Preprogrammed electronic reminder device

• US 10,403,120 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2017
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael James Elkington
• Original Assignee: Michael James Elkington
• Inventors: Elkington, Michael James
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Albert K
• Application Number:
  US15/638,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20190005799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 3403097
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/24 Clocks or watches with date or week-day indicators , i.e. calendar clocks or watches; Clockwork calendars
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 19/02 by electric lamps
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 11/00 Producing optical signals at preselected times
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A preprogrammed electronic reminding device is provided with color coded light indicators that correspond to a color associated with a particular task. The device comprises of a housing, PCB and preprogrammed micro-controller. The face of device is customizable for the display of information in the way of but not limited to logos, advertising or other messages. The reminder device has a means for fastening the housing to another surface.

Claims

1. An electronic reminder apparatus comprising:

a housing having a customizable front panel;

a micro controller adapted for selecting parameters for providing indication at least one day prior to collection, wherein the microcontroller is further adapted to provide indication of which type of refuse bin is to be collected;

a plurality of light indicators, wherein the light indicators each display a different color;

one or more buttons placed on the front panel, wherein buttons are operably connected to the micro controller in order to enter input to program the micro controller to select parameters to provide indication at least one day prior to collection to an individual viewing the apparatus; and

a means for fastening the housing to a surface.

2. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the light indicators is color coded corresponding to a color of the refuse bins due for collection in a particular period of time.

3. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 1, wherein the micro controller is adapted to activate a dormant mode, wherein the dormant mode is activated when the housing is stationary for a predetermined period of time, further wherein the dormant mode is deactivated when the housing is moved.

4. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is made from recycled materials.

5. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front panel further comprises an LCD screen, wherein the LCD screen is adapted to display times.

6. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an infrared sensor adapted to detect movement of the apparatus, wherein movement of the apparatus activates an LCD screen.

7. An electronic reminder apparatus comprising:

a housing having a front panel;

a preprogrammed micro controller adapted for selecting parameters for providing indication to an individual at least one day prior to collection , wherein the micro controller is further adapted to provide instructions for providing indication of which type of refuse bin is to be collected;

a plurality of light indicators located on the front panel, wherein the plurality of light indicators provide indication as to which of the refuse bins is to be collected;

a plurality of lenses of a chosen combination of color adapted change color or appearance of the plurality of light indicators;

a plurality of buttons operably connected to the preprogrammed micro controller to set a predetermined sequence of visual alerts; and

a means for fastening the housing to another surface.

8. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality light indicators is color coded corresponding to the color of the refuse bin due for collection during a particular period of time.

9. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 7 wherein the lenses are color coded corresponding to the color of the refuse bin due for collection at a predetermined time.

10. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 7, wherein the micro controller is adapted to activate a dormant mode, wherein the dormant mode is activated when the housing is stationary for predetermined period of time, further wherein the dormant mode is deactivated when the housing is moved.

11. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 7, wherein the housing is made from recycled materials.

12. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 7, wherein the front panel further comprises an LCD screen, wherein the LCD screen adapted to display times.

13. The electronic reminder apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an infrared sensor adapted to detect movement of the apparatus, wherein movement of the apparatus activates an LCD screen.

14. A method of indicating which refuse bin is to be collected, the method comprising:

programming a microcontroller located within a housing to select parameters for providing indication of which refuse bin is to be collected at least one day prior to collection, wherein the housing has a front panel, wherein indication of which refuse bin is to be collected at least one day prior to collection is provided by a plurality of light indicators located on the front panel, wherein each of the plurality of light indicators is adapted to change color using a plurality of lenses having a predetermined combination of color to change the color;

activating one of plurality of light indicators at least one day prior to when a first refuse bin is to be collected, wherein the first refuse bin is for one type of refuse;

activating another one of the plurality of light indicators at least one day prior to when a second refuse bin is to be collected, wherein the second refuse bin is for another type of refuse than the first refuse bin; and

activating yet another one of the plurality of light indicators at least one day prior to when a third refuse bin is to be collected, wherein the third refuse bin is for yet another type of refuse than either or the first refuse bin or the second refuse bin.

15. The method of claim 14, removably attaching the housing to a movable object, wherein movement of the movable object activates one of the plurality of light indicators, wherein non-movement of the movable object activates a dormant mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the movable object is a door.