CASTER SYSTEM ACTIVATOR
A system provides on-demand operation of a mobile electronic device mounted on a vehicle such as a shopping cart. The system includes a detector for sensing movement of the vehicle and device. Further, the system includes a controller electronically connected to the detector and to the device. With this interconnection, the controller may switch the device between an operating state and a resting state. Specifically, the controller establishes the operating state upon initiation of movement of the device. Also, the system is provided with a timer that is connected to the controller for switching the device to the resting state after expiration of an uninterrupted pre-determined time interval.
1 . A system for providing an on-demand operation of a mobile electronic device which comprises:
a detector for sensing movement of the device;
a controller electronically connected to the detector, and to the device, for switching the device between an operating state and a resting state, wherein the operating state is established upon initiation of a movement of the device; and
a timer connected to the controller for switching the device to the resting state after expiration of an uninterrupted pre-determined time interval, wherein the pre-determined time interval starts when the device stops, and wherein the pre-determined time interval is interrupted whenever a movement of the device is initiated.
2 . A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a vehicle having a caster to provide for movement of the vehicle, wherein the electronic device is mounted on the vehicle.
3 . A system as recited in claim 2 wherein the vehicle is a shopping cart.
4 . A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the electronic device includes a battery, and the controller is connected to the battery to provide power for the device during the operating state.
5 . A system as recited in claim 4 wherein the electronic device is an RF transceiver.
6 . A system as recited in claim 4 wherein the electronic device is a magnetic sensor.
7 . A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the detector is an accelerometer.
8 . A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the detector is a shock sensor.
9 . A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the detector is a light sensor.
10 . A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the pre-determined time interval is selected to be less than five minutes.
11 . A system for minimizing battery power used by an electronic device mounted on a vehicle which comprises:
a detector for sensing movement of the vehicle;
a means for switching the device from a resting state to an operating state in response to the detector sensing a movement of the vehicle; and
a means for switching the device from the operating state to the resting state in response to the detector sensing an absence of movement of the vehicle for a predetermined time interval.
12 . A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the vehicle is a shopping cart.
13 . A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the electronic device is an RF transceiver.
14 . A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the electronic device is a magnetic sensor.
15 . A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the detector is an accelerometer.
16 . A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the detector is a shock sensor.
17 . A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the detector is a light sensor.
18 . A method for providing an on-demand operation of a mobile electronic device which comprises the steps of:
connecting the electronic device to a vehicle;
mounting a system to the vehicle, with said system including a detector for sensing movement of the vehicle, a controller electronically connected to the detector and to the device, and a timer connected to the controller;
operating the system to sense movement of the vehicle; and
selectively switching the electronic device between a resting state and an operating state, wherein the operating state is established upon initiation of a movement of the vehicle, and wherein the resting state is established upon expiration of an uninterrupted pre-determined time interval, wherein the pre-determined time interval starts when movement of the device stops, and wherein the pre-determined time interval is interrupted whenever movement of the device is initiated.
19 . A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the electronic device includes a battery, and the controller is connected to the battery to provide power for the device during the operating state.
20 . A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the vehicle is a shopping cart.