Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure is generally related to monitoring and/or documenting growth progression. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Monitoring and documenting the developmental milestones of a growing child can include regularly snapping photographs as the child progresses, measuring the child against a growth chart, and weighing the child. Often, the statistics are collected in a baby album, while the photographs are collected in a photo album. 
         [0003]    Some digital cameras include an automatic timestamp attached to the image file or printed on the lace of the image. The timestamp can be used to track the age of the child in each photograph. Alternatively, or additionally, the age can be tracked and later written next to the photograph when placed in a photo album. 
         [0004]    Over a period of time, multiple photographs of the child can be taken on a particular blanket or next to a favorite toy. The constant size of the chosen item can serve as a visual comparison to maintain a record of the child&#39;s relative growth. 
         [0005]    Some toys include the ability to display changeable information. In some examples, personalized pictures or messages can be drawn or otherwise presented on toys such as washable fabric paint drawing cloths, erasable chalk boards or magnetic scribble boards, or simple digital computing devices with keypad or stylus interfaces. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In a general aspect, a system for documenting the growth progression of an infant includes an indicator that identities a date associated with the infant or an age of the infant, and an object, unchangeable in size, including an element for removably attaching the indicator to the object. 
         [0007]    Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the object is a three-dimensional toy. The object is a plush toy and the element is included on an item of apparel associated with the plush toy. The element includes one of a hook and loop fastener, a magnet, a zipper section, a snap section, a hook and eye portion, a button, a buttonhole, or a tie, and the indicator includes respective connection points for removable attachment to the element. The element includes one of a set of rails or a transparent pocket. The object further includes a second element for removably attaching a second indicator that identifies a weight or height of the infant. The indicator includes a set of numerals corresponding to the age described in relation to one of days, weeks, months, or years. The set of numerals further correspond to the age described in relation to months, and wherein the object further includes a second element for removably attaching numerals corresponding to the age in months. The system further includes at least two messages with respective connection points for removable attachment to the object, wherein a first message corresponds to the age described in relation to weeks and a second message corresponds to the age described in relation to months, and wherein the object further includes a fourth element and a fifth element for removably attaching the at least two messages. The system further includes a photograph display object including a decoration similar in appearance to the object. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, an apparatus for documenting the growth progression of an object capable of growth includes an indicator that identifies a date associated with the object, or an age of the object, and an article, unchangeable in size, comprising an element for removably attaching the indicator to the article. 
         [0009]    Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the element includes one of a hook and loop fastener, a magnet, a zipper section, a snap section, a hook and eye portion, a button, a buttonhole, or a tie, and the indicator includes respective connection points for removable attachment to the element. The article is a three-dimensional plush toy and the element is included on an item of apparel associated with the plush toy. The element includes one of a set of rails or a transparent pocket. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a method for documenting the growth progression of an object capable of growth includes providing an indicator that identifies a date associated with the object, or an age of the object, and providing an article, unchangeable in size, including an element for removably attaching the indicator to the article. 
         [0011]    Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the method further includes taking a photograph of the object, the indicator, and the article at a first time, and taking a photograph of the object, the indicator, and the article at a second time, wherein the indicator indicates a different date associated with the object or a different age of the object at the second time as compared to the first time. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are diagrams illustrating photographs taken using a method for documenting growth progression. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate example apparatus for documenting growth progression. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example system for documenting growth progression. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Documenting growth, be it of an infant, a pet, or a prized orchid, can include collecting periodic photographs. Rather than depending upon a timestamp stored in the camera, or remembering to log the date on which each photo was taken, the photo can be taken next to an object, unchangeable in size, marked with, for example, a date or an age. The date or age information can be attached to the object using individual indicators, such as numerals, or connected to attachment points on the object. In this manner, the date or age can be updated at the next photo session. Because the object is unchangeable in size, each photo additionally provides a visual comparison of growth relative to the object. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are diagrams illustrating images or photographs  100  and  150  taken using a plush bear  104  for documenting growth progression. Each photograph  100 ,  150  contains an infant  102  next to the plush bear  104 . The plush hear  104  is marked with numerals indicating the age of the infant  102  in weeks. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , the first photograph  100  presents the infant  102  at age two weeks, as indicated by a first set of digits  106  “02” attached to the stomach of the plush bear  104 . The first set of digits  106 , in some examples, can be connected to the plush bear  104  using a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro® fasteners, a magnet, a zipper, a snap, a hook and eye, a button, or a tie. The first set of digits  106 , for example, can be a portion of a full collection of indicators, provided with the plush bear  104 , for marking the incremental age during growth. In some implementations, the first set of digits  106  and the connecting method used on the plush bear  104  allows the plush bear  104  to be child safe as a play toy for the infant  102 . 
         [0018]    Below the first set of digits  106 , the term “WEEKS” is presented on the stomach of the plush bear  104 . In some implementations, the term “WEEKS” is interchangeable in a similar manner to the first set of digits  106 . For example, the terms “DAYS”, “WEEKS”, “MONTHS”, and “YEARS” (and, optionally, singular versions of each) can be provided with the bear along with a collection of numerals so that, as growth progresses, the age can be incrementally updated. Alternatively, the term “WEEKS” can be stitched or printed to the plush bear  104 . 
         [0019]    The second photograph  150  presents the infant  102  at age nineteen weeks, as indicated by a second set of digits  108  “19” attached to the plush bear  104 . The infant  102  is visibly larger in comparison to the plush bear  104  than in the first photograph  100 . In addition to the first photograph  100  and the second photograph  150 , photographs of the infant  102  next to the plus bear  104  may have been taken incrementally each week (e.g., from age three weeks to age eighteen&#39;weeks). The collection of photographs can be displayed to illustrate the growth progression of the infant  102 , week by week, as judged in comparison to the size of the plush bear  104  and as noted by the age indicated upon, for example, the stomach of the plush bear  104  each week. 
         [0020]    Although the photographs  100  and  150  picture an infant beside a plush bear, in some implementations, various objects of unchanging size can be photographed beside an object capable of growth. In some examples, a plant, an animal, or a crystal garden can be positioned adjacent to an object of unchanging size such as a toy, figurine, or small furnishing (e.g., lamp, clock, etc.) including one or more connection elements used to removably attach one or more age indicators. In some implementations, rather than using interchangeable numerals on the object, the numerals can be programmed into a digital display attached to or integral with the object. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate example apparatus for documenting growth progression. The apparatus, for example, can be marked with removably attachable indicators providing a date or an age. The apparatus can then be placed near an infant or other object capable of growth and photographed. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , a plush bear  200  is dressed in a shirt  202  with a set of pockets  204 . The shirt  202  has been marked above the pockets  204  with the word “WEEK”. A digit  206   a ,  206   b  has been placed in each of the respective pockets  204   a  and  204   b , indicating, for example, the age of an object capable of growth in terms of weeks. 
         [0023]    The pockets, for example, can be made of clear or semi-transparent material such as plastic, nylon, thin silk, organza, netting, or tiffany. The digits can be made of a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material such as, in some examples, plastic, wood, metal, fabric, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the digits can each be provided to an infant as an individual toy. For example, the digits  206   a  and  206   b  can be included in a set of digits of various textures, fabrics, colors, or materials each to respectively be used as an infant toy. 
         [0024]    Although the shirt  202  is marked with the word “WEEK”, in other implementations, the digits  206  can be used to indicate a different set timeframe, such as days, months, or years. Rather than being printed with the word “WEEK”, for example, the shirt  202  could include an attachment point for a removably attachable set of terms, such as “DAY”, “MONTH”, or “YEAR”. 
         [0025]    In some implementations, rather than the shirt  202 , another item of apparel can include attachment features for removably attaching one or more indicators. For example, a hat, jacket, or outfit (e.g., pajamas, onesie, or jumpsuit) can include transparent or semi-transparent pockets, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, or other elements for attaching indicators. 
         [0026]    In another example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , a school bus  250  (e.g., three dimensional toy, two dimensional figurine or photo frame on a stand) includes two sets of rails  252  configured to support one or more tiles used to indicate information regarding an object capable of growth. The information, in some examples, can include age, height, or weight. An object capable of growth can be placed near the school bus  250  and photographed to document growth progression of the object. In some examples, the tiles can slide between each set of rails  252 , or the rails  252  can be used as guides for placement of magnetic indicators. 
         [0027]    As illustrated, a first set of rails  252   a  includes tiles indicating the message “KATY 22 MONTHS 3 WEEKS”, and a second set of rails  252   b  includes tiles indicating the message “26 INCHES 24 POUNDS 10 OUNCES”. Tiles can be provided with the school bus  250  including individual letters, as illustrated in the name “KATY” or specific words, as illustrated in the terms “MONTHS”, “WEEKS”, “INCHES”, “POUNDS”, and “OUNCES”. Individual numerals can similarly be provided with the school bus  250  to represent current age, height, or weight. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example system  300  for documenting growth progression. The system  300  includes a plush bear  302 , a set of indicators  304 , a photo frame  306 , and a photo album  308 . The photo frame  306  and the photo album  308  include decorations similar to the plush bear  302 . The system  300 , for example, could be marketed and sold as a set for the purposes of collecting and displaying a series of photographs of an object capable of growth, such as an infant. The infant, for example, could be placed near the plush bear  302  with one or more of the indicators  304 , attached to the plush bear  302 , indicating a current age of the infant. 
         [0029]    The plush bear  302  includes a set of hook and loop fastener strips  310   a, b, c  for removably attaching the indicators  304  to the plush bear  302 . The indicators  304 , for example, can each include matching hook and fastener strips on the back. The indicators  304  can be arranged on the hook and loop fastener strips  310   a, b, c  to indicate an age, represented by one or more digit indicators  304   a  and, optionally, one or more time reference terms  304   b , such as “WEEK”, “WEEKS”, “MONTH”, “MONTHS”, “YEAR”, or “YEARS”. For example, the message “1 YEAR 10 MONTHS 2 WEEKS” can be arranged on the plush bear  302  using the indicators  304 . 
         [0030]    A series of photographs, taken of an infant next to the plush bear  302 , can be arranged in the photo album  308 . Additionally, one of the photographs, such as the most recent photograph, can be displayed in the photo album  308 . 
         [0031]    While this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what is being claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations. For example, although the system  300  is described in terms of documenting the growth progression of an infant next to a plush bear, other systems can include a decorative watering can with removably attachable indicators for documenting the growth of a plant or a fire hydrant figurine with removably attachable indicators for documenting the growth of a puppy. Certain features that are described in this description in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0032]    Thus, particular implementations have been described. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 1