System and related methods for signaling the position of a movable barrier and securing its position

• US 7,207,142 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GMI Holdings Incorporated (Sanwa Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Mullet, Willis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US10/309,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20040107639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,602 Days
• Field of Search: 491/97, 491/99, 318/266, 318/434, 318/466, 318/467, 318/468, 340/686.1
• US Class Current: 49/199
• 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 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/80 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/426 against unauthorised use E05Y2400/51, E05Y2400/522 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A system for signaling the position of a movable barrier includes a movable barrier; a motor coupled to the movable barrier for moving the movable barrier between limit positions; a position detection device that monitors the movable barrier to generate a barrier position signal; and an indication device that receives the barrier position signal and indicate a position of the movable barrier relative to the limit positions. The system also includes an operation mechanism for controlling the motor and at least one transmitter device which generates a transmission signal received by the operator mechanism to energize the motor. The system further includes a blocking switch which generates a blocking signal received by the operator mechanism to prevent receipt of a transmission signal from a device other than one associated with the indication device.

Claims

1. A method of remotely monitoring and controlling the position of a movable barrier, comprising:

coupling a position measuring device to a barrier operator, wherein said position measuring device generates a barrier position signal;

moving the movable barrier between limit positions with said barrier operator;

detecting a position of the movable barrier between travel limit positions by said position measuring device coupled to said barrier operator;

generating a barrier position signal from said position device;

providing a representation by a plurality of position indicators via an interface device, said position indicators identifying the movable barrier'"'"'s position at various positions between two limit positions based upon said barrier position signal;

coupling a potentiometer to the movable barrier, wherein said potentiometer generates said barrier position signal;

transmitting said barrier position signal to said interface device which performs said first providing step;

providing an up/down button on said interface device, wherein actuation of said up/down button transmits an up/down signal to move the movable barrier; and

providing a block button on said interface device, wherein actuation of said block button blocks signals received by said barrier operator from any transmitter, other than actuation of said up/down button so as to prevent movement of the movable barrier.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said providing a representation step comprises:

switching on and off at least two lights on said interface device to represent a direction of travel and position of the movable barrier.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

providing a stop button on said interface device, wherein actuation of said stop button transmits a stop signal to stop movement of the movable barrier.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said providing a representation step comprises:

announcing verbally from said interface device a direction of travel and position of the movable barrier.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

providing a stop button on said interface device, wherein actuation of said stop button transmits a stop signal to stop movement of the movable barrier.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said providing a representation step comprises:

displaying a video signal representing the movable barrier'"'"'s position between two limit positions.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said providing a representation step comprises:

displaying a numerical distance from one of said limit positions.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

coupling a pulse counter to the movable barrier, wherein said pulse counter generates said barrier position signal; and

transmitting said barrier position signal to said interface device which performs said providing step.

9. A method of controlling operation of a movable barrier, comprising:

moving the movable barrier between limit positions with a barrier operator;

providing an interface device that communicates with said barrier operator;

providing an up/down button on said interface device, wherein actuation of said up/down button transmits an up/down signal to said barrier operator and initiates movement of the movable barrier; and

providing a block button on said interface device, wherein actuation of said block button blocks signals received by said barrier operator from any transmitter, other than actuation of said up/down button, so as to prevent movement of the movable barrier.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

receiving signals from a remote transmitter by said barrier operator to control movement of the barrier operator; and

preventing receipt of signals from said remote transmitter by said barrier operator when said block button is actuated.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

maintaining positional information in said barrier operator even when said block button is actuated.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

coupling a potentiometer to the movable barrier, wherein said potentiometer generates said positional information.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

a pulse counter to the movable barrier, wherein said pulse counter generates said positional information.

14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

de-actuating said block button to allow said barrier operator to receive signals from any said transmitter.

15. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

providing power to said barrier operator regardless of said block button'"'"'s status.