Abstract:
An attention assistance device for providing attention assistance including various features that help maintain a user&#39;s focus on a given task. The attention assistance device may include an activity sensor that generates an activity output in response to detection of a user generated activity. The attention assistance device may also have a timer that increments a counter at regular time intervals, resets the counter in response to the activity output, and generates a timer output when the counter reaches a threshold. Further, the attention assistance device may include a stimulation unit that alerts a user in response to the timer output.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/785,733, filed May 24, 2010. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/785,733 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/242,141, filed Sep. 14, 2009. The entirety of both of the above-listed Applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance device, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0003]      FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of an attention assistance device, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0004]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing one implementation of operation of an attention assistance device, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0005]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance system, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0006]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance device, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0007]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance device, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0008]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing one implementation of the operation of an attention assistance device, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0009]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance system, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0010]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance system, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0011]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance device, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0012]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance device, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0013]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance system, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0014]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an attention assistance system, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to an attention assistance device and method of using such a device including various features that help maintain a user&#39;s focus on a given task. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a first arrangement of the attention assistance device  100  according to the present invention. The attention assistance device  100  may comprise a power unit  110  as a source for providing power to the various components of the device. The device  100  may also include a sensor  120 , a timer  130 , and a stimulation unit  140 . 
         [0017]    Examples of the power unit  110  include, but are not limited to, a battery (e.g., NiCad, L+ ion, rechargeable, etc.), power control (which may have an automatic on/off/sleep selection component), etc. The power unit  110  may be used to generate power to all of the various components of the device including the stimulation unit  140 . 
         [0018]    The sensor  120  may be any kind of sensor (i.e., motion sensor) that detects a user&#39;s movement or use of the device  100 . Nonlimiting examples of sensor  120  include a switch, a ball sensor, an optical emitter detector, an accelerometer, a rocking ball switch, a pressure sensor, and equivalents thereof. 
         [0019]    The stimulation unit  140  may be any kind of stimulator capable of alerting the user. Nonlimiting examples of the stimulation unit  140  include a light or illumination source (which may be still, pulsating, strobe, blinking randomly or in a particular pattern, etc.), a vibrator, a sound emitter, a tactile object, a moving component (such as bimetal arms), an electric shock stimulator, wheels, etc. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a three-dimensional view of one arrangement of the attention assistance device  100 . The device  100  may have a case  200  that may be in the shape of a writing instrument or pointer. On the case  200 , there may be a display window  240  for displaying a variety of information to the user. The information displayed may include one or more of, for example, the number of detected inattention episodes, performance of stimulators, the time it took to regain attention (sensor redetecting attention assistance device usage) after being stimulated, activity sensor output history, stimulation unit activation frequency, timer history, battery life, date, time, progress meter, and type of stimulation used. A button or switch  230  (or other user interface such as a dial, a knob, a touchscreen display, etc.) may also be arranged on the case  200  to power the device on and off, and for the user to provide an input to the device  100 . At one end of the case  200 , the light or illumination source  210  as a stimulator unit may be positioned to alert the user or indicate to the user that the device  100  is in a particular state. 
         [0021]    In alternative arrangements, the case may be a tube resembling a pen, mechanical pencil, pencil, pointer, watch, wristband, part of a flash drive device, highlighter, bookmark, cell phone, personal data assistant (PDA), mobile telecommunications device. etc. The device  100  may also be housed as one component of a combination of the casings listed above to create a combinatorial device (e.g., a device with a highlighter and/or one or more pens attached). 
         [0022]    One way to detect whether the device  200  is in use or not is that the sensor  220  may be able to contact an end or tip  250  of the device. When a user places the tip  250  of the device  200  and touches a surface, connection may be made not only with the surface of any object (e.g., a book, paper, wall, etc.), but also between the sensor  220  and the tip. When the sensor  220  and the tip  250  are in contact, the sensor  220  may generate a signal indicating that the device  100  is in use. The tip  250  of the device  100  may be any of a multitude of shapes, such as, for example, spherical, conical, triangular, rectangular, pyramidal or square-like. 
         [0023]    With respect to the various types of sensors  220  that may be used, the switch may be a mechanical component that may click every time the tip  250  makes contact with the surface of an object. 
         [0024]    The ball sensor may be a spherical element that may be placed within the inner portion of the case  200 . As the tip  250  makes contact with the surface of an object, the tip  250  rises slightly into the case  200  and contacts the ball sensor, creating a closed circuit. When the closed circuit is in place, the device  100  is in use. If the tip  250  does not create contact with the ball sensor, an open circuit is created, and the device  100  is not in use. 
         [0025]    The optical emitter detector may be a sensor that detects an optical signal emitted from an optical emitter. An optical emitter may be placed at the opposite end of the tip  250  and be triggered when a user touches the tip  250  of the device  100  with a surface. Upon the touching, a light may be emitted from the optical emitter, whereupon the light may be picked up by the optical emitter detector, indicating that the device  100  is in use. 
         [0026]    The rocking ball switch may be similar to the ball sensor in that the rocking ball switch includes a spherical element. The rocking ball may be in contact with the side of the end of the tip  250 . A switch may be positioned along the inner wall of the case  200  such that a gap exists between the rocking ball and switch. When the tip  250  contacts the surface of an object, the tip  250  may be pushed slightly up into the case  200 , causing the rocking ball to come into contact with the switch to indicate that the device  100  is in use. 
         [0027]    The accelerometer may be a module that can sense and/or measure the movement of the device. Any vibration from movement made on the device can be transmitted as data to an accelerometer reader to determine whether the device  100  is in use or not. Data presented may be in the form of graphical representations, such as charts with frequency modulations, pie charts, bar graphs, etc. A non-limiting example of an accelerometer that could be used in the device is the MMA7260Q made by Freescale Semiconductor. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , in operation of the device  100 , the timer  130  may be set when the device  100  is first put to use, as shown in operation  300 . In addition, the user may set a threshold time (t threshold ) as the time at which the stimulation unit  140  may be activated when no motion or use of the device  100  is detected after an initial start. At operation  310 , once the device is put in use, the sensor may detect motion. At operation  320 , when motion is no longer detected after a period of time (i.e., threshold time, such as 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.), the stimulation unit  140  may be activated at operation  330  to notify the user. Notification can be achieved by having the stimulation unit  140  send out a signal that alerts the user. The timing of the stimulation may vary and/or be adapted to the user&#39;s preferences, or the timing of the stimulation may be randomized. Once the signal is sent, the stimulation unit  140  may create the stimulating feature to alert the user that motion or use of the device  100  is not being detected. 
         [0029]    At operation  340 , the user may either manually stop the stimulation directly or by pressing a button  230 , or the stimulation may stop automatically when the sensor  120  determines that motion or use of the device  100  has resumed. If motion or use of the device does not resume or the user does not stop the stimulation after a period of time (a pause at operation  350 ), the stimulation unit  140  may create the stimulating feature again to alert the user that motion or use of the device  100  is not being detected. This cycle may continue until the user stops the stimulation or motion or use of the device  100  is resumed. Alternatively, the cycle may repeat a particular number of times and then turn off or go to a sleep mode. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates additional features of an arrangement  400  of the device. In this arrangement, a battery  410  may be provided as a power source with a power detector  415  coupled to the battery  410  to monitor its usage life, and a voltage regulator  420  coupled to the battery  410  for regulating the voltage provided to components of the device. Additionally, the device may include a microcontroller  460  that functions to control the operation of the device and/or run program instructions. A non-limiting example of a microcontroller that could be used in the device is the ATMega328 made by Atmel corporation. A button  425  and switch  435  may be provided to obtain input from a user to power the device on and off or put the device in sleep mode, as well as adjusting various settings or stopping the stimulation. An accelerometer  465  may be included for sensing motion of the device, while a pressure sensor  470  may also be included for sensing use of the device when the tip of the device contacts a surface. 
         [0031]    In this arrangement, the stimulation unit may include two or more stimulators as vibrator/audio  445  and illumination source, LED  450 . When two or more stimulators are incorporated, the microcontroller  460  of the device may randomly change the type of stimulation based upon the previous performance. A reason for providing such randomization is to prevent the user from becoming sensitized to the stimulus. Further, the device may include an RF transmitter  455  as a wireless communication unit for transmitting data relating to the use of the device to a remote computer  475  or equivalent computer hardware. The computer or computer-equivalent hardware may have a processor and the ability to display or print out data and/or results and may further include memory storage capacity, a keyboard, a mouse, an image module capable of displaying data, etc. The computer  475  may include an RF receiver  480  to receive the RF signal transmitted by the RF transmitter  455  of the device, as well as a microcontroller  485  to convert the signal and analyze and/or display the data at the remote computer  475 . Alternatively, the wireless interface may be Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 technology, RF, 3G, 4G, mobile telecommunications wireless standards, or similar wireless technology. A non-limiting example of an RF transmitter and receiver that can be used in the device are the MO-SAWR-AS315M transmitter and MO-RX3400-A315M receiver both made by Holy Stone Enterprise. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of an alternative arrangement of the device  100 . Similar to the device shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  100  may include a sensor  520 , a timer  530 , and a stimulation unit  540 , in addition to a power unit  510  as a source for providing power to the various components of the device. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the device  100  may include a control unit  550  and a memory unit  560 . The memory unit  560  may be any type of storage device, including but not limited to RAM, ROM, etc. The memory unit may store program instructions or software for the operation of the device  100  that are read and run by the control unit  550 . Further, the control unit  550  may be used for controlling the various operations of the device  100  and may write data relating to the use of the device  100  to the memory unit  560 . The data relating to the use of the device or performance of the user may include, for example, activity sensor output history, stimulation unit activation frequency, timer history, battery life, and type of stimulation used. 
         [0033]    The timer  530  can be part of the device  100 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the timer  630  may be incorporated into the software run by the control unit  650  of the device. In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , where the device includes a control unit, the timer and threshold time may be adaptively set based on the data accumulated regarding the performance of the user. Alternatively, the device may be connected to a computer or equivalent computer hardware so that the user may set the timer. Similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 5 , the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6  may also include a power unit  610 , a sensor  620 , a stimulation unit  640 , and a memory unit  660 , in addition to the timer  630  and control unit  650  discussed above. 
         [0034]    The operation of the device that is shown in the diagram in  FIG. 7  is similar to that discussed above with respect to  FIG. 3  except that in this example, for the operation  700  of  FIG. 7 , the timer and threshold time are adaptively set based on the data relating to the use of the device. Additionally, at least one stimulator may be adaptively selected in operation  705  based on the data relating to the use of the device. In this way, the device can automatically adjust the threshold time used for alerting the user of inactivity of the device based on how well the user is performing. Similarly, the stimulation can automatically be adjusted and varied based on the user&#39;s performance and/or the stored data relating to the use of the device. 
         [0035]    Additional arrangements of the attention assistance device are shown in  FIGS. 8-13 . These arrangements are variations of the device  400  shown in  FIG. 4 , with like components being like-numbered. The arrangement shown in  FIG. 8  is similar to device  400  of  FIG. 4  except in this example, device  800  has a pressure sensor  870  for sensing use of the device when the tip of the device contacts a surface, without an accelerometer. The arrangement shown in  FIG. 9  is similar to device  400  of  FIG. 4  except in this example, device  900  has an accelerometer  965  for sensing motion of the device, without a pressure sensor. 
         [0036]    The arrangement shown in  FIG. 10  is similar to device  400  of  FIG. 4  except in this example, device  1000  has an accelerometer  1065  for sensing motion of the device, without a pressure sensor. Another difference from device  400  is that the arrangement of device  1000  shown in  FIG. 10  lacks a communication interface, thereby reducing costs of production of the device  1000 . Similarly, the arrangement shown in  FIG. 11  is similar to device  400  of  FIG. 4  except in this example, device  1100  has a pressure sensor  1170  for sensing use of the device when the tip of the device contacts a surface, without an accelerometer. Also, the arrangement shown in  FIG. 11  lacks a communication interface, thereby reducing costs of production of the device. 
         [0037]    The arrangement shown in  FIG. 12  is similar to device  400  of  FIG. 4  except in this example, device  1200  has an accelerometer  1265  for sensing motion of the device, without a pressure sensor. Another difference from device  400  is that the arrangement of device  1200  shown in  FIG. 12  may include a wired interface  1205  for transmitting data relating to the use of the device from a data output  1255  to a remote computer  1275  or equivalent computer hardware. The computer  1275  may include a microcontroller  1285  to convert the received data and analyze and/or display the data at the remote computer  1275 . The wired interface  1205  with data output  1255  may be, for example, USB, serial port, parallel port, modem or phone line, Ethernet, or FireWire. Similarly, the arrangement shown in  FIG. 13  similar to device  400  of  FIG. 4  except in this example, device  1300  has a pressure sensor  1370  for sensing use of the device when the tip of the device contacts a surface, without an accelerometer. Also, like the arrangement shown in  FIG. 12 , the arrangement of  FIG. 13  may include a wired interface  1305  for transmitting data relating to the use of the device from a data output  1355  to a remote computer  1375  or equivalent computer hardware. The computer  1375  may include a microcontroller  1385  to convert the received data and analyze and/or display the data at the remote computer  1375 . Again, the wired interface  1305  with data output  1355  may be, for example, USB, serial port, parallel port, modem or phone line, Ethernet, or FireWire. 
         [0038]    The attention assistance device may help a medical provider (e.g., doctor, nurse, chiropractor, emergency medical service provider, physician, therapist, etc.) analyze the activities of patients with ADD, ADHD, or other attention disorders by, for example, monitoring how often attention is lost or how often some stimulus is needed. The medical providers may receive data from the attention assistance device remotely or directly from the attention assistance device. The data may be used by a medical provider to provide adequate medical treatment or advice to users, especially those with attention-deficit disorders. The data may include one or more of, for example, the number of detected inattention episodes, performance of stimulators, the time it took to regain attention (sensor redetecting attention assistance device usage) after being stimulated, activity sensor output history, stimulation unit activation frequency, timer history, battery life, date, time, progress indicator and type of stimulation used. 
         [0039]    Whether the focus is a task with writing, reading, or presenting a subject matter, the attention assistance device is expected to keep a person with ADD, or other attention disorder, on track with the task at hand. Furthermore, arrangements of the attention assistance device make it inconspicuous (such as appearing like a regular pen or pointer) such that the user may use the device in public without others knowing it is an attention assistance device to avoid potential embarrassment of the user. 
         [0040]    Further, the attention assistance device may be multi-tipped. Where the attention assistance device is multi-tipped, one tip may be used as the attention assistance device tip and the other tip may be used as a writing instrument. Either or both of the tips may have a writing source storage section that may have an ink source, lead source, crayon source, or highlighter source. 
         [0041]    An automatic on/off/sleep mode option may be set by the user. Because the stimulator may be activated once the attention assistance device is no longer detected in use, the automatic on/off/sleep mode option may override the stimulator after a certain period of time. For example, after 30 seconds or 1 minute of stimulation, the attention assistance device may automatically be turned off or pause (enter sleep mode). If the attention assistance device enters sleep mode, the attention assistance device may wake up after a certain time that may be set by the user (e.g., 2 minutes) by having the stimulator send out another stimulus. Such stimulus may be the same stimulus prior to entering the sleep mode or be a different stimulus. 
         [0042]    Another example of the attention assistance device put to use, as outlined in  FIG. 7  may be as follows: adaptively set timer (t 0 ) and threshold time (t threshold ) at  700 , and adaptively select at least one stimulator at  705 . Time t 0  may mark the start of usage of the attention assistance device. Threshold time t threshold  is the time (which may be set by the user or may be the default time setting) at which a level of inactivity is no longer tolerated, thus causing a stimulator to be activated. If time surpasses this threshold time at  720 , at least one stimulator may be activated at  730 . If not, then the attention assistance device may continue to be in use at  710 . If a stimulator is activated, the next aspect is whether the user stopped the stimulator at  740 . If so, then the attention assistance device may be continued for use at  710 . If not, then there may be either a pause  750  or the attention assistance device may shut down automatically. If there is a pause  750 , the same or another stimulator may be activated at  730  after a certain period of time (e.g. 1 minute later, etc.). 
         [0043]    In an alternative implementation of the attention assistance device, the sensor, for example an accelerometer, determines use of the device from a user&#39;s movement of the device from one point on a page or surface to another point on the page or surface. For example, the sensor may determine the device is in use based upon a user moving the device from the left-most or right-most side of a page or surface to the opposite right-most or left-most side of the page or surface, such as moving from the end of a line of text to the start of another line of text. 
         [0044]    While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading the above description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. Thus, the present embodiments should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. 
         [0045]    In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlight the functionality and advantages, are presented for example purposes only. The disclosed architecture is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized in ways other than that shown. For example, the steps listed in any flowchart may be re-ordered or only optionally used in some embodiments. 
         [0046]    Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract of the Disclosure is not intended to be limiting as to the scope in any way. 
         [0047]    Finally, it is the applicant&#39;s intent that only claims that include the express language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6. Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “means for” or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6.