Apparatus and method for return notification for stand-alone equipment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for notification of return of equipment having at least one function to a home station, comprising the steps of:
- providing said equipment with an integral reminder alarm and reminder alarm timeout for return of the equipment to the home station, said reminder alarm timeout having a default timeout configuration;
optionally configuring the reminder alarm timeout configuration at the home station;
arming the reminder alarm timeout; and
when the timeout expires, generating the reminder alarm from the equipment to return the equipment to the home station;
providing said home station as a mechanical key reset device that resets the reminder alarm when mechanically engaged with said reminder alarm; and
including a key controller in said provided reminder alarm that resets said reminder alarm to said default timeout configuration on mechanical engagement with the mechanical key reset device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus and method of the present invention provide an automatic notification 105 produced by a standalone equipment 100 to indicate that the equipment 100 is due to be returned to an issuing organization or individual. Only the issuing organization or individual has the capability to reset 104 or disable the automatic notification 105. Return notification comprises visual 107 108 and/or audible 106 components that are triggered by the expiration of a timer 102 204. Optionally, for non-essential equipment, the equipment is disabled 109 until reset 104 by the issuing organization or individual.
16 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for notification of return of equipment having at least one function to a home station, comprising the steps of:
-
providing said equipment with an integral reminder alarm and reminder alarm timeout for return of the equipment to the home station, said reminder alarm timeout having a default timeout configuration; optionally configuring the reminder alarm timeout configuration at the home station; arming the reminder alarm timeout; and when the timeout expires, generating the reminder alarm from the equipment to return the equipment to the home station;
providing said home station as a mechanical key reset device that resets the reminder alarm when mechanically engaged with said reminder alarm; and
including a key controller in said provided reminder alarm that resets said reminder alarm to said default timeout configuration on mechanical engagement with the mechanical key reset device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An apparatus for notification that equipment having at least one function is due for return to a home station, comprising:
-
a reminder alarm to the integral to the equipment for notification that the equipment is due for return to the home station, said reminder alarm having a default timeout configuration; a timeout device; and a control device to optionally configure the reminder alarm timeout configuration at the home station, and arm the timeout device with the configured timeout, and when the timeout expires, generate a reminder alarm to return the equipment to the home station, said alarm generating according to the timeout configuration;
said home station is a mechanical key reset device that resets the reminder alarm when mechanically engaged with said reminder alarm; and
said reminder alarm further comprises a key controller that resets said reminder alarm to said default timeout configuration on mechanical engagement with the mechanical key reset device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification