Bi-directional pass-point system for controlling the operation of movable barriers
First Claim
1. A movable barrier operator, comprising:
- a motor;
a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;
a pass-point assembly for detecting barrier displacements with respect to an intermediate reference point; and
a controller for controlling such displacements within a predetermined range of motion;
wherein the pass-point assembly comprises;
at least one light emitter and at least one light receiver in communication with the controller, andan interrupter mechanism including a first indicator and a second indicator, driven by the motor and in proximity thereto, for selectively interrupting transmission of light from the at least one light emitter to the at least one light receiver to provide a signal to the controller when the barrier passes a reference point corresponding to one of the first and second indicators;
wherein, when the operator is mounted to move the barrier open in a first direction, the reference point corresponds to the first indicator; and
wherein, when the operator is mounted to move the barrier open in a second direction, the reference point corresponds to the second indicator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An operator for opening and closing movable barriers such as garage doors comprising a pass-point limit system which is a component of an operating head. An operator for a rolling shutter or gate can be installed on either side of the opening. A dual pass-point system provides a unique pass-point regardless of direction of mounting the operator, regardless of the direction of travel for opening the barrier, and regardless of installation configuration, eliminating the need for the installer to know which direction the motor is rotating or the barrier is travelling. The operator automatically learns both the open and close limits, regardless of direction of travel and without having to press a learn switch to set the open and close limits.
52 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A movable barrier operator, comprising:
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a motor; a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved; a pass-point assembly for detecting barrier displacements with respect to an intermediate reference point; and a controller for controlling such displacements within a predetermined range of motion; wherein the pass-point assembly comprises; at least one light emitter and at least one light receiver in communication with the controller, and an interrupter mechanism including a first indicator and a second indicator, driven by the motor and in proximity thereto, for selectively interrupting transmission of light from the at least one light emitter to the at least one light receiver to provide a signal to the controller when the barrier passes a reference point corresponding to one of the first and second indicators; wherein, when the operator is mounted to move the barrier open in a first direction, the reference point corresponds to the first indicator; and wherein, when the operator is mounted to move the barrier open in a second direction, the reference point corresponds to the second indicator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A movable barrier operator comprising:
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a motor; a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and for connection to the movable barrier to be moved; a pass-point assembly for detecting barrier displacements with respect to an intermediate reference point; and a controller for controlling such displacements within a predetermined range of motion; and a routine for automatically determining open and close limits of the movable barrier relative to the intermediate reference point; wherein in response to an open command, the routine causes the barrier to move in a first direction toward the intermediate reference point, measures the distance traveled to the reference point, and stores the complement of the distance traveled in the first direction as the close limit; and wherein in response to a close command, the routine causes the barrier to move in a second direction toward the intermediate reference point, measures the distance traveled to the reference point, and stores the complement of the distance traveled in the second direction as the open limit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for automatically learning the open and close limits of travel comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command to cause the movable barrier to move in a first direction to a first position; moving the barrier in the first direction toward an intermediate reference point; measuring the distance traveled to the reference point; storing the complement of the distance traveled in the first direction as a first limit; receiving a command to cause the movable barrier to move in a second direction to a second position; moving the barrier in the second direction toward the intermediate reference point; measuring the distance traveled to the reference point; and storing the complement of the distance traveled in the second direction as a second limit.
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Specification