Apparatus and method for operating devices based upon vehicle detection for use with a movable barrier

• US 9,249,612 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J., Jenkins, Jeremy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US14/164,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20140139316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/541, 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 49 13- 26
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 1/00 Comparing elements, i.e. elements for effecting comparison directly or indirectly between a desired value and existing or anticipated values
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

A movable barrier operator controls access to a secured area which houses vehicles. The movable barrier operator is operable to move a movable barrier from an open to a closed position. A sensor controls the operation of a service-providing device through the controller of a movable barrier operator or by direct communication to a controller for the service-providing device. The sensing device senses whether a vehicle is present in the secured area. The sensor is operatively connected to the moveable barrier operator and is used to control the operation of at least one service-providing device without necessarily effecting movement of a barrier by the movable barrier operator. Operation of the service-providing device is effected upon sensing whether a vehicle is present in the secured area to effect an operation of the service-providing device.

Claims

1. A movable barrier operator apparatus comprising:

a housing containing components operable to move a movable barrier from an open position to a closed position, the barrier controlling access to a secured area which houses vehicles;

a controller configured to effect movement of the movable barrier; and

a sensing device that is configured to sense whether a vehicle is present within the secured area, the sensing device being disposed totally outside of the housing,

wherein at least one of the controller and the sensing device are configured to effect an operation of a service-providing device in response to receiving a signal from the sensing device whether a vehicle is present in the secured area, where the service-providing device is configured to provide a service other than opening or closing the movable barrier.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensing device is coupled to the housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensing device is separate from the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second sensing device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second sensing device is positioned at least partially within the housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensing device is configured to determine a number of people entering or exiting a vehicle in the secured area.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensing device is configured to determine a presence of a vehicle entering or exiting the secured area.

8. A movable barrier operator apparatus comprising:

a housing containing components operable to move a movable barrier from an open position to a closed position, the barrier controlling access to a secured area which houses vehicles, the housing being positioned in a first location relative to the movable barrier;

a controller configured to effect operation of the movable barrier;

a motor at least partially positioned within the housing; and

a sensing device that is configured to sense whether a vehicle is present within the secured area, the sensing device being positioned in a second location relative to the movable barrier, the second location being different from the first location,

wherein at least one of the controller and the sensing device are configured to effect an operation of a service-providing device in response to receiving a signal from the sensing device whether a vehicle is present in the secured area, where the service-providing device is configured to provide a service other than opening or closing the movable barrier.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sensing device is coupled to the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sensing device is separate from the housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a second sensing device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second sensing device is positioned at least partially within the housing.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sensing device is configured to determine a number of people entering or exiting a vehicle in the secured area.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sensing device is configured to determine a presence of a vehicle entering or exiting the secured area.

15. A method which uses a sensing device for a movable barrier operator to provide a signal to at least one service-providing device, the movable barrier operator configured to move a barrier from an open to a closed position to control access to a secured area which houses vehicles, the method comprising:

sensing with the sensing device whether a vehicle is present within the secured area, the sensing device being disposed totally outside of a housing of the movable barrier operator, the service-providing device operatively connected to the sensing device; and

effecting at least one operation of the service-providing device in response to sensing whether a vehicle is present in the secured area where the service-providing device provides a service other than opening or closing the movable barrier.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising sensing a number of secured persons in the secured area.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the sensing device sensing whether a vehicle is present upon action of the moveable barrier operator to move the moveable barrier.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein activating the operation of the service-providing device includes the control device selecting an operational parameter from a variety of choices for operation of the service-providing device.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising prohibiting movement of the movable barrier in response to a signal from the sensing device.