Maintenance interval timer and method of monitoring maintence intervals

• US 20040189444A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew M. Gill
• Original Assignee: Andrew M. Gill
• Inventors: Gill, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US10/403,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189444A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons

Abstract

The present invention relates to a timing device for determining maintenance intervals of maintenance-sensitive equipment. The timing device has a casing, an integrated circuit, a liquid crystal display connecting to the integrated circuit, a light emitting diode connecting to the integrated circuit, a power source connecting to the integrated circuit, a starting means, and a fixing means. The device measures a predetermined period of time and alerts a user when the predetermined period of time is achieved or soon to be achieved. The invention also relates to a method of monitoring maintenance intervals of maintenance-sensitive equipment.

Claims

1. A timing device for determining maintenance intervals of maintenance-sensitive equipment, comprising:

a casing;

an integrated circuit;

a liquid crystal display connecting to the integrated circuit;

a light emitting diode connecting to the integrated circuit;

a power source connecting to the integrated circuit;

a starting means; and

a fixing means,

wherein the device measures a predetermined period of time and alerts a user of a time relative to the predetermined period of time.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance-sensitive equipment is medical equipment.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device measures the predetermined period of time in reverse starting from a higher numerical value and counting to a lower numerical value.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display shows a time interval.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the time interval is an amount of time remaining until the predetermined period of time is achieved.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal display shows a target date.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display shows a text message, one or more symbols, or a combination thereof.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode lights up to alert the user when a set period of time before the predetermined period of time is reached.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode lights up to alert the user when the predetermined period of time is reached.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the starting means is a pull tab.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the pull tab comprises plastic, paper or a combination thereof.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means is on a back side of the device.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, double-sided tape and one or more screws.

15. A method for monitoring maintenance intervals of maintenance-sensitive equipment, comprising

adhering a device to the maintenance-sensitive equipment, wherein the device comprises:

a casing,

an integrated circuit,

a liquid crystal display connecting to the integrated circuit,

a light emitting diode connecting to the integrated circuit,

a power source connecting to the integrated circuit,

a starting means, and

a fixing means;

initiating the integrated circuit via the starting means to measure a predetermined period of time;

observing on the liquid crystal display a time relative to the predetermined period of time; and

performing maintenance on the maintenance-sensitive equipment when the light emitting diode lights up.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the maintenance-sensitive equipment is medical equipment.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the device measures the predetermined period of time in reverse starting from a higher numerical value and counting to a lower numerical value.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the liquid crystal display shows a time interval.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the time interval is an amount of time remaining until the predetermined period of time is achieved.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the light emitting diode lights up when a set period of time before the predetermined period of time is reached.