Product Dispensing Clock Automates Daily Countdown Rewards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users tend to lose interest in calendars used to count down days to an event, leading to a decline in tracking the remaining days, due to boredom or waning interest.
Innovation Solution
A product dispensing clock that can be loaded with dispensable products, such as candy, and is programmed to dispense one product daily for a set number of days leading up to an event, maintaining user engagement through surprise and excitement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional calendar is used to count down days to an event, then the number of days remaining can be tracked, but users lose interest and become bored, leading to loss of tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a calendar countdown function with a product dispensing mechanism into a single integrated device. The calendar tracks days to an event while simultaneously dispensing small products or treats, merging information tracking with tangible reward delivery to maintain user engagement throughout the countdown period
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically dispenses products at predetermined intervals without requiring user intervention. The calendar countdown and product dispensing operations occur autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually track days or actively engage with the calendar, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing operational burden
2Ease of operation
If a product dispensing clock is programmed to dispense products daily, then user engagement is maintained through surprise and excitement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs multiple functions within a single unit: it tracks calendar days to an event, automatically dispenses small products at predetermined intervals, and provides visual or tactile indicators of the countdown progress. This multi-functionality maintains user engagement while consolidating complexity into one integrated system rather than requiring separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs electronic control systems and programmable logic to manage the calendar countdown and product dispensing timing, replacing what would otherwise require complex mechanical timing mechanisms. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining the ability to provide daily surprises and user engagement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The product dispensing clock effectively keeps users engaged and reminded of upcoming events by providing a daily surprise, thereby maintaining their interest and ensuring they stay informed about the event countdown.
Implementation Method 1
the conduit defines a curved shape configured to advance the dispensable products by a force of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A product dispensing clock includes a housing and a reservoir arranged in the housing. The reservoir holds a number of dispensable products. A dispenser is arranged in the housing adjacent the reservoir. The dispenser receives at least one of the dispensable products from the reservoir. A collection chamber is defined in the housing. The dispenser dispenses the dispensable products received from the reservoir to the collection chamber for a user to collect the dispensable products. A controller activates the dispenser at a predetermined time interval to dispense the dispensable products to the collection chamber for collection by the user.