An electronic device such as an alarm that reminds a user when rented items or products such as video cassettes or digital versatile discs (DVDs) are due back to the rental store, or when a library book is due back at a library.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims priority of Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 60/337,696 filed Nov. 6, 2001.
A limited-use appliance, such as a garage door operator or a home network bridge device, is disclosed which has at least one input device for generating an input signal and a controller associated with the input device and receiving the input signal. The controller initiates at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of the input signal. A test device is maintained by the controller, and has a predetermined criteria which determines whether the input signal should be sent on to the controller or not. A warning system may be incorporated so that imminent expiration of the limited-use functions initiate warnings for the benefit of the end-user.
