Adaptive Toilet Training Timer with Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current toilet training methods face challenges in motivating children to participate and adapting to individual schedules and patterns, as they often rely on rigid timing and manual initiation, which can be ineffective and burdensome for parents.

Innovation Solution

A network-based system with a toilet training management application that includes a personalized timer functionality, which uses reminders, multimedia entertainment, and data-driven adjustments to motivate children and adapt to their patterns, reducing parental burden and improving participation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a parent manually initiates toilet training events at predetermined times, then the training process can be structured and consistent, but the child's individual patterns and situational variables are not adapted to

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining schedule consistencyVSAvoidadaptation to child's individual patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system collects feedback data from the child's actual toilet training events, including timing, success, and participation. This feedback is used to automatically adjust future event timing and characteristics, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the child's individual patterns while maintaining structured training.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The training schedule transitions from static predetermined times to dynamic adaptive timing. The system continuously modifies event timing based on collected data about the child's bladder and bowel patterns, making the schedule flexible yet structured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the parent insists on initiating toilet training events, then training can proceed according to plan, but the child may become resistant and view the parent as the 'bad guy'

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining event completionVSAvoidchild participation willingness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system empowers the child to participate voluntarily by providing them with control over the training process. The child can initiate events themselves through the application, and the system provides positive reinforcement and entertainment to make participation appealing rather than forced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile application acts as an intermediary between parent and child in the training process. It delivers reminders and encouragement to the child in a friendly, non-threatening way, while also providing the parent with oversight and control, thus mediating the interaction to reduce resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If rigid timing is used for toilet training events, then the training process is simple to manage, but it does not account for individual children's schedules and biological patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining management simplicityVSAvoideffectiveness of training events

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the child's patterns from collected data to predict optimal training event timing. This allows the system to proactively schedule events at times when the child is most likely to succeed, rather than using fixed timing that may not align with individual biological patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Duration of action of moving object

If entertainment is provided to occupy the child during toilet sitting, then the child remains seated longer, but the child quickly tires of simple entertainment like books

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime spent seated on toiletVSAvoidentertainment variety and engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system delivers entertainment content in periodic intervals during the toilet sitting period. Different types of entertainment (videos, games, stories) are provided at different times, maintaining variety and preventing fatigue while keeping the child engaged throughout the training event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9633574B2Systems and methods for managing the toilet training process of a child

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

A computer system for managing toilet training of a person is provided. The computer system includes a memory device, an input device, a display device, and a processor. The processor is programmed to provide a first set of enhanced functionality configured in an enabled status, wherein the first set of enhanced functionality includes an event timer associated with a toilet training event. The processor is also programmed to disable the first set of enhanced functionality. The processor is further programmed to receive activation data from a user using the input device. The processor is also programmed to reconfigure the first set of enhanced functionality to an enabled status based at least in part on the activation data.