System and methods for automatically moving access barriers initiated by mobile transmitter devices

• US 7,327,108 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Mullet, Willis J., Mamaloukas, Jason L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan; Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCLOUD, RENATA D
• Application Number:
  US11/296,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20070046232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 318/280
• 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 15/76 responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors E05F15/77 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/538 Interior lids
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed

Abstract

An operator system and related methods for automatically controlling access barriers which includes a base controller associated with at least one access barrier and at least one base receiver associated with the base controller. The system also includes at least one mobile transmitter that automatically and periodically generates at least one mobile signal detectable by the base receiver. The base controller selectively generates barrier movement commands upon receipt of the at least one mobile signal in an operate mode. The operator and the mobile transmitter both include transceivers to allow two-way communication therebetween during a learn mode. Such a system allows for hands-free operation of the access barrier. A discrete processing system may also be used to retrofit existing barrier operator systems for use in hands-free operation.

Claims

1. An automated actuation system which changes states based upon a position of an actuating device, the system comprising:

a base controller having a transceiver, said base controller associated with the actuation system, said base controller adapted to receive at least one automatically generated signal and adapted to only exchange learn data, the actuation system having at least two conditions; and

at least one mobile transmitter including a transceiver, said base controller and said mobile transmitter adapted to only exchange learn data with each other;

wherein if said base controller and said at least one mobile transmitter exchange learning data with each other, said mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generates, regardless of location, a dual identification mobile signal which includes an open identification signal and a close identification signal both of which are receivable by said base controller, said base controller changing the actuation system between a first condition and a second condition based upon whether said open and close identification signals are received or not.

2. The automated actuation system according to claim 1, wherein a communications frequency is selected by the base controller during exchange of said learning data, wherein said selected frequency is stored in said base controller and said at least one mobile transmitter.

3. The automated actuation system according to claim 2, wherein completion of the exchange of said learning data is acknowledged by said at least one mobile transmitter and by said base controller.

4. The automated actuation system according to claim 1, wherein said learning data comprises a security code.

5. The automated actuation system according to claim 4, wherein said security code comprises a rolling code.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory device associated with said base controller, said base controller storing a communication frequency associated with said identification signals in said memory for processing.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said mobile transmitter periodically generates a first identification signal and a second identification signal which, if received by said base controller, are stored in said memory device in corresponding buffers.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said base controller monitors the condition of the actuation system.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said base controller initiates a change in the actuation system based upon a last course of action taken by the base controller.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile transmitter comprises an activity sensor, wherein said at least one mobile signal is only generated if said activity sensor detects a predetermined activity.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said mobile transmitter comprises:

a sensitivity button which upon actuation adjusts a power level of said dual identification mobile signal.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein actuation of said sensitivity button adjusts said power level for at least one of said open and close identification signals.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said power level for said open identification signal is different than said power level for said close identification signal.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein said power level for said open identification signal is the same as said power level for said close identification signal.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein in order to change the actuation system between the conditions said at least one mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generates said dual identification mobile signal without the need for said base controller to generate signals which are received by said at least one mobile transmitter.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein said base controller only receives said dual identification signals and does not return any type of signal to said mobile transmitter in response to receipt of said dual identification mobile signal.

11. An operator system for automatically controlling access barriers, comprising:

a base controller associated with at least one access barrier;

at least one base transceiver associated with said base controller; and

at least one mobile transmitter including a transceiver, said at least one mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generating, regardless of location, a dual identification mobile signal which includes an open identification signal and a close identification signal both of which are received by said base controller, said base controller and said at least one mobile transmitter adapted to exchange learning data between each other in a learn mode, so as to be learned to each other; and

wherein if said at least one mobile transmitter and said base controller are learned to each other, said mobile signal is detectable by said at least one base transceiver, said base controller selectively generating barrier movement commands depending upon whether said open and close identification signals are received.

12. The operator system according to claim 11, wherein said learning data comprises a security code.

13. The operator system according to claim 12, wherein said security code comprises a rolling code.

14. The operator system according to claim 11, wherein a communications frequency is selected during exchange of said learning data in said learn mode.

21. The system according to claim 11, wherein in order to change the actuation system between the conditions said at least one mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generates said dual identification mobile signal without the need for said base controller to generate signals which are received by said at least one mobile transmitter.

22. The system according to claim 11, wherein said base controller only receives said dual identification signals and does not return any type of signal to said mobile transmitter in response to receipt of said dual identification mobile signal.