Bi-directional pass-point system for controlling the operation of movable barriers

• US 6,400,112 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2000
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James, Valente, Christopher M., Siegler, Mark, Lobbes, Dan, Rathgeber, Martin, Willmott, Colin B., Tam, Ramon
• Primary Examiner(s): Masih, Karen
• Application Number:
  US09/638,630
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 318/445, 318/480, 318/450, 318/460, 318/467, 340/555, 340/356
• US Class Current: 318/445
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/684 by chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/672 Tensioners, tension sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/684 Rails; Tracks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/34 Pulse count limit setting
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/342 Pulse count value setting or correcting
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/244 arranged in serial relationship
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/696 during transport or storage
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/75 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/406 characterised by monitoring or safety G05B19/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37159 Source of pulse, pulse derived from gear, plate teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45242 Door, panel, window operation, opening, closing

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

Claims

1. A method for automatically learning the open and close limits of travel comprising the steps of:

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;

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;

storing the complement of the distance traveled in the second direction as a second limit; and

using the first and second limits as open and close limits of travel for the barrier.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein storing the complement of the distance traveled in the first direction comprises:

storing the complement of the distance traveled from the reference point to the first position.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein storing the complement of the distance traveled in the second direction comprises:

storing the complement of the distance traveled from the reference point to the second position.

2. A method for automatically learning the limits of travel for a movable barrier operator, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a command to cause the movable barrier to move in a first direction towards a first reference point;

moving the barrier in the first direction;

storing the distance traveled from the reference point to the first limit;

receiving a command to cause the movable barrier to move in a second direction towards a second reference point;

moving the barrier in the second direction;

storing the distance traveled from the reference point to the second limit; and

using the first and second limits as limits of travel for the movable barrier.