Remote reminding system

• US 7,196,623 B1
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matthew C. Wang
• Original Assignee: Matthew C. Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Matthew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/944,173
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 340/527, 340/529, 340/679, 340/309.16, 340/309.7, 340/539.1, 340/539.3, 340/686.6, 340/426.15, 340/457, 340/5.71, 340/5.72, 340/539.22, 340/505, 340 101- 103, 340/540
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

The inventive device functions to warn a user of the undesirable condition of an appliance or other equipment. An “undesirable condition” may be an automatic garage door that is left open, a toaster oven or electric heater that is left on, an air conditioner that is left on, a security alarm that is left de-activated, or any other condition which is deemed undesirable and would benefit from a warning device which allows a user to return to the location of the appliance and remedy its undesirable condition. The inventive device is comprised of a base unit system that is in monitoring contact with the appliance of interest through at least one sensor, and a remote receiving unit system which travels in the user'"'"'s automobile. The base unit communicates status information regarding the appliance to the receiving unit and the receiving unit can determine whether the status of the appliance is undesirable. If the status is undesirable, the device warns the user with an alarm, thereby giving the user an opportunity to return to the appliance'"'"'s location to remedy the undesirable status.

Claims

1. A device for warning of the status of at least one sensor, comprising:

a sensing system in wireless communication with a receiving system;

said sensing system receiving status information from at least one sensor, said sensing system broadcasting said status information to said receiving system;

said receiving system further comprising a microcontroller and memory registers, said memory registers being regularly updated with said status information broadcast from said sensing system;

said memory registers being updated with said status information as long as said status information is being received within a defined time interval;

upon said receiving system determining that said time interval has been exceeded, said receiving system analyzing a last status information received from said sensing system;

said receiving system determining the desirability of said last status information; and

if said last status information is deemed undesirable, said receiving system operating to actuate a warning device to warn a user of the undesirable state of said last status information.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving system remains in an initial receiving mode until said receiving system receives a first status information broadcast from said sensing system.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing system further comprises a warning device to warn a user of an undesirable status of said sensor.

4. A device for warning of the status of various appliances, comprising:

a sensing system in wireless communication with a receiving system;

said sensing system including a microcontroller, said microcontroller including multiple sensor inputs for receiving multiple sensor status information from various appliances;

wireless broadcasting means for broadcasting said status information to said receiving system;

said receiving system further comprising a microcontroller and memory registers, said memory registers storing said received status information therein;

said memory registers being regularly updated with said status information broadcast from said wireless broadcasting means;

said memory registers being updated with said status information as long as said status information is being received within a defined time interval;

upon said receiving system determining that said time interval has been exceeded, said receiving system analyzing a last status information received from said sensing system;

said receiving system determining the desirability of said last status information; and

if said last status information is deemed undesirable, said receiving system operating to actuate a warning device to warn a user of the undesirable state of said last status information.