Method and system for door alert
AssigneeRS Group, Inc.
InventorsDavid Clark Stephens, Jr., Verlin Gene Russon, Darrel Levan Russon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The position of a monitored door is detected via a magnetic sensor. The detected positional information is digitally encoded and transmitted across power grid wiring within the home to at least one receiver. Based in part on the received positional information, a door alert indicator is activated. The system for door alert is also capable of monitoring multiple door or window openings via a network of interconnected sensors designed specifically for garages. Multiple door alert indicators may be placed throughout the home without interfering with the door status indicator system.
Claims31
A status indicator system for use with a building having a door to be monitored and a power grid network which energizes a plurality of electrical outlets with an alternating current, the status indicator system comprising:
- a switch operable between a first position and a second position, wherein the switch is in the first position when the door is at least partially open and being in the second position when the door is closed;
- a transmitter electrically coupled with the switch, the transmitter being configured for electrical coupling with the power grid network of the building such that when the transmitter is electrically coupled with the power grid network the transmitter periodically transmits a first signal over the power grid network when the switch is in the first position and periodically transmits a second signal over the power grid network when the switch is in the second position;
- a receiver having a plug configured to removably electrically couple with a select one of the plurality of electrical outlets energized by the power grid network, the receiver being configured to selectively receive the first signal and the second signal from the transmitter over the power grid network when the plug is electrically coupled with the select one of the plurality of electrical outlets;
- and
- an indicator electrically coupled with the receiver such that the indicator is energized by the receiver when the receiver receives a select one of the first and second signals.
A method for indicating the position of a door to a home owner inside a residence via a house power system, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing whether the door is open or closed;
- transmitting positional information via the house power system;
- detecting positional information via the house power system;
- and
- indicating positional information based in part on door position.
A status indicator system for use with a door on a building having a power grid network, the status indicator system comprising:
- sensing means for determining whether the door is open or closed;
- transmitting means for encoding and transmitting periodic door status information on the power grid network;
- detection means for decoding periodic door status information received from the power grid network;
- indicating means for conveying positional information to a user based in part on door status information received from the detection means.
A method for indicating the status of a door located on a building having a power grid network which energizes a plurality of electrical outlets with an alternating current, the method comprising the acts of:
- mounting a switch adjacent to the door such that the switch is in a first position when the door is at least partially open and the switch is in a second position when the door is closed, the switch being electrically coupled with a transmitter;
- electrically coupling the transmitter to the power grid network such that the transmitter transmits a first signal over the power grid network when the switch is in the first position and transmits a second signal over the power grid network when the switch is in the second position;
- and
- removably inserting a plug located on a receiver into a select one of the plurality of electrical outlets energized by the power grid network, the receiver being configured to selectively receive the first signal and the second signal from the transmitter over the power grid network, an indicator being electrically coupled with the receiver such that the indicator is energized when the receiver receives a select one of the first and second signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.