Stand-alone notification system

• US 20050012628A1
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Canberra Auila Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Canberra Auila Incorporated
• Inventors: Rosley, Richard, Kadner, Steven P.
• Application Number:
  US10/657,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20050012628A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/601
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/10 Devices for predicting weather conditions computers per se G06; display devices G09

Abstract

The present invention provides for a system, apparatus, and method for broadcasting indications of given conditions. The present invention includes a receiver, a display, and a controller coupled to the display. The display can use symbols and/or colors to indicate the status of one or more conditions. An audible alarm can be included to warn of true emergency situations. The device may be plugged into a two-prong electrical outlet for electrical power. The broadcast can be received either through the outlet wirings or as broadcast on a radio frequency.

Claims

1. A device for displaying a broadcast condition, said device comprising:

a receiver for receiving a broadcast signal;

a controller, coupled to said receiver, for decoding said broadcast signal;

a display panel for displaying an indicator of the content of said broadcast signal; and

a power plug, mounted to the display panel, to power said receiver, said controller, and said display panel.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said display panel displays only a color.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said display panel displays symbols indicating a condition being reported.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an audio alarm that can be sounded by said controller.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the contents of said broadcast signal is with regard to an emergency condition.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the contents of said broadcast signal is with regard to a non-emergency condition.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the contents of said broadcast signal is with regard to a single condition.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the contents of said broadcast signal is with regard to a plurality of conditions.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising an audio alarm that can be sounded by said controller.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the contents of said broadcast signal is with regard to an emergency condition.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the contents of said broadcast signal is with regard to a non-emergency condition.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the contents of said broadcast signal is with regard to a plurality of conditions.

9. A method for providing information to a consumer, said method comprising:

receiving, at a device powered by household current, a broadcast radio frequency signal that carries information with regard to a condition;

decoding said information to provide a status; and

in response to said receiving and decoding steps, providing a display that indicates said status.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said display comprises a selection of colored lights, each of which indicates a known status.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said display includes symbols that provide information regarding said status.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the condition is an emergency condition.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the condition is a non-emergency condition.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of sounding an alarm when an emergency exists.

15. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein a plurality of conditions are reported.

16. A system for broadcasting given conditions, said system comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a broadcast signal;

a receiver for receiving said broadcast signal;

a controller, coupled to said receiver, for decoding said broadcast signal;

a display panel for displaying an indicator of the content of said broadcast signal; and

a power plug, mounted to said display panel, to power said receiver, said controller, and said display panel.