System for automatically moving access barriers and methods for adjusting system sensitivity

• US 20060077035A1
• Filed: 10/08/2004
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Mamaloukas, Jason L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,310,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.610
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00857 where the code of the data carrier can be programmed

Abstract

An operator system and related methods for automatically controlling access barriers including a controller associated with at least one access barrier and a transceiver associated with the controller for transmitting and receiving operational signals. The system also includes at least one proximity device capable of communicating operational signals with the transceiver based upon a position of the proximity device with respect to the barrier and/or the operational status of a vehicle carrying the proximity device, wherein the controller monitors the operational signals and controls the position of the access barrier based upon the operation signals. Such a system allows for hands-free operation of the access barrier.

Claims

1. An operator system for automatically controlling access barriers, comprising

a controller associated with at least one access barrier;

at least one beacon transceiver associated with said controller for transmitting and receiving operational signals; and

at least one proximity device adapted to be associated with a powered carrying device, said at least one proximity device capable of communicating operational signals with said at least one beacon transceiver based upon an operational status of the powered carrying device and a position of said proximity device with respect to the barrier, wherein said controller monitors said operational signals and controls the position of the access barrier based upon said operational signals.

2. The operator system according to claim 1, wherein said proximity device comprises

a transponder;

a processor connected to said transponder, said processor in communication with said controller via said at least one beacon transceiver; and

a plurality of wire leads connected to said processor, wherein said plurality of leads are connectable to a power supply of the powered carrying device, and wherein said processor detects when the powered carrying device is either in an on condition or an off condition.

3. The operator system according to claim 2, wherein said controller is associated with a program button, wherein actuation of said program button prepares the controller for a learn phase for receipt of initial operational signals from said at least one proximity device.

4. The operator system according to claim 3, wherein said proximity device is placed within range of said beacon transceiver so that said controller learns said mobile transponder'"'"'s identity upon actuation of said program button during said learn phase;

and

wherein upon completion of said learn phase said beacon transceiver is enabled to periodically generate a beacon signal having at least two different power levels.

5. The operator system according to claim 4, wherein said mobile transponder generates an acknowledge signal that is detected by said controller and wherein said controller includes a memory device that stores a position state corresponding to whether said acknowledge signal is received by said controller within a predetermined period of time.

6. The operator system according to claim 5, wherein said position state is designated as one of AWAY or/and DOCKED depending upon return of said acknowledge signal and said beacon signal'"'"'s power level.

7. The operator system according to claim 6, wherein if said position state is DOCKED and said powered carrying device changes from said off condition to said on condition an open command is sent from said proximity device to said at least one beacon transceiver.

8. The operator according to claim 6, wherein if said position state is DOCKED and said powered carrying device changes from said on condition to said off condition, a close command is sent from said proximity device to said at least one beacon transceiver.

9. An operator system for automatically controlling access barriers, comprising

a controller associated with at least one access barrier;

at least one beacon transceiver associated with said controller for transmitting and receiving operational signals; and

at least one proximity device adapted to be associated with a powered carrying device, said at least one proximity device capable of communicating operational signals with said at least one beacon transceiver, wherein said controller monitors said operational signals and controls the position of the access barrier based upon said operational signals and wherein said at least one proximity device emits said operational signals at at least one of two sensitivity levels.

10. The operator system according to claim 9, wherein said at least one proximity device comprises

a transponder;

a processor connected to said transponder, said processor in communication with said controller via said at least one beacon transceiver; and

a learn button connected to said processor.

11. The operator system according to claim 10, wherein actuation of said learn button associates said proximity device with said controller.

12. The operator system according to claim 10, wherein actuation of said learn button for a predetermined period of time changes said sensitivity level.

13. The operator system according to claim 10, wherein said at least one proximity device further comprises

an input button connected to said processor.

14. The operator system according to claim 13, wherein actuation of said input button causes said transponder to generate a door move command.

15. The operator system according to claim 14, wherein actuation of said input button causes said transponder to cancel said door move command.

16. The operator according to claim 13, wherein simultaneous actuation of said learn button and said input button toggles said proximity device between active and inactive operation.

17. The operator system according to claim 9, further comprising

a sensitivity button connected to said controller, wherein actuation of said sensitivity button changes said sensitivity level.

18. A method for automatically controlling operation of an access barrier based upon a relative position of a vehicle with respect to the barrier, comprising

providing a controller to control the opening and closing movements of the access barrier;

carrying a proximity device in the vehicle;

communicating between said proximity device and said controller a relative position of the vehicle with respect to the access barrier;

detecting and confirming by said controller that when the carrying device is approaching the access barrier in a closed condition, said controller automatically opens the access barrier; and

detecting and confirming by said controller that when the carrying device is moving away from the access barrier in an open condition, said controller automatically closes the access barrier.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising

receiving an operational status signal from the vehicle by said proximity device.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising

opening the access barrier when said operational status signal indicates the vehicle changing from an off condition to an on condition and said controller determines that the carrying device is in close proximity.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising

closing the access barrier when said operational status signal indicates the vehicle changing from an on condition to an off condition and said controller determines that the carrying device is in close proximity.

22. A method for adjusting power sensitivity of a hands-free proximity device used to initiate automatic movement of an access barrier, comprising

providing a controller to control the opening and closing movements of the access barrier;

providing a proximity device withy a learn button;

actuating said learn button to associate said proximity device with said controller; and

adjusting power levels on one of said proximity device and said controller to change the power sensitivity of signals transmitted therebetween.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising

actuating said learn button in a first way to associate said proximity device with said controller;

and

actuating said learn button in a second way to adjust the power sensitivity of signals generated by said proximity device.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising

providing said proximity device with an input button.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising

actuating said input button to automatically move the access barrier as long as said proximity device is in operational range of said controller.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising

actuating and holding said input button subsequent actuating step so as to cancel automatic movement of the access barrier.

27. The method according to claim 22, further comprising

actuating and holding said learn button and said input button to toggle said proximity device between active and inactive operation.

28. The method according to claim 22, further comprising

providing said controller with an adjustment button;

and

actuating said adjustment button to adjust the power sensitivity of signals generated by said controller.