U.S. Patent 9,913,591 On March 13, 2018, Week 11, Number 1448-2, the United States Patent and Trademark Office published issued U.S. Patent Number 9,913,591.  The patent claims, inter alia: A wearable device comprising: a housing; a mount configured to mount the housing to a first external body surface, wherein the first external body surface is at a wrist location of a particular arm of a wearer; a first electrical contact disposed on an inner surface of the mount, wherein the first electrical contact is configured to contact skin at the first external body surface responsive to the housing being mounted to the first external body surface; a second electrical contact disposed on an outer surface of the mount, wherein the second electrical contact is configured to be contacted by skin of a second external body surface, and wherein the second external body surface is at a location other than the particular arm; a third electrical contact disposed also on the inner surface of the mount, wherein the third electrical contact is electrically isolated from the first electrical contact, wherein the third electrical contact is configured to contact skin at the first external body surface responsive to the housing being mounted to the first external body surface, a signal conditioner disposed in the housing, wherein the signal conditioner is electrically coupled to the first electrical contact, the second electrical contact, and the third electrical contact, and wherein the signal conditioner is configured to determine data indicative of a biological state of the wearer based on voltage fluctuations between the second electrical contact and an average voltage of the first electrical contact and the third electrical contact. The patent attorney that drafted U.S. Patent No. 9,913,591 provided [...]

Everybody knows the feeling when you get home from work, you have to walk over to the mailbox and check to see if mail has been delivered.  Not anymore. On March 13, 2018, Week 11, Number 1448-2, the United States Patent and Trademark Office published U.S. Patent Number 9,913,555.  The patent describes a mailbox detection means inside the mailbox to detect the presence of mail and a warning device that is operatively connected to the detection means to inform a user of the presence of mail in the mailbox. Figure 1 describes that the detection unit for mailboxes comprises a mailbox; a detection means provided inside the mailbox to detect the presence of mail; and a warning device operatively connected to the said detection means to inform a user of the presence of mail in the said mailbox.  One of the sensors appears to use a commonly used reed contact magnetic sensor. If you have a great idea, contact a patent attorney to learn how to protect your idea.