the student. In order to awaken students in the middle of the night, the device  1  may playback a coughing fit rather than a spoken demand. After notifying the student, the device  1  initiates verification step  198  by asking for the student&#39;s passwords, thereby making sure that the right student will be coughing. 
     The RUN Executive routine  171  will pass a parameter to COUGHING module  211  specifying the demanded intensity of the coughing episode. The parameter may specify anything from a single hack to an extended coughing fit. The COUGHING module  211  will at cough prompt  213  ask for, listen for, and recognize the student coughing some specified number of times. If the student fails to cough appropriately, the device will give them the option  214  to try again. Their success  215  or failure  216  will be noted before returning to the RUN module  171  for recalculations  201  and the return to SLEEP mode  174 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 15 , after the student has been notified that the device demands either smoking or information playback, the student can press the Student Pushbutton  163  to indicate that they are ready to perform the demanded action. This wakes the device  1  up from the SLEEP mode  174 . After awakening, the device  1  asks for and verifies at step  198  the student&#39;s passwords to make sure that the correct student has awakened the device  1 . Next, the device  1  asks for the student&#39;s command  217  to either smoke, bum cigarettes, or playback educational information. At this point, depending on student delays, random chance generator  218 , and recognition by the software of extraneous epithets, the software may select belligerence path  219 . For example, the software may randomly tell the student that they are out of matches. If the software follows belligerence path  219 , repetition step  220  will tell the student to try again later, or issue a similarly appropriate message. If the software cooperates with the student via cooperation path  221 , as it most likely will, then the program returns to either the SMOKING ACTION module  203 , BUMMING module  222 , or INFORMATION ACTION module  223 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 16 , the SMOKING procedure  203  begins with an inventory inquiry  224  to see if there are any simulated cigarettes remaining in inventory. If not, the device  1  will so inform the student via announcement  225  and then return to the RUN module  171  for recalculations  201  and SLEEP  174 . From the RUN module  171  the student can either wake the device and bum a cigarette from another student via module  222 , or “buy” cigarettes from the teacher. If there are cigarettes remaining, the device will execute announcement  226  and tell the student to “Puff away,” then enter a Continuous Listening subroutine  227  to listen for the generation of a satisfaction signal (i.e., puffs) at variable intervals. 
     When each puff is recognized, the consumption rate step  228  will calculate how much of the cigarette has been smoked. This calculation  228  will include the intensity and duration of the puff as well as the interval since the last puff. If the cigarette is not done, the program will follow return path  229  to subroutine  227  and listen for another puff. If this was the first puff occurring after nicotine withdrawal as calculated by counter  230 , the program will execute demand  231  for a retching sound from the student. After the retch is recognized the device  1  will tell the student, via message bank  232  a message chosen by random message generator  233  such as “You just barfed on your lit cigarette. You must smoke another, after washing your hands.” or “Barf into a toilet, then flush the toilet.” The device  1  will listen for and recognize via sound monitor  234  the sound of the toilet flushing. If no puff is heard at step  227 , the software will continue to ask the student by interrogatory  235  if they wish to try again. If not, the software will record a failure  236  and return to the RUN module parameter calculator  201 . 
     When the cigarette is done there may be another randomly generated message  233  such as the device  1  saying, for example, “You burned your fingers! Scream out loud!” or “You burned a nearby piece of furniture. Put a stickon burn decal on a nearby piece of furniture.” After a pause, the device  1  enables deathclock monitor  237  and says “Done” and reads out the value of the Deathclock. The software records the accumulated duration and intensity of puffs from this cigarette at recorder  238  for use by the RUN module  171  in recalculating blood nicotine level at calculator  201 . Then the cigarette inventory  239  is decremented, and the software returns to the RUN module  171  for recalculation  201  and SLEEP  174 . 
     The software can allow a student to preemptively smoke a cigarette (i.e., simulate smoking of a cigarette before receiving a smoking demand) in order to delay generation of the next scheduled smoking notice. Such an option provides the student with limited control over the scheduled timing of smoking demands so as to permit an attentive student to adjust smoking demands to the students schedule. A variety of programming options are available for allowing preemptive smoking. Exemplary options include (i) restarting the current time interval between smoking demands when a preemptive smoke occurs within the last half of the current interval and (ii) increasing the current interval between smoking demands by one half of the scheduled interval (e.g., a 60 minute interval becomes a 90 minute interval) when a preemptive smoke occurs within the interval. 
     The device  1  can simulate the development of tolerance for nicotine by incrementally increasing the amount of simulated addictant which must be decremented from inventory in order to respond to an addictant demand signal. The incremental increase can be based upon a variety of factors, including the cumulative number of times addictant has been decremented from inventory throughout an assignment period or the cumulative amount of addictant decremented from inventory throughout an assignment period. 
     An alternative to the requirement that a student actually puff on a simulated cigarette  17  to generate a satisfaction signal, involves use of the sound monitor  234  to detect and recognize a student speaking a predetermined anti-smoking message (e.g., repeatedly stating “smoking is bad for your health”) and programming of the software to generate the satisfaction signal upon detection of the required mantra. 
     Students must perceive this overall simulation device  1  as realistic in order to embrace and make the most of the educational experience. Borrowing or “bumming” cigarettes is a realistic feature of the device  1  intended to encourage active communication among students. As best understood by reference to  FIG. 17 , if two students with similar devices  1  agree that one will allow the other to bum a cigarette from him, then the two of them will simultaneously wakeup their devices  1  and command them to enable the BUM cigarettes module  222 . 
     Each device  1  will ask its student whether they choose to give or receive a cigarette at question  240 . The donating device  1  will check its inventory to ensure that it has cigarettes to give. If there are none, device  1  will inform the student along failure path  241  and return to RUN module  171  physiological parameter calculations step  201  and SLEEP mode  174 . If the device  1  does have cigarettes to give, device  1  will listen  242  for a unique “Receiving” tone from the other device  1  asking for a cigarette. When the software recognizes  243  the “Receiving” tone device  1  will immediately playback  244  a unique “Given” tone (actually a secret composite tone so it is difficult to counterfeit) for a few seconds. Then the software will decrement  245  its inventory of cigarettes and return to the RUN module  171  physiological parameter calculations step  201  and SLEEP mode  174 . 
     The “Receiving” device  1  will begin a loop  246 , lasting a maximum of ten seconds, during which loop  246  will alternately playback the “Receiving” tone for half a second, then listen for half a second for the “Given” tone of acknowledgement from the other device  1 . Once device  1  recognizes  247  the “Given” tone, the software increments  248  its inventory and returns to the RUN module  171  physiological parameter to calculations step  201  and SLEEP  174 . 
     The total number of cigarettes given and received is recorded and reported to the teacher so that cheating (e.g., bumming one cigarette to multiple receivers simultaneously, or tape recording the “Given” tone) can be easily detected. One can eliminate cheating by embedding a unique two-way code in the transmitted tones, or by requiring one-to-one physical connection between devices for communications. Typically, the device&#39;s added complexity and cost are not warranted since occasional counting by the teacher will suffice to deter cheating. 
     There are many methods of communicating between devices for bumming cigarettes. As a passive example, one might install contacts on each box connected to a 100K ohm resistor. When the devices are touched together in parallel, the resistance drops to 50K ohm. The microcontroller  19  can measure this resistance reduction. As an active example, the students might touch together contacts on the devices while pushing appropriate buttons. The preferred approach adds no hardware or software beyond that which already exists for tone playback and recognition. 
     In order to provide a realistic simulation of addictive behavior, the device  1  should be able to differentiate between the waking hours (“daily schedule”) and sleeping hours (“bedtime schedule”) of a student, as the behavior of a smoker is substantially different during these two periods. Rather than force a student to alter his/her schedule to conform to a preconceived notion of a “normal” bedtime schedule, a BEDTIME module  260  can be provided. To initiate a bedtime period, the student presses the Student Pushbutton  163  and selects the bedtime option. Upon activation of the BEDTIME module  260 , a bedtime schedule is entered wherein the scheduling of smoking, coughing and information interrupts is significantly decreased, often to zero during the initial portion of the assignment period. 
     The duration of the bedtime period can be of fixed or bounded random duration. When of fixed duration, the bedtime period can be between about 5 to 10 hours, preferably between about 6 to 9, with a preference for a duration of about 7½ to 8½ hours. When of bounded random duration, the bedtime period is randomly selected to fall between the predetermined boundaries of about 5 to 10 hours, preferably between about 6 to 9, with a preference for about 7½ to 8½ hours. 
     Upon completion of the bedtime period, the software returns to a daily schedule wherein the scheduling of smoking, coughing and information interrupts is increased to reflect the behavior of a smoker during waking hours. 
     In order to prevent a student from continuously entering the BEDTIME module  260 , the software can be programmed to require a minimum daily schedule period between sequential bedtime periods. The duration of the minimum daily schedule period can be of fixed or bounded random duration. When of fixed duration, the minimum daily schedule period, measured from initiation to initiation of sequential bedtime periods, can be selected from between about 12 to 20 hours, preferably selected from between about 14 to 18 hours, with a preference for between about 14 to 16 hours. When of bounded random duration, the minimum daily schedule period is randomly selected to fall between the predetermined boundaries between about 12 to 20 hours, preferably between about 14 to 18 hours, with a preference for between about 14 to 16 hours. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 18 , every piece of educational information that is recited by the device  1  ends with a true/false or yes/no question  249 . Listening interval  250  begins thereafter to determine if the student has answered the question  249 . The student must give the correct answer  251  to the question  249  in order to prevent the information from being repeated at some later time. The software records whether the question was answered correctly at register  252  or incorrectly at register  253  before returning to the RUN module  171  for recalculation  201  and SLEEP mode  174 . 
     As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the simulator  1  can be equipped with a variety of different programs with different timings, information, and curriculum depending on the particular addictant to be simulated by the device  1 , for example, smoking tobacco, smoking marijuana, ingesting cocaine, or injecting other drugs. 
     The simulator  1  can also be equipped with a variety of modules patterned after the COUGHING INTERRUPT module  211  wherein the simulation of any of a variety of different voluntary and/or involuntary addiction-induced actions are demanded and detected, such as vomiting, payment of money, unscheduled travel to purchase cigarettes, etc.