Wearable prompting objects

Abstract

A prompting system in which articles such as charms on a charm bracelet are used to prompt a wearer to recall an item or to perform a behavior is disclosed. The user identifies one or more prompting articles from a library or collection of such items and reversibly attaches them to, for example, a bracelet. Throughout the day momentarily attending to the bracelet will remind the wearer of tasks to be accomplished or behaviors to be practiced or mentally practiced. Preferably, the library or collection is comprised predominantly of charms having a theme. Such themes may include, for example, yoga poses, tai chi forms, baseball actions, and common household tasks and chores.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application pertains to devices and methods for using such devices to communicate and memorize a list of items or behaviors. In particular, the subject matter of this application pertains to wearable objects comprising symbols representing actions to be visualized and memorized, and the use of such objects. Even more specifically, the subject matter of this application pertains to bracelets comprising symbols wherein each symbol is representative of a pose, movement, or instruction to be conducted by the wearer. The wearer uses the symbols as memory aids or as prompts for creative visualization of the indicated pose, movement, or instructions.

BACKGROUND

Neuroscientists have defined several forms of human memory depending on the type of information. Of these, one of particular interest to the subject matter of this application is “procedural memory.”

Procedural memory, sometimes called muscle memory or motor memory, is the memory of how to do things. It differs from some other types of memory in that a conscious recall of information is not necessary. One doesn't think about how to do things they've done hundreds or thousands of times. A baseball player doesn't have to think about how to hold the bat or where to put their feet when hitting because the player has been at bat so many times that these behaviors are almost automatic. Similarly, martial artists don't have to think about how to counter a strike as dedicated practice has primed their bodies to respond almost reflexively.

Procedural memory also keeps people from having to think about how to walk, brush their teeth, sign their name, and do innumerable other “ingrained” behaviors.

Procedural memories are formed and strengthened by practice, and as any teacher or coach will reiterate, “practice makes perfect.”

Of course, it's not possible for someone to always be able to practice and gaps between practice sessions can hinder progress. Some can increase their acquisition rate by making use of visualization techniques. In such “mental practice” sessions one imagines or visualizes themselves performing the actions instead of doing them. Studies have shown such visualization can improve performance. E.g., Druckman, D., & Swets, J. A. (Eds.). (1988). Enhancing human performance. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.; Hall, E. G., & Erffmeyer, E. S. (1983). The effect of visuo-motor behavior rehearsal with videotaped modeling on free throw accuracy of intercollegiate female basketball players. Journal of Sport Psychology, 5, 343-346. Conversely, performance can degrade after imagining poor outcomes. E.g., Woolfolk, R. L., Murphy, S. M., Gottesfeld, D. & Aitken, D. (1985). Effects of mental rehearsal of task motor activity and mental depiction of task outcome on motor skill performance. Journal of Sport Psychology, 7, 191-197.

Although mental practice can be beneficial, it also needs to be regularly performed to be most effective, and without prompting many people may forget to do it. Also, just knowing that mental practice is needed, doesn't help if the practitioner doesn't know what to practice. For example, when learning a chain of behaviors such as a series of dance moves, yoga pose sequences, a karate kata, or tai chi forms, a practitioner may need to be reminded which behavior occurs at each point of the chain in addition to a general prompt to visualize their performance.

SUMMARY

The subject matter of this application pertains to methods of providing a reminding system prompting users to engage in a behavior or recall an item from a list of items. In particular, it discloses a wearable object, such as a chain or bracelet, to which one attaches additional objects such as memory prompting beads or charms, as well as the use of such a wearable object to remind and encourage users to recall an item or to engage in a behavior or behaviors, such as mental practice of a behavior or sequence of behaviors.

One objective of the subject matter of this application is to provide a wearable prompting object comprising one or more symbols representing instructions or reminders for the wearer. Another objective is to provide a decorative wearable prompting object that superficially appears to be a simple piece or jewelry such as, e.g., a charm bracelet. Another objective is to provide a wearable prompting object comprising one or more ideograms. Another objective of the subject matter of this application is to provide such a wearable object comprising ideograms in which the user can add or remove ideograms to represent a list of items or sequence of behaviors.

The device and method disclosed in this application meet these objectives. The subject matter of this application comprises a piece of jewelry or similar adornment such as a chain comprising, at least, one ideogram pendant selected from a library of ideogram pendants. The ideogram pendants each represent an event, or preferably a behavior or behaviors. The user can reversibly attach, remove, or replace the pendants on the jewelry to represent a chain of behaviors. More complicated behaviors may be modeled by adding additional pendants to a pendant attached to the chain.

To use the device as a memory prompt, the user places the desired ideogram pendants on the chain and wears the chain, most commonly as a bracelet. When the user is not otherwise occupied, glancing at the bracelet prompts the user to engage in mental practice of the behavior represented by the pendant. A number of ideogram pendants can be placed on the chain in the sequence their respective behaviors are to occur. In this way, the user is not only prompted to mentally practice individual behaviors, but to also mentally practice moving from one behavior to the next. Unlike other objects intended to remind the user of something, such as a string around a finger, the use of ideograms prevents the user from forgetting what the prompt represents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment with one ideogram.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment comprising multiple ideograms representing a series of behaviors.

FIG. 3 is a sample library of ideograms for use with the subject matter of this application.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred manner to use the disclosed prompting aid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and drawings referenced therein illustrate embodiments of the application's subject matter. They are not intended to limit the scope. Those familiar with the art will recognize that other embodiments of the disclosed method are possible. For example, an alternative embodiment of the subject matter of this application comprises memory prompting beads strung on a cord or chain and worn by a user. Another alternative embodiment comprises a plurality of memory prompting beads or charms which may interlock or attach to other memory prompting beads or charms to form a loop. All such alternative embodiments should be considered within the scope of the application's disclosure.

Each reference number consists of three digits. The first digit corresponds to the figure number in which that reference number is first shown. Reference numbers are not necessarily discussed in the order of their appearance in the figures.

The subject matter of this application pertains to a prompting device comprising a supporting member and at least one supported member. In a preferred embodiment, the supporting member is a piece of jewelry or other adornment capable of being worn by a user. In the most preferred embodiment, this supporting member is a bracelet. Supported members are objects comprising ideograms representing a behavior or instruction. In a most preferred embodiment, the supported members are icons or charms. For simplicity, the supporting member will be referred to as a chain or bracelet and the supported members will be referred to as charms. These word choices are for the sake of simplicity and should not be determined to narrow the scope of the claims and should be given their widest possible meaning in the light of the disclosure. Ideograms are symbols or characters that represent an idea or concept, independent of language. Some might only be understood by those with familiarity with the convention or subject. Some have a graphical resemblance to what they convey and might be called pictograms. The term ideogram is used in its broadest sense. In most useful embodiments of the subject matter of this application a charm comprises an ideogram as described, therefore unless otherwise clearly distinguished by its context; references to “charms” and “ideograms” should be understood to refer to both the charm itself and an ideogram emblazoned on the charm.

The prompting device comprises a bracelet (101) and at least one charm (102). The bracelet comprises at least one first segment of a two segment reversible attachment system (shown as a link of the bracelet in 103). Each charm comprises an ideogram (104) representing a behavior or instruction and a second segment of a two segment reversible attachment system (105). Each charm may optionally further comprise a first segment of a two segment reversible attachment system (106). As an example, the charm shown in FIG. 1 comprises an ideogram representing a baseball player in batting stance (104). The two segment reversible attachment systems are preferably those commonly referred to as jewelry clasps and include such clasp styles as without limitation, toggle clasps, trigger clasps, swivel slaps, lobster clasps, barrel clasps, and magnetic clasps.

In most preferred embodiments, the bracelet comprises a plurality of first segments of two segment reversible attachment systems (represented by a link of the bracelet at 103, but may be another suitable jewelry finding as noted) each of which may attach to a charm (e.g., 102) comprising a second segment of a two segment reversible attachment system (105). Each of the charms in FIG. 2 represents a yoga pose, and when read counter-clockwise, beginning with 201, these charms illustrate the yoga sequence Sun Salutation A: Equal Standing (201), Upward Stretch (202), Forward Bend (203), Half Forward Bend (204), Low Plank (205), Cobra (206), Downward Dog (207), Half Forward Bend (208), Forward Bend (209), Upward Stretch (210), and Equal Standing (211). The charms' optional first segment of a two segment reversible attachment system (106) is omitted in charms 208 and 210. Optionally, charms with ideograms representing non-pose yoga instructions such as, e.g., breathing patterns may also be attached. These breathing patterns are an important aspect of yoga poses and sequences, but may be more difficult to remember for beginners than the poses themselves. Further, some charms (e.g., 212) may be attached to the bracelet or to another charm to indicate the desired number of repetitions of the pose or behavior. For example, the attachment of a non-pose instructional ideogram charm (212) to another charm (e.g., 206) may indicate to repeat the behavior prompted by the charm (206) three times. Another example is a non-pose instructional ideogram charm (213) reminding the user to perform a certain breathing behavior during the behavior prompted by the next clockwise charm (210).

FIG. 3 illustrates a sample library of charms comprising ideograms representing some of the most common yoga poses: Equal Standing (201), Upward Stretch (202), Forward Bend (203), Half Forward Bend (204), Low Plank (205), Cobra (206), Downward Dog (207), Boat Pose (301), Child's Pose (302), Extended Side Angle Pose (303), Fierce Pose (304), Lotus Pose (305), Plow Pose (306), Reclining Big Toe Pose (307), Restorative Corpse Pose with Bolster (308), Revolved Head-To-Knee Pose (309), Seated Forward Bend (310), Shoulder Stand (311), Staff Pose (312), Triangle Pose (313), Warrior I (314). Additional charms are intended to be user-defined and may be used to either modify one of the other charms in the library or represent a desired prompt not otherwise included in the library (e.g., 212, 315, 316, 317, 213, 318, 319). In a most preferred embodiment, a library of charms is comprised primarily of at least one set of charms sharing one or more themes. Such themes may include, for example, yoga poses, tai chi forms, baseball actions, and common household tasks and chores. A library of charms may comprise more than one such themed set of charms.

Such charms may be reversibly attached to the bracelet as required by the user.

The illustrated basic yoga library is only one such library and the ideograms may be, and represent, nearly anything the user needs. For example, tai chi practitioners may benefit from a library comprising ideograms representing the 24 forms of the simplified Yang style, and fitness athletes may benefit from a library of ideograms representing certain resistance and aerobic exercises. Additionally, libraries may be created to represent routine tasks (inter alia, go to store, pick up dry cleaning, make car appointment, etc.; or for perhaps children: do homework, wash dishes, vacuum living room, etc.; or for perhaps those in assisted living facilities: wash, take medications, select meal options), or anything else that a user might want or need to remember.

In most preferred embodiments, many of the ideograms have a graphical resemblance to the behavior they prompt. For example, to continue the yoga example, the pose “downward dog” is represented in FIG. 3 by a simple human form bent at the waist with straight arms, back, and legs. Of course, other behaviors may not be capable of being clearly shown graphically so some ideograms (such as, e.g., prompting breathing or focusing behaviors) may need to be more abstract and require the user to commit their meaning to memory.

Any library may further comprise one or more charms comprising more abstract, indeterminate ideograms, which the user can define as desired. For example, if a yoga teacher incorporates a more advanced or unusual pose into a sequence, the user may select an indeterminate charm to represent this pose.

It is not necessary that the charms are all the same shape or size; certain embodiments may attach meaning to different physical characteristics of the charms independent of any ideogram. For example, a circular charm and square charm may have different meanings even if both comprise an identical ideogram. Further, in some embodiments the shape of the charm itself has meaning even in the absence of an ideogram.

Additionally, such a library as illustrated in FIG. 3 may also comprise “modifying charms,” which modify the meaning of other charms. For example, a modifying charm comprising the number “3” attached to, or adjacent to, the baseball player ideogram shown in FIG. 1 may mean “repeat mental practice three times.” Other examples of modifying charms may be those that indicate a charm's prompt has been completed or should be duplicated.

One preferred method of using the subject matter of this application is illustrated in the chart of FIG. 4.

To use the subject matter of this application, the user first decides which behaviors are to be prompted for practice and selects the charm or charms representative of these behaviors. The charms are reversibly attached to the bracelet in the order which the user intends to perform the behaviors and the bracelet is worn as any non-prompting similar objects would be worn. The user goes about their day while wearing the subject matter of this application which appears to the uninitiated to be a normal piece of jewelry. When the user does not otherwise need to attend to something, perhaps when standing in a queue, the user may look at the charms on the bracelet and select one that represents a behavior to be practiced. As described, most preferably the ideogram graphically resembles the action or pose, although such is not necessarily the case. The user is then prompted to engage in mental practice of the behavior. The user may imagine themselves engaging in the entire behavior (e.g., moving from one position into the position represented by the ideogram) or some component of it (e.g., maintaining a steady pose while raising one leg off the ground). The user may also reflect on two or more ideograms and mentally practice moving from one to the other. In this way, one could mentally practice an entire sequence of behaviors, and commit the sequence to memory without necessarily engaging in actual practice. Such mental practice may also increase acquisition of procedural memories and of chains of multiple individual procedural memories.

Although the prompting of mental practice sessions is a primary objective of the subject matter of this application, the disclosed device and method may also be useful for prompting actual practice. A user would only need to glance at their bracelet to see what poses or behaviors should be practiced, and be reminded of what poses or behaviors follow.

In fact, although the examples have largely concerned behaviors, particularly physical behaviors that can be mentally practiced, the disclosed prompting bracelet may be used to remind the user of nearly anything. Ideogram-bearing charms could represent common household tasks or items. For example, a library of charms could comprise charms for i.a., “dry cleaning,” “groceries,” “eldest child,” “youngest child,” “music,” and “football,” and a user could place such charms on the bracelet to remind them to e.g., pick up the dry cleaning and get groceries for the youngest child's football game. Also, although preferably the ideograms bear a graphical similarity to what they represent, such is not necessarily the case. A user may select a charm and assign it any meaning they wish.

Claims

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10. A device worn by a user for representing and prompting the mental rehearsal of behaviors, or for the recollection of items or tasks comprising

a strip of material which surrounds a portion of the body of the user, and which comprises one or more attachment points whereby items may be reversibly attached along the length of the strip,

at least one primary item comprising an attachment means, said attachment means reversibly attached to one of the attachment points of the strip of material, said primary item further comprising an attachment point for reversibly attaching an additional item, and

a least one secondary item comprising an attachment means, said attachment means reversibly attached to the attachment point of a primary item.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the strip of material is an item of jewelry, the primary item is a charm, and the secondary item is a charm.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the strip of material is a bracelet, the primary item is a charm, and the secondary item is a charm.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the strip of material is a bracelet, the primary item is a charm comprising an ideogram, and the secondary item is a charm comprising an ideogram.

14. A method for prompting the recollection of items or behaviors represented by ideograms comprising the steps of:

selecting a first charm comprising an ideogram,

reversibly attaching the first charm to a bracelet,

selecting a second charm comprising an ideogram,

reversibly attaching the second charm to the first charm,

wearing said bracelet,

receiving tactile and visual feedback from said bracelet and using said feedback as a reminder of the items or behaviors represented by the ideogram of the first charm and the ideogram of the second charm.