Portable timer apparatus, home system and method of timing for an object

• US 7,289,016 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2004
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: McManus, Michael L., Luebke, Charles J., Kolojejchick, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/853,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20050278519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.16, 340/309.3, 340/309.7, 340/457.4, 368/10, 368/12, 368 89-113, 702176-178, 701/30
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/003 acting only at one preselected time or during one adjustable time interval
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/12 in which metering is on a time basis

Abstract

A home system includes a server having a first wireless communication port, and a plurality of devices, such as sensors. Each one of the devices includes a corresponding second wireless communication port. One or more of the devices is a timer/reminder sensor device associated with an object of interest. The timer/reminder sensor device includes a timer mechanism having a time input and an output. The timer mechanism is associated with the object and is adapted to input a time interval from the time input, time for the time interval and then responsively output to the output. The timer mechanism communicates the time input and the output of the timer mechanism between the second wireless communication port of the timer/reminder sensor device and the first wireless communication port of the server.

Claims

1. A system for a structure including an object, said system for a structure comprising:

a server including a first communication port; and

a plurality of devices, each one of said devices comprising a corresponding second communication port, at least one of said devices being a timer apparatus, said timer apparatus further comprising;

a timer mechanism including a time input and an output, said timer mechanism being associated with said object and being adapted to input independent of said server a time interval from said time input, time for said time interval and then responsively enable said output, said timer mechanism being further adapted to communicate at least one of said time input and said output of said timer mechanism between the corresponding second communication port of said timer apparatus and the first communication port of said server.

2. The system for a structure of claim 1 wherein the output of said timer mechanism is a first output;

and wherein said timer mechanism further includes a second output, which enunciates when said timer mechanism times for said time interval.

3. The system for a structure of claim 2 wherein said second output is selected from the group comprising a visual indicator and an audible enunciator.

4. The system for a structure of claim 1 wherein said timer apparatus is adapted for placement on or proximate said object, which needs periodic service, maintenance or attention;

and wherein said time interval is adapted to correspond to said periodic service, maintenance or attention.

8. The system for a structure of claim 1 wherein said first and second communication ports are wireless communication ports.

9. The system for a structure of claim 8 wherein some of said devices include a plurality of sensors, each one of said sensors sensing information and including said corresponding second communication port of said one of said sensors, which sends said sensed information to the first communication port of said server.

28. The system for a structure of claim 1 wherein said timer mechanism is further adapted to accept manual input of said time interval from said time input.

5. A system for a structure including an object, said system for a structure comprising:

a server including a first communication port; and

a plurality of devices, each one of said devices comprising a corresponding second communication port, at least one of said devices being a timer apparatus, said timer apparatus further comprising;

a timer mechanism including a time input and an output, said timer mechanism being associated with said object and being adapted to input a time interval from said time input, time for said time interval and then responsively enable said output, said timer mechanism being further adapted to communicate at least one of said time input and said output of said timer mechanism between the corresponding second communication port of said timer apparatus and the first communication port of said server,

wherein one of said devices is a portable fob including the corresponding second communication port thereof and an input device;

wherein said portable fob is adapted to input said time interval from said input device and to output said inputted time interval from said corresponding second communication port of said portable fob to the first communication port of said server;

wherein said server is adapted to input said inputted time interval from said first communication port and output said inputted time interval from said first communication port to the second communication port of said timer apparatus; and

wherein said timer mechanism is adapted to input said inputted time interval from said corresponding second communication port of said timer apparatus to said time input.

6. A system for a structure including an object, said system for a structure comprising:

a server including a first communication port; and

a plurality of devices, each one of said devices comprising a corresponding second communication port, at least one of said devices being a timer apparatus, said timer apparatus further comprising;

a timer mechanism including a time input and an output, said timer mechanism being associated with said object and being adapted to input a time interval from said time input, time for said time interval and then responsively enable said output, said timer mechanism being further adapted to communicate at least one of said time input and said output of said timer mechanism between the corresponding second communication port of said timer apparatus and the first communication port of said server,

wherein one of said devices is a portable fob including said corresponding second communication port of said portable fob and a display;

wherein said timer apparatus is adapted to output the output of said timer mechanism to the second communication port of said timer apparatus;

wherein said server is adapted to input the output of said timer mechanism on said first communication port and output said inputted output from said first communication port to the second communication port of said portable fob; and

wherein said portable fob is adapted to input said inputted output from said corresponding second communication port of said portable fob and output said inputted output from said corresponding second communication port of said portable fob to said display.

7. A system for a structure including an object, said system for a structure comprising:

a server including a first communication port; and

a plurality of devices, each one of said devices comprising a corresponding second communication port, at least one of said devices being a timer apparatus, said timer apparatus further comprising;

a timer mechanism including a time input and an output, said timer mechanism being associated with said object and being adapted to input a time interval from said time input, time for said time interval and then responsively enable said output, said timer mechanism being further adapted to communicate at least one of said time input and said output of said timer mechanism between the corresponding second communication port of said timer apparatus and the first communication port of said server,

wherein one of said devices is a portable fob including the corresponding second communication port thereof and an input device;

wherein the timer mechanism of said timer apparatus further includes a reset input;

wherein said portable fob is adapted to input a reset command from said input device and to output said reset command from said corresponding second communication port of said portable fob to the first communication port of said server;

wherein said server is adapted to input said reset command from said first communication port and output said reset command from said first communication port to the second communication port of said timer apparatus; and

wherein said timer mechanism is adapted to input said reset command from said corresponding second communication port of said timer apparatus to said reset input.

10. A system for a structure including an object, said system for a structure comprising:

a server including a first communication port; and

a plurality of devices, each one of said devices comprising a corresponding second communication port, at least one of said devices being a timer apparatus, said timer apparatus further comprising;

a timer mechanism including a time input and an output, said timer mechanism being associated with said object and being adapted to input a time interval from said time input, time for said time interval and then responsively enable said output, said timer mechanism being further adapted to communicate at least one of said time input and said output of said timer mechanism between the corresponding second communication port of said timer apparatus and the first communication port of said server,

wherein said first and second communication ports are wireless communication ports,

wherein some of said devices include a plurality of sensors, each one of said sensors sensing information and including said corresponding second communication port of said one of said sensors, which sends said sensed information to the first communication port of said server, and

wherein one of said devices is a portable fob including said corresponding second communication port of said portable fob and a display; and

wherein said server is adapted to send said sensed information for at least one of said sensors from the first communication port of said server to the second communication port of said portable fob, said portable fob being adapted to display said sensed information for at least one of said sensors at the display of said portable fob.

11. A method of timing for an object, said method comprising:

employing a system for a structure including a server having a first communication port;

employing a plurality of devices, each one of said devices including a corresponding second communication port;

employing as at least one of said devices a timer apparatus associated with said object and including said corresponding second communication port, and a timer mechanism having a time input and an output;

inputting independent from said server a time interval from said time input, timing for said timeinterval and then responsively enabling said output; and

communicating at least one of said time input and said output of said timer mechanism between said second communication port of said timer apparatus and said first communication port of said server.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising

employing a first wireless communication port as said first communication port;

and

employing a corresponding second wireless communication port as said corresponding second communication port of each of said devices.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising

outputting to a visual indicator from the output of said timer mechanism.

14. A method of timing for an object said method comprising:

employing a system for a structure including a server having a first communication port;

employing a plurality of devices, each one of said devices including a corresponding second communication port;

employing as at least one of said devices a timer apparatus associated with said object and including said corresponding second communication port, and a timer mechanism having a time input and an output;

inputting a time interval from said time input, timing for said time interval and then responsively enabling said output;

communicating at least one of said time input and said output of said timer mechanism between said second communication port of said timer apparatus and said first communication port of said server;

forming a wireless communication network with said server and said devices;

joining said timer apparatus to said wireless communication network;

employing a portable fob as one of said devices; and

employing said portable fob to set the time input of said timer mechanism or to display the output of said timer mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising

detecting that said time interval has expired;

sending an alert from said timer mechanism to said server;

sending said alert from said server to said portable fob; and

displaying said alert at said portable fob.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising employing a battery including a voltage to power said timer mechanism;

determining that the voltage of said battery is below a threshold value;

sending an alert from said timer mechanism to said server;

sending said alert from said server to said portable fob; and

displaying said alert at said portable fob.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising

determining a percentage of said time interval that has expired;

sending said percentage from said timer mechanism to said server;

sending said percentage from said server to said portable fob; and

displaying said percentage at said portable fob.

18. A method of timing for an object, said method comprising:

employing a system for a structure including a server having a first communication port;

employing a plurality of devices, each one of said devices including a corresponding second communication port;

employing as at least one of said devices a timer apparatus associated with said object and including said corresponding second communication port, and a timer mechanism having a time input and an output;

inputting a time interval from said time input, timing for said time interval and then responsively enabling said output;

communicating at least one of said time input and said output of said timer mechanism between said second communication port of said timer apparatus and said first communication port of said server;

employing said timer mechanism further having a reset input;

setting said time interval to zero; and

detecting said reset input when said time interval is zero and responsively sending a message from the corresponding second communication port of said timer apparatus to the first communication port of said server.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising

including an alert with said message.

20. A method of timing for an object, said method comprising:

employing a system for a structure including a server having a first communication port;

employing an input device including an input and a second communication port;

including with said server a timer mechanism associated with said object;

including with said timer mechanism a time input and an output;

inputting a time interval from said time input, timing for said time interval and then responsively enabling said output; and

communicating said time input from the second communication port of said input device to the first communication port of said server.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising

employing as said input device a portable fob;

and

communicating said time interval from the second communication port of said portable fob input device to the first communication port of said server.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising

employing a display device at said portable fob;

communicating the output of said timer mechanism from the first communication port of said server to the second communication port of said portable fob; and

displaying the output of said timer mechanism at the display device at said portable fob.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising

inputting a reset signal at said input device;

communicating said reset signal from the second communication port of said input device to the first communication port of said server; and

restarting said timer mechanism for said time interval responsive to said reset signal.

24. A system for a structure including an object, said system for a structure comprising:

a display device comprising a display and a first communication port;

a server comprising a second communication port and a timer mechanism including a time input and an output, said timer mechanism being associated with said object and being adapted to input a time interval from said time input, time for said time interval and then responsively enable said output, said timer mechanism being further adapted to communicate at least one of the time input and the output of said timer mechanism between the second communication port of said server and the first communication port of said display device; and

an input device associated with said object and said timer mechanism, said input device comprising a third communication port and an input, said input device being adapted to communicate the input of said input device from the third communication port of said input device to the second communication port of said server.

25. The system for a structure of claim 24 wherein said display device is a portable fob, which communicates said time interval from the first communication port of said portable fob to the second communication port of said server;

and wherein said server communicates said time interval to the time input of said timer mechanism.

26. The system for a structure of claim 24 wherein said server communicates the output of said timer mechanism from the second communication port of said server to the first communication port of said portable fob;

and wherein said portable fob displays the output of said timer mechanism on said display.

27. The system for a structure of claim 24 wherein said input device is adapted to input a reset signal as the input of said input device and communicate said reset signal from the third communication port of said input device to the second communication port of said server;

and wherein said server is adapted to restart said timer mechanism for said time interval responsive to said reset signal.