Door Actuator and Opener

• US 20080092443A1
• Filed: 10/19/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Estit S. Ramirez, Garrett J. Swank, Stephen A. Herman
• Original Assignee: Estit S. Ramirez, Garrett J. Swank, Stephen A. Herman
• Inventors: Herman, Stephen A., Swank, Garrett J., Ramirez, Estit S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,719,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/25
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control

Abstract

An actuating mechanism for a door includes a first antenna block having a first integrated microcontroller electrically connected to a first transceiver device and a first antenna. A second antenna block having a second integrated microcontroller is electrically connected to a second transceiver device and a second antenna. A processor device is electrically connected between the first and second microcontrollers and a first switch. The first and second antennas receive a first radio frequency signal from a third, mobile transceiver device. The processor device measures a time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the first radio frequency signal. The processor device computes a direction of arrival (DOA). The DOA measurement is compared against a predefined range of DOAs. The processor device sends a control signal to the first switch to actuate the door in the event of a match.

Claims

1. An actuating mechanism for a door, comprising:

a first antenna block having a first integrated microcontroller electrically connected to a first transceiver device and a first antenna;

a second antenna block having a second integrated microcontroller electrically connected to a second transceiver device and a second antenna; and

a processor device electrically connected between the first and second microcontrollers and a first switch, the first switch configured to be coupled in parallel with a second switch, wherein;

the first and second antennas receive a first radio frequency signal from a third, mobile transceiver device,

the first and second microcontrollers process the first radio frequency signal, and send a control signal to the processor device, and

the processor device calculates a time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the first radio frequency signal, then computes a direction of arrival (DOA) utilizing the TDOA measurement, the DOA measurement compared against a predefined range of DOAs, whereupon the processor device sends a control signal to the first switch to actuate the door in the event of a match.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a third antenna block having a third integrated microcontroller and a third antenna, each electrically connected to a third, mobile transceiver device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third antenna block is electrically connected to a battery to provide a mobile source of power.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second switch further comprises a motion detector, photoelectric device, floor mat, or manual switch to independently send a control signal to actuate the door.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second antennas are mounted on a first surface above a first side of the door.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including a fourth and fifth antenna, each coupled to fourth and fifth transceivers and fourth and fifth microprocessors, wherein the fourth and fifth antennas are mounted on a second surface above a second side of the door for detecting the third, mobile transceiver device from either first or second surfaces.

7. A door actuating system, comprising:

a first, mobile transceiver electrically coupled to a first microcontroller and a first antenna;

a second transceiver electrically coupled to a second antenna;

a third transceiver electrically coupled to a third antenna; and

a processing device electrically coupled between the second and third antennas and a first switch, the first switch configured to be coupled in parallel with a second switch, wherein;

the first, mobile transceiver receives a first radio frequency signal from the second or third transceivers, the signal detected by the first microcontroller,

the first microcontroller instructs the first, mobile transceiver to send a second radio frequency signal which is received by the second and third transceivers, and

the processing device calculates a time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the second radio frequency signal, then computes a direction of arrival (DOA) utilizing the TDOA measurement, the DOA measurement compared against a predefined range of DOAs, whereupon the processor device sends a control signal to the first switch to actuate the door in the event of a match.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first, mobile transceiver is electrically coupled to a battery to provide a mobile source of power.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the second switch further comprises a motion detector, photoelectric device, floor mat, or manual switch to independently send a control signal to actuate the door.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the second and third antennas are mounted on a first surface above a first side of the door.

11. The system of claim 10, further including a fourth and fifth antenna, each electrically coupled to fourth and fifth transceivers, wherein the fourth and fifth antennas are mounted on a second surface above a second side of the door for detecting the third, mobile transceiver device from either first or second surfaces.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the first, mobile transceiver is configured to attach to a wheelchair or other device which provides accessibility to a user.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the first, mobile transceiver is configured to attach to a keychain.

14. A method of actuating a door, comprising:

receiving a first radio frequency signal by a first mobile transceiver device;

detecting the receipt of the first radio frequency signal by a first microcontroller connected to the first mobile transceiver device;

instructing the first, mobile transceiver to transmit a second radio frequency signal;

receiving the second radio frequency signal by a second and a third transceiver device;

calculating a time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the second radio frequency signal by a processing device connected to the second and third transceiver devices;

calculating a direction of arrival (DOA) using the TDOA measurement by the processing device;

comparing the DOA against a predefined range of DOAs by the processing device; and

sending a control signal by the processing device to a first switch to actuate the door in the event of a DOA match.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving the second radio frequency signal further includes receiving a mobile unit code which is assigned to the first mobile transceiver device.

16. The method of claim 15, further including subsequent to the step of receiving the second radio frequency signal by the second and third transceiver devices, verifying the mobile unit code to determine if the mobile unit code is valid.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first switch is coupled in parallel with a second switch.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second switch further comprises a motion detector, photoelectric device, floor mat, or manual switch to independently send a control signal to actuate the door.

19. A method of manufacturing an actuating mechanism for a door, comprising:

providing a first antenna block having a first integrated microcontroller electrically connected to a first transceiver device and a first antenna;

providing a second antenna block having a second integrated microcontroller electrically connected to a second transceiver device and a second antenna; and

providing a processor device electrically connected between the first and second microcontrollers and a first switch, the first switch configured to be coupled in parallel with a second switch, wherein;

the first and second antennas receive a first radio frequency signal from a third, mobile transceiver device,

the first and second microcontrollers process the first radio frequency signal, and send a control signal to the processor device, and

the processor device computes a time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the first radio frequency signal, then computes a direction of arrival (DOA) utilizing the TDOA measurement, the DOA measurement compared against a predefined range of DOAs, whereupon the processor device sends a control signal to the first switch to actuate the door in the event of a match.

20. The method of manufacture of claim 19, further including providing a third antenna block having a third integrated microcontroller and a third antenna, each electrically connected to a third, mobile transceiver device.

21. The method of manufacture of claim 20, wherein the third antenna block is electrically connected to a battery to provide a mobile source of power.

22. The method of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the second switch further comprises a motion detector, photoelectric device, floor mat, or manual switch to independently send a control signal to actuate the door.

23. The method of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the first and second antennas are mounted on a first surface above a first side of the door.

24. The method of manufacture of claim 22, further including providing a fourth and fifth antenna, each coupled to fourth and fifth transceivers and fourth and fifth microprocessors, wherein the fourth and fifth antennas are mounted on a second surface adjacent to a second side of the door for detecting the third, mobile transceiver device from either first or second surfaces.

25. The method of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the mobile transceiver device is configured to connect to a keychain.