Mail box indicator system

Abstract

A system for indicating a contents change and transmitting a related wireless signal, the signal including a movement detecting and signal transmitting member for mounting on or proximate to the object whose movement is to be detected, a signal receiving and alarm generating member for receiving a signal from the movement detecting and signal transmitting member and producing a response, a remote control for actuating and deactuating the signal receiving and transmission generating member, an environmental monitoring member for sensing an environmental condition inside the mailbox and providing a signal to the signal receiving member, a visual information gathering member for gathering visual information and location identifying data and providing a signal to the receiving and signal interpreting member, an output member for receiving a signal from the signal receiving and generating member and generating a selected output, and components for delivering an object movement data notification to remote recipients.

1 . A portable mailbox indicator device for detecting the movement of an object in a mailbox, the device comprising:
 an inertial sensor configured to detect movement of an object;   a wireless transmitter, coupled with said sensor, configured to transmit a predetermined signal indicating movement of said object and its location,   wherein the sensor, when said movement is detected, causes a message to be transmitted by said wireless transmitter to a reception device configured to display a notification to a user.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said inertial sensor comprises an accelerometer sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said wireless transmitter is a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter that includes a piezoelectric element mounted to a diaphragm. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said mailbox is provided by a plurality of interconnected walls with a front door and an opening for inserting objects. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said mailbox is a compartment comprising a rectangular unsealed enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said mailbox is one of a plurality of mailboxes arranged in a cluster and wherein each of the plurality of mailboxes each include a device that are all connected to a single antenna for transmitting predetermined signals to at least one of a plurality of reception devices. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said predetermined signals are routed through a server that identifies, based on said predetermined signal, at least one of the plurality of reception devices to which to send said message to cause said notification to be displayed on said at least one of the plurality of reception devices. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a camera, coupled with said sensor, configured to capture one or more images of said object when said movement is detected, wherein said message includes said one or more images and said reception device displays at least one of said one or more images. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said inertial sensor further comprises a magnetic field sensor with mated elements on each opposite wall and adjusted to react to a change in magnetic field strength of one postcard or thicker. 
     
     
         10 . A method for detecting the movement of an object and providing information relative to said movement, said method comprising:
 detecting movement of an object by a sensor of a portable mailbox indicator device, said sensor comprising an inertial accelerometer sensor with a piezoelectric audio transducer construction that includes a piezoelectric element mounted to a diaphragm, said sensor further including a mass attached to said diaphragm;   wirelessly transmitting, upon detection of said movement, a predetermined signal indicating movement of said object to a reception device, wherein said reception device displays a notification message based on said predetermined signal.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said mass is one of a quantity of adhesive, a quantity of solder, or a solid object bonded to said diaphragm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 capturing one or more images, with a camera coupled with said sensor, wherein said predetermined signal is accompanied by a message comprising at least one of said one or more images captured with said camera, and wherein said reception device displays said at least one of said one or more images.