Status monitoring system for a fenestration unit

• US 8,269,627 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Original Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Inventors: Gore, Sachin, Plummer, David, Timmerman, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/323,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20090140858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 340/547, 340/545.6, 340/545.7, 340/545.8, 340/545.9, 340/539.1, 340/539.26, 340/542, 340/539.13, 340/541, 292/241, 292/240
• US Class Current: 340/547
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/00 Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/04 by breaking of glass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0841 Flexible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0846 Rigid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0886 Sliding and swinging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0968 Rigid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1039 Swinging and camming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1041 Rigid operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7486 Single key

Abstract

A status monitoring device for a fenestration unit is provided. The device is positioned in or on the fenestration unit and includes a panel position sensor and a lock status sensor. The device is capable of transmitting panel position data and lock status data to a remote device, trigger an audible alarm on the device or the remote device, trigger a visual alarm on the device or the remote device, or a combination of these.

Claims

1. A status monitoring device for a window or door, the window or door including at least one panel movable between an open panel position and a closed panel position, and the window or door including at least one latch movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the device comprising:

a first sensor that detects whether the at least one panel is in the open panel position or the closed panel position;

a second sensor that detects whether the at least one latch is in the locked position or the unlocked position; and

,

a code generator that generates codes;

the codes including a latch status code separate from a panel status code;

the latch status code indicating the detected position of the latch and the panel status code indicating the detected position of the panel.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device transmits a first signal when the latch is in the locked position and transmits a second signal when the latch is in the unlocked position.

3. The device of claim 1 further including an output from an indicator.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the output comprises one or more of visible light, display, audible signal, wireless transmission, or wired transmission.

5. The device of claim 1 further including a code transmitter for transmitting the codes generated by the code generator.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, a mechanical switch, an acoustical sensor, an RFID device, or an optical sensor.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the second sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, a mechanical switch, an acoustical sensor, RFID device, or an optical sensor.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is operable to gather information about environmental conditions surrounding the window or door, with the information comprising at least one of outside temperature, inside temperature, humidity, moisture, light, or motion.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the device is operable to gather a time of a change of information about the window or door.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the information comprises at least one of the time of the change in position of the at least one movable panel of the window or door, the time of the change in position of the at least one latch of the window or door, the time of the change of at least one interior environmental condition, or the time of the change of at least one exterior environmental condition.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a battery in a battery carrier that is movable from a position interior the device to a position exterior the device.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the movement of the at least one panel is toward the closed position.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the code generator is located remote from the monitoring device.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the first sensor detects whether the latch is in the locked position or the unlocked position independent of the position of the at least one panel.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the codes generated define a set of four possible states:

(1) open and unlocked, (2) open and locked, (3) closed and unlocked, or (4) closed and locked.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the codes generated are encoded to define a set of three possible states:

(1) open, (2) closed and unlocked, or (3) closed and locked.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the codes generated are transmitted to a status code receiver.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein the codes generated are transmitted wirelessly to a status code receiver.

19. The device of claim 1 further comprising a visual display.

20. The device of claim 1 further comprising an audio output.

21. The device of claim 1 wherein the device transmits a first signal when the panel is in the open panel position and transmits a second signal when the panel is in the closed panel position.

62. The device of claim 5 wherein the device is operable to combine the latch position and panel position into a single code and transmit the code to a remote location.

63. The device of claim 62 wherein the device is operable to gather a time of a change of information.

22. A status monitoring device for a window or door that includes at least one slidable panel movable between an open position and a closed position, the device comprising:

a latch coupled to a base, the base being attached to the at least one slidable panel;

a keeper;

the latch engaging the keeper when the at least one slidable panel is in the closed position;

a first sensor that detects whether the panel is in the open position or the closed position;

a second sensor that detects whether the latch is in a locked position or an unlocked position; and

;

a transmitter for transmitting the detected position of the latch with respect to the base independent of the detected position of the at least one slidable panel.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein the second sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, a mechanical switch, an acoustical sensor, RFID device, or an optical sensor.

24. The device of claim 22 further comprising an output from an indicator.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein the output comprises one or more of visible light, display, or audible signal.

26. The device of claim 22 wherein the device is operable to gather information about environmental conditions surrounding the window, with the information comprising at least one of outside temperature, inside temperature, humidity, moisture, light, or motion.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein the device is operable to gather a time of a change of information about the window.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein the information comprises at least one of the time of the change in position of the at least one slidable panel of the window or door, the time of the change position of the latch, the time of the change of at least one interior environmental condition, or the time of the change of at least one exterior environmental condition.

29. A status monitoring device for a closure assembly, the closure assembly including at least one panel movable between an open position and a closed position, the closure assembly further comprising a locking assembly, the locking assembly comprising:

at least one latch located on the at least one panel, an operator assembly located on the at least one panel, and a coupling member operatively connecting the at least one latch with the operator assembly;

the monitoring device comprising;

a first sensor for detecting the position of the panel;

a second sensor for detecting the position of a moving element of the locking assembly;

a code generator for generating codes defining the panel position and the moving element position; and

,

a code transmitter for transmitting the generated codes to a code receiver.

30. The device of claim 29 further comprising an output from an indicator.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein the output comprises one or more of visible light, display, audible signal, wireless transmission, or wired transmission.

32. The device of claim 29 wherein the latch position sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, an acoustical sensor, an RFID device, or an optical sensor.

33. The device of claim 29 wherein the panel position sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, an acoustical sensor, or an optical sensor.

34. The device of claim 29 further comprising a battery in a battery carrier that is movable from a position interior the device to a position exterior the device.

35. The device of claim 29 wherein the device is operable to gather information about environmental conditions surrounding the closure assembly, with the information comprising at least one of outside temperature, inside temperature, humidity, moisture, light, or motion.

36. The device of claim 29 wherein the device is operable to gather a time of a change of information.

37. The device of claim 36 wherein the information comprises at least one of the time of the change in position of the closure assembly, the time of the change position of the latch, the time of the change of at least one interior environmental condition, or the time of the change of at least one exterior environmental condition.

38. The device of claim 29 wherein the coupling member is remotely connected to the at least one latch.

39. A hinged closure assembly comprising:

a frame including a latch receiver;

at least one panel disposed in the frame, the at least one panel being movable between a closed position and an open position;

a latch having a locked position, for locking the at least one panel in the closed position, and an unlocked position;

the latch including at least one movable element and a base;

the movable element engaging the latch receiver in the locked position;

a first sensor detecting when the at least one panel is in the closed position and when the at least one panel is in the open position;

a second sensor detecting when the movable element is in the locked position relative to the base and when the movable element is in the unlocked position relative to the lock assembly; and

,

a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, the processor programmed to determine a status of the closure assembly based at least on the detections of the sensors.

40. The closure assembly of claim 39 further comprising a transmitter for transmitting the status of the window or door.

41. The closure assembly of claim 39 wherein at least one of the first and second sensors comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, a mechanical switch, an acoustical sensor, RFID device, or an optical sensor.

42. The closure assembly of claim 39 wherein the first sensor indicates movement of the at least one panel.

43. The closure assembly of claim 42 further comprising an output from an indicator.

44. The closure assembly of claim 43 wherein the output comprises one or more of visible light, display, audible signal, wireless transmission, or wired transmission.

45. The closure assembly of claim 39 wherein the window or door is operable to gather information about environmental conditions surrounding the window or door, with the information comprising at least one of outside temperature, inside temperature, humidity, moisture, light, or motion.

46. The closure assembly of claim 45 wherein the closure assembly is operable to gather a time of a change of information.

47. The closure assembly of claim 46 wherein the information comprises at least one of the time of the change in position of the at least one panel, the time of the change position of the latch, the time of the change of at least one interior environmental condition, or the time of the change of at least one exterior environmental condition.

48. A status monitoring device for a closure assembly, wherein the closure assembly comprises a fixed frame and at least one panel movable between a closed position and an open position, the device comprising:

a latch movable from a locked position to an unlocked position;

a latch position sensor;

a panel position sensor;

a microprocessor; and

,

a code transmitter;

wherein the latch position sensor senses the position of the latch, wherein the panel position sensor senses the position of the panel, and wherein a combination of the panel position sensor, the latch position sensor, the microprocessor, and the status code transmitter operate in an electronically integrated manner; and

wherein the device is positioned to sense both the position of the latch and the position of the at least one panel; and

wherein the microprocessor generates a status code that integrates the latch position with the panel position.

49. The device of claim 48 further comprising an output from an indicator.

50. The device of claim 48 wherein the output comprises one or more of visible light, display, audible signal, wireless transmission, or wired transmission.

51. The device of claim 48 wherein the latch position sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, a mechanical switch, an acoustical sensor, RFID device, or an optical sensor.

52. The device of claim 48 wherein the panel position sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, a mechanical switch, an acoustical sensor, an RFID device, or an optical sensor.

53. The device of claim 48 further comprising a battery in a battery carrier that is movable from a position interior the device to a position exterior the device.

54. The device of claim 48 wherein the device is operable to gather information about environmental conditions surrounding the closure assembly, with the information comprising at least one of outside temperature, inside temperature, humidity, moisture, light, or motion.

55. The device of claim 54 wherein the device is operable to gather a time of a change of information.

56. The device of claim 55 wherein the information comprises at least one of the time of the change in position of the at least one panel, the time of the change of position of the latch, the time of the change of at least one interior environmental condition, or the time of the change of at least one exterior environmental condition.

57. A lock assembly for a window or door comprising:

an elongate longitudinally sliding member oriented generally parallel to an edge of a window or door panel and translating in a direction generally parallel to the edge of the window or door panel;

a latch operated by the sliding member for locking a window or door panel;

an operator that slides the elongate member to move the latch between unlocked and locked positions;

a first sensor for detecting, independent of sliding member position, whether the panel is in an open or closed position;

a second sensor for detecting, independent of panel position, whether the latch is in the unlocked or locked position; and

a code generator for generating codes defining a status of the window or door, wherein the codes define the status as being one of the following;

panel open, latch unlocked;

panel open, latch locked;

panel closed, latch unlocked;

or

panel closed, latch locked.

58. The lock assembly of claim 57 wherein the second sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, a mechanical switch, an acoustical sensor, RFID device, or an optical sensor.

59. The lock assembly of claim 57 wherein the first sensor comprises at least one of a reed switch, a mechanically operated switch, a mechanical switch, an acoustical sensor, RFID device, or an optical sensor.

60. The lock assembly of claim 57 wherein the output comprises one or more of visible light, display, audible signal, wireless transmission, or wired transmission.

61. The lock assembly of claim 57 wherein the assembly is attached to the sliding member.

64. A status monitoring device for a window or door, the window or door including at least one panel movable between an open panel position and a closed panel position, the device comprising:

a panel position detector for detecting whether the panel is in the open panel position or the closed panel position,

a lock assembly that at least includes a cam and a base;

wherein the cam engages a keeper when the lock is in a locked position;

a lock assembly position detector for detecting whether the lock assembly is in the locked position or the unlocked position;

wherein the monitoring device further includes a code generator that generates a first panel position status code indicating that the panel is in the open panel position and a second panel position status code indicating that the panel is in the closed panel position, and

wherein the code generator further generates a first lock position status code indicating that lock assembly is in an unlocked position and a second lock position status code indicating that the lock assembly is in a locked position.

65. The device of claim 64 wherein the device further includes a code transmitter for transmitting the generated codes to a code receiver.

66. The device of claim 65 wherein the code transmitter is located within the device.

67. The device of claim 65 wherein the code receiver is located at a location remote from the code transmitter.

68. The device of claim 64 wherein the code transmitter transmits wirelessly.

69. The device of claim 64 further including a code integrator that integrates the panel position status code and the lock position status code into a combined set of codes.

70. The device of claim 69 wherein the combined set of codes includes codes indicating one of the following:

a) the panel is in the opened position regardless of whether the lock assembly is in the locked or the unlocked position;

b) the panel is in the closed position with the lock assembly in the unlocked position;

c) the panel is in the closed position with the lock assembly in the closed position.

71. The device of claim 64 wherein the code generator is located within the device.

72. A status monitoring device for a window or door, the window or door including at least one panel movable relative to a fixed structure between an open panel position and a closed panel position, the device comprising:

a first position sensor that detects the position of the panel relative to an activating portion of the fixed structure, wherein the first position sensor is fixedly attached to the panel;

a second position sensor that detects the position of a movable element of a lock assembly, wherein the second position sensor and the lock assembly are each fixedly attached to the panel, and the movable element can be in a locked position or an unlocked position;

a code generator that generates codes from the position of the movable element of the lock and from the position of the panel to indicate whether the lock assembly is in a locked or an unlocked position and whether the panel is in an open or a closed position.

73. The device according to claim 72 wherein the codes are transmitted to a location remote from the panel.

74. The device according to claim 72 wherein the activating portion is a magnet.

75. The device according to claim 72 wherein the activating portion is an RFID device.

76. A status monitoring device for a window or door, the window or door including at least one panel movable relative to a fixed structure between an open panel position and a closed panel position, the device comprising:

a first position sensor that detects the position of an activating portion of the panel relative the fixed structure, wherein the first position sensor is fixedly attached to the fixed structure;

a second position sensor that detects the position of a movable element of a lock assembly, wherein the second position sensor and the lock assembly are each fixedly attached to the fixed structure, and the movable lock element can be in a locked position or an unlocked position;

a code generator that generates codes from the position of the movable element of the lock assembly and from the position of the panel to indicate whether the lock assembly is in a locked or unlocked position and whether the panel is in an open or a closed position.

77. The device according to claim 76 wherein the codes are transmitted to a location remote from the fixed structure.

78. The device according to claim 76 wherein the activating portion is a magnet.

79. The device according to claim 76 wherein the activating portion is an RFID device.

80. A lock assembly for a first panel of a door or window slidable with respect to a second panel comprising:

a base fixedly attached to the first panel;

a latch movably attached to the base and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;

a keeper fixedly attached to the second panel and located such that the latch engages the keeper when the latch is in a locked position and the panel is in the closed position;

a first sensor fixedly attached to the first panel for detecting the position of the first panel relative to the second panel independent of the lock position;

a second sensor fixedly attached to the first panel for detecting whether the latch is in the locked or unlocked position independent of whether the first panel is in the open or closed position; and

a code generator for generating codes defining a status of first panel, wherein the codes define the status as being one of the following;

panel open, latch unlocked;

panel open, latch locked;

panel closed, latch unlocked;

or

panel closed, latch locked;

wherein the second panel is movable between open and closed positions.

81. The lock assembly of claim 80 wherein the first sensor is fixedly attached to the first panel.

82. The lock assembly of claim 80 wherein the second sensor is fixedly attached to the first panel.

83. The lock assembly of claim 80 wherein the first sensor detects the panel position of the first panel relative to the second panel independent of the lock position.

84. The lock assembly of claim 80 wherein the second sensor detects whether the latch is in the locked or unlocked position independent of whether the first panel is in the open or closed position.