DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Exemplary embodiments in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to the aforementioned figures. Various modifications, adaptations or variations of such exemplary embodiments, described herein, may become apparent to those skilled in the art as such embodiments are disclosed. It will be understood that all such modifications, adaptations or variations that rely upon the teachings of the present invention, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, while the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a generally oval shape and a particular placement of the various controls depicted, other embodiments of the present invention can have other shapes and other control placement while still being within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention include a housing unit constructed of any appropriate material currently known to one of ordinary skill in the art, or any appropriate material that will become known to one of ordinary skill in the art, provided that such material is appropriate for housing a small electronic device and functional controls of such electronic device. Furthermore, for some housing units, the aforementioned functional controls, i.e. a record activation button or switch, may be considered as being a portion of the housing unit, while for other housing units, such controls may be considered as a portion of the small electronic device contained therein. Such materials include, but are not limited to, plastic materials, metal materials, ceramic or glassy materials or combinations thereof.

[0017] Furthermore, while some embodiments of the present invention are of a size and shape such that it may sit on a bedside table or other piece of furniture in a stable fashion, or be portable, other embodiments can be made that are more suitable for being attached, fixably or removably, to another device or structure. For example, some embodiments of the present invention can be attached to a bed or a wall, or incorporated into or coupled to another device such as a radio, stereo, clock, clock radio, lighting fixture or the like.

[0018] Finally, depending upon the size and shape of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the housing unit of such embodiment can include a top surface, a bottom surface, a front portion, a back portion and/or one or more side portions.

[0019] Turning first to FIG. 1 , a view of an embodiment of the present invention is provided where a dream recollection recording device 10 is seen as viewed from directly above such device. As depicted, device 10 encompasses an upper surface 12 which in turn encompasses an activation means 20 , a sound emitting region 22 and a sound accepting region 24 . It should be noted that while recording device 10 is depicted as having a generally oval profile, other shapes and/or configurations of device 10 , while not shown, are possible and such other shapes and/or configurations will represent other embodiments in accordance with the present invention. It should be realized that while not shown, housing unit 14 contains therein an electronic device that encompasses an audio recording means, a recording storage means and a recording/storage control means.

[0020] Activation means 20 typically serves to both activate and deactivate the recording function of device 10 . In some embodiments activation means 20 is an illuminated activation means where such illumination is provided by any appropriate method. For example, in some embodiments, activation means 20 is a depressible button or an illuminated switch that is formed in part or in its entirety of a photo luminescent material. Alternatively, illumination of means 20 is provided by one or more sources of illumination contained proximate to, or within means 20 . Regardless of how activation means 20 is illuminated, such illumination can be of any color, but is most advantageously a soothing blue, green, violet, yellow, or red color and of sufficient illumination intensity to be seen in low ambient lighting conditions, that is to say, little or essentially no light. Generally, such intensity is designed to not interfere with the user's sleep.

[0021] In some embodiments the illumination intensity is adjustable and can be turned off, while in still other embodiments such illumination is automatically controlled by an illumination controlling means (not shown) that has the capability of sensing ambient lighting for the purpose of providing appropriate illumination of activation means 20 . In other embodiments in accordance with the present invention, activation means 20 is not illuminated, but rather it is formed having a texture that is readily identifiable by touch. In such embodiments, an optional illuminated portion or region of upper surface 12 can be provided for locating device 10 in darkened ambient conditions, for example an illuminated potion of upper surface 12 surrounding means 20 . It will be understood that the various configurations of activation means 20 described above are directed toward providing for readily locating means 20 and device 10 in the low ambient lighting conditions likely to be found when a person wakes from a dream. Thus such configurations advantageously allow such a person to readily activate dream recollection recording device 10 and record a dream recollection by engaging activation means 20 without the problems associated with many of the previously known recording methods.

[0022] Dream recollection recording device 10 also includes an audio recording and playback means or apparatus (not shown), which encompasses at least a microphone, a speaker, a memory component, a device control component and an electrical power component. The microphone may be of any type for recording a person's voice. While generally located just below upper surface 12 , the microphone can be located anywhere within housing 14 . Typically, it is advantageous to locate the microphone proximate sound accepting region 24 , depicted in FIG. 1 within the upper surface 12 , so that it most efficiently picks up the user's voice. In some embodiments of the present invention, the microphone's sensitivity is adjustable to accommodate the different speaking levels of users, while in other embodiments such sensitivity is fixed to a level sufficient to successfully record a typical user's voice when speaking at a low volume.

[0023] The speaker of the playback means may be of any type for playing back or emanating sound. While generally located just below upper surface 12 , it can be located anywhere within housing 14 . Typically, it is advantageous to locate the speaker proximate the sound emitting region 22 , depicted in FIG. 1 within the upper surface 12 , so that the speaker most efficiently plays back the user's voice. In some embodiments of the present invention, the volume or playback level of the speaker is adjustable to accommodate different ambient sound levels during playback, while in other embodiments such playback level is fixed to a predetermined level.

[0024] The memory component generally encompasses one or more Random Access Memory (RAM) devices, but may alternately be any device or structure capable of storing the user's dream recollections. While it is generally advantageous for dream recollections to be stored in a digital format, it will be understood that embodiments in accordance with the present invention also include analog storage of such recollections. In addition, while generally the memory component or device 10 is fixed in capacity, some embodiments incorporate removable storage such as “Flash Memory” cards that are generally employed for the storage of digital images taken by digital cameras. Such removable storage media will not only provide for enlarging the storage capacity of device 10 so long detailed dream recollections can be recorded, but also provide for transferring recorded dream recollections to and from other devices, for example a computing means. In this manner, a large number of dream recollections can be cataloged for review and study.

[0025] The device control component of dream recollection recording device 10 serves to control the functions of the audio recording and playback means or apparatus. Thus when the user activates device 10 for recording by engaging activation means 20 a first time, the device control component provides for directing the appropriate recording and storage of the dream recollection. When the user deactivates device 10 by engaging activation means 20 a second time, the device control component provides for stopping the recording process and storing information that provides for playback of the recorded recollection. For example, where recollection storage is effected using digital memory, the control component positions the storage of the recollection at an available memory location and stores such location for playback. The device control component will interface to all functions of recording device 10 including but not limited to, the illumination of activating means 20 , if any, recording and playback of recollections and any of the other functions of device 10 described herein. To effect such control, in some embodiments of the present invention, the control component will generally encompass a monolithic micro-controller integrated circuit, while in other embodiments such control device will encompass several discrete and/or integrated microelectronic devices coupled in an appropriate manner to result in the desired control functionality.

[0026] The electrical power component of device 10 is generally one or more replaceable batteries, although rechargeable batteries can also be employed. In addition, some embodiments of the present invention will encompass connectivity through the power component to an outside electrical source, for example to an appropriate transformer coupled to a common wall outlet.

[0027] Turning now to FIG. 2 , the device of FIG. 1 is shown as seen from a side corresponding to a long axis of device 10 . As depicted, a portion of upper surface 12 is shown encompassing portions of activation means 20 and sound emitting region 22 , as well as sound accepting region 24 . Also shown is a side portion 14 having playback controls 30 , 32 and 34 , volume control 36 , port 38 for coupling dream recollection recording device to an external electrical energy source and erase control 40 for erasing one or more recorded dream recollections.

[0028] While, as previously described, activation means 20 serves to both activate and deactivate the recording function of device 10 , the playback of dream recollections for the user's review and study is generally started and stopped using alternate control means. Playback controls 30 , 32 and 34 are exemplary of such alternate control means. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention controls 30 , 32 and 34 are depressible buttons or switches coupled to the device control component of device 10 . In such an embodiment, playback control 32 can be depressed a first time to start playback and a second time to stop playback, while playback controls 34 and 30 can be depressed to advance the playback forward and backward within a recollection record or to a subsequently or previously recorded record, respectively. It will be understood that playback control can be provided using controls 30 , 32 and 34 configured in other manners or with other configurations of controls and that all such configurations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, one of controls 30 , 32 and 34 can also serve to provide an erase function, that is a control that when activated will erase or delete one or several of stored dream recollections.

[0029] Still referring to FIG. 2 , volume control 36 , as depicted, can be either a rotary control or a slide control coupled to the device control component of device 10 . That is to say, a control that when rotated or slid in a first direction increases the playback volume and when rotated or slid in a second, opposite direction decreases the volume. In some embodiments, such a rotary or slide control can also include a detent or stop that serves to turn power to the device off when the control is so positioned and on when the control is moved off of that position.

[0030] Port 38 is a receptacle for coupling to an external power source (not shown). As device 10 is generally powered using batteries, as previously described, such outside power source will typically couple to the source through a transformer or other means capable of reducing the voltage to device 10 to an appropriate level.

[0031] Erase control 40 , as depicted, can be a depressible button or switch coupled to the device control component of device 10 . In some embodiments of the present invention, such control 40 is engaged during the playback of a recollection to cause the erasure of that specific recollection. In this manner, erasure of multiple recollections can be accomplished by advancing through the recollections and engaging control 40 during the playback of each recollection for which erasure is desired. In some embodiments, an erasure safeguard feature can be provided where erase control 40 must be engaged multiple times or for an extended period of time to accomplish erasure of recollections.

[0032] While not described, embodiments in accordance with the present invention can have additional controls, features and/or status indicating devices incorporated within or coupled to the device control component. For example, some embodiments of device 10 have a port for coupling device 10 to a computing means for transferring recorded dream recollections thereto and thus clearing all or part of the memory means of device 10 for the recording of additional dream recollections. Exemplary coupling ports are those configured as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Firewire ports although any other appropriately configured port can be employed. Embodiments of the present invention can also include an indicating means, such as a liquid crystal display or other low power display means, for indicating a variety of items. For example, such a display means can indicate the number of dream recollection records currently stored in the memory component or the number of records that can be subsequently stored in available memory or provide an alphanumeric record indicator. With such a display, when it is appropriate to erase or transfer out of the memory component currently stored dream recollections, the display can be used to select messages for erasure or transfer, for example by engaging. Other display means can advantageously indicate the current time of day, date, and or a set time for device 10 to automatically begin to record a user's dream recollection.

[0033] Embodiments of dream recollection recording device 10 can further includes a means for indicating when the record function has been activated. In some embodiments this indicating means can be a light, such as provided by a light emitting diode coupled to the control component and/or activation means 20 , or it can be provided by activation means 20 , itself. Thus where means 20 is normally illuminated to make locating device 10 easy in low ambient lighting conditions, such means can be configured to flash its illumination on and off to indicate that recording has begun.

[0034] When a person wishing to record dream recollections awakens from the sleeping state, embodiments in accordance with the present invention are readily located, for example by the illumination provided. When activation means 20 is engaged, the recording function is started. Where device 10 uses a digital memory storage means such as Flash memory, the control component is configured to conveniently locate storage of the recollection being recorded at an available memory location and to record such location in an appropriate manner. Upon completing the recording of the recollection, the person stops the recording function. This is generally accomplished by engaging activation means 20 a second time, although in some embodiments of the present invention, an alternate method of stopping the record mode is provided. Advantageously when the record mode is stopped, the control component locates the last memory location used and records such location in an appropriate manner so that a subsequent dream recollection can be recorded without interfering with any previously recorded recollections.

[0035] Thus, during the recording process, a file is essentially created for each dream recollection in the memory component of the dream recording device by any manner commonly known in the art of digital recording devices. Thus embodiments of the present invention can store a number of such recollection files that is limited only by the amount of recording time that may fit within the memory available in the memory component of device 10 . Where an embodiment encompasses a display means for indicating the number of files recorded and/or the amount of memory remaining, the control component is configured to both determine such information and to provide it to the display.

[0036] Should the user wish to replay a recollection file, he or she would activate the replay mode of device 10 , for example by engaging playback control 32 . In embodiments in accordance with the present invention, generally playback of recollections begin with the first recorded recollection, however, where playback controls 30 and 34 are provided, the user can advance through recollections until the desired recollection is located. Where it is desired to adjust the volume of the playback, generally the user can perform such an adjustment by engaging volume control 36 , if provided. It will be understood that users can repeat any one or several of the above interactions with the controls of dream recollection recording device 10 to playback one or more of the recorded recollections any number of times. For example in some embodiments, when the user reaches the last stored file, the most recently recorded file, he or she can engage control 32 a second time to hear playback of the first stored file, the oldest stored file.

[0037] Thus the stored recollection files can be replayed at the user's convenience to allow thoughtful examination and interpretation of the user's dream recollections. Using erase control 40 ( FIG. 2 ), the user can selectively erase files, one at a time, by engaging the erase control during playback of the file to be erased, or cause all of the stored files to be erased by for example, engaging erase control 40 multiple times or for a predetermined amount of time. Alternately, and where a display means is provided that displays an alphanumeric file or record indicator, embodiments of the present invention can selectively erase files by advancing to the desired file, for example by engaging controls 30 and/or 34 , and engaging erase control 40 .

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention a playback pause or stop control is provided. When such a control is engaged a first time during the playback of a recollection file, such playback is halted. Conveniently, such a control allows the user to reflect on the dream, or to discuss the dream with another person or to record thoughts about the dream in another medium, such as on paper or on a computing device. Generally, engaging the control a second time resumes playback. In some embodiments, such a pause or stop function can be engaged while in the recollection recording mode. Thus engaging the control during recording a first time halts such recording, and engaging the control a second time resumes the recording.

[0039] As mentioned above, some embodiments of the present invention include a means for transferring dream recollections to another device such as a computing device or computer. Such means will typically be either a USB or Firewire means. Where device 10 includes such transfer means, generally additional controls will be necessary to implement the transfer function. Similarly, where previously mentioned removable memory is employed, additional controls may also be needed to allow such memory to be removed from device 10 without damaging the recorded files. For example, generally such removable memory requires that power to such memory is turned off prior to its removal.

[0040] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention have been described hereinabove in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the features shown and described above, since the means herein disclosed comprise only exemplary forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.