Talking alarm for openable compartment

• US 4,835,520 A
• Filed: 04/24/1987
• Issued: 05/30/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas Aiello
• Original Assignee: Thomas Aiello
• Inventors: Aiello, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, JILL
• Application Number:
  US07/041,999
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 340/545, 340/692, 340/309.15, 340/522, 368/10, 221/3, 177/143, 312/236, 364/479, 219/10.55 C, 200/61.62, 200/61.64, 200/61.69, 200/61.44, 116/12, 116/85, 116/86, 116/100, 70/267-271, 109/44, 109/43, 62/125, 62/131, 62/531
• US Class Current: 340/545.6
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/02 Sensors detecting door opening
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A message-generating apparatus for discouraging access to a compartment during predesignated time intervals. The apparatus includes a detector to determine when the compartment door is open and to produce a signal when this event occurs. If the event occurs within a predesignated alarm time interval, a microprocessor produces a reminder signal which activates a speech synthesizer to produce a voice-like audible message. Also disclosed is a display to aid in designating time-of-day, messages, and alarm time intervals.

Claims

1. Message-generating apparatus for use in connection with a compartment having an access opening and a closure for the opening, comprising:

means for detecting when said closure is moved toward a position allowing access to the compartment and producing a signal upon such occurrence;

means for inputting a predetermined time interval;

a clock adapted to product an enabling signal when the time of day is within the predetermined time interval;

means for receiving the detection signal and the enabling signal, determining simultaneous occurrence thereof, and generating a reminder signal in response thereto; and

means for producing a voice-like audible message in response to the reminder signal,

wherein the compartment comprises a refrigerator.

2. A message-generating apparatus for use in connection with a compartment having an access opening and a closure for the opening, comprising:

means for detecting when said closure is moved toward a position allowing access to the compartment and producing a signal upon such occurrence;

a clock for continuously producing time-of-day signals;

a digital memory for storing a predetermined daily time interval;

means for continuously comparing the time-of-day signal and the predetermined daily time interval to determine if the time-of-day falls within the predetermined interval, an enabling signal being produced in response to said falling within condition;

means for receiving the detection signal and the enabling signal, determining simultaneously occurrence thereof, and generating a reminder signal in response thereto; and

means for producing a voice-like audible message in response to the reminder signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the receiving, determining, and generating means comprises a microprocessor.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the compartment comprises a refrigerator.