Piezo-electric sensor for detecting door opening or closing
First Claim
1. A system for indicating a change in angular position of a pivotable member relative to a fixed member to which the pivotable member is pivotally connected, the system including:
- a piezo-electric element which generates an electrical signal when the change in angular position occurs; and
a transmitter for transmitting a signal in response to the change in angular position to a remote location.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system (30) detects the occurrence of angular rotation of a pivotable member (22), such as a door, relative to a fixed member (16), such as the base of a mailbox (10). The sensor system includes a sensor strip (34) positioned so as to change orientation when the door is opened or closed and generate an electrical signal. An RF transmitter (62) signals a receiver (60) at a remote location when the sensor strip registers the opening or closing. A filter (72) filters out noise to inhibit accidental signaling of door opening and/or closing when opening or closing has not occurred. A charge tuner (80) stores charge generated by the piezo-electric element to maintain the transmitter signal beyond the period of opening or closing.
24 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for indicating a change in angular position of a pivotable member relative to a fixed member to which the pivotable member is pivotally connected, the system including:
-
a piezo-electric element which generates an electrical signal when the change in angular position occurs; and
a transmitter for transmitting a signal in response to the change in angular position to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of communicating when a pivotable member moves between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising:
-
positioning a piezo-electric element such that an electrical signal is generated in response to the pivotable member moving between the open and closed positions; and
activating a transmitter when the piezo-electric element generates an electrical signal which is above a threshold level, such that the transmitter sends a signal to a receiver at a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
-
20. A mailbox and sensor system comprising:
-
a mailbox;
a sensor system which detects at least one of opening and closing of a door to the mailbox, the sensor system including a piezo-electric element which generates an electrical signal in response to the at least one of opening and closing of the door; and
a transmitter for sending a signal a remote location when the sensor system detects the at least one of the opening and closing of the door.
-
Specification