Method and apparatus for timing the delivery of a speech

Claim 1

An apparatus for timing the delivery of a speech of the type composed of at least two distinct timed portions with said apparatus comprising: a case sized and configured to be carried in the pocket of a user and having a face; means for supporting said case upon a podium with its face oriented toward a speaker behind the podium; a first array of light emitting elements prominently displayed on said face and arranged to indicate the progressive lapse, of the first timed portion of the speech when activated in a predetermined sequence; a second array of light emitting elements prominently displayed on said face and arranged to indicate the progressive lapse of the second timed portion of the speech when activated in a predetermined sequence subsequent to activation of said first array of light emitting elements; electronic control means coupled to said first and second arrays of light emitting elements and adapted to activate said first array in a predetermined sequence to indicate the progressive lapse of the first timed portion of the speech and subsequently to activate said second array in a predetermined sequence to indicate the progressive lapse of the second timed portion of the speech; adjustable means coupled to said control means for selecting the timing of sequenced activation of said first and second arrays of light emitting elements; and means for selectively activating said control means to initiate sequenced activation of said first and second arrays of light emitting elements; a third light emitting means prominently displayed on said face for indicating the lapse of a third timed portion of the speech, said control means being coupled to and adapted to activate said third light emitting means a predetermined time prior to the end of the speech, and second adjustable means coupled to said control means for selecting the time for activation of said third light emitting means.

Claim 2

An apparatus for timing the delivery of a speech of the type composed of at least two distinct timed portions with said apparatus comprising: a case sized and configured to be carried in the pocket of a user and having a face; means for supporting said case upon a podium with its face oriented toward a speaker behind the podium; a first array of light emitting elements prominently displayed on said face and arranged to indicate the progressive lapse, of the first timed portion of the speech when activated in a predetermined sequence; a second array of light emitting elements prominently displayed on said face and arranged to indicate the progressive lapse of the second timed portion of the speech when activated in a predetermined sequence subsequent to activation of said first array of light emitting elements; electronic control means coupled to said first and second arrays of light emitting elements and adapted to activate said first array in a predetermined sequence to indicate the progressive lapse of the first timed portion of the speech and subsequently to activate said second array in a predetermined sequence to indicate the progressive lapse of the second timed portion of the speech; adjustable means coupled to said control means for selecting the timing of sequenced activation of said first and second arrays of light emitting elements; and means for selectively activating said control means to initiate sequenced activation of said first and second arrays of light emitting elements; a third light emitting means prominently displayed on said face for indicating the lapse of a third timed portion of the speech, said control means being coupled to and adapted to activate said third light emitting means a predetermined time prior to the end of the speech, and second adjustable means coupled to said control means for selecting the time for activation of said third light emitting means.

Claim 10

An apparatus for timing the delivery of a speech of the type composed of at least two distinct timed portions with said apparatus comprising: a substantially rectangular case having opposed side edges and opposed end edges and sized to be carried in the pocket of a user, said case defining a rectangular face on one side thereof; a stand pivotally attached to one end edge of said case with said stand being movable between a first position wherein said stand is substantially coextensive with said case for storage and a second position wherein said stand extends rearwardly of said case for supporting the case on a podium with its face disposed in an inclined orientation toward a speaker behind the podium; a first set of light emitting diodes prominently displayed on said face and arranged in a linear array along one side edge of said face; a second set of light emitting diodes prominently displayed on said face and arranged in a linear array that is substantially coextensive with the linear array of said first set of light emitting diodes; an electronic microcontroller disposed in said case and coupled to activate said first set of light emitting diodes in linear sequence to indicate the progressive lapse of the first timed portion of the speech and subsequently to activate said second set of light emitting diodes in linear sequence to indicate the progressive lapse of the second timed portion of the speech; at least one selectively adjustable potentiometer having a manual adjustment knob disposed on said face with said potentiometer being coupled to said microcontroller, said microcontroller being adapted to sense the condition of said potentiometer and activate said first and second set of light emitting diodes according to the sensed condition; and switch means for selective initiation of sequenced activation of said first and second sets of light emitting diodes.

Claim 11

An apparatus for timing the delivery of a speech of the type composed of at least two distinct timed portions with said apparatus comprising: a substantially rectangular case having opposed side edges and opposed end edges and sized to be carried in the pocket of a user, said case defining a rectangular face on one side thereof; a stand pivotally attached to one end edge of said case with said stand being movable between a first position wherein said stand is substantially coextensive with said case for storage and a second position wherein said stand extends rearwardly of said case for supporting the case on a podium with its face disposed in an inclined orientation toward a speaker behind the podium; a first set of light emitting diodes prominently displayed on said face and arranged in a linear array along one side edge of said face; a second set of light emitting diodes prominently displayed on said face and arranged in a linear array that is substantially coextensive with the linear array of said first set of light emitting diodes; an electronic microcontroller disposed in said case and coupled to activate said first set of light emitting diodes in linear sequence to indicate the progressive lapse of the first timed portion of the speech and subsequently to activate said second set of light emitting diodes in linear sequence to indicate the progressive lapse of the second timed portion of the speech; at least one selectively adjustable potentiometer having a manual adjustment knob disposed on said face with said potentiometer being coupled to said microcontroller, said microcontroller being adapted to sense the condition of said potentiometer and activate said first and second set of light emitting diodes according to the sensed condition; and switch means for selective initiation of sequenced activation of said first and second sets of light emitting diodes.