Remote mail delivery reporting system triggered by predetermined mail in a mailbox

• US 5,036,310 A
• Filed: 01/04/1991
• Issued: 07/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David E. Russell
• Original Assignee: David E. Russell
• Inventors: Russell, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/637,441
• Time in Patent Office: 207 Days
• Field of Search: 340/569, 340/533, 340/572, 340/551
• US Class Current: 340/569
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter

Abstract

The delivery of special, preselected mail to a mailbox is detected and announced by including a piece of magnetic material or a metal object with the envelope. A magnetic detector or metal detector, within the mailbox, senses the presence of the magnetic material or metal object and actuates a radio transmitter, at the mailbox, which sends a signal to a radio receiver. Upon receiving the radio signal, the radio receiver activates a telephone answering device, or an automated building control or surveillance center having remote interrogation access or capable of sending an announcement so that a person at a distant telephone can be advised of the mail delivery. Electric wiring may be utilized in lieu of radio transmission.

Claims

1. A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a radio transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a tuned radio receiver remote from said transmitter, said transmitter broadcasting a radio signal to said tuned radio receiver, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a metal detector and said piece of mail including a metal object.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said metal detector includes a magnetic detector and said metal object is magnetic material.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said means operated by said receiver is remotely located from said mailbox.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes speaker means for generating audible sound and circuit means responsive to audible sound generated by said speaker means for providing a first output signal when audible sound generated by said speaker means exceeds a predetermined level as established by said circuit means.

5. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said first output signal is a control signal for activating a telephone dialing device.

6. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said circuit means includes a telephone dialing device.

7. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes a speaker responsive to an output signal from said receiver for producing an audible sound output when said receiver provides said output signal and circuit means responsive to said audible sound output for dialing a predetermined telephone number when said audible sound output is provided by said speaker.

8. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes a signalling means for signalling a user that the presence of a predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox has been detected by said system.

9. The system as defined in claim 8 wherein said signalling means includes speaker means for generating audible sound.

10. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein said signalling means further includes switching means responsive to the generation of audible sound by said speaker means.

11. A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a radio transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a tuned radio receiver remote from said transmitter, said transmitter broadcasting a radio signal to said tuned radio receiver, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a magnetic detector and said piece of mail including magnetic material.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said means operated by said receiver is remotely located from said mailbox.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes speaker means for generating audible sound and circuit means responsive to audible sound generated by said for providing a first output signal when audible sound generated by said speaker means exceeds a predetermined level as established by said circuit means.

14. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein said first output signal is a control signal for activating a telephone dialing device.

15. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein said circuit means includes a telephone dialing device.

16. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes a speaker responsive to an output signal from said receiver for providing an audible sound output when said receiver provides said output signal and circuit means responsive to said audible sound output for dialing a predetermined telephone number when said audible sound output is provided by said speaker.

17. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes a signalling means for signalling a user that the presence of a predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox has been detected by said system.

18. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said signalling means includes speaker means for generating audible sound.

19. The system as defined in claim 18 wherein said signalling means further includes switching means responsive to the generation of audible sound by said speaker means.

20. A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a signal transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a signal receiver remote from said transmitter and in electrical communication therewith, said transmitter sending a signal to said receiver when actuated, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a metal detector and said piece of mail including a metal object.