Barrier operator having system for detecting attempted forced entry
DCFirst Claim
1. A barrier operator for opening and closing a movable barrier, comprising:
- a barrier drive;
means for detecting motion of the movable barrier;
means for detecting when a barrier command signal has been given to the barrier drive;
means for storing a commanded state of the barrier drive;
means for comparing the commanded state with the motion indicated by said barrier motion detection means, and for indicating if the motion conflicts with the commanded state; and
means for generating an alarm signal in response to the conflict indication of said comparing means.
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Abstract
A movable barrier or garage door operator has a barrier drive for moving the movable barrier or garage door between open and closed positions. Motion of the barrier is detected by a tachometer connected to the barrier drive or by upper and lower barrier travel limit switches. A test is made to determine if the barrier has been commanded to be in a closed state and to determine if a preselected time interval has elapsed following closure of the barrier. When both of those conditions are present and the door is moved upward without authorization an alarm signal is generated and can signal the barrier drive to apply a closing force. The timer prevents the barrier from being closed on a person or obstacle during normal operation and prevents injury. An obstacle detector also prevents unwanted closure on an obstacle.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A barrier operator for opening and closing a movable barrier, comprising:
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a barrier drive;
means for detecting motion of the movable barrier;
means for detecting when a barrier command signal has been given to the barrier drive;
means for storing a commanded state of the barrier drive;
means for comparing the commanded state with the motion indicated by said barrier motion detection means, and for indicating if the motion conflicts with the commanded state; and
means for generating an alarm signal in response to the conflict indication of said comparing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A barrier operator for controlling a movable barrier, comprising,
a down limit detector disposed to indicate whether said barrier is at a closed position or not; -
memory means for storing one of a set of states of said barrier, the set of states including a CLOSED state indicating said barrier is closed;
alarm generation means, responsive to the barrier state stored by said memory means and said down limit detector, for generating an alarm signal when the stored barrier state is CLOSED and said down limit detector indicates said barrier is not at a closed position; and
alarm enabling means for enabling said alarm generation means a preselected time interval after said barrier is closed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
down motor signal means, for providing a down motor signal in response to said alarm signal; and
a barrier drive responsive to said down motor signal for closing said barrier.
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10. A barrier operator according to claim 9, further comprising:
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obstacle detector for detecting an obstacle to movement of said barrier, and for generating an obstacle signal in response thereto; and
means for disabling said barrier drive in response to the obstacle signal.
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11. A barrier operator according to claim 10, wherein said obstacle detector comprises:
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an optical light emitter for emitting light; and
an optical light detector for receiving the light from said emitter, and generating a signal indicative of whether light is received from said emitter or not.
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12. A barrier operator according to claim 9, wherein said alarm enabling means is disposed to continuously enable without a preselected time delay said alarm generation means after said alarm generation means has generated an alarm signal, and after said barrier drive has closed said barrier in response to said alarm signal.
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13. A barrier operator according to claim 9, further comprising:
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a barrier drive motion detector for detecting actual motion of said barrier drive and generating a motion signal indicative thereof;
whereinsaid alarm generation means receives the motion signal and generates the alarm signal when the stored barrier state is CLOSED, said down limit detector indicates said barrier is not at a closed position, and said motion detector indicates motion of said barrier drive.
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14. A barrier operator according to claim 9, further comprising:
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a command signal receiver for receiving a signal commanding said barrier to open, and generating an indication thereof; and
means for providing an up motor signal in response to the receiver indication;
whereinsaid barrier drive responds to the up motor signal by opening said barrier; and
said memory means stores a state selected from the set of barrier states, other than the CLOSED state, in response to the receiver indication.
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15. A garage door operator for opening and dosing a garage door, comprising:
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a motor for moving the garage door;
a down limit detector, for indicating when the garage door is moved to a closed position by said motor;
timer means enabled by the indication from said down limit detector that the garage door is closed, disposed to indicate when a preselected interval has expired;
command signal means for receiving a commanded state of the garage door; and
a microprocessor responsive to said command signal means for causing said motor to move the garage door to the commanded state, disposed to cause the motor to close the garage door when said timer means indicates the preselected interval has expired, said down limit detector indicates the garage door is not closed, and said command signal means has not received a new commanded state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
a tachometer for detecting rotation of said motor, and for providing an indication thereof to said microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor is disposed to cause said motor to close the garage door when said timer means indicates the preselected interval has expired, said tachometer indicates said motor has rotated beyond a preselected threshold, and said command signal means has not received a new commanded state.
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17. A garage door operator according to claim 15, further comprising:
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an optical obstacle detector, for optically detecting the presence of an obstacle adjacent the garage door and producing an obstacle detection signal in response thereto, wherein said microprocessor is responsive to the obstacle detection signal to cease causing said motor to close the garage door.
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18. A garage door operator according to claim 15, wherein said command signal means comprises a radio frequency receiver.
- 19. A barrier operator for opening and closing a movable barrier, comprising:
- 25. A barrier operator for controlling a movable barrier, comprising:
- 33. A garage door operator for opening and closing a garage door comprising:
- 37. A barrier operator for opening and closing a barrier comprising:
- 40. A method of controlling a movable barrier for movement between an open position and a closed position comprising:
Specification