Communications: electrical – Systems – Timer control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-24
2001-12-04
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Systems
Timer control
C340S309300, C340S309400, C368S071000, C368S083000, C368S084000, C368S088000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326883
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to public speaking and more particularly to speeches that must adhere to preset time limits that correspond to specific types of speeches. The invention addresses this situation by having preset time ranges that alert the speaker, timekeeper, and audience involved of the various time limits of interest relating to a particular speech.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is desired at times that a given speech conform to a time limit due to multiple speakers, the type of audience, a particular program, the forum, or context that the speech is given in. Speech time limits apply across many fields of endeavor, such as law where lawyers must make oral arguments in court, or in the educational area where public speaking training emphasizes speech timing for effective communication, and in the scientific, technical, or business fields where multiple presenters must conform to time limits as part of a larger program or seminar/symposium time limit. In addition, the effectiveness of a speech's delivery and the message communicated to the audience is dependant upon the timing of the speech for maximizing the comprehension and interest by the audience. Given the importance of speech timing and the need for it at times, there have been a number of attempts to address this issue in helping a speaker keep track of his or her speech time while giving the speech. The difficulty often has been the inherent problem of the speaker's attention and effort being entirely consumed by the speech itself and the inability of the speaker to put anything other than minimal attention on keeping track of time during the speech. In addition, a speaker will risk losing his or her speech pace or train of thought if they stop to acknowledge where the speech is at, time wise for a particular moment. Doing this, and having to regain his or her speech pace and train of thought can be difficult with the attendant psychological pressure of the audience on the speaker.
The ways in which speaker's have attempted to overcome this, are to rehearse their speeches extensively to practice timing or frequently glancing at a clock, wristwatch, or stopwatch while giving the speech. These methods can be of some assistance, however, they are of limited value, as rehearsing a speech for timing rarely translates to the same timing in front of an audience as questions can be asked or the speaker's pace of speaking inadvertently changes in front of the audience. Thus, rehearsing the speech under different circumstances than when the actual speech is given is not usually a reliable way to control or predict the timing of a speech. Also, glancing at a timing device can interrupt a speaker's pacing or train of thought as a quick mental calculation needs to be made comparing the timing device indication to the actual time left for giving the speech or approximately what portion of the speech should be completed given the time observed. This interruption of the speaker's attention can knock the speech off of its pace and possibly cause the speaker to take additional time to refocus on where to resume his or her speech, all of which lessen the effectiveness of the presentation.
As the timing of a speech usually has some level of importance, there remains a need for a device that is easy to use, detracts minimal attention from the speaker, is portable, is versatile for many differing speaking situations, and can record elapsed time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful speech-monitoring device and method to assist a speaker in maintaining proper timing while monitoring the duration of his or her speech with minimal distraction to maximize the opportunity for a well-paced and timely speech.
It is another object of the present invention is to provide a speech monitoring device that is simple to use, thus minimizing the distractive effort of the person who is monitoring the speech whether that person is the speaker or another individual who is monitoring the speech.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a speech-monitoring device that has consistency in monitoring specific speech types.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a speech monitoring device that is aesthetically pleasing, while being relatively inexpensive to produce.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a speech monitoring device with a perceptible output that consists of a series of indications to the speaker so as not to interrupt the flow and pacing of the speech by giving adequate time for the speaker to wind up the speech on time in a seamless manner with minimal attention required from the speaker.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a speech-monitoring device that is portable and versatile to be easily operated in different types of settings.
According to the present invention, then, a speech monitoring device and method is provided to assist a speaker in maintaining proper timing for his or her speech with minimal distraction to maximize the opportunity for a well-paced and timely speech. Broadly, the present invention includes timing circuitry that is operative upon activation to generate a timing signal, control circuitry operative in each of a plurality of modes to monitor the timing signal and to produce one of a plurality of event marker signals, each after a corresponding one of a plurality of selected time intervals. Also included, is a means for producing an associated perceptible output in response to each of the event marker signals. In addition, mode selection circuitry is provided for a single selection of one mode corresponding to a type of speech from a plurality of modes, with the mode selection circuitry being in electrical communication with the control circuitry and the mode selection circuitry operative in each of a plurality of states to place the control circuitry in a respective one of the plurality of modes. The timing circuit, control circuit, perceptible output, and mode selection circuitry are all disposed within a housing.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing is portable having the ability to be used in multiple locations and has a control panel that contains all the necessary functions for operating the speech monitoring device. It is desirable that a light emitting digital clock display that receives the timing signal be included in the control panel of the housing for the purpose of recording the actual elapsed time of the speech even if the speech is over a specific speech type time limit. Another desirable feature of the preferred embodiment of the speech-monitoring device is to have a series of three different colored sequentially activated LED's that alternate between on and flashing. The sequence is to have a green LED on, then a yellow LED on and the green LED off, then a red LED flashing and the yellow LED off, and finally the red LED on, being non-flashing. The multiple LED actuations are based on a sequential series of event marker signals from the control circuit, which correspond to a specific speech type.
Based upon the type of speech being given, a mode is selected from the control circuitry corresponding to the specific speech type. There are additional modes available for other speech types in the control circuitry. A control is then initiated that is operative to activate the timing circuitry. The control circuit is then operative in a selected first one of the modes to generate a respective first mode first event marker signal after a respective first mode first selected time interval to actuate the green LED. Continuing in a like manner, the control circuit for the selected first mode generates a respective first mode second event marker signal after a respective first mode second selected time interval to activate the yellow LED and deactivate the green LED. Next, a respective first mode third event marker signal is generated after a respective first mode thir
Minderler Arthur A.
Whitehead David K.
Jackson Roger A.
Pham Toan
Tym Tek, LLC
Wu Daniel J.
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