Apparatus and method for the remote diagnosis, remote monitoring and remote initialization of automatic doors, door systems and garage doors

• US 6,553,238 B1
• Filed: 01/05/1999
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Company KG (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Company KG (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Inventors: Ressel, Willi, Theile, Ulrich, Ginzel, Lothar
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US09/214,837
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/556
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/80 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/025 Door telephones adapted for television H04N7/186
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

Device and method for the remote diagnosis and/or remote monitoring and/or remote initialization of a microprocessor-controlled door, door system or garage door system operated by an electric motor. The microprocessor control can be connected with a data transmission device for the performance of a remote diagnosis and/or remote monitoring and/or remote initialization of the microprocessor control. The data transmission device can have a modem adapter. The modem adapter can connect the microprocessor control to a cellular telephone, which cellular telephone can be dialed through a cellular data network. The cellular telephone can also be part of the data transmission device. The data transmission device can simultaneously be effectively connected to a service center.

Claims

1. Monitoring system for the remote diagnosis and/or remote monitoring and/or remote initialization of a door system, being controlled by a microprocessor, operated by an electric motor, and monitored by sensors, said monitoring system comprising:

at least one data transmission device being configured to transmit and receive data;

said data transmission device being configured to be one of directly or indirectly connected to a microprocessor control unit of a door system;

said data transmission device being configured to transmit data directly between a remote location and said microprocessor; and

said data transmission device comprises;

a portable wireless device;

an interface;

said interface being configured and disposed to connect said wireless device with said microprocessor; and

said interface being permanently fastened to and connected with said door monitoring system.

2. A monitoring system for the remote diagnosis and/or remote monitoring and/or remote initialization of a door system, which door system has at least one door panel, a microprocessor control unit configured to control the door system, an electric motor configured to supply power to operate the door system, and sensors configured to monitor the door system, said monitoring system comprising:

at least one data transmission device being configured to transmit and receive data;

said data transmission device being configured to be one of;

directly connected or indirectly connected to said microprocessor control unit;

said data transmission device being configured to transmit data directly between a remote location and said microprocessor control unit; and

said data transmission device comprising;

a portable wireless device;

an interface;

said interface being configured and disposed to connect said wireless device with said microprocessor control unit; and

said interface being permanently fastened to and connected with said door monitoring system.

3. The monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein:

said portable wireless device comprises a wireless telephone;

said interface comprises a modem adapter;

said modem adapter comprises a data transmitting receptacle which is configured to receive a wireless telephone; and

said modem adapter is configured and disposed to operatively connect said wireless telephone with said microprocessor control unit to permit transmission of data between said wireless telephone and said microprocessor control unit.

4. The monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein:

said wireless telephone is configured to contact a door service center computer to permit establishment of communication between said microprocessor control unit of said door system and said door service center computer.

5. The monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein:

said door service center computer is configured to be dialed by said wireless telephone to place said door service center computer in communication with said wireless telephone.

6. The monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein:

said wireless telephone is configured to be dialed by said door service center computer to place said wireless telephone in communication with said door service center computer.

7. The monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein:

said interface comprises a loudspeaker; and

said loudspeaker is configured to output voice communications received by said wireless telephone from a door service center.

8. The monitoring system according to claim 7, wherein:

said interface comprises a microphone;

said microphone is configured to receive voice communications from door service personnel located at said door system;

said microphone is configured to transmit said voice communications to said wireless telephone; and

said wireless telephone is configured to transmit said voice communications received from said microphone to a door service center.

9. The monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein:

said interface comprises a keypad;

said keypad is configured to permit the manual input of commands to at least one of;

said interface;

said microprocessor control unit; and

said door service center computer.

10. The monitoring system according to claim 9, wherein:

said monitoring system further comprises an image output apparatus; and

said image output apparatus is configured to display graphic data received from at least one of;

said microprocessor control unit of said door system; and

said door service center computer.

11. The monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein:

said monitoring system further comprises an imaging device;

said imaging device is configured to display images of the door system; and

said imaging device is configured to be connected to said interface to permit transmission of said images of the door system to a service center.

12. The monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein:

said door service center computer is configured to permit operation of a diagnostic program during communication with said microprocessor control unit of said door system to permit a diagnostic analysis of said door system.

13. The monitoring system according to claim 12, wherein said door system is one of:

a door and a garage door.

14. The monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein:

said modem is a PCMCIA modem; and

said microprocessor has a corresponding PCMCIA slot.

15. A method using a monitoring system for the remote diagnosis and/or remote monitoring and/or remote initialization of a door system, being controlled by a microprocessor, operated by an electric motor, and monitored by sensors, said monitoring system comprising:

at least one data transmission device being configured to transmit and receive data;

said data transmission device being configured to be one of directly or indirectly connected to a microprocessor of a door system;

said data transmission device being configured to transmit data directly between a door service center computer at a remote location and said microprocessor; and

said data transmission device comprising;

a portable wireless device;

an interface;

said interface being configured and disposed to connect said wireless device with said microprocessor; and

said interface being permanently fastened to and connected with said door monitoring system, said method comprising the steps of;

connecting said portable wireless device to said permanently fastened interface to operatively connect said portable wireless device to said microprocessor;

connecting said microprocessor and said door service center computer with said wireless device;

transmitting data directly between said door service center computer and said microprocessor; and

said step of transmitting data further comprising the steps of;

transmitting said data from said microprocessor to said interface;

transmitting said data from said interface to said portable wireless device; and

transmitting said data from said portable wireless device to said door service center computer.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said portable wireless device comprises a wireless telephone, and said method further comprises one of the following steps:

dialing said door service center computer with said portable wireless telephone to place said door service center computer in communication with said portable wireless telephone; and

dialing said portable wireless telephone with said door service center computer to place said portable wireless telephone in communication with said door service center computer.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:

conducting a diagnostic analysis of said data received from said microprocessor with a diagnostic program of said door service center computer.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said step of conducting a diagnostic analysis further comprises:

detecting at least one defect in said door system to permit recordation of said at least one defect in a repair service schedule of a service technician.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said step of conducting a diagnostic analysis further comprises:

determining the location of said door system.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said at least one defect of said door system is at least one of:

a deteriorating operating condition, decreased operational safety, and decreased operational reliability.