Above ground loop system proximity detection
First Claim
1. A loop detection apparatus comprising:
- an inductive loop;
a processing device comprising circuitry configured to connect to the inductive loop and sense from the inductive loop a change in inductance of the inductive loop; and
wherein the inductive loop is configured to be disposed at least partially above a surface on which a vehicle travels,wherein the processing device is configured to detect a change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond a first threshold value,wherein in response to detecting the change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond the first threshold value, the processing device is configured to transmit a first signal configured to effect a first action,wherein the processing device is configured to detect a change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond a second threshold value, wherein in response to detecting the change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond the second threshold value, the processing device is configured to transmit a second signal to effect a second action different from the first action.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A loop detection apparatus and corresponding methods are provided that includes an inductive loop and a processing device. The processing device includes circuitry to connect to the inductive loop and control and sense from the inductive loop a change in a characteristic thereof. The inductive loop is disposed at least partially above a surface on which a vehicle travels. The processing device detects a change in a characteristic of the inductive loop beyond a first threshold value, and in response, transmits a first signal configured to effect a first action. The processing device further detects a change in the characteristic of the inductive loop beyond a second threshold value, and in response, transmits a second signal configured to effect a second action different than the first action.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A loop detection apparatus comprising:
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an inductive loop; a processing device comprising circuitry configured to connect to the inductive loop and sense from the inductive loop a change in inductance of the inductive loop; and wherein the inductive loop is configured to be disposed at least partially above a surface on which a vehicle travels, wherein the processing device is configured to detect a change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond a first threshold value, wherein in response to detecting the change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond the first threshold value, the processing device is configured to transmit a first signal configured to effect a first action, wherein the processing device is configured to detect a change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond a second threshold value, wherein in response to detecting the change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond the second threshold value, the processing device is configured to transmit a second signal to effect a second action different from the first action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling a movable barrier operator system using a loop detector apparatus comprising a processing device and an inductive loop, the method comprising:
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communicatively coupling the inductive loop to the processing device; disposing the inductive loop at least partially above a surface on which a vehicle travels;
detecting a change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond a first threshold value;in response to detecting the change in inductance beyond the first threshold value, transmitting a first signal from the processing device to effect a first action in the movable barrier operator system; detecting a change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond a second threshold value different than the first threshold value; and in response to detecting the change in inductance beyond the second threshold value, transmitting a second signal from the processing device to effect a second action in the movable barrier operator system different from the first action. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A loop detection apparatus comprising:
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an inductive loop disposed proximate to a vehicle pathway access to which is periodically restricted by a movable barrier at least partially controlled by a movable barrier operator, wherein the inductive loop is disposed at least partially above a surface on which a vehicle travels; a processing device comprising circuitry configured to connect to the inductive loop and sense from the inductive loop a change in inductance of the inductive loop; wherein the processing device is configured to; detect a change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond at least a first and a second threshold value, in response to detecting the change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond the first threshold value, transmit a first signal configured to effect a first action, in response to detecting the change in inductance of the inductive loop beyond the second threshold value, transmit a second signal configured to effect a second action different from the first action; wherein the first and the second action comprise one or more of; causing the movable barrier operator to effect movement of the movable barrier;
causing the movable barrier operator to restrict movement of the movable barrier;
or causing an action by an accessory device associated with the processing device.
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Specification