Universal reminder device

A universal reminder device in the form of a series circuit including a power source, a warning indicator, a pressure-sensitive normally closed momentary switch, and a pressure-sensitive normally open momentary switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments of this present invention are designed to provide an inexpensive device which requires no installation tools or skills and which will prevent people from forgetting important items (including toddlers) that have been placed in various environments including, but not limited to, homes, workplaces, hotel rooms and cars/motor vehicles.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a universal reminder device is in the form of a series circuit including a power source, a warning indicator, a pressure-sensitive normally closed momentary switch, and a pressure-sensitive normally open momentary switch.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a universal reminder device is in the form of a series circuit including a power source, a warning indicator, a first pressure-sensitive normally open momentary switch, and a second pressure-sensitive normally open momentary switch.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention at least one of the pressure sensitive switches is remotely controlled.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the warning indicator can be either a sound indicator or a light indicator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a universal reminder device is in the form of a series circuit including a power source, a warning indicator, a selectable connection between a pressure-sensitive normally closed momentary switch and a pressure-sensitive normally open momentary switch, and an additional pressure-sensitive normally open momentary switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first of all toFIG. 1A, a drawing that shows the general electrical diagram of a universal reminder device10in accordance with the present invention.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a universal reminder device10ofFIG. 1Aincludes a normally-closed momentary switch12, a normally-open momentary switch14, a buzzer16or other sound source such as a speaker driven by an audio oscillator, and a power source18such as a battery. Switches12and14are pressure/weight sensor switches but are shown inFIG. 1as simple switches to promote a clear understanding of the invention.

The normally-closed momentary switch12is incorporated into a first pad (shown within dashed lines20) and will sense if any pressure is applied on first pad20by opening. The normally-open momentary switch14is incorporated into a second pad (shown within dashed lines22). The normally-open momentary switch14will sense if any pressure is applied on second pad22by closing. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that different embodiment of the invention may employ mechanical switches or solid-state switches. Such skilled persons will also appreciate that, in certain embodiment of the invention, optical sensors may be employed to detect the presence of an object on the first pad and the second pad.

The term pad is intended herein to include all structures containing the switches, including discrete pads as well as switches incorporated into seats, mats and other structures as suggested by the context of the disclosure herein.

The operation of universal reminder device10ofFIG. 1Ais explained in Table A.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the universal reminder device10may be incorporated into a motor vehicle to remind a driver when an object has been left in the vehicle. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the object may be a living thing such as a child or pet, or an inanimate object such as a purse or briefcase. In this embodiment of the invention, the first pad20is placed on or incorporated into the driver seat of the vehicle and the second pad22may be placed on or incorporated into another portion of the vehicle such as a rear seat or storage area in a sport utility vehicle, etc.

Table A included below demonstrates the behavior of the universal reminder device10ofFIG. 1Ain response to the presence or absence of objects on the first pad20and the second pad22.

When the universal reminder device10is employed in a typical motor vehicle application as described herein, Table A shows that as long as the driver is in the driver seat, normally-closed momentary switch12in the first pad20associated with the driver seat is open and the alarm is silent since there is no circuit completed between the battery18and the buzzer16. However, when the driver exits the driver seat, normally-closed momentary switch12closes. With normally-closed momentary switch12closed, the buzzer20will sound only if there is an object on the second pad22having enough weight (or exhibiting another selected property for other switch types) to close switch14to complete the circuit between the battery18and the buzzer16. Thus the vehicle driver is warned that the object, child, pet, purse, briefcase, etc. is still present on second pad22as she is exiting the vehicle.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the sound of the alarm does not have to be an annoying noise; other indicia, such as other sounds, or light indications may be used.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a universal reminder device30is shown inFIG. 1B. For an ease of understanding the present invention, elements of universal reminder device30inFIG. 1Bthat correspond to elements of universal reminder device10ofFIG. 1Aare designated using the same reference numerals used to designate those elements inFIG. 1A.

Universal reminder device30includes a normally-open momentary switch24, a normally-open momentary switch14, a buzzer16or other sound source such as a speaker driven by an audio oscillator, and a power source18such as a battery. Normally-open momentary switches24and14are pressure/weight sensor switches but are shown inFIG. 1Bas simple switches to promote a clear understanding of the invention.

The normally-open momentary switch24is incorporated into a first pad (shown within dashed lines20) and will sense if any pressure is applied on first pad20by closing. The normally-open momentary switch14is also incorporated into a second pad (shown within dashed lines22). The normally-open momentary switch14will sense if any pressure is applied on second pad22by closing. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that different embodiment of the invention may employ mechanical switches or solid-state switches. Such skilled persons will also appreciate that, in certain embodiment of the invention, optical sensors may be employed to detect the presence of an object on the first pad and the second pad.

To use the universal reminder device30of the present invention, the user will place anything that she does not want to leave behind (in her home, or office, or hotel room) on the second pad22. This action closes second switch14.

The first pad20may be, for example, a doormat placed just inside the exit door of the space she is occupying. When the user steps on the doormat to leave the space, the normally-open momentary switch24will close and this action will complete a circuit between the battery and the buzzer, sounding the alarm if an object is present on second pad22. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily observe that instrumentalities other than a doormat switch can be used as normally-open momentary switch24to implement this aspect of the present invention. For example switch24can be replaced with a sensor that will detect the motion of the object into which it is incorporated. Examples of such detectors include inertial sensors, accelerometers, vibration sensors, etc. When the user will leave the home or the room she will have to grab her keys or other object that includes the sensor in preparation for leaving the house or room, the motion detector associated with the object will activate the alarm if there is anything on the second pad22. Alternately, the object containing the sensor can be removed from the key ring and hung by the interior knob of the exit door so the user can't possible exit her house (or hotel room, or office) without activating the sensor to be reminded that there is something on the second pad22. If the user can leave the house through multiple doors (such as front door, garage door or back/side door) then sensors can be used for each door, and multiple switches24can be paralleled as needed.

The behavior of the universal reminder device30ofFIG. 1Bis shown in Table B.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a universal reminder device40of the present invention using remote switches may be employed to remind a user to take an object with them when they exit a room or a building. According to this aspect of the invention, a wireless version of the universal reminder device40is shown inFIG. 2. For an ease of understanding the present invention, elements of universal reminder device40inFIG. 2that correspond to elements of universal reminder device10ofFIG. 1Aare designated using the same reference numerals used to designate those elements inFIG. 1A.

InFIG. 2, first pad20including first switch12is shown remotely from the circuit including the buzzer16and the battery18. Normally-closed momentary switch12is coupled to a radio frequency (RF) transmitter42coupled to antenna44. Similarly, the second pad22including normally-open momentary switch14is also shown remotely from the circuit including the buzzer16and the battery18. Normally-open momentary switch14is coupled to a radio frequency (RF) transmitter46coupled to antenna48. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that batteries (not shown) will be included in the first pad20and second pad22to power transmitters42and46, respectively. In one embodiment of the invention, transmitter42is configured to generate an RF signal only when normally-closed momentary switch12is opened in response to pressure sensed on first pad20. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the RF links described herein can be formed using technologies such as but not limited to WiFi and will be readily able to implement such links.

RF energy from transmitter42is coupled to antenna50and to receiver52. Receiver52drives relay54to open relay switch56in response to the received RF signal from transmitter42. Relay/switch assemblies are well known in the art. Similarly, RF energy from transmitter46is coupled to antenna58and to receiver60. Receiver60drives relay62to close relay switch64in response to the received RF signal from transmitter46. In this manner, switches12and14may be located remotely from the main circuitry including the buzzer16and battery18.

In the particular embodiment shown inFIG. 2, both first and second pads20and22containing, respectively, switches12and14are both shown located remotely from the remainder of the circuit but persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention are contemplated where only one of the first and second pads20and22and switches12and14is located remotely while the other one can be disposed locally with the remainder of the circuit components. For example, first pad20can be co-located with the main portion of the circuitry including the buzzer16and the battery18, while the second pad22can be located remotely and coupled to the remainder of the circuitry using the RF link just described. Embodiments where both first and second pads20and22and switches12and14can be located remotely but are hardwired to the remainder of the circuitry are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention although such embodiments would require wire runs to couple the first and second switches to the remainder of the circuitry.

In one exemplary non-limiting embodiment, both the first pad20and the second pad22can have, for example, a rectangular shape and can be example, the size of a credit card so they can be comfortably carried in a pocket, making the universal reminder device40completely portable.

To use the universal reminder device40of the present invention, the user will place anything that she does not want to leave behind (in her home, or office, or hotel room) on the second pad22. This action closes normally-open momentary switch14which then remotely closes relay switch64.

The user will place something on the first pad20that she will not leave her house without, like her car/home keys. This latter action opens normally-closed momentary switch12which remotely opens the relay switch56. When she later picks up her keys to leave, the switch12will close and this action will remotely cause relay switch56to close. Because the object that she does not want to forget has kept the second switch14closed, relay switch64is also closed, completing the circuit between the battery18and the buzzer16. The buzzer16will sound, reminding her to also pick up the object placed on the second pad22.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the switch24ofFIG. 1Bcan be substituted for switch12inFIG. 2to implement a remote version of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1B.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a schematic diagram shows another aspect of the present invention in which a universal reminder device66combines the features of the embodiments inFIG. 1AandFIG. 1Band can employ more than one mode of operation. Like the universal reminder devices10and30ofFIGS. 1A and 1B, universal reminder device66includes a normally-closed momentary switch12, a normally-open momentary switch14, a normally-open momentary switch24, a buzzer16or other sound source such as a speaker driven by an audio oscillator, and a power source18such as a battery. As in the embodiments disclosed with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B, the first and second switches12,14and24may be pressure/weight sensors.

The illustrative embodiment used to show this aspect of the present invention includes a single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) toggle switch68in series between the battery18and the normally closed momentary switch12like that ofFIG. 1Aand the normally-open momentary switch24like that ofFIG. 1B. When the toggle switch68is in the A position, the universal reminder device66operates in the same manner as the universal reminder device described with reference toFIG. 1A. When the toggle switch68is in the B position, the universal reminder device66operates in the same manner as the universal reminder device described with reference toFIG. 1B.

While the embodiment ofFIG. 3has been depicted and described with the switches12,14, and24locally hardwired to the remainder of the circuitry, persons of ordinary skill in the art will easily and readily be able to configure an embodiment employing one or more of these switches remotely as shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 2.

Referring now toFIG. 4, an example is shown where a universal reminder device can include multiple switches14a-14nconnected in parallel. These switches may be hardwired to the main circuitry including the battery18and buzzer16or may be located remotely as shown inFIG. 2, and may be arranged either individually or in groups as taught herein with respect to the various applications. Such an arrangement can be useful, for example, where multiple switches may be arrayed across the area of a rear bench seat of a vehicle (or rear storage area of for example, an SUV) to detect the presence of a small pet or other object such as purse, etc., that cannot be expected to be found at any particular location on the seat. In other embodiments, parallel switches14a-14ncan be individually located at seats in a vehicle such as a school bus or other multi-passenger vehicle.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a flow diagram illustrates the practice of a method70in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The method starts at reference numeral72. The start of the process may optionally be triggered by an event such as, but not limited to, turning off a vehicle ignition.

At reference numeral74, it is determined whether an object is sensed on the first pad. The process loops through reference numeral74to continually sense whether an object is sensed on the first pad. In one application of the present invention, the presence of a driver in a driver seat of a vehicle may be sensed. When the object is no longer sensed on the first pad, the process proceeds to reference numeral76, where it is determined whether an object is sensed on the second pad. If no object is sensed, the process proceeds to reference numeral78where it is determined whether the alarm is activated. If not, the process ends at reference numeral78. If the alarm is activated the process proceeds to reference numeral82, where the alarm is deactivated. The process then ends at reference numeral80.

If an object is sensed on the second pad at reference numeral76, the process proceeds to reference numeral84, where the alarm is activated. The process then loops to reference numeral76until the object is no longer present on the second pad. The process then proceeds to reference numeral78. If the alarm is activated the process proceeds to reference numeral82, where the alarm is deactivated. The process then ends at reference numeral80.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a flow diagram illustrates the practice of a method90in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The method starts at reference numeral92.

At reference numeral94, it is determined whether an object has been placed on the first pad. The process loops through reference numeral94to continually sense whether an object has been placed on the first pad.

When an object has been placed on the first pad, the process proceeds to reference numeral96, where it is determined whether the object is still on the first pad. The process loops through reference numeral96to continually sense whether an object has been placed on the first pad and proceeds to reference numeral98when the object has been removed from the first pad.

When the object is no longer sensed on the first pad, the process proceeds to reference numeral98, where it is determined whether an object is sensed on the second pad. If no object is sensed, the process proceeds to reference numeral100where it is determined whether the alarm is activated. If not, the process ends at reference numeral102. If the alarm is activated the process proceeds to reference numeral104, where the alarm is deactivated. The process then ends at reference numeral102.

If an object is sensed on the second pad at reference numeral98, the process proceeds to reference numeral106, where the alarm is activated. The process then loops to reference numeral98until the object is no longer present on the second pad. The process then proceeds to reference numeral100. If the alarm is activated the process proceeds to reference numeral104, where the alarm is deactivated. The process then ends at reference numeral102.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will observe that variations of the methods shown inFIG. 5andFIG. 6are possible and it is intended that such variations fall within the scope of the present invention. As a non-limiting example, the method ofFIG. 5can be initiated in several different ways depending on whether the object on the second pad, purse, child, etc., is placed on that pad before the object (e.g., driver), is sensed on the first pad or whether both possibilities are contemplated.