Urinal target system

Abstract

A urinal target system provides a target to improve the aim of a person as they urinate. The target system is customizable, in that, the optional addition of graphics on the target makes it more fun to hit the target. For example, one might use a picture of a political person, a boss or a family member, thereby providing entertainment value while also providing an interesting target that will improve a person's aim. The urinal target system has an optional score output such as a display, lamp or speaker. The score output displays a score for the person urinating that a function of the length of time that the target is hit and/or the pressure exerted on the target, so a person with good aim is more likely to achieve a higher score than one with bad aim.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A urinal target system comprising:
 a base member having at least a back wall;   a cover member, the cover member having at least a front wall, the cover member is movably interfaced to the base member and the cover member is urged away from the base member by a resilient member such that a force directed upon the front wall of the cover member counteracts the resilient member, moving the cover member closer to the base member; and   a target graphics on an outside surface of the front wall of the cover member;   whereas the base member is interfaced to a wall of a toilet/urinal and the target graphics is a target for a person urinating.   
     
     
         2 . The urinal target system of  claim 1 , wherein the target graphics is printed on a label and the label is affixed to the outside surface of the front wall of the cover member. 
     
     
         3 . The urinal target system of  claim 1 , wherein the target graphics is printed on a label and the label is inserted between the outside surface of the front wall of the cover member and a non-opaque cap whereas the non-opaque cap connects with the cover member, covers the label, and reduces exposure of the label to the flow of the urine. 
     
     
         4 . The urinal target system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor, the sensor coupled to the urinal target system such that the sensor detects the force and the sensor converts the force into an electrical signal, the electrical signal being proportional to the force of the flow of the urine. 
     
     
         5 . The urinal target system of  claim 4 , further comprising a processor and display, the processor electrically interfaced to the sensor such that the processor receives the electrical signal and software running on the processor calculates a score value that is a function of the force of the flow of the urine and the processor displays the score value on the display. 
     
     
         6 . The urinal target system of  claim 4 , further comprising a processor and display, the processor electrically interfaced to the sensor such that the processor receives the electrical signal and software running on the processor calculates a score value that is a function of the force of the flow of the urine and a length of time of the flow of the urine, and the processor displays the score value on the display. 
     
     
         7 . The urinal target system of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor affixed to the base member and a magnet affixed to an inside surface of the cover member; the Hall Effect sensor converts a magnetic field strength of the magnet into the electrical signal such that, as the cover member moves closer to the base member due to the force, the magnet moves closer to the Hall Effect sensor, thereby increasing the magnetic field strength around the Hall Effect sensor and changing the electrical signal proportional to the force. 
     
     
         8 . A method of improving aim of a person that is urinating, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) directing the flow of the urine towards a urinal target system, the urinal target system interfaced to a urinal, the urinal target system comprising:
 a base member having at least a back wall; 
 a cover member, the cover member having at least a front wall, the cover member is movably interfaced to the base member and the cover member is urged away from the base member by a resilient member such that a flow of urine applies a force to an outside surface of the front wall of the cover member thereby the force counteracts the spring, moving the front wall of the cover member closer to the back wall of the base member; 
 a sensor, the sensor coupled to the urinal target system such that the sensor detects the force from the flow of the urine and the sensor converts the force into an electrical signal, the electrical signal being proportional to the force of the flow of the urine; 
 a processor electrically interfaced to the sensor such that the processor receives the electrical signal; 
   (b) software running on the processor calculating a score value that is a function of at least the force of the flow of the urine;   (c) the software running on the processor displaying the score value on a display that is coupled to the processor; and   (d) Repeating steps (b) and (c) until the force of the flow of the urine abates.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the score value is also a function of a length of time that the flow of the urine hits the cover member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising after step (d), the step of (e) the software running on the processor delaying for a period of time and then the software running on the processor blanking the display. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor affixed to the base member and a magnet that is affixed to an inside surface of the cover member; the Hall Effect sensor converts a magnetic field strength of the magnet into the electrical signal such that as the cover member moves closer to the base member due to the force from the flow of the urine the magnet moves closer to the Hall Effect sensor, thereby increasing the magnetic field strength around the Hall Effect sensor and changing the electrical signal proportional to the force of the flow of the urine. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a target graphics is printed on a label and the label is affixed to the outside surface of the front wall of the cover member. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a target graphics is printed on a label and the label is inserted between the outside surface of the front wall of the cover member and a non-opaque cap interfaced to the cover member, whereas the non-opaque cap covers the label thereby reducing exposure of the label to the flow of the urine. 
     
     
         14 . A urinal target system comprising:
 a cover member;   means for resiliently supporting the cover member from a wall of a toilet/urinal;   means for measuring a force from a flow of urine applied to the cover member;   means for calculating a signal as a function of the force; and   means for outputting the signal.   
     
     
         15 . The urinal target system of  claim 14 , wherein the cover member includes a front wall, a target graphics is printed on a label and the label is affixed to an outside surface of the front wall. 
     
     
         16 . The urinal target system of  claim 14 , wherein the means for measuring the force converts the force into an electrical signal, the electrical signal being proportional to the force of the flow of the urine. 
     
     
         17 . The urinal target system of  claim 17 , wherein the means for calculating the signal is also a function of a time that the force persists. 
     
     
         18 . The urinal target system of  claim 14 , wherein the means for outputting the signal is a display. 
     
     
         19 . The urinal target system of  claim 18 , wherein the display is a numeric display. 
     
     
         20 . The urinal target system of  claim 14 , wherein the means for outputting the signal is a sound transducer.