Registration and inspection alarm apparatus

• US 7,079,019 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2004
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Ruggiero
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Ruggiero
• Inventors: Ruggiero, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/909,773
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 340/457, 340/457.4, 340/309.16, 340/309.3, 340/309.4, 340/309.5, 340/309.7, 340/309.8, 340/309.9, 368/10, 368/107, 320/113, 320/132, 705/3
• US Class Current: 340/457.4
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity

Abstract

An alarm mechanism includes a first programming for programming an expiration date signifying that an event must be performed. A second programming is included for programming a notification date for notifying a user that the event must be performed. A display device displays the expiration date thereon. A timing mechanism produces an actual date and is connected to the first and second programming. A processor compares the actual date produced by the timing mechanism with each of the expiration date and notification date. An alerting device alerts a user that at least one of the expiration date and the notification date is greater than or equal to the actual date. Upon the at least one of the expiration date and the notification date is greater than or equal to the actual date, the processor causes the alerting device to emit an alert thereby notifying the user that the event must be performed.

Claims

1. An alarm mechanism:

a) a first programming means for programming an expiration date signifying that an event must be performed;

b) a second programming means for programming a notification date for notifying a user that said event must be performed;

c) means for displaying said expiration date thereon;

d) a timing mechanism for producing an actual date connected to said first and second programming means;

e) a processor for comparing said actual date produced by said timing mechanism with each of said expiration date and notification date; and

f) means for alerting a user that at least one of said expiration date and said notification date is greater than or equal to said actual date, wherein upon at least one of said expiration date and said notification date is greater than or equal to said actual date, said processor causes said alerting means to emit an alert thereby notifying the user that said event must be performed.

2. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said alerting means is an audible alert for audibly emitting an alert to said user.

3. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 2, wherein said audible alert is at least one of a musical alert, a pre-stored tone, and a verbal alert.

4. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said alerting means is a visual alert for emitting a visual alert to said user.

5. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second programming means are able program a plurality of expiration and notification dates corresponding to a plurality of events.

6. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of display means corresponding to said plurality of events, wherein each respective display means displays said expiration date corresponding to the respective event.

7. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, further comprising an alert selector that allows the user to selectively determine a type of alert emitted by said alerting means.

8. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said first programming means include a month and year button for selectively changing the month and year of said expiration date.

9. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said second programming means include a month and year button for selectively changing the month and year of said notification date.

10. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for selectively communicating between said mechanism and an external device.

11. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 10, wherein said external device is able to selectively program at least one of said expiration date and said notification date.

12. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 11, wherein said external device is at least one of a personal computer, personal digital assistant and an auto-shop computer.

13. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 12, wherein said external device transmits a data signal containing data representing at least one of said expiration date and said notification date for receipt by said transceiver.

14. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 13, wherein said data signal is transmitted at least one of wirelessly or through a connection wire.

15. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said mechanism is formed as a keychain.

16. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said mechanism is formed integral with a dashboard of a vehicle.

17. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said mechanism is formed as a refrigerator magnet.

18. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said event is at least one of a vehicle inspection and a vehicle registration.

19. The alarm mechanism as recited in claim 1, further comprising a clock display for displaying a time thereon.