Method and system for remotely monitoring garage door position

• US 7,158,043 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2005
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael F. Balanky, Ronnie L. Kirkland
• Original Assignee: Michael F. Balanky, Ronnie L. Kirkland
• Inventors: Shadwell, Percy F. Jr., Kirkland, Ronnie L., Rubin, Benjamin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US11/258,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20060055533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.1, 340/539.1, 340/545.1, 340/545.6, 340/545.7, 49 25- 31, 49 68- 731
• US Class Current: 340/686.1
• 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 2400/354 End positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/452 for saving energy, e.g. sleep or wake-up
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/51 of position, of back drive
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/61 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/66 Wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/812 Acoustic
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/818 Visual
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for adaptively tracking the position of an entry portal, such as an automatic garage door. In accordance with the present invention a transmitter assembly senses and transmits the sensed position of the door position in a periodic manner at a predetermined transmit interval. A receiver assembly including a receiver module receives the transmitted door position signals and synchronizes the activation of the receiver module with the transmit interval such that the receiver receives the door position signals transmitted at the predetermined transmit interval. A receiver output indicator is then updated in accordance with the entry portal position determined by the received door position signal.

Claims

1. A method for adaptively transmitting a sensed position of an entry portal, said method comprising:

sensing a position of the entry portal; and

comparing the sensed position with a previously sensed position to determine the timing of a next transmitted entry portal position signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position, transmitting the sensed position in a synchronous manner at a next periodic transmit interval.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is an intermediate position, transmitting the sensed position in a synchronous manner at a next periodic transmit interval.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is an intermediate position, transmitting the sensed position asynchronously upon said determination.

5. A system for adaptively transmitting a sensed position of an entry portal, said system comprising:

means for sensing a position of the entry portal; and

means for comparing the sensed position with a previously sensed position to determine the timing of a next transmitted entry portal position signal.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

means for determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

means responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position, for transmitting the sensed position in a synchronous manner at a next periodic transmit interval.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

means for determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

means responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is an intermediate position, for transmitting the sensed position in a synchronous manner at a next periodic transmit interval.

8. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

means determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

means responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is an intermediate position, for transmitting the sensed position asynchronously upon said determination.

9. A computer program product residing on a computer-readable medium for adaptively transmitting a sensed position of an entry portal, said computer program product having computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

sensing a position of the entry portal; and

comparing the sensed position with a previously sensed position to determine the timing of a next transmitted entry portal position signal.

10. The program product of claim 9, said method further comprising:

determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position, transmitting the sensed position in a synchronous manner at a next periodic transmit interval.

11. The program product of claim 9, said method further comprising:

determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is an intermediate position, transmitting the sensed position in a synchronous manner at a next periodic transmit interval.

12. The program product of claim 9, said method further comprising:

determining that the sensed position is a fully open or fully closed position; and

responsive to determining that the previously sensed position is an intermediate position, transmitting the sensed position asynchronously upon said determination.