Automatic garage door system and method

• US 6,563,431 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jay W. Miller Jr
• Original Assignee: Jay W. Miller Jr
• Inventors: Miller, Jay W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/692,074
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/933, 340/935, 340/938, 340/988, 340/993, 340/57, 340/435, 340/436, 340/5.71, 340/686.1, 340/686.6, 340/825.29, 340/309.15, 340/309.3, 340/330
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/426 Parking guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/689 specially adapted for vehicle windows
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

An automatic garage door system includes a controller. The controller receives information on the vehicle'"'"'s position from a vehicle parking unit. When the automatic system is on, the system determines if the garage door is open via a garage door position sensor. When the garage door is open, the controller signals a remote interface unit located inside the house to indicate that the garage door is open. The vehicle parking unit determines if a car is entering or leaving the garage. When no vehicle is entering or leaving the garage, the garage door is automatically closed after a predetermined time interval. When a vehicle is entering the garage, the vehicle'"'"'s position is monitored by the vehicle parking unit, which displays the vehicle position information to the vehicle driver with a visual parking indicator.

Claims

1. An automatic garage door system comprising:

a controller connected to a garage door opener;

a vehicle parking unit connected to the controller wherein the vehicle parking unit includes a vehicle position sensor and a visual parking indicator; and

a remote interface unit connected to the controller and located inside

a house.

2. The automatic garage door system of claim 1, further including a garage door position sensor connected to the controller.

3. The automatic garage door system of claim 1, wherein the remote interface unit includes a switch to operate a garage door.

4. The automatic garage door system of claim 1, wherein the remote interface unit includes an indicator.

5. The automatic garage door system of claim 1, wherein the remote interface unit has a battery.

6. The automatic garage door system of claim 1, wherein the visual parking indicator includes a light emitting diode.

7. The automatic garage door system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a function selector.

8. The automatic garage door system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a delay circuit.

9. A method of operating an automatic garage door system comprising:

(a) determining if an automatic door closing function is on;

(b) when the automatic door closing function is on, determining if a garage door is open;

(c) determining if a vehicle is entering the garage;

(d) when the vehicle is entering the garage, monitoring a vehicle position with a vehicle parking unit;

(e) indicating the vehicle'"'"'s position with a visual parking indicator; and

(f) when the garage door is open, closing the garage door after a predetermined time interval.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (c) further includes the step of:

(c1) determining if a vehicle is leaving the garage; and

(c2) when the vehicle is not leaving the garage, leaving the garage door open.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) further includes the step of:

(b1) when the garage door open signal is received, indicating that the garage door is open at a remote interface unit in a house.

12. The method of claim 9, further including the step of:

(c1) when the first vehicle is leaving the garage, determining if a second vehicle is leaving the garage within a predetermined time interval;

(c2) when the second vehicle is leaving the garage within a predetermined time interval, canceling the garage door closure until the second vehicle has exited the garage.

13. An automatic garage door system comprising:

a controller connected to a garage door opener;

a garage door position sensor connected to the controller;

a vehicle parking unit that includes a vehicle position sensor; and

a remote interface unit, which includes an indicator, connected to the controller and located inside a house.

14. The automatic garage door system of claim 13, wherein the controller includes a function selector.