Remote mail indicator

• US 7,786,862 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eugene L. Campbell
• Original Assignee: Eugene L. Campbell
• Inventors: Campbell, Eugene L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu; Julie
• Application Number:
  US11/900,289
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/569
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1226 comprising electrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter

Abstract

A method and system for remote notification of arrival of postal mail in a mailbox through a wireless transmitter and receiver, is herein disclosed. The system consists of a battery-powered motion sensor placed within an upper back portion of a standard, approved mailbox thereby a fastening means. When the mailbox door opens, the motion sensor is activated and automatically generates and transmits a wireless signal to a receiver located within a pre-determined proximity. The receiver is capable of providing both an audible and visual signal.

Claims

1. A system for notification of a postal mail delivery at a remote location comprising:

a wireless transmitter;

a first mounting means for removably attaching said transmitter thereto an interior face of a mailbox;

a motion sensing device integral with said transmitter and in electrical communication therewith;

a receiver comprising an audible indication and a visual indication in electrical communication therewith, further comprising;

a hand-held rectangular plastic second enclosure;

a second battery/compartment located along a front surface;

an alarm speaker located along a front surface;

an indicating light located along a front surface;

a reset pushbutton located along a front surface;

a receiving antenna located on a top surface;

a second power source in electrical communication therewith said receiver; and

,

a second on/off switch for controlling power thereto said receiver alarm speaker, indicating light, and reset button;

a second mounting means for removably attaching said receiver thereto a structure at said remote location;

wherein said motion sensor senses motion and generates a detection signal;

wherein said transmitter transmits said detection signal as a radiofrequency signal and said receiver receives said detection signal and activates said audible indication and said visual indication;

wherein said alarm speaker and indicating light is activated upon receipt of said detection signal by said receiving antenna and said alarm speaker provides said audible indication and said indicating light provides said visual indication of received detection signal; and

wherein said reset pushbutton provides a deactivation means to said alarm speaker and said indicating light, such that a first activation of the reset pushbutton will silence said alarm speaker and a second activation will extinguish said indicating light, thus resetting said receiver for further activation during a subsequent mail delivery cycle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter comprises:

a hand-held rectangular plastic first enclosure;

a first battery compartment located along a front surface;

said motion sensing device located along a front surface;

a timing circuit;

a first power source in electrical communication therewith said transmitter and said motion sensing device;

a first on/off switch located along a front surface for controlling power thereto said transmitter, timing circuit, and motion sensing device; and

a transmitting antenna located thereon a top surface;

wherein said first enclosure provides a protection means to internal electrical and electronic components;

wherein said motion sensing device is positioned such that it is exposed to an incoming mail path;

wherein said timing circuit receives said detection signal from said motion sensing device and transmits a pulsed transmission thereto said transmitter; and

,

wherein said transmitting antenna transmits said detection signal in a radiating pattern at a transmitting range.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first enclosure is made of ultraviolet radiation (UV)-resistant plastic.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said transmitting antenna further comprises a coiled wire-type which is routed on an inside of said mailbox.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said transmitting antenna further comprises a coiled wire-type which is routed on an exterior of said mailbox therethrough an opening on said mailbox for increasing said transmitting range.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first mounting means further comprises:

a male mounting bracket affixed thereto a rear surface of said transmitter;

a female mounting bracket for removably receiving said male mounting bracket; and

,

an attachment means on a rear surface of said female mounting bracket;

wherein said attachment means removably attaches said female mounting bracket thereto said interior face of said mailbox.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein said motion sensing device comprises a photoelectric sensing means.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein said second mounting means further comprises an interior of a residence.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein said second mounting means further comprises a portable location.

18. The system of claim 2, further comprising an indication sticker for placement on an exterior face of said mailbox.

10. A system for notification of a postal mail delivery at a remote location comprising:

a wireless transmitter, further comprising;

a hand-held rectangular plastic first enclosure;

a first battery compartment located along a front surface;

a motion sensing device located along a front surface;

a timing circuit;

a first power source in electrical communication therewith said transmitter and said motion sensing device;

a first on/off switch located along a front surface for controlling power thereto said transmitter, timing circuit, and motion sensing device;

a transmitting antenna located thereon a top surface; and

,

an indication sticker for placement on an exterior face of said mailbox;

a first mounting means for removably attaching said transmitter thereto an interior face of a mailbox, said first mounting means further comprises;

a male mounting bracket affixed thereto a rear surface of said transmitter;

a female mounting bracket for removably receiving said male mounting bracket; and

,

an attachment means on a rear surface of said female mounting bracket for removably attaching said female mounting bracket thereto said interior face of said mailbox;

a receiver for wireless transmission comprising an audible indication and a visual indication, further comprising;

a hand-held rectangular plastic second enclosure;

a second battery/compartment located along a front surface;

an alarm speaker located along a front surface;

an indicating light located along a front surface;

a reset pushbutton located along a front surface;

a receiving antenna located on a top surface;

a second power source in electrical communication therewith said receiver;

a second on/off switch for controlling power thereto said receiver alarm speaker, indicating light, and reset button; and

,

a second mounting means for removably attaching said receiver thereto a structure at said remote location;

wherein said first enclosure provides a protection means to internal electrical and electronic components;

wherein said motion sensing device is positioned such that it is exposed to an incoming mail path, senses motion, and generates a detection signal;

wherein said timing circuit receives said detection signal from said motion sensing device and transmits a pulsed transmission thereto said transmitter; and

,

wherein said transmitting antenna transmits said detection signal in a radiating pattern at a transmitting range;

wherein said receiver receives said detection signal via said receiving antenna;

wherein said alarm speaker and indicating light is activated upon receipt of said detection signal by said receiving antenna and said alarm speaker provides said audible indication and said indicating light provides said visual indication of received detection signal; and

,

wherein said reset pushbutton provides a deactivation means to said alarm speaker and said indicating light, such that a first activation of the reset pushbutton will silence said alarm speaker and a second activation will extinguish said indicating light, thus resetting said receiver for further activation during a subsequent mail delivery cycle.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said first enclosure is made of ultraviolet radiation (UV)-resistant plastic.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said motion sensing device comprises a photoelectric sensing means.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein said transmitting antenna further comprises a coiled wire-type which is routed on an inside of said mailbox.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein said transmitting antenna further comprises a coiled wire-type which is routed on an exterior of said mailbox therethrough an opening on said mailbox for increasing said transmitting range.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said second mounting means further comprises an interior of a residence.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said second mounting means further comprises a portable location.

17. A method of notifying a user at a remote location of a mail delivery event with a mail notification system comprises the following steps:

mounting a female mounting bracket within a mailbox at an interior side or interior rear location using an attachment means;

installing a transmitter inside a mailbox by removably inserting a male mounting bracket feature thereinto said female mounting bracket;

verifying that a motion sensing device integral to said transmitter is positioned such that said mail delivery event is easily detected;

placing a receiver in a readily accessible location of a structure at said remote location;

providing a first power source thereinto said transmitter;

providing a second power source therewithin said receiver;

activating said system by switching a first on/off switch to a first ON position of said transmitter and a second on/off switch to a second ON position of said receiver, respectively;

monitoring said mail delivery event wherein when a mailbox door is opened, said motion sensing device senses a motion and generates a detection signal, said detection signal is transmitted to a timing circuit, said timing circuit transmits said detection signal via a plurality of pulses, said transmitter generates a coded radiofrequency (RF) signal and transmits said coded RF signal thereto a transmitting antenna, said transmitter antenna transmits said coded RF signal outwardly in a radiating pattern where it is received by a receiving antenna on said receiver, and both said alarm speaker and indicating light are activated;

depressing a reset pushbutton on said receiver a first time to silence said alarm speaker;

depressing said reset pushbutton a second time extinguish said indicating light, thereby resetting said system for subsequent mail delivery events.