Padlock that generates a message

• US 20060267728A1
• Filed: 12/05/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Elliot Rudell
• Original Assignee: Elliot Rudell
• Inventors: Sandoval, Julio, Kamrath, Richard P., Foster, George T., Rudell, Elliot
• Application Number:
  US11/295,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20060267728A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.540
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0083 Sound emitting devices, e.g. loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/00 Locks giving indication of authorised or unauthorised unlocking with key identification means E05B35/001; alarm locks E05B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/02 Cases
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7085 Using a dial having indicia or pointer and indicia

Abstract

A padlock that can display a message. The padlock includes on output device such as a screen that can display the message. The message can be entered through buttons or keys on the padlock. The screen is controlled by a circuit that can store multiple messages. The circuit can be programmed to operate in different modes. For example, in one mode the message is only displayed when a user enters an appropriate code into the padlock.

Claims

1. A padlock, comprising:

a housing;

a shackle that extends from said housing;

a lock mechanism that is attached to said housing and engages said shackle;

an output device that is attached to said housing and generates a message; and

,

a circuit that controls said output device to generate said message.

2. The padlock of claim 1, further comprising an input device that receives input to define said message.

3. The padlock of claim 1, wherein said output device is a display screen.

4. The padlock of claim 1, wherein said output device is a speaker.

5. The padlock of claim 2, wherein said input device includes at least one button.

6. The padlock of claim 3, wherein said message is defined by selecting an option displayed by said display screen.

7. The padlock of claim 2, wherein said message is generated in response to an input to said input device.

8. The padlock of claim 1, wherein said circuit includes a memory that stores said message.

9. The padlock of claim 8, wherein said circuit includes a processor that controls a display mode of said message.

10. The padlock of claim 2, wherein said input is a code.

11. A padlock, comprising:

a housing;

a shackle that extends from said housing;

a lock mechanism that is attached to said housing and engages said shackle; and

,

message means for defining and generating a message.

12. The padlock of claim 11, wherein said message means includes an input device that receives input to define said message.

13. The padlock of claim 11, wherein said message means includes a display screen.

14. The padlock of claim 11, wherein said message means includes a speaker.

15. The padlock of claim 12, wherein said input device includes at least one button.

16. The padlock of claim 12, wherein said message is defined by selecting an option displayed by said display screen.

17. The padlock of claim 12, wherein said message is generated in response to an input to said input device.

18. The padlock of claim 11, wherein said message means includes a memory that stores said message.

19. The padlock of claim 18, wherein said message means includes a processor that controls a display mode of said message.

20. The padlock of claim 12, wherein said input is a code.

21. An attachment to a padlock, comprising:

an attachment housing adapted to be attached to the padlock;

an output device attached to said attachment housing; and

,

a circuit that is coupled to said input device and controls said output device to generate a message.

22. The attachment of claim 21, further comprising an input device that is attached to said attachment housing and receives input to define said message.

23. The attachment of claim 21, wherein said output device is a display screen.

24. The attachment of claim 21, wherein said output device is a speaker.

25. The attachment of claim 22, wherein said message is defined by selecting an option displayed by said display screen.

26. The attachment of claim 22, wherein said message is generated in response to an input into said input device.

27. The attachment of claim 21, wherein said circuit includes a memory that stores said message.

28. The attachment of claim 27, wherein said circuit includes a processor that controls a display mode of said message.

29. The attachment of claim 22, wherein said input is a code.

30. An attachment for a padlock that has a padlock housing, comprising:

an attachment housing adapted to be attached to the padlock housing; and

,

message means for generating a message.

31. The attachment of claim 30, wherein said message means includes a display screen.

32. The attachment of claim 30, wherein said message means includes a speaker.

33. The attachment of claim 30, wherein said message means includes an input device attached to said attachment housing and said message can be entered through said input device.

34. The attachment of claim 33, wherein said message is generated in response to an input into said input device.

35. The attachment of claim 30, wherein said message means includes a memory that stores said message.

36. The attachment of claim 35, wherein said message means includes a processor that controls a display mode of said message.

37. The attachment of claim 33, wherein said input is a code.

38. A method for generating a message, comprising:

locking a padlock onto an object; and

,

generating an electronic message from the padlock.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the electronic message is displayed by a display screen.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the electronic message is audio.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the message is entered through an input device of the padlock.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein a code is entered to generate the message.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein a code is entered before creating the message.