Electronic mailbox with keypad alarm system

• US 5,917,411 A
• Filed: 06/16/1998
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James H. Baggarly
• Original Assignee: James H. Baggarly
• Inventors: Baggarly, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US09/098,361
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: 340/569, 340/568.1, 340/309.15, 340/309.4, 232/17, 232/34-37, 232/45
• US Class Current: 340/569
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1212 comprising electrical parts

Abstract

An electronic mailbox including a mailbox housing (12), a door (16), an alarm system (20), a door sensor (34) a first timer, a second timer, a programmable controller (26), and a power source (42). Housing (12) defines an opening of a size and shape to receive mail. Door (16) is of a size and shape to cover opening (14). Door (16) is movably operable between an open state and a closed state. The alarm system (20) is controlled by the controller (26) between a first unarmed state and a second armed state. A keypad (22), door sensor (34) and timers input signals to controller (26). The timers along with the door state determine whether the armed state or unarmed state is in effect. Controller (26) sends output signals to activate the alarm system when the door (16) is opened by an unauthorized user. An authorized user inputs a deactivating code into the keypad (32) to deactivate the alarm system. Optional LED mail deposit indicator, latching (locking) mechanism, and illuminating lights(s) may be provided.

Claims

1. An electronic mailbox comprising:

a mailbox housing defining an opening of a size and shape to receive mail;

a door being of a size and shape to cover said opening, said door movably operable between an open state in which the opening is accessible, and a closed state in which the door covers the opening;

an alarm system operably controlled by a programmed controller between a first unarmed state and a second armed state, said alarm system including an alarm that emits an audible sound when activated in the second armed state and a programmable keypad mounted externally of the mailbox, wherein said programmable keypad can accept a deactivating code by an authorized user in order to deactivate the alarm in the second armed state;

a door sensor sensing and signaling a change of the door'"'"'s status between the open and closed states to the controller;

a first timer operably controlled by the controller and activated by opening the door in the first unarmed state;

a second timer operably controlled by the controller and activated in the second armed state either by the expiration of the first timer or receiving a signal that the door is in the closed state after an initial opening of the door in the unarmed state, and

a power source to provide electrical power to the controller, door sensor, and alarm system;

wherein, in use, a mail delivery person opens the door and delivers mail into the opening of the mailbox housing in the unarmed state, which, in turn, sets the first timer, and wherein the expiration of the first timer or closure of the door switches the alarm system into the second armed state, and wherein either the expiration of the second timer or the entry of a deactivation code on the keypad deactivates the alarm system and is switched to the first unarmed state, and

wherein opening of the door in the armed state will activate the alarm unless the deactivation code is entered prior to opening.

2. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, further comprising:

an LED mounted externally of the mailbox in which the LED is operably controlled by the controller and powered by the power source in order to turn on the LED in the armed state and turn off the LED in the unarmed state.

3. The electronic mailbox according to claim 2, further comprising:

an illuminating light mounted within the mailbox housing, said illuminating light being operably controlled by the controller and electrically powered by the power source, said illuminating light being illuminated whenever the door is sensed by the controller to be open.

4. The electronic mailbox according to claim 3 further comprising:

a tray that mounts underneath the mailbox housing, said tray including the controller, the alarm, the LED, and the illuminating light.

5. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, further comprising:

a locking mechanism operably controlled by the controller and powered by the power source, said locking mechanism further including a latch solenoid and a bracket wherein either the solenoid or bracket is mounted on the door and the other is mounted on the housing such that when the solenoid is activated, the door is locked to the housing to cover the opening when the controller activates the solenoid in the armed state and wherein the controller deactivates the solenoid in the unarmed state.

6. The electronic mailbox according to claim 5, wherein the controller is further programmed to include a low power sleep mode in the armed state from its normal awake state, said sleep mode is operably activated after the second timer has expired and the deactivating code has not been entered such that the door remains locked and the electrical power required from the power source is reduced, and wherein the sleep mode will not be switched to the awake mode until the deactivating code is entered.

7. The electronic mailbox according to claim 6, further comprising:

an LED mounted externally of the mailbox in which the LED is operably controlled by the controller and powered by the power source in order to turn on the LED in the armed state and turn off the LED in the unarmed state.

8. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, further comprising:

an illuminating light mounted within the mailbox housing, said illuminating light being operably controlled by the controller and electrically powered by the power source, said illuminating light being illuminated whenever the door is sensed by the controller to be open.

9. The electronic mailbox according to claim 8, further comprising:

a keypad illuminating light mounted adjacent the keypad and external of the mailbox, said keypad illuminating light operably controlled by the controller and electrically powered by the power source, said keypad illuminating light is illuminated when a key on the keypad is depressed.

10. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, further comprising:

a keypad illuminating light mounted adjacent the keypad and external of the mailbox, said keypad illuminating light being operably controlled by the controller and electrically powered by the power source, said keypad illuminating light being illuminated when a key on the keypad is depressed.

11. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the door sensor includes a magnet and a magnetic reed switch.

12. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the power source includes a six-volt battery.

13. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the alarm system includes a piezo-ceramic sounder module.

14. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a false back plate that covers the power source and the alarm from human access when accessing the opening to deliver or retrieve mail.

15. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third timer being operably controlled by the controller such that when the alarm is triggered, the alarm will silence once the third timer expires.

16. The electronic mailbox according to claim 15, wherein the third timer is set in the range of 1-3 minutes.

17. The electronic mailbox according to claim 16, wherein the third timer is set for two minutes.

18. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the first timer is set in the range of 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

19. The electronic mailbox according to claim 18, wherein the first timer is set for 3 minutes.

20. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the second timer is set in the range of 1-23 hours.

21. The electronic mailbox according to claim 20, wherein the second timer is set in a range of 8-12 hours.

22. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, further comprising:

a warning label fixedly attached to an exterior portion of the mailbox.

23. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the controller is furthered programmed to include a low power sleep mode in the armed state from its normal awake state, said sleep mode is operably activated after the second timer has expired and the door is in the closed state such that the electrical power required from the power source is reduced, and wherein the sleep mode will not be switched to the awake mode until the deactivating code is entered.

24. The electronic mailbox according to claim 1, further comprising:

a low voltage monitor controlled by the controller and powered by the power source, said monitor senses the output voltage from the power source and signals the controller at a predetermined voltage.

25. The electronic mailbox according to claim 24, further comprising:

a second alarm controlled by the controller and powered by the power source to emit an audible sound when the controller receives a signal from the monitor that the output voltage of the power source is at the predetermined voltage.

26. An electronic mailbox comprising:

a mailbox housing defining an opening of a size and shape to receive mail;

a door being of a size and shape to cover said opening, said door movably operable between an open state in which the opening is accessible, and a closed state in which the door covers said opening;

an alarm system operably controlled by a programmed controller between a first unarmed state and a second armed state, said alarm system including an alarm that emits an audible sound when activated in the second armed state and a programmable keypad mounted externally of the mailbox, wherein said programmable keypad can accept a deactivating code by an authorized user in order to deactivate the alarm in the second armed state;

a door sensor sensing and signaling a change of the door'"'"'s status between the open and closed states to the controller;

a first timer operably controlled by the controller and activated by opening the door in the first unarmed state;

a second timer operably controlled by the controller and activated in the second armed state by the expiration of the first timer; and

a power source to provide electrical power to the controller, door sensor, and alarm system;

wherein, in use, a mail delivery person opens the door and delivers mail into the opening of the mailbox housing in the unarmed state, which, in turn, sets the first timer, and wherein the expiration of the first timer or closure of the door switches the alarm system into the second armed state, and wherein either the expiration of the second timer or the entry of a deactivation code on the keypad deactivates the alarm system and is switched to the first unarmed state, and

wherein opening of the door in the armed state will activate the alarm unless the deactivation code is entered prior to opening.

27. An electronic mailbox comprising:

a mailbox housing defining an opening of a size and shape to receive mail;

a door being of a size and shape to cover said opening, said door movably operable between an open state in which the opening is accessible, and a closed state in which the door covers said opening;

an alarm system operably controlled by a programmable controller between a first unarmed state and a second armed state, said alarm system including an alarm that emits an audible sound when activated in the second armed state and a programmable keypad mounted externally of the mailbox, wherein said programmable keypad can accept a deactivating code by an authorized user in order to deactivate the alarm in the second armed state;

a door sensor sensing and signaling a change of the door'"'"'s status between the open and closed states to the controller;

a first timer operably controlled by the controller and activated by opening the door in the first unarmed state;

a second timer operably controlled by the controller and activated in the second armed state either by the expiration of the first timer or receiving a signal that the door is in the closed state after an initial opening of the door in the unarmed state, and

a power source to provide electrical power to the controller, door sensor, and alarm system;

wherein, in use, a mail delivery person opens the door and delivers mail into the opening of the mailbox housing in the unarmed state, which, in turn, sets the first timer, and wherein the expiration of the first timer or closure of the door switches the alarm system into the second armed state, and wherein either the expiration of the second timer or the entry of a deactivation code on the keypad deactivates the alarm system and is switched to the first unarmed state, and

wherein opening of the door in the armed state will activate the alarm unless the deactivation code is entered prior to opening.

28. An electronic mailbox comprising:

a mailbox housing defining an opening of a size and shape to receive mail;

a door being of a size and shape to cover said opening, said door movably operable between an open state in which the opening is accessible, and a closed state in which the door covers said opening;

an alarm system operably controlled by a programmed and programmable controller between a first unarmed state and a second armed state, said alarm system including an alarm that emits an audible sound when activated in the second armed state and a programmable keypad mounted externally of the mailbox, wherein said programmable keypad can accept a deactivating code by an authorized user in order to deactivate the alarm in the second armed state;

a door sensor sensing and signaling a change of the door'"'"'s status between the open and closed states to the controller;

a first timer operably controlled by the controller and activated by opening the door in the first unarmed state;

a second timer operably controlled by the controller and activated in the second armed state either by the expiration of the first timer or receiving a signal that the door is in the closed state after an initial opening of the door in the unarmed state, and

a power source to provide electrical power to the controller, door sensor, and alarm system;

wherein, in use, a mail delivery person opens the door and delivers mail into the opening of the mailbox housing in the unarmed state, which, in turn, sets the first timer, and wherein the expiration of the first timer or closure of the door switches the alarm system into the second armed state, and wherein either the expiration of the second timer or the entry of a deactivation code on the keypad deactivates the alarm system and is switched to the first unarmed state, and

wherein opening of the door in the armed state will activate the alarm unless the deactivation code is entered prior to opening.