Time interval indicating device
View Patent ↗A device for indicating the passage of two or more time intervals is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a base portion with a user interface and a light portion. The light portion includes three lights of different colors that are disposed in a vertical arrangement above the base portion. The user interface includes a display and a keypad for programming the device with one or more time durations, and for associating one or more of the lights with each time interval. A controller is in communication with the user interface and operatively coupled with the lights to illuminate and turn off each light during its associated interval. The device may include an audio section linked to the controller for further indicating the intervals or transitions therebetween by outputting one or more sounds.
1. A device for indicating at least a first time interval and a second time interval, the device comprising:
a plurality of lights, the plurality of lights including a first light illuminating during the first time interval and a second light illuminating during the second time interval;
a user interface including an incremental input and a decremental input that toggle the device between a first device mode and a second device mode, and an enter input that selects whether the device operates in the first device mode or the second device mode, the user interface operable to establish a first mode total length of time when the device is in the first device mode, and to establish a second mode duration for each of the at least first and second time intervals when the device is in the second device mode;
an electronic display distinct from the plurality of lights and responsive to user interface inputs; and
a controller that receives inputs from the user interface and provides outputs to the display and the plurality of lights, the controller programmed to cause the electronic display to display different prompts for user input depending upon whether the device is selected to operate in the first device mode or the second device mode, and to calculate a first mode duration for each of the at least first and second time intervals when the device is in the first device mode, wherein the controller calculates the first mode duration for each of the first and second time intervals by subdividing the first mode total length of time when the device is in the first device mode, and calculates a second mode total length of time by summing the second mode durations of the at least first and second time intervals when the device is in the second device mode, and wherein a user can determine whether the first or second time interval is pending by illumination of the first or second light.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the controller operates to subdivide the first mode total length of time into the first and second time intervals and further into third and fourth time intervals in accordance with a predetermined ratio when the device is in the first device mode.