BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a worry stone, and more particularly to an electronic worry stone device that is connectable to a user computing device for receiving and capturing data corresponding to rubbing of the worry stone device.

State of the Art

Worry stones are typically rocks, gemstones or the like and are usually in the shape of an oval or something similar easy to hold in the hand. Worry stones often have, but not required to have, a thumb-sized indentation, and are generally used for relaxation or anxiety relief. They are typically used by holding the worry stone between the index finger and thumb and gently moving one's thumb back and forth across the stone to rub the worry stone. This action of moving one's thumb back and forth across the stone can reduce stress. The drawback of worry stones is that the effect of use of the worry stone is not quantifiable and is left purely to identification by the user of the worry stone. Additionally, there is no tracking of how a person engages with the worry stone, the frequency of engagement, and so forth that may be meaningful in identifying stressors of the user and the use of the worry stone in coping with those stressors to keep anxiety at bay. There lacks a historical database of information that can be used by the user to predict or even avoid stressful situations. Such as device and system does not exist.

Accordingly, there is a need for a worry stone device and system that can track data related to engagement with the worry stone device.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electric worry stone device and system, wherein the worry stone device includes an internal sensing and processing system to sense the users engagement with the worry stone device, wherein the internal sensing and processing system can be coupled to a user computing device for communicating information sensed and processed by the worry stone device to the user computing device.

An embodiment includes a worry stone system comprising: a worry stone device having an internal sensing and processing system; a user computing device coupled to the worry stone device; and a server having a memory storing worry stone data, wherein the user computing device is coupled to the server through a connection established by an app operating on the user computing device, and wherein the server is programmed to: receive a signal from the user computing device that the worry stone device is engaged by a user in response to the worry stone device communicating engagement by the user to the user computing device and the user computing device accessing the system; automatically process the signal and identify the user and any of the stored worry stone data associated with the user; receive a signal comprising near real-time worry stone data, wherein the near real-time worry stone data comprises contact time between the user and the worry stone device, a rate of rubbing the worry stone device, and/or a pressure used for rubbing the worry stone device; automatically process the signal and store the worry stone data and send to the user computing device for display on a screen of the user computing device a user interface showing the near real-time worry stone data; and continuously receive the signal comprising near real-time worry stone data, processing the signal and sending the near real-time worry stone data for display on the user computing device during the engagement of the worry stone device by the user.

The user may rub the worry stone device for relaxation. The user may rub the worry stone device for stress relief. The user may rub the worry stone device for passing time. The user may rub the worry stone device for reducing screen time. More than one worry stone device may be used. A wearable device may be coupled to the user computing device. The worry stone device may be virtual and displayed on the screen of the user computing device. The worry stone device may be a key fob. The worry stone device may be coupled to a case of the user computing device. The worry stone device may be manufactured as part of the case. The worry stone device may be coupled to the case by adhesive. The worry stone device may be coupled to a gear shift of a vehicle. The worry stone device may be textured. The texture of the worry stone device may be smooth. The texture of the worry stone device may be rough.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

