Wireless communication system for a roll-up door

• US 8,063,592 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2009
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Assa Abloy Entrance Systems AB (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Albany International Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Robert J., Czubin, Allan B., Theusch, Lee H., Shier, William W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro; Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US12/404,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20090243839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 318/16, 318264-266, 318/286, 318466-470
• US Class Current: 318/286
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors not directly associated with the wing movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/512 of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/66 Wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/00 Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive

Abstract

A door system includes a support connected to a structure, and a door mounted on the support and movable relative to the support between an opened position and a closed position. The door includes a detection device and a remote module coupled to the detection device. The remote module includes a battery and an RF module for supporting two-way communication and sending signals indicative of the status of the detection device and the battery. The door system also includes a motor to drive the door, and a controller to control the motor. The controller includes a user interface and a memory. The door system also includes a base module coupled to the controller for receiving signals from the remote module. The received signals are indicative of the status of the detection device and the battery. The base module also sends signals related to successful transmission acknowledgements to the remote module.

Claims

1. A method for setting-up a two-way wireless system for a door, the method comprising:

providing a remote module with a battery;

providing a controller with a base module;

programming an address in the remote module;

coupling the remote module to a detection device;

setting the remote module to a standby mode;

enclosing the remote module and the detection device in a bottom-bar assembly;

coupling the bottom-bar assembly to the door;

triggering an event with the detection device;

transmitting a first signal with the remote module to the base module as a result of triggering the event, the first signal indicative of the status of the detection device and battery; and

transmitting a second signal with the base module to the remote module confirming successful transmission of the first signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the remote module in an active mode in response to triggering the event with the detection device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising starting the controller as a result of the base module receiving the signal from the remote module.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the door with the controller based on the signal received by the base module.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the remote module in a sleep mode as a result of transmitting the signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the current consumption in the sleep mode is less than the current used in the active mode of the remote module.

7. A wireless, two-way control system for a door, the control system comprising:

an actuator connected to the door to move the door between an open position and a closed position;

a controller connected to the actuator to control the actuator;

a base module connected to the controller, the base module being adapted to receive and transmit signals;

a battery operated remote module adapted to transmit and receive signals with the base module; and

means for operating the remote module in a series of states, wherein in each successive state, the remote module consumes less current than in the previous state, and wherein the remote module returns to the first state in the series of states in response to the detection of an event by the remote module.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote module is mounted on the door, and wherein the system is operable to control the operation of the door.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a detection device mounted on the door and connected to the remote module.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the detection device is a tape switch for detecting an object restricting vertical movement of the door.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the detection device is a breakaway switch for detecting misalignment of one side of the door with respect to a vertical support.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the detection device is a motion sensor for detecting motion of the door.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the detection device detects vertical motion of the door.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote module includes a temperature sensor.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the means for operating the remote module changes remote module state from first state to second state subsequent to the remote module transmitting the status of a detection device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for operating the remote module changes remote module state from second state to third state when the remote module verifies that the status of the detection device after a period of time is the same as the status transmitted in the first state.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for operating the remote module changes remote module state from third state to fourth state when the remote module shuts down an RF module coupled to the remote module for supporting wireless, two-way communication.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for operating the remote module changes remote module state from one of third state and fourth state to first state when the remote module detects a change in the status of the detection device.

19. A wireless two-way communication system for a door comprising:

a remote module mounted on the door adapted to transmit and receive signals;

a base module adapted to receive and transmit signals with the remote module;

a detection device coupled to the remote module;

wherein the detection device is adapted to trigger an event,

wherein the remote module is adapted to transmit a first signal to the base module as a result of triggering the event; and

wherein the base module is adapted to transmit a second signal confirming successful transmission of the first signal.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 19, wherein the signal is indicative of the status of the detection device.

21. The wireless communication system of claim 20, wherein the signal is indicative of the status of the battery.

22. The wireless communication system of claim 19, wherein the remote module is battery operated.

23. The wireless communication system of claim 19, further comprising a controller adapted to operate the door based on the signal received by the base module.

24. The wireless communication system of claim 19, wherein the remote module is adapted to be set to a sleep mode as a result of transmitting the signal.

25. The wireless communication system of claim 24, wherein the current consumption in the sleep mode is less than the current used in an active mode of the remote module.

26. The wireless communication system of claim 19, wherein the detection device is a breakaway switch for detecting misalignment of one side of the door with respect to a vertical support.

27. The wireless communication system of claim 19, wherein the detection device is a motion sensor for detecting vertical motion of the door.

28. A door system comprising:

a door movable between an opened position and a closed position, the door including a detection device coupled to the door, and a remote module coupled to the detection device, the remote module supporting two-way communication, and sending first signals indicative of the status of the detection device;

a motor coupled to the door to drive the door;

a controller coupled to the motor to control the motor, the controller including a user interface and a memory; and

a base module coupled to the controller for receiving first signals from the remote module, the received first signals indicative of the status of the detection device, and adapted to send second signals to the remote module confirming successful transmission of the first signals.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the remote module includes an RF module for supporting wireless, two-way communication with the base module.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the door mounted on the support is a roll-up door.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the detection device includes a tape switch for detecting an object restricting vertical movement of the door.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the tape switch includes a first conductive path and a second conductive path connected in series configuration with a resistor.

33. The system of claim 28, further comprising a second detection device coupled to one side of the door, and a third detection device coupled to another side of the door opposite to the one side of the door.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the second detection device is a first breakaway switch operable to define the status of the one side of the door with respect to one vertical support.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the third detection device is a second breakaway switch operable to define the status of the another side of the door with respect to another vertical support.

36. The system of claim 28, wherein the remote module includes a sensor operable to detect movement of the door.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the sensor is oriented with respect to the remote module to detect vertical movement of the door.

38. The system of claim 28, wherein the remote module includes a temperature sensor.