Electronic monitoring unit for monitoring number of uses of cartridge
First Claim
1. In a self contained electronic monitoring unit for monitoring and informing a user of the status of a cartridge designed to be used for a predetermined number of fills of a liquid container, the combination comprising:
- signaling means for providing at least first and second distinct human detectable output signals;
use monitoring means for monitoring each use of a cartridge including liquid sensing means for sensing the presence of liquid during each time a container associated is filled with the cartridge and a pre-programmed integrated circuit responsive to the liquid sensing means for recording each use of the cartridge and for monitoring the occurrence, the imminent occurrence and the non-imminent occurrence of a predetermined number of uses, the monitoring means being arranged to provide outputs indicative that the predetermined number of uses has occurred, is imminent and is non-imminent, and for selectively operating the signaling means, the integrated circuit being programmed;
a) to operate the signaling means to provide the first output signal when the output of the use monitoring means is indicative of the non-imminent occurrence of the predetermined number of uses to thereby inform the user that the device is operational and that the end of the useful life thereof is non imminentb) to operate the signaling means to provide the second output signal when the output of the use monitoring means is indicative of the imminent occurrence of the predetermined number of uses to thereby inform the user that the device is operational but that the end of the useful life thereof is imminent; and
c) to operate the signaling means to provide neither the first nor the second signal when the output of the use monitoring means is indicative of the occurrence of the predetermined number of uses to thereby inform the user that the useful life of the device has ended.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained electronic monitoring unit for attachment to a device, such as a water filter, designed to be used until the occurrence of a predetermined event such as a predetermined number of uses, includes transducer for providing distinct outputs such as different audio output signals. A programmed integrated circuit and use detecting means such as electrical contacts detect each use of the device and monitor when the device is operational, when the end of life event is imminent and has occurred. The integrated circuit is programmed to operate the transducer to produce output signals during each use of the device informing the user that the device is operational, that the predetermined event or end of useful life is imminent and that the useful life has expired. The unit includes a battery for supplying power to the transducer and integrated circuit.
199 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. In a self contained electronic monitoring unit for monitoring and informing a user of the status of a cartridge designed to be used for a predetermined number of fills of a liquid container, the combination comprising:
-
signaling means for providing at least first and second distinct human detectable output signals; use monitoring means for monitoring each use of a cartridge including liquid sensing means for sensing the presence of liquid during each time a container associated is filled with the cartridge and a pre-programmed integrated circuit responsive to the liquid sensing means for recording each use of the cartridge and for monitoring the occurrence, the imminent occurrence and the non-imminent occurrence of a predetermined number of uses, the monitoring means being arranged to provide outputs indicative that the predetermined number of uses has occurred, is imminent and is non-imminent, and for selectively operating the signaling means, the integrated circuit being programmed; a) to operate the signaling means to provide the first output signal when the output of the use monitoring means is indicative of the non-imminent occurrence of the predetermined number of uses to thereby inform the user that the device is operational and that the end of the useful life thereof is non imminent b) to operate the signaling means to provide the second output signal when the output of the use monitoring means is indicative of the imminent occurrence of the predetermined number of uses to thereby inform the user that the device is operational but that the end of the useful life thereof is imminent; and c) to operate the signaling means to provide neither the first nor the second signal when the output of the use monitoring means is indicative of the occurrence of the predetermined number of uses to thereby inform the user that the useful life of the device has ended. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A self-contained electronic monitoring unit adapted to be mounted on a water filter cartridge designed to be used a predetermined number of times for monitoring and informing a user of the status of the filter cartridge, the filter cartridge being adapted to be inserted within the top portion of a portable pitcher and filter water entering the pitcher by gravity flow each time the pitcher is filled comprising:
-
means for sensing the flow of water through the filter cartridge; signaling means for providing at least first and second distinct human detectable signals; and a programmable integrated circuit responsive to the flow sensing means for counting each time the pitcher is filled, for storing counts representative of the end and imminent end of the useful life of the filter cartridge and for selectively operating the signaling means, the integrated circuit being so programmed that; (a) when the pitcher is being filled and the number of fill times is indicative of the imminent end of the useful life of the filter cartridge the signaling means is operated to provide the first output signal; and (b) when the pitcher is being filled and the number of fill times is indicative of the end of the useful life of the filter cartridge the signaling means is operated to provide the second output signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification