U.S. patent application number 11/713515 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for get well toy.
Invention is credited to Tara Lavelle, Geraldine Vermac.
Application Number | 20080214089 11/713515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39733430 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080214089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vermac; Geraldine ; et
al. |
September 4, 2008 |
Get well toy
Abstract
The present invention relates to a toy being a doll or stuffed
animal for aiding a child with a medical disorder. The toy has
internal circuitry allowing it to store and play back comments,
some of which are designed to remind the child of medical
treatments and familiarize the child with the nature of the
treatments. It is also programmed to play back comments which put
the child at ease. These comments may be scheduled at specific
times, or output at random times. There may also be sound, light
and motion sensors in addition to an internal clock which determine
the current conditions. Certain comments are output on certain
conditions as measured by the sensors. In addition, the toy may
monitor the child to determine periods of crying and sleep cycles
for later download to a medical professional.
Inventors: |
Vermac; Geraldine;
(Springbrook Township, PA) ; Lavelle; Tara;
(Moosic, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ZALE Patent Law
434 Lackawanna Ave., Suite 200
Scranton
PA
18503-2053
US
|
Family ID: |
39733430 |
Appl. No.: |
11/713515 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 2200/00 20130101;
A63H 3/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/268 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/36 20060101
A63H003/36 |
Claims
1. A toy resembling a human or animal that aids in the treatment of
a child with a medical condition comprising: a. a comment memory
having a set of stored comments intended to remind said child of
the proper actions to be taken regarding their medical condition,
b. a timing memory stored with at least one scheduled time
indicating when at least one comment is to be output, c. a timer
for keeping an accurate track of current time, d. an output section
for creating audible sounds when provided with a stored comment, e.
a CPU coupled to the timer, the comment memory, and the timing
memory for reading a current time from the clock, reading a
scheduled time from the timing memory, determining when comments
are to be output, and outputting the comment when the current time
matches the scheduled time to the output section causing the
comment to be played to said child.
2. The toy of claim 1 further comprising light sensor for
indicating a condition of the doll being in the light.
3. The toy of claim 1 further comprising a sound sensor for
indicating the condition of audible sounds being near the doll.
4. The toy of claim 1 further comprising a motion sensor for
indicating the condition that the doll has been moved.
5. The toy of claim 1 wherein the CPU is further adapted to
interact with the user to define conditions in which a specific
comment will be output.
6. The toy of claim 1 wherein the CPU is further adapted to read
the conditions from the sensors and compare the conditions of the
sensors to the defined conditions of a specific comment to
determine if that comment should be output.
7. The toy of claim 1 further comprising: a. a microphone for
recording a user's voice, b. and the CPU is further adapted to
store the recorded voice and provide the recorded voice to the
output section to cause the user's voice to be output to said
child.
8. A method of aiding a child having a medical condition comprising
the steps of: a. providing a toy to said child which resembles
human or animal having internal circuitry, b. initializing a toy's
internal circuitry to store therapeutic instructions specifically
directed to the medical condition that the child has contracted, c.
initializing the internal circuitry to play the stored therapeutic
instructions at specified times to insure that the child is made
aware of the proper actions to be taken at the proper times.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:
initializing the internal circuitry with consoling comments to be
played back to said child to console said child.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:
initializing the internal circuitry with music to be played back to
said child to console said child.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:
initializing the internal circuitry with songs recorded from the
mother to be played back to said child to console said child.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:
initializing the internal circuitry with education comments
directed to the specific medical disorder that said child has to
explain procedures to said child.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: adding
the condition that the comments are played only during certain time
periods.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein the comments are played only when
specified conditions are met.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein a specific condition is that the
toy senses that it is light with its sensor.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein a specific condition is that the
toy senses that it has been moved recently.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein a specific condition is that the
toy senses sounds above a specified level.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a toy for a child with a
medical condition and more specifically a doll or stuffed animal
for a child with a medical condition that aids in the child's
medical treatment.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0004] Children with serious or chronic medical conditions are
required to either cooperate in medical testing, or take some
medication at periodic intervals. Even though parents and nurses
aid in this function, there are times which the parent or nurse is
not available.
[0005] Children with these chronic or serious medical conditions
are typically intimidated and scared of the medical staff, the
environment and the medical equipment. This may cause them to be
uncooperative and refuse to take the medicine or participate in the
testing.
[0006] It is difficult to force children to take their medications,
and forcing them causes them to distrust the medical staff.
[0007] If they do not take their medication or participate in
testing at the proper times, their condition may deteriorate.
[0008] It is desirable to provide a general comfort level to the
sick children, since children which have a peaceful state of mind
generally have a better prognosis than those without, with all
other factors being equal.
[0009] Currently there is a need for a method or device which puts
sick children at ease and ensures that they take their proper
medication.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is a toy resembling
a human or animal that aids in the treatment of a child with a
medical condition comprising: [0011] a. A comment memory having a
set of stored comments intended to remind said child of the proper
actions to be taken regarding their medical condition, [0012] b. A
timing memory stored with at least one scheduled time indicating
when at least one comment is to be output, [0013] c. A timer for
keeping an accurate track of current time, [0014] d. An output
section for creating audible sounds when provided with a stored
comment, [0015] e. A CPU coupled to the timer, the comment memory,
and the timing memory for reading a current time from the clock,
reading a scheduled time from the timing memory, determining when
comments are to be output, and outputting the comment when the
current time matches the scheduled time to the output section
causing the comment to be played to said child.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy
which reminds a child of times to take medications.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toy which supplies correct instructions in a non-intimidating
fashion to a child with a medical condition.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
companion to comfort a sick child.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toy which tracks actions performed by a child with a medical
condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention itself, both the organization and method of
operation, together with the described objects and advantages, may
best be understood by reference to the following description taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a toy
according to the present invention which is embodied as a talking
doll.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart indicating the
initialization phase of the embodiment of the present invention of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the operation phase
of the embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Small children typically rely on their toys as safe and
secure companions. They love and trust their toys, such as a doll
or stuffed animal. Usually, these may be with the child most of the
time, especially if the child is in an unfamiliar place such as a
hospital. The toy typically calms them and makes them feel more
secure.
[0026] It is possible to use this trusted object to provide proper
messages to a sick child. The messages may reinforce the benefits
of cooperating with the medical staff in age-appropriate
language.
[0027] Since the toy is always with the child, it may easily act as
a reminder. It can notify the child, nurse or parent of times to
take medication, eat or perform a test.
[0028] The toy may also act as a consoling device, providing
friendly comments intended to console the child.
[0029] Finally, it may act as an education device providing
simplistic descriptions of procedures to be performed. An unknown
procedure tends to scare a child more than the actual
procedure.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy according to one
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, it is a
doll 1000. It is understood that this may be any number of other
toys, such as stuffed animals which perform similar functions.
[0031] Doll 1000 resembles any common talking doll, made of a
plastic material with clothes. It may have a rear hatch (not shown)
allowing one to change the batteries.
[0032] It has an internal timer (not shown).
[0033] Comments
[0034] It also includes and stores speech, sounds, music or
phrases, collectively referred to as "comments". The comments in
general may be reminders, to remind the user that it is time to
take a medication, perform a test or replace a dressing.
[0035] Each doll may be specifically programmed for a given medical
condition, such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease. For a
diabetic child, doll 1000 will be programmed with reminders to eat
every few hours to keep the blood sugar levels constant.
[0036] There will also be reminders for a urine sample or urine
test using paper test strips.
[0037] The comments may be consoling in nature, including phrases
designed to calm a child and put them at ease. These may also
include singing, music or humming.
[0038] Other phrases randomly played should comfort the child in an
effort to make them less anxious and more secure.
[0039] The comments may also be educational, informing the user of
the reasons for taking medications, the basis for the disease, what
treatments are involved and how they are done.
[0040] These may be specific comments regarding procedures involved
with certain medical disorders. For example, there may be a
description of a pin prick for checking blood sugar for a diabetic.
There will be helpful suggestions to keep feet warm and that it is
good to wear extra socks.
[0041] Education messages relating to diabetes may be output,
indicating what symptoms to look for and what should be done for
best results. For example, when one gets a dry mouth, maybe it is
time to test the sugar level. Also, there should be an indication
that `special` children with the same disorder should get up and
walk around every hour or so to keep the blood flowing in the
extremities.
[0042] Timing
[0043] The doll 1000 employs a speaker 1110 which allows it to play
back stored messages to the child. An internal central processing
unit (CPU) (not shown) plays selected comments through the
speaker.
[0044] These messages may be played at random times throughout the
day.
[0045] Comments may also be scheduled at specific times to be
played.
[0046] Modification
[0047] These comments may either be pre-stored from the factory,
input by downloading to a computer 50, then plugging computer 50
into an interface 1340 on doll 1000. Parameters may be set by a
user, such as the parent or healthcare professional.
[0048] The doll 1000 can be sold with a USB port as user interface
1340 to connect to computer 50 and allow download of messages and
timing for playback.
[0049] A software program on the computer 50 not only allows one to
set the times for phrases to play, but allows one to record their
own voice and store them as comments. For example, a mother, or
other person close to the child, could record the instructional or
reminder phrases. The user may also input other sounds including
music and songs.
[0050] Sensors
[0051] The doll may have sensors to monitor outside events. For
example, it may have a light sensor which allows it to notice if it
is light or dark in a room. Certain phrases could be encoded to be
played in the dark as opposed to others.
[0052] There can also be a motion sensor which indicates if the
doll has been moved.
[0053] A microphone also monitors voices and other sounds. It could
be programmed to recognize the child crying. If it does, certain
phrases are appropriate, while others will not be appropriate. It
may then randomly select an appropriate phrase to console the
child.
[0054] Conditions
[0055] Combining several of these conditions may define a given
situation. For example, if it has been quiet for some time and it
is dark, and there is no motion, one may assume that the child is
sleeping. If so, the doll may put itself in a sleep mode until it
receives some sensory input.
[0056] Doll 1000 can receive feedback from the child or other
person taking care of the child. It could keep track of the actions
taken; for example, if the child was instructed to squeeze a sensor
in the hand of doll 1000 if a certain medication was taken. The
doll can sense the squeeze within a time slot window, then store
the information that the medication was taken at the current
time.
[0057] Doll 1000 can also monitor when the child cries, when it
stops crying, how long the child cries, and how intense the crying
was. It can also keep track of the sleep cycles of the child.
[0058] At some later time, the information may be extracted from
doll 1000 through user interface 1340. This information can be
useful in treating the child.
[0059] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
1.
[0060] If the doll 1000 is designed for a specific medical
condition, such as diabetes, it may come with a few pre-stored
comments to be performed randomly, or scheduled to be output at
given times. The pre-stored comments are stored in the prestored
sound memory 1230 of an output storage section 1200. If these
comments are not intended to change, prestored sound memory 1230
may be a ROM memory.
[0061] The times when each timed comment is to be output are stored
in a prestored timing memory 1210. Again, if these are not intended
to be changed it may be a ROM memory.
[0062] CPU 1430 of a logic section 1400 runs a set of instructions
stored in instruction memory 1410. Again, if these instructions are
not intended to change, this can be a ROM memory.
[0063] Any data which CPU 1430 requires to perform its instructions
are stored in data memory 1420.
[0064] CPU 1430 is coupled to a clock 1440 to determine the time of
day and times between measured intervals. The current time or
elapsed time may be compared to the timing stored in the prestored
timing 1210 to determine if any actions are required.
[0065] CPU 1430 outputs its sounds to an output section 1100. In
this embodiment, output section 1100 has a playback unit 1130
coupled to the CPU which receives sounds to be output at the proper
time, synthesizes the proper sound, amplifies the sounds and then
drives a speaker 1110 to create the audible sound.
[0066] In an alternative embodiment, a user is allowed to modify
the functioning of the doll 1000. The comments may be modified or
added, the actual voice of the user may be used and the comments
may be indicated as scheduled or randomly timed events.
[0067] The doll 1000 will have some type of user interface 1340
which is coupled to the CPU 1430. A user may interact with doll
1000 through some type of user interface 1340 to adjust the
parameter under which doll 1000 is operating. These may be buttons
or other interface devices.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, user interface 1340 may be designed to
connect to a personal computer 50. User interface may be as simple
as a USB connection with driver hardware and software.
[0069] A program may be run on a personal computer 50 which allows
it to interact with doll 1000 when attached at user interface
1340.
[0070] The user, working through personal computer 50 loads a
program from a CD supplied with doll 1000 that allows the user to
select the comments to be used or record new ones through a
microphone input device 1310. These new comments are then stored by
CPU 1430 in a recorded sound memory 1270 for later use.
[0071] The user may indicate if they are scheduled or random. The
times for scheduled comments may also be set and stored in a
recorded timing memory 1250.
[0072] In another embodiment of the present invention, other input
sensors are used such as a light sensor 1320 so that the doll can
tell if it is light or dark.
[0073] Also, a motion sensor 1330 may be employed to sense when the
doll is moving or has been picked up.
[0074] In these alternative embodiments, the doll 1000 can perform
multi-parameter decisions. For example, if light sensor 1320
detects that it is dark, and motion sensor 1330 detects that the
doll has not moved and CPU 1430 working with clock 1440 determine
that it has been dark, and doll 1000 has not moved for quite a
while, doll 1000 can drop into a low power mode similar to sleep.
Once it senses activity with any of its sensors, it `wakes up` and
begin to perform its tasks.
[0075] Also, in an alternative embodiment, certain comments may be
considered appropriate based upon sensed conditions. For instance,
the comment "What a beautiful day", or "Good Morning" are not
appropriate when it is dark or if the clock 1440 indicates that it
is the middle of the night. A more appropriate comment may be "Are
you having a hard time falling asleep?"
[0076] Therefore, each comment may be stored with certain
constraints, or indications of appropriate conditions for each
comment to be output.
[0077] FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart indicating the
initialization phase of the embodiment of the present invention of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0078] The user interface 1340 of FIG. 2 may operate to interact
with the user directly, or through a connected personal computer
50.
[0079] After starting up, it is determined if the user interface is
active. If it is not, "no", then processing skips the
initialization procedure and continues processing at 2210 of FIG.
4.
[0080] If the user interface is determined to be active in step
2010 "yes", then processing continues at step 2030.
[0081] The user is asked if they would like to set up new comments
to be spoken by doll 1000. If the user responds "no", then
processing continues at step 2050.
[0082] If the answer in step 2030 is "yes", then the system prompts
the user to speak into a microphone and records the comment in step
2070.
[0083] In step 2050, the user is asked if they would like to modify
existing comments. If the answer is "no" then processing continues
at step 2170.
[0084] In step 2050, if the user's answer is "yes", then a comment
to modify is selected in step 2090.
[0085] Processing continues after steps 2070 and 2090 at step 2110.
In step 2110, the user is asked if the comment is to be output at
random times. If so "yes", then in step 2120 the comment is marked
as random and stored as such in memory.
[0086] If the answer in step 2110 is "no", then the user is
prompted to set the times when the comment is to be output in step
2130. These times will be stored in memory.
[0087] In step 2150, conditions may be set for outputting this
comment. For example, one may state that this comment is never
output when it is dark. One may also set comments to be output when
it is both light and the doll has been tossed around (indicated by
the motion sensor).
[0088] In step 2170 the user is asked if (s)he would like to add or
modify other comments.
[0089] If the answer is "yes", then steps 2030 through 2170 are
repeated.
[0090] If the answer is "no", then processing continues at step
2210 of FIG. 4.
[0091] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the operation of one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0092] In step 2210, a time is set in the future to output one or
more of the comments identified as random comments.
[0093] In step 2230, the current time is read from the clock.
[0094] In step 2250 it is determined if a random comment should be
output. If so, "yes", then in step 2270 one or more comments is
(are) selected from those identified as random comments. These
comments may sequentially or randomly select.
[0095] In step 2280, another time to output random comments is set.
Processing then continues at step 2330.
[0096] If the answer is "no" in step 2250 indicating that it is not
time to output a random comment, then it is determined in step 2290
if it is time to output any scheduled comments.
[0097] If so, "yes", then the scheduled comments are selected in
step 2310 and processing continues at step 2330.
[0098] If the answer in step 2290 is "no", then processing also
continues at step 2330.
[0099] In step 2330, the conditions (if any) that must be fulfilled
before the comment is output are acquired.
[0100] In step 2350, comments which have their current conditions
fulfilled will be output.
[0101] In step 2370, it is determined if the system should enter
the setup phase. If so "yes", processing continues at step 2030 of
FIG. 3. If "no" then it is determined in step 2410 if the system
should enter the sleep mode. This occurs in any number of defined,
or predefined conditions. One may be strictly by time, in which it
sleeps from 10 pm until 7 am.
[0102] Another may be programmed to sleep when there has been no
sensor input for a specified period of time.
[0103] These may be pre-programmed when it is created, or
initialized by the user in the setup phase.
[0104] The sleep mode is a low-power mode in which it periodically
tests either its clock to see if it is at or after a wake-up
time.
[0105] In another embodiment, the system is designed to wake up
when it receives input from its sensors above a threshold
level.
[0106] Although preferred embodiments have been described, other
embodiments and modifications of the invention may become apparent
to the reader. Such embodiments and modifications of the preferred
and exemplary embodiments are intended to be within the scope of
the present application as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *