Information tracking wearable article

Abstract

An information tracking wearable article comprises a mount having associated information bearing elements. The wearable article may be configured as a bracelet where the information bearing elements are mounted to the mount. The information bearing elements are configured to display at least two elements of information. Preferably, the elements may be moved between first and second positions to selectively display the two elements of information. The wearable article may be utilized to track the completion of tasks, scores, dietary intake or other information.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/718,134, filed Sep. 16, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for tracking information over periods of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Individuals often wish to track information over periods of time. For example, an individual may wish to track completion of tasks, scores, meals or other activities over a period of time.

Current apparatus to aid an individual in such tasks suffer from a number of drawbacks. It is well know that an individual might simply attempt to remember a task, or utilize a “memory aid.” For example, it is known to tie a string on one's finger in order to provide a mental reminder to an individual to perform a certain task. Such an element, however, is a mere reminder and provides no actual information regarding the task or its completion.

Many individuals now utilize electronic aids. These aids may be computers, programmable personal data assistants (PDAs) or the like. Using these aids, an individual may program or input certain information, such as reminders to perform certain tasks. These aids, however, have the drawback that they are cumbersome and not always readily transportable. For example, a user may program task reminder into a computer. However, if the individual is traveling, the individual will not receive the reminder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an information tracking wearable article.

In one embodiment, the wearable article comprises a mount having one or more information bearing elements associated therewith. The information bearing elements are configured to display at least two elements of information. Preferably, the elements may be moved between first and second positions to selectively display the two elements of information. The wearable article may be utilized to track the completion of tasks, scores, dietary intake or other information.

In one embodiment, the wearable article may be configure as a bracelet, necklace or the like, so as to be directly worn by a user. In another embodiment, the wearable article may be configured to be connected to an article of clothing.

The information bearing elements may comprise charms that can be rotated relative to a mount of the wearable article. The information bearing elements may display information in the form of symbols, text, color or the like associated with the element, and/or by the actual shape or configuration of the element.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information tracking wearable article in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the wearable article illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an end portion of the wearable article illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the wearable article illustrated in FIG. 1 with information bearing articles or element thereof in a first position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the wearable article illustrated in FIG. 1 with the information bearing articles in a second position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an information tracking wearable article in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an information tracking wearable article in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of the wearable article of FIG. 6 in use as connected to an article of clothing;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment information tracking wearable article;

FIG. 10 illustrates additional detail of the wearable article illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of an information bearing article for use with an information tracking wearable article; and

FIGS. 12(a) and (b) illustrate yet another embodiment of an information tracking wearable article in two positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

In general, the invention comprises an information tracking wearable article. In one embodiment, the wearable article includes one or more information bearing articles or elements. The wearable article may be worn by a user and is capable of providing information to the user, such as regarding the status of tasks or the like.

One embodiment of an information tracking wearable article 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-5. In this embodiment, the wearable article 20 has the form of a bracelet. As illustrated, the wearable article 20 comprises a mount 22. The mount 22 is “C”-shaped and is constructed from metal. The mount 22 may have a variety of shapes and may be constructed from a variety of materials, however. In this configuration, the mount 22 has first and second ends which are set apart from one another, thus defining a gap or opening there between. In this manner, a user may slip the mount 22 onto their body, such as over their wrist, so that the wearable article 20 may be worn.

As illustrated, one or more information bearing articles or elements 24 are preferably associated with the mount 22. The information bearing articles or elements 24 may have a variety of forms. Preferably, the information bearing elements 24 are configured to display at least two elements of information. In one embodiment, the elements 24 are configured to be moved between a first and a second position, whereby the two articles of information born by each element 24 may be selectively displayed.

In the embodiment illustrated, the information bearing elements 24 comprise charms. The elements 24 comprise a body having an exterior surface and a passage there through. The elements 24 are mounted upon the mount 22, wherein the mount 22 extends through the passage in each element 24. Of course, the information bearing elements 24 may be mounted in other fashions, such as by having a mounting loop or the like extend therefrom for engagement with the mount.

As indicated, the information bearing elements 24 are preferably mounted for movement between at least a first and a second position, so as to selectively display information. In one embodiment, the elements 24 are movable relative to the mount 22. In particular, as illustrated, the information bearing elements 24 can be rotated relative to the mount 22. In other embodiments, the elements 24 could be fixed to the mount 22 but have a portion thereof (such as an external sleeve of the element 24) which can move between at least first and second positions.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, end caps 26 are located at the first and second ends of the mount 22. These end caps 26 retain the information bearing elements 24 on the mount 22. In one embodiment, the end caps 26 may be removable, such as by threading engagement with the mount 22. In this manner, one or both end caps 26 may be removed to allow information bearing elements 24 to be added to or removed from the mount 22. When connected, however, the end caps 26 are preferably sized and shaped to prevent the information bearing articles 22 from disconnecting from the mount 22.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the information bearing elements 24 in first and second positions. As indicated, the elements 24 are preferably configured to display at least two forms of information in the at least two positions. This information may vary and may be provided in a number of ways. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in one position, the information bearing elements 24 may display textual (numbers/letters) information. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in another position, the information bearing elements 24 may display information in symbol or symbolic form. Of course, the information bearing elements 24 may display information in other forms.

The particular information which each information bearing element 24 is configured to display may vary. In one embodiment, the information might relate to tasks, scores or the like. In one embodiment, the information be dietary or nutritional information. For example, one element of information might identify a particular task or element, and another element of information might indicate whether the tasks has been completed or the item or element has been used. It will be understood that the information bearing elements 24 may be used individually or conjunctively. For example, information bearing elements 24 may provide information regarding a plurality of different tasks to tracked. One or more of the elements 24 might be used conjunctively, however, to track information such as total dietary caloric intake during a period of time (such as by summing caloric values associated with various of the elements 24).

FIGS. 6 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of an information tracking wearable article 120 in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the information tracking wearable article 120 again comprises a mount 122. In the configuration illustrated, the mount 122 again has a pair of ends. One end is formed as a latch for selectively engaging the second end. The mount 122 comprises a mount for one or more information bearing articles or elements 124, in similar fashion to that described above, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, this wearable article 120 is particularly adapted to being associated with an article of clothing. As illustrated, the mount 122 may be connected to a belt-loop of a pair of pants, permitting the wearable article 120 to be worn by the user.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of an information tracking wearable article 220. This wearable article 220 again comprises a mount 222. As illustrated, the mount 220 comprises first and second sections which are movably connected (at a hinge, in this case). The mount 220 has first and second ends. The ends may be moved between positions in which they engage one another (in a tab and slot configuration) or are set apart from one another. In this manner, the mount 220 can be moved to a position in which information bearing elements may be added to or removed from the mount 220, and moved to a position in which elements which are associated with the mount 222 are secured thereto.

Again, one or more information bearing elements may be associated with the mount 222. Further, the mount 222 may be worn, such as around the wrist or ankle of a user, or by connection to an article of clothing.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment information tracking wearable article 320 in accordance with the invention. As illustrated, the article 320 comprises a mount 322. In this configuration, the mount 322 is a body. The body may, as illustrated, have one or more portions for selectively defining a generally enclosed interior space (such as by having two portions which selectively mate by one or more connectors, such as a zipper, snaps, hook and loop fastening material or the like).

Preferably, the mount 322 is configured to accept one or more information bearing elements 324, as best illustrated in FIG. 10. As illustrated, the mount 322 may include one or more receptors 326, such as in the form of wires or other mounts. Preferably, the receptors 326 can be moved between a first position in which elements 324 may be added to and removed from the receptor 326, and a closed or second position in which elements 324 mounted thereto are secured.

As illustrated, the receptors 326 may be moved to a variety of positions, such as by selectively connecting the receptors 326. Preferably, the information bearing elements 324 are again configured to display at least two forms of information, such as by being movable between at least two positions.

This embodiment information tracking wearable article 320 may comprise a wallet or similar article which may be worn by being placed in a pocket of an article of clothing or via other attachment. In this regard, the wearable article 320 may be configured for other functions, such as carrying money, credit cards or the like.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of the information bearing element 324. As illustrated, the element 324 comprises a body having an exterior surface which bears information. The body defines passage. In one embodiment, an insert 328 is located in the passage to aid in locating the element 324 on a receptor or mount of a wearable article.

FIGS. 12(a) and (b) illustrate yet another embodiment information tracking wearable article 420 in accordance with the invention. In this configuration, a mount may comprise a thin, flexible member such as a thin wire or cord. A plurality information bearing elements 424 are mounted on the mount and may be moved between first and second positions for displaying at least two elements of information.

In this configuration, the elements 424 are again mounted to the mount. The mount preferably includes on or more clasps or similar elements to permit the end portions thereof to be connected, so that it may be worn on a wrist, ankle or other portion of a user (or user's clothing).

In the embodiment illustrated, each element 424 is configured as a symbol and is configured to display two additional forms of information. In particular, each element 424 has a first side and a second side. As illustrated in FIG. 12(a), a first side of each element 424 may be of a first color or appearance. As illustrated in FIG. 12(b), a second side of each element 424 may be of a second color or appearance. In this manner, the side of the element 424 which is visible provides information to the wearer. As illustrated, such coloration or appearance may be effected via the material from which the element 424 is constructed (such as a base gold plating with a silver plating on only one side).

In use, the information tracking wearable article is preferably worn by a user, such as by connecting it to a portion of the body or an article of clothing. As indicated, for example, the wearable article may be configured as a bracelet, necklace or the like, or may be connected to a belt-loop or placed in a pocket.

The one or more information bearing elements are preferably moved to a first or starting position. This position may indicate a first condition at the beginning of a particular period of time. The position of each or all information bearing elements may be changed in order to display other information, such as to indicate a changed condition. For example, the information bearing articles may be moved to a ‘face-down’ position where one side faces the user's body. When a task is completed, the element may be turned over to display the opposing side thereof, thus providing information that a particular task has been completed. The elements may be moved back to their base or starting position at the beginning of a new period of time.

The wearable article can be configured for a number of uses. The wearable article may aid a user in tracking dietary intake. For example, the elements may be configured as particular food elements or food group elements. The elements may be moved to indicate whether, during a particular time period, such as a day, the user has consumed the particular food item or item from the food group.

The elements may also be utilized to track caloric intake. For example, each element may define a particular foodstuff and associated calories. As each foodstuff is consumed, the element may be moved to indicate the associate caloric intake (such as numeric calorie values). The calorie values may be summed to indicate total intake during a period of time, such as a day.

The invention has numerous advantages. First, the wearable article can be worn, meaning that it can be with the user at all times when it is needed. Because it can be worn, the user need not physically carry it, such as with their hands, in a manner which interferes with other activities.

Second, the wearable article is simple in configuration and use. The wearable article does not require electronics, sophisticated programming or the like. Further, the wearable article may be modified, such as by associating different elements or elements with different information. In this manner, a user might customize the wearable article.

The wearable article may have the appearance of another element, such as a necklace or bracelet, so that is also has aesthetic appeal. The wearable article can also be used and re-used, such as by merely resetting the positions of the information bearing elements.

It will be appreciated that the information tracking wearable element may have other configurations than specifically illustrated. The wearable article may include as few as one information bearing element or more than one such element. The elements may be configured to bear or provide as few as one, and more than two elements of information. For example, an element might have four sides and be capable of displaying at least four elements of information.

The elements might also be configured to display the information in a variety of manners. As indicated, the elements may be movable relative to a mount. Alternatively, or in addition, a portion of an element may be movable (such as a rotating sleeve).

It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An information tracking wearable article comprising:

a mount configured to be attached to a user or a user's article of clothing;

a plurality of information bearing articles movably mounted to said mount, said information bearing article configured to display at least one element of information when said information bearing article is in a first position relative to said mount and a second element of information when said information bearing article is in a second position relative to said mount.

2. The information tracking wearable article in accordance with claim 1 wherein said information bearing article bears text or symbol information.

3. The information tracking wearable article in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mount is configured as a bracelet.