Mailbox and counter combination device

• US 6,788,203 B1
• Filed: 07/15/2003
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian A. Roxbury, Cerrie Roxbury
• Original Assignee: Brian A. Roxbury, Cerrie Roxbury
• Inventors: Roxbury, Cerrie, Roxbury, Brian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US10/618,943
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 340/545.1, 340/545.6, 340/539.1, 232/17, 232/19, 232/35, 232/37
• US Class Current: 340/545.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind

Abstract

A mailbox and counter combination device for determining a number of times a mailbox has been opened includes a mailbox having an opening extending therein. A door is hingedly coupled to the mailbox such that the door may be selectively positioned in an open position or a closed position with respect to the opening. A sensor is adapted for detecting when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position. A processor is operationally coupled to the sensor and is adapted for recording a number of times the door is moved to the open position.

Claims

1. A mailbox and counter combination device, comprising:

a mailbox having an opening extending therein, a door being hingedly coupled to said mailbox for selectively positioning in an open position or a closed position with respect to said opening;

a sensor adapted for detecting when said door is moved from said closed position to said open position; and

a processor being operationally coupled to said sensor and being adapted for recording a number of times said door is moved to said open position.

2. The mailbox and counter combination device of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a motion detector mounted in said mailbox and positioned generally adjacent to said opening, said motion detector being adapted for detecting movement of said door away from said opening.

3. The mailbox and counter combination device of claim 1, further including a mailbox display being operationally coupled to said processor for displaying the number of times said door is moved to said open position.

4. The mailbox and counter combination device of claim 3, further including a first transceiver being operationally coupled to said processor for wireless transmittal of said number of times said door is moved to said open position, a second transceiver being adapted for receiving said wireless transmittal from said first transceiver, a display being operationally coupled to said second transceiver for displaying said number of times said door is moved to said open position.

5. The mailbox and counter combination device of claim 1, further including a first transceiver being operationally coupled to said processor for wireless transmittal of said number of times said door is moved to said open position, a second transceiver being adapted for receiving said wireless transmittal from said first transceiver, a display being operationally coupled to said second transceiver for displaying said number of times said door is moved to said open position.

6. The mailbox and counter combination device of claim 5, further including a reset actuator being operationally coupled to said second transceiver for selectively sending a wireless signal to said first transceiver to instruct said processor to reset to zero said number of times said door is moved to said open position.

7. The mailbox and counter combination device of claim 6, further including a display actuator being operationally coupled to said remote display for selectively turning said remote display on or off.

8. The mailbox and counter combination device of claim 4, further including a reset actuator being operationally coupled to said second transceiver for selectively sending a wireless signal to said first transceiver to instruct said processor to reset to zero said number of times said door is moved to said open position.

9. The mailbox and counter combination device of claim 8, further including a display actuator being operationally coupled to said remote display for selectively turning said remote display on or off.

10. A mailbox and counter combination device, comprising:

a mailbox having a bottom wall, an upper wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls, a front of said mailbox defining an opening into said mailbox, a door being hingedly coupled to said mailbox for selectively positioning in an open position or a closed position with respect to said opening;

a sensor adapted for detecting when said door is moved from said closed position to said open position, said sensor comprising a motion detector mounted in said mailbox and positioned generally adjacent to said opening, said motion detector being adapted for detecting movement of said door away from said opening;

a processor being operationally coupled to said sensor and being adapted for recording a number of times said door is moved to said open position;

a mailbox display being operationally coupled to said processor for displaying the number of times said door is moved to said open position;

a first transceiver being operationally coupled to said processor for wireless transmittal of said number of times said door is moved to said open position;

a second transceiver being adapted for receiving said wireless transmittal from said first transceiver;

a remote display being operationally coupled to said second transceiver for displaying said number of times said door is moved to said open position;

a reset actuator being operationally coupled to said second transceiver for selectively sending a wireless signal to said first transceiver to instruct said processor to reset to zero said number of times said door is moved to said open position; and

a display actuator being operationally coupled to said remote display for selectively turning said remote display on or off.