IP Library › Patent Application 12716268
Patent Application
App. No. 12/716,268

Fueling Status Monitor and Alarm

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/716,268
Abstract

A device fueling status monitor and alarm includes: a portable powered device; a refueling energy source adapted to refuel the portable powered device; a monitor associated with either the portable powered device or the refueling energy source, wherein the monitor monitors conditions of the portable powered device or the refueling energy source to detect alarm conditions, wherein the monitored conditions include the proximity of the portable powered device to the refueling energy source and whether the portable powered device is being refueled; an alarm condition transmitter associated with the monitor and adapted to transmit an alarm signal when alarm conditions are recognized by the monitor; and an alarm condition receiver adapted to receive signals from the alarm condition transmitter and signal an alarm condition to a user.

Claims (33)

1 . A device fueling status monitor and alarm comprising:

a portable powered device;

a refueling energy source adapted to refuel the portable powered device;

a monitor associated with either the portable powered device or the refueling energy source, wherein the monitor monitors conditions of the portable powered device or the refueling energy source to detect alarm conditions, wherein the monitored conditions include the proximity of the portable powered device to the refueling energy source and whether the portable powered device is being refueled;

an alarm condition transmitter associated with the monitor and adapted to transmit an alarm signal when alarm conditions are recognized by the monitor; and

an alarm condition receiver adapted to receive signals from the alarm condition transmitter and signal an alarm condition to a user.

2 . The device fueling status monitor and alarm of claim 1 wherein the portable powered device is a vehicle.

3 . The device fueling status monitor and alarm of claim 1 wherein the portable powered device is a portable electronic device.

4 . The device fueling status monitor and alarm of claim 1 wherein the refueling energy source is adapted to provide electricity to the portable powered device.

5 . The device fueling status monitor and alarm of claim 1 wherein the monitor is associated with the portable electronic device.

6 . The device fueling status monitor and alarm of claim 1 wherein the monitor is associated with the refueling energy source.

7 . The device fueling status monitor and alarm of claim 1 wherein the monitor monitors the proximity of the portable powered device to the refueling energy source directly.

8 . The device fueling status monitor and alarm of claim 1 wherein the monitor monitors the proximity of the portable powered device to the refueling energy source via a proxy.

9 . The device of claim 1 wherein the alarm condition receiver is associated with the portable electronic device.

10 . The device of claim 1 wherein the alarm condition receiver is independent of the portable electronic device.

11 . A method of monitoring a device's fueling status, comprising the steps of:

monitoring conditions of a portable powered device or a refueling energy source, including monitoring at least the proximity of the portable powered device to the refueling energy source and whether the portable powered device is being refueled;

detecting alarm conditions based on the monitored conditions; and

transmitting a detected alarm condition to a remote receiver adapted to signal the alarm condition to a user.

12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the step of monitoring conditions of a portable powered device or a refueling energy source includes monitoring the power status of the portable powered device.

13 . The method of claim 12 wherein monitoring the power status includes monitoring whether the portable powered device is on, off, in standby or in active use.

14 . The method of claim 11 wherein the step of monitoring conditions of a portable powered device or a refueling energy source includes monitoring security functions of the portable powered device.

15 . The method of claim 14 where monitoring security functions of the portable powered device includes whether the powered portable device has its security features enabled.

16 . A monitoring and alarm system comprising:

a powered portable device;

a refueling energy source adapted to refuel the portable powered device;

a monitor associated with either the portable powered device or the refueling energy source;

a transmitter associated with the monitor and adapted to transmit an alarm signal when an alarm condition is recognized by the monitor; and

a receiver adapted to receive signals from the alarm condition transmitter and signal the alarm condition to a user, wherein the alarm condition occurs when the monitor detects a predetermined functional condition of the powered portable device or the refueling energy source when the portable powered device is within a predetermined distance from the refueling energy source.

17 . The monitoring and alarm system of claim 16 wherein the powered portable device is an automobile.

18 . The monitoring and alarm system of claim 16 wherein the monitor is associated with the powered portable device.

19 . The monitoring and alarm system of claim 16 wherein the transmitter is associated with the powered portable device.

20 . The monitoring and alarm system of claim 16 wherein the receiver is associated with the powered portable device.