Patent ID: 12233347

While the invention as claimed can be modified into alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment, we disclose a target game device configured to be installed onto a toilet, for use in conjunction with a toilet. The target game device turns a basic human activity into a fun game that can reduce messy outcomes in the bathroom by offering motivation to aim and to control urine streams. The target game device is so easy and fun to use, it can be part of a child's toilet training, although adults may also find benefits and amusement through its use.

The target game device is a semi-permanent fixture that is configured to attach to a toilet utilizing the toilet's existing toilet seat attachment hardware. Once installed, it is configured so that the device will remain attached to the toilet until removed. The novel design allows the target to remain out of the way when the seat is down, while also swinging up into position—hands-free—when the toilet seat is raised. One with knowledge in the art will appreciate that the target game device can also be implemented with urinals without toilet seats, such as those provided in public toilets.

The Device

Referring now to the drawings in general and toFIG.1in particular, the target game device100includes an attachment portion170, a target portion120, and a logic portion140.

FIG.6shows a prototype of the target game device100configured for shipping. The electronics module140(containing the batteries, a PCB, speaker148, and display142) is configured to be physically detachable and the retractable arm122folds up.

The Attachment Portion170

In one embodiment as shown here inFIGS.1and2, the target game device100is configured to be attached to a toilet via the attachment portion170. The attachment portion includes a substantially flat attachment plate175and a mechanical connection structure162. The attachment plate175is configured to receive one or more installation washers172. The attachment plate175also has a receiver slot configured to receive, in inserted relation, a mated keyed protrusion disposed on the mechanical connection structure162.

The toilet seat installation washers172, are located within the attachment portion170of the target game device100and include a slotted hole that extends radially out from approximately the center of the washer172to near the outer edge of the washer172. This configuration, as illustrated inFIG.1andFIG.2, allows each of the washers172to rotate independently, thereby allowing the attachment portion170of the device to adjust and interface with the toilet seat attachment hardware even in a variety of attachment configurations.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a mechanical connection162that allows for quick installation and removal to facilitate cleaning. As shown inFIG.2, the attachment portion170is further comprised of an attachment subassembly having a one or more attachment point and a receiver, and a detachable subassembly to which the target portion120and the logic portion140are attached, having a protrusion portion configured to mate in inserted relation with the receiver, whereby the detachable subassembly, including the target portion120and the logic portion140, may be selectively separated from the attachment subassembly.

The target portion120and the logic portion140are configured to attach to the mechanical connection structure162. In this way, once the attachment portion170is installed on a toilet via the attachment plate175and the installation washers172, the sub-assembly of the mechanical connection structure162with the target portion120and the logic portion140attached, can be easily removed from the attachment plate, such as for cleaning, and then re-attached to the attachment plate for continued use.

The Target Portion120

The target portion120includes a retractable arm122with a proximal end and a distal end, and is configured to raise and lower. The retractable arm122is pivotably attached to the mechanical connection structure162and is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The retractable arm122includes an adjustable cam cover127disposed near the proximal end, which is configured to pivot between the first position and the second position by interaction with a toilet seat (not shown inFIG.1, please refer toFIG.7(first position) and8(second position), once installed. When the toilet seat is lifted, the retractable arm122of the device100raises, thus triggering the device100to power on automatically. The retractable arm122prevents the device100from being intrusive when not in-use and also helps keep the device100clean from debris.

An adjustable cam cover127is shown. The target game device100has a retractable arm122that raises and lowers with the toilet seat. In the embodiment shown, a spring is configured to pull the target arm122up into the “deployed” position. The cam feature127is configured to contact the underside of a toilet seat to push the target arm122down when the seat is down. The position of this cam feature127can be adjusted when installed on the toilet to accommodate different toilet geometries. A sensor within the retractable arm122detects the orientation of the retractable arm122and automatically powers on the device100, with a time-out sensor to power-off the device100. In an embodiment, a gravity tilt switch330is used, however, other sensors could be used including a limit switch, reed switch, hall-effect sensor or infrared sensor.

Located at the distal end of the retractable arm122is a target ring assembly130with translucent cross hairs132. This target ring assembly130houses multiple laser diode sensors135. The lasers135reflect off the translucent target132to illuminate the assembly130. In one embodiment, photosensitive sensors (shown inFIG.3) positioned on the other side of the of the target ring130from the laser diodes135, detect the shadow cast by a stream of urine flowing through the target ring130. The plastic housing of the target ring130is translucent so that the laser light transmits through the housing to communicate with the corresponding photosensor on the opposite side of the ring130. In the embodiment shown, two sets of laser diode sensors135, positioned perpendicular to each other, are used. Both sets of sensors135are aimed at the center of the target132such that when both sensors135detect the urine stream, the stream's location is determined to be at the center of the target132, known as “bullseye”. Alternative embodiments can use capacitive sensing or resistive sensing to detect the urine stream.

Referring toFIG.2, there is shown an exploded view of the target game device100, according to an embodiment. The embodiment shown inFIG.2is powered by four AA batteries232, but other battery types and/or configurations could be used, including rechargeable batteries.

Referring now toFIG.3, we show a diagram of the inside components of the target ring130assembly housing a printed circuit board (PCB)334. The ribbon cable310is attached to the target ring130by a connector320. The board334also has a tilt sensor330. Phototransistors340are positioned across from the laser diode sensors135.

FIG.4shows how the sensor configuration is implemented to detect a urine stream and influence the score. The circles labelled “1,” “2,” “3,” and “4” represent points at which a urine stream passes through the crosshairs132of the target ring130. Urine streams “2,” “3,” and “4” are detected by the sensors135; however urine stream “1” is not detected. Urine stream “3” is in the bullseye of the target ring130.

FIG.5Ashows an image of a target ring130, according to an embodiment. To reliably detect urine flow, specific geometric features of the target ring130help to keep liquid droplets from forming and interfering with the line of sight between the laser diode emitter and detector. Illuminated cross hairs132(used for aesthetic reasons) are rotated away from the sensor components to help eliminate surfaces to which liquid could cling around the sensor components135. Their positioning also illuminates the laser's projections without liquid interfering with the line of sight. For example, the section of the cross-hair is rounded to prevent large droplets from remaining on top of the crosshairs and interfering with the sensor.

Protrusions510on the exterior surface directly in front of the sensor components help to shed water away from the line-of-sight between the components, preventing interference from stationary liquid droplets.FIG.5Bshows a cut-away section of the target ring130andFIG.5Cshows an isometric view of the target ring130, according to an embodiment.

A user standing over the toilet with the seat lifted will see an illuminated target130to aim at. When the laser sensors135detect the urine stream, the device calculates a numeric score based on the accuracy and the duration of the stream.

The Logic Portion140

The logic portion140of the device100is in electrical communication with the target portion120. The logic portion140is comprised of at least an electronics module140. The electronics module140includes a power supply such as batteries232, a one or more microprocessor (not shown), and a user interface. The electronics module140PCB246is shown inFIG.2. The user interface may include one or more of the following: a manual power button141, a mute button143, a digital display142, or a speaker148. A numeric score may be displayed on a digital display142and a speaker148may be configured to play sounds that coordinate with the accumulation of points. In embodiments, the microprocessor runs a pre-programmed instruction set where the points add faster as the stream hits the center of the target132and additional points are added with the length of uninterrupted stream. After approximately four seconds (the time is configurable) without liquid detection the digital display screen142flashes to signal a final score. Once the toilet seat is lowered, the retractable arm120retreats to the rear of the bowl and the target game device100shuts down within about 30 seconds to conserve power.

In addition to the physical features of the target game device100, an algorithm implemented in firmware is configured to run on the microprocessor to filter out sensor input from stationary objects that may be influencing the sensor readings. The algorithm works by looking at rapid transitions in the sensor's values that are characteristically turbulent of urine as it flows through the target ring and detected by the sensor. In this way, stationary liquid or other objects are filtered out in software and not counted as part of the game's score.

The embodiment shown inFIG.6is powered by four AA batteries232but other battery types and/or configurations could be used, including rechargeable batteries.

In embodiments, the electronics module may additionally comprise a wireless communication module. In this way, the target game device100can be wirelessly connected to a smart phone app with WiFi, Bluetooth or other wireless protocol to add additional features and functionality, such as keeping records of scores and time logs and sharing challenges with other users.

In another embodiment, a nightlight can be implemented within the target game device100. The nightlight can be triggered by a photosensor, a timer, or via a setting in the logic portion140.

The System

Referring toFIGS.8and9, an embodiment of the present invention is a system800that includes the target game device100as described above, installed together with a toilet810having a bowl830, a seat850and attachment hardware (not visible in the figures). In the system800, the target game device100is assembled onto the toilet810such that the attachment portion170of the device is mated to the toilet bowl830. The toilet seat attachment hardware transverses through the seat installation washers172and is insertedly connected to the toilet seat850whereby the toilet seat850and the toilet bowl830sandwiches the device100there between. When properly assembled, the device is configured in the system800such that the electronics module140is outside of the toilet bowl830and the retractable arm122is within the toilet bowl830.

FIG.7shows an image of the same prototype shown inFIG.6installed on a toilet. The target game device100is installed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. In the image ofFIG.7the target game device100is ON and ready to start scoring. The retractable arm122is mechanically biased (such as with a spring) to remain in this raised position, approximately horizontal, until the toilet seat pushes down on the cam127thereby moving the retractable arm122into an approximately vertical position, out of the way into the toilet bowl as is shown inFIG.8.

FIG.8shows the target game device100in the OFF position. When the toilet seat is lowered, the device turns OFF because the toilet seat pushes down on the cam feature172on the retractable arm122and keeps it down.

The Method

Referring now toFIG.9, a method900of using the target game device100within the context of the system800is disclosed. Method steps of this embodiment of the invention include: providing a target game device having an attachment portion, a target portion, and a logic portion; providing a toilet having a bowl and a seat with attachment hardware; installing the target game device onto the toilet such that the attachment portion of the target game device is in mated relation to the bowl and constrained by the seat and the attachment hardware910.

Next, in step920; the target portion130of the device100moves into a first, approximately horizontal, position, responsive to raising of the toilet seat. In step930the sensor array detects a stream of urine through the target ring130. In step940the data detected by the sensors is communicated to the logic portion, indicating the presence of a urine stream, for processing by the logic portion in step950; and, in response to the communication received from the sensor array, activating by the logic portion of the user interface960to show a score, play sounds, lights, and other feedback.

Scoring Method

The target game device100has a unique scoring system that is based on flow, accuracy, and duration of the urine stream. In the preferred embodiment, points are accumulated when either of the two perpendicularly aligned sensors detects the urine stream. If both detect the urine stream at the same time (a “bullseye”), additional points are accumulated. The amount of time this “bullseye” condition is counted and once a certain time is achieved, bonus points are awarded. Other scoring schemes could be utilized.

Referring now toFIG.10, there is shown an operational flow diagram1000of one algorithm that can be used to determine the presence and location of the urine stream in relation to the target ring130and to convert that data into scores. Beginning with step1010, sensors X and Y are read and the values are stored in separate data arrays. The minimum array size is two. The processing should populate the data arrays and check for detection with a minimum rate of 1 Hz, with a possible speed of 100 Hz or more. Although two sensors are used in this algorithm, only one sensor is required and there can be more than two sensors used. In step1020a check is made to determine if the data arrays are fully populated. If the answer is No, the processing loops back to step1010.

If the answer is Yes, then in step1030the Min and Max values for each sensor's data array are determined. If in step1040it is determined that the difference of the Min and Max value exceeds the detection threshold for Sensor X, then in step1050the value for Sensor X Stream Detected is set to TRUE and points are added to the score. Now the next step is determine if the difference of the Min and Max value exceeds the detection threshold for Sensor Y in step1060. If the answer is Yes, then in step1070the value for Sensor Y Stream Detected is set to TRUE and points are added to the score. In step1080both Stream Detected fields are checked. If they are both TRUE, meaning that both Sensors X and Y detected a urine stream, then in step1090bonus points are added to the score for a “bullseye.” For a visual reference, the urine stream numbered “3” inFIG.4is the only one detected by both sensors. The sensor arrays and stream detection variables are reset in step1110.

If, on the other hand, both Sensors X and Y did not reflect TRUE at the same time, then in step1100a query is made to determine if either Sensor X or Sensor Y has been detected recently; in other words, is the urine stream continuing? If the answer is NO, the processing ends. If the answer is YES, the process loops back to step1110where the sensor data arrays and stream detection values are reset. The process repeats beginning with step1010.

In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the claims. Modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It is also understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Components from one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.