Motivational urinal for toilet training of young males

Abstract

A urinal is disclosed for motivating and facilitating urination toilet training of young males. The urinal includes a urine sensor and a motivational device that is activated by the sensor so as to produce visible and/or audible stimuli enjoyable to a young male. Preferred embodiments also include target objects toward which urine can be directed. In some of these embodiments the target objects change color and/or enjoyable stimuli are generated when target objects are struck by urine. Target objects can have recognizable images and/or shapes, and corresponding stimuli can be produced when targets are struck. For example, mooing sounds can be produced when a target with a cow image is struck. Embodiments can be connectable to plumbing or self-contained. Urinals can be sized and shaped optimally for use by young males, and can be powered by an electrical outlet or by batteries so as to provide powerful stimuli.

1 . An apparatus for facilitating toilet training of young males, the apparatus comprising:
 a urinal;   a sensor fixed within the urinal and able to detect contact with urine; and   a motivational device that can be activated by the sensor and, when activated by the sensor, can produce an enjoyable stimulus that tends to reward a young male for using the urinal.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the size and shape of the urinal is adapted for use by a young male. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the urinal is connectable to conventional plumbing. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the urinal can be used without being connected to plumbing. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is able to detect contact with urine by detecting at least one of:
 temperature;   pressure;   vibration;   electrical conductivity; and   sound.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enjoyable stimulus is:
 a light that remains constant;   a blinking light;   a light that changes color;   a visual image that changes appearance;   an object that at least partly changes color;   an object that moves;   a sound that remains constant;   an intermittent sound;   a sound that varies in its characteristics;   a sound that at least resembles human speech;   a sound suggestive of an object that is likely to be recognized by a young male; and   a sound suggestive of an environment that is likely to be recognized by a young male.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a target object toward which a young male can direct a stream of urine. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor is physically conjunct with the target object, such that the motivational device is activated when the target object is contacted by urine. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the enjoyable stimulus emanates from the target object. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the target object is brightly colored. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the target object changes color when contacted by urine. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the target object has an appearance that is likely to be recognized by a young male. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the appearance of the target object resembles one of:
 a geometric shape;   an animal;   a person;   a vehicle; and   a celestial object.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the motivation device, when activated, produces a sound that is related to the appearance of the target object. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of sensors fixed within the urinal and able to detect contact with urine. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of motivational devices that, when activated, can produce enjoyable stimuli that tend to reward a young male for using the apparatus. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of target objects toward which a young male can direct a stream of urine. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for facilitating toilet training of young males, the apparatus comprising:
 a urinal;   a plurality of motivational devices coordinate with the urinal, each motivation device, when activated, being able to produce an enjoyable stimulus that tends to reward a young male for using the urinal; and   a plurality of target devices fixed within the urinal, each target device including a sensor that is able to detect contact with urine, each target device being configured so as to activate at least one motivational device when contact with urine is detected.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the target devices at least partly changes color when the at least one target device makes contact with urine. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the target devices has a recognizable appearance, and wherein a motivational device emits a sound that is related to the recognizable appearance when the at least one target device makes contact with urine.