Event Tracker System And Method
20180130316 ยท 2018-05-10
Inventors
Cpc classification
H04M1/72403
ELECTRICITY
G06F3/04842
PHYSICS
International classification
G08B5/22
PHYSICS
Abstract
An event tracker system for transmitting and recording events, the event tracker system including an event tracker and software application. The event tracker is an energy source powered-device with an electronically coupled plurality of buttons for activating the device and transmitting event data, and a time and date stamp associated with the specific chosen plurality of buttons as indicated by event specific iconic symbols. The event tracker has a housing with a flat mounting method, a user interface electronically coupled to an electronics board for activating the device and transmitting the event data via a wireless communications link. The software application is configured and uniquely keyed to communicate securely and solely with the event tracker and receives the event data via the wireless communications link. The software application has various application screens for presenting recorded data to a user.
Claims
1. An event tracker system comprising: an event tracker including a housing including means for mounting to a flat surface; a wireless communication radio embedded in the housing and configured to communicate over a wireless communication link; a user interface coupled to the housing, the user interface including a plurality of buttons for activation, data event recording, and transmission upon a single, multiple, and alternatively long pressing, each button being backlit and having unique icon images; an electronics board embedded in the housing having a controller including an embedded processor, the controller communicably coupled to the wireless communication radio and the user interface, the controller configured to associate an input from each of the electronically coupled plurality of buttons with a time, a date, and at least one of a unique event and class of event as an event message, the controller further configured to communicate the event message over the wireless communication link via the wireless communication radio to a software application on a handheld mobile device; an indication light mechanically coupled to the housing, electronically coupled to the electronics board and configured to indicate at least one of an ON, wireless communication link, or a charge status; an energy storage mechanically coupled to the housing, electronically coupled to the electronics board and configured to power the event tracker; a power port coupled to the housing, electronically coupled to the energy storage, and configured to provide external power to the event tracker; and a software application accessed via mobile device or computer, the application configured and uniquely keyed to communicate securely and solely with the event tracker, the mobile application configured to display a plurality of information screens.
2. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of buttons include icon images representing infant activities including at least one of a diaper change, infant feedings of various types, an infant waking, and infant sleep times, and further representing an undefined or miscellaneous event.
3. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the energy storage is a battery.
4. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the controller further includes a clock configured to provide the event message with the time the date, the clock being modifiable by a user.
5. The event tracker of claim 4, wherein the event message includes a real-time time and date stamp automatically included by the clock.
6. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the event tracker is configured to be activated by operation of any of the plurality of buttons.
7. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the event tracker is configured to enter a sleep state after passage of a predefined amount of time without operation of any of the plurality of buttons.
8. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the indication light is configured to remain lit while when an event for that button press is being transmitted.
9. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein a single LED on a side of the device will be used only to indicate low battery charge and/or full recharge status,
10. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the application software is configured to record and organize transmitted event data into various reports.
11. The event tracker of claim 10, wherein the phone application software contains a screen that mimics the plurality of buttons with icon images.
12. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of buttons have updatable, printed icon images configured with symbols that indicate specific events.
13. The event tracker of claim 1 wherein the energy source is charged by a battery charger, AC power source, or solar array.
14. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the icon images on the user interface includes an interactive LED screen configured to display the plurality of buttons configured with symbols that indicate specific events and configured to perform the same functions as the plurality of backlit buttons.
15. The event tracker of claim 1 wherein the unique icon images of the plurality of buttons include international symbols associated with animal care, elder care, kennel or stable maintenance.
16. The event tracker of claim 1, wherein the buttons are selectively customizable for reconfiguring to a different event for tracking.
17. The event tracker of claim 16, wherein the icon comprises a sticker selectively attached for depicting the event for tracking.
18. The event tracker of claim 16, wherein the button comprises a detachable cap that holds an insert displaying the icon, whereby a respective button is changed to a new event type for tracking by replacing the insert received in the detachable cap.
19. The event tracker of claim 16, wherein the application is configured for selectively configuring a respective button with a button label.
20. An event tracker system comprising: an event tracker including a housing including a means for mounting to a flat surface; a wireless communication radio embedded in the housing and configured to communicate over a wireless communication link; a user interface coupled to the housing, the user interface including a plurality of buttons for activation, data event recording, and transmission upon a single pressing, multiple pressing, or long pressing, each button being backlit and having unique icon images; an electronics board embedded in the housing having a controller including an embedded processor, the controller communicably coupled to the wireless communication radio and the user interface an electronics board embedded in the housing having a controller including an embedded processor, the controller communicably coupled to the wireless communication radio and the user interface, the controller configured to associate an input from each of the electronically coupled plurality of buttons with a time, a date, and at least one of a unique event and class of event as an event message, the controller further configured to communicate the event message over the wireless communication link via the wireless communication radio to a software application on a handheld mobile device; an indication light mechanically coupled to the housing, electronically coupled to the electronics board and configured to indicate at least one of an ON, Wireless communication link, or a charge status; an energy storage mechanically coupled to the housing, electronically coupled to the electronics board and configured to power the event tracker; a power port coupled to the housing, electronically coupled to the energy storage, and configured to provide external power to the event tracker; and a mobile device configured to communicate with the event tracker over the wireless communication link, and to execute a mobile application on the mobile device, the mobile application configured and uniquely keyed to communicate securely and solely with the event tracker, the mobile application configured to display a plurality of information screens; and wherein the plurality of buttons include icon images representing infant activities including at least one of a diaper change, an infant feeding, an infant waking, and infant sleep times, and further representing an undefined or miscellaneous event; wherein the energy storage is a battery; wherein the controller further includes a clock configured to provide the event message with the time the date, the clock being modifiable by a user; wherein the event message includes a real-time time and date stamp automatically included by the clock; wherein the event tracker is configured to be activated by operation of any of the plurality of buttons; wherein the event tracker is configured to enter a sleep state after passage of a predefined amount of time without operation of any of the plurality of buttons; wherein the indication light is configured to remain lit while in an ON state; wherein the indication light is configured to emit a single pulse, timed flash when the energy storage fully charged; wherein the indication light is configured to emit a triple pulse, timed flash when the wireless communication link to the software application is not connected; wherein the phone application software is configured to record and organize transmitted event data into various reports; wherein the phone application software contains a screen that mimics the plurality of buttons with icon images; and wherein the energy source is charged by a battery charger, AC power source, or solar array.
21. The event tracker system of claim 20, further comprising: set of instructions; and a battery charger; and wherein the event tracker system is arranged as a kit.
22. A method of use for an event tracker, the method comprising the steps of: providing an event tracker system; charging the event tracker; and pressing any of a plurality of buttons to activate the event tracker and transmit an associated event.
23. A method of use for an event tracker of claim 22, the method further comprising the step of recharging the event tracker.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an event tracker system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
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[0027] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes; identification of persons and more particularly to an event tracker system as used to improve using wireless means.
[0029] Generally speaking, many people like to track activities so that they can plan their day accordingly and/or provide data for reporting to doctors, veterinarians, caretakers, etc. An event tracker system is a device or application for monitoring and tracking specific functions performed throughout the clay and night. The event tracker activates and transmits data with a single button press, multiple button press, or long press for immediate recording on a mobile device or mobile communications device having a mobile application software. The event tracker has a plurality of buttons, with common or universal symbol icon images relating to a specific event, that enable ease of use especially for those with limited computer and language skills. The buttons may be configurable in regards to what they are tracking. The event tracker system may be used for activities performed singly or recurrently. The present disclosure provides a battery-powered, wireless-enabled device, designed to transmit a specific activity/event as well as a date and time stamp as an immediate transmission.
[0030] According to one embodiment, the wireless-enabled device may be configured to transmit the specific activity/event as well as a date and time stamp as an immediate transmission without resident memory storage (e.g., a datalogger) on the event tracker. The transmitted data may be stored in the cloud or in the mobile device via the immediate application of the application software. Advantageously, this may offer caretakers of infants, children, stable animals, elders, or pets an easy and efficient method for tracking and recording multiple occurrences of recurring events, such as feedings, diaper changings, and the like while keeping the event tracker simple without the complexity of storing data.
[0031] According to one embodiment, the device may include a flat surface mounting or means for mounting the device to a flat surface, this mounting technique or method may allow users to attach the unit to any hard surface in a home, daycare center, animal boarding facility, or other location where the tracking of events is needed. The event tracker pairs with the software application which can be accessed via mobile device or computer, where users can login to view reports based on the data submitted from the device. Aspects of the present disclosure may offer trend analysis and reports for all events tracked with the mobile application software.
[0032] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
[0033]
[0034] The event tracker 102 may be beneficial for use by a user 140 standing adjacent to a crib 10 to record an event. Alternatively, the user may gainfully use the mobile device 130 that executes software instructions in a mobile application. The mobile device 130 communicates the selected event button and the date and time information over a wireless communication link 40 to the datastore 132. For example, the recorded event may be a diaper change, a feeding, or a sleep state along with a time and date stamp. The event tracker 102 may include a user interface 116 configured allow the user 140 to interact with the mobile device 130.
[0035]
[0036] The event tracker 102 may include an LED light 146 configured to indicate an ON wireless communication connection, or a charge status. The event tracker 102 may further include a power port 114 configured to electrically couple the event tracker 102 to an external power supply (battery charger 156) configured to charge the event tracker 102.
[0037] Pressing one of the plurality of buttons 118 immediately activates the event tracker 102 and sends associated event data to the datastore 132 (
[0038] The event tracker system 100 may be configured as a kit 148 including a battery charger 156, and a set of instructions 155. The instructions 155 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the event tracker 102 such that the event tracker system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.
[0039]
[0040] The wireless communication radio 124 communicates event data 40 to the datastore 132 via a telecommunications network. Subsequently, the mobile device 130 (
[0041] The controller 126 may include an embedded processor 122. The controller 126 may be configured to communicate the event data over the wireless communication link 40 via the wireless communication radio 124.
[0042] According to one embodiment, the user interface 116 and the controller 126 having an embedded processor 122 are configured to associate an input from each of the plurality of buttons 118. Activation of the event tracker 102 is initiated by pressing one of the plurality of buttons 118. Each subsequent pressing of the plurality of buttons 118 results in the activation of the event tracker 102 and the transmission of an event associated with the iconic symbol on the plurality of buttons 118 along with a time and date stamp. The transmitted data includes a time, a date, and at least one of a unique event and class of event as an event message, the events for the preferred embodiment including diaper changes, feedings, wake time, sleep time, and a user-configurable miscellaneous events, each associated with an icon symbol displayed on a respective one of the plurality of buttons 118. Events for alternate embodiments may include stable cleaning, watering, and feeding of livestock in a stable with associated iconic symbols for the plurality of buttons 118 and the phone application software screens 158 (
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[0044] The application on the mobile device 130 includes a features menu page 470, as shown in
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[0048] The application is configured for providing an aggregating report 440 as shown in
[0049] The apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be customized by changing the events tracked by a respective button 118 on the device 100 and the application installed on the mobile device 130. The system thus can readily be reconfigured to track additional events other than the preconfigured events originally provided with the device and application. For example, a system may be preconfigured with infant care activities. After a first period, for example, a first year, the user may no longer need tracking of infant feedings, diapers, and sleep. The icons are readily changed to track altogether different events for example, toilet training, daily chores, pet animal care, medication, or other event. In a first embodiment shown in
[0050] The user may selectively customize the buttons 118 as to event icon, label, and additional attributes on the mobile device 130. The customization feature is accessed through the button 480 which displays a matrix of the buttons 118 for selection.
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[0052] It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of step or should not be interpreted as step for, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112. It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for transmitting and recording event data are taught herein.
[0053] The event tracking system is operated by positioning the device 102 in a suitable location proximate activities subject to tracking, for example in
[0054] With reference to
[0055] The customize button 480 enables the user to customize the events buttons for tracking. Upon selection, the application presents (see
[0056] As noted above, the buttons 118 may be selectively changed on both the device 102 and the application on the mobile device. In reference to
[0057] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, 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.