US5036310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote mail delivery reporting system triggered by predetermined mail in a mailbox
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-01-04
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Granted: 1991-07-30
•
Expires: 2011-01-04
Abstract
Abstract The delivery of special, preselected mail to a mailbox is detected and announced by including a piece of magnetic material or a metal object with the envelope. A magnetic detector or metal detector, within the mailbox, senses the presence of the magnetic material or metal object and actuates a radio transmitter, at the mailbox, which sends a signal to a radio receiver. Upon receiving the radio signal, the radio receiver activates a telephone answering device, or an automated building control or surveillance center having remote interrogation access or capable of sending an announcement so that a person at a distant telephone can be advised of the mail delivery. Electric wiring may be utilized in lieu of radio transmission.
Inventors
- 👤 David E. Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:01
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/12; A47G29/1209; A47G29/121; A47G29/1212; A47G29/1214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a radio transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a tuned radio receiver remote from said transmitter, said transmitter broadcasting a radio signal to said tuned radio receiver, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a metal detector and said piece of mail including a metal object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a radio transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a tuned radio receiver remote from said transmitter, said transmitter broadcasting a radio signal to said tuned radio receiver, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a metal detector and said piece of mail including a metal object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said metal detector includes a magnetic detector and said metal object is magnetic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means operated by said receiver is remotely located from said mailbox.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes speaker means for generating audible sound and circuit means responsive to audible sound generated by said speaker means for providing a first output signal when audible sound generated by said speaker means exceeds a predetermined level as established by said circuit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said first output signal is a control signal for activating a telephone dialing device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said circuit means includes a telephone dialing device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes a speaker responsive to an output signal from said receiver for producing an audible sound output when said receiver provides said output signal and circuit means responsive to said audible sound output for dialing a predetermined telephone number when said audible sound output is provided by said speaker.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes a signalling means for signalling a user that the presence of a predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox has been detected by said system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as defined in claim 8 wherein said signalling means includes speaker means for generating audible sound.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as defined in claim 9 wherein said signalling means further includes switching means responsive to the generation of audible sound by said speaker means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a radio transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a tuned radio receiver remote from said transmitter, said transmitter broadcasting a radio signal to said tuned radio receiver, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a magnetic detector and said piece of mail including magnetic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a radio transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a tuned radio receiver remote from said transmitter, said transmitter broadcasting a radio signal to said tuned radio receiver, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a magnetic detector and said piece of mail including magnetic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said means operated by said receiver is remotely located from said mailbox.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes speaker means for generating audible sound and circuit means responsive to audible sound generated by said for providing a first output signal when audible sound generated by said speaker means exceeds a predetermined level as established by said circuit means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as defined in claim 13 wherein said first output signal is a control signal for activating a telephone dialing device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as defined in claim 13 wherein said circuit means includes a telephone dialing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system as defined in claim 11 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes a speaker responsive to an output signal from said receiver for providing an audible sound output when said receiver provides said output signal and circuit means responsive to said audible sound output for dialing a predetermined telephone number when said audible sound output is provided by said speaker.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system as defined in claim 11 wherein said means operated by said receiver includes a signalling means for signalling a user that the presence of a predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox has been detected by said system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said signalling means includes speaker means for generating audible sound.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as defined in claim 18 wherein said signalling means further includes switching means responsive to the generation of audible sound by said speaker means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a signal transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a signal receiver remote from said transmitter and in electrical communication therewith, said transmitter sending a signal to said receiver when actuated, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a metal detector and said piece of mail including a metal object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
100 words
A remote control actuating system comprising a mailbox, a signal transmitter attached to said mailbox, means for detecting the presence of a selectively predetermined piece of mail introduced into said mailbox and for actuating said transmitter, a signal receiver remote from said transmitter and in electrical communication therewith, said transmitter sending a signal to said receiver when actuated, means operated by said receiver for controlling the ultimate operation of a relay, motor, motor starter, appliance or mechanical device located remote from said mailbox, said means for detecting including a metal detector and said piece of mail including a metal object.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-29 | 1995-01-28 | 1995-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-01-28 | 1999-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-29 | 2003-01-28 | 2003-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |