System and methods for automatically moving access barriers initiated by mobile transmitter devices

• US 20070046231A1
• Filed: 08/24/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Murray, James, Mullet, Willis, Mamaloukas, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/280
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/538 Interior lids
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An operator system and related methods for automatically controlling access barriers which includes a base controller associated with at least one access barrier and at least one base receiver associated with the base controller. The system also includes at least one mobile transmitter that automatically and periodically generates at least one mobile signal detectable by the base receiver. The base controller selectively generates barrier movement commands upon receipt of the at least one mobile signal. Timers may be used to block receipt of any mobile signals for a period of time to prevent any further door movement. Such a system allows for hands-free operation of the access barrier. A discrete processing system may also be used to retrofit existing barrier operator systems for use in hands-free operation.

Claims

1. An automated actuation system which changes states based upon a position of an actuating device, the system comprising:

a base controller associated with the actuation system, said base controller adapted to receive at least one automatically generated signal, the actuation system having at least two conditions; and

at least one mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generating at least one mobile signal receivable by said base controller, said base controller changing the actuation system between a first condition and a second condition based upon whether said mobile signal is received or not.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory device associated with said base controller, said base controller storing said mobile signal in said memory for processing.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said mobile transmitter periodically generates a first identification signal and a second identification signal which, if received by said base controller, are stored in said memory device in corresponding buffers.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said base controller monitors the condition of the actuation system.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said base controller initiates a change in the actuation system based upon a last course of action taken by the base controller.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein if said first identification signal is received and the last course of action by said base controller was not to attain the first condition, said base controller generates a command to attain said first condition.

7. The system according to claim 6, whereupon attaining said first condition a first condition timer is started.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein if neither said first or second identification signals are received, and said first condition timer has elapsed and said last course of action by said base controller was not to attain said second condition, said base controller generates a command to attain said second condition.

9. The system according to claim 8, whereupon attaining said second condition a second condition timer is started.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said second condition timer must be elapsed prior to said base controller generating said command to attain said first condition.

11. The system according to claim 5, wherein if neither said identification signal is received and the last course of action by said base controller was not to attain said second condition, said base controller generates a command to attain said second condition.

12. The system according to claim 11, whereupon attaining said second condition, a second condition timer is started, wherein said second condition timer must be elapsed prior to said base controller generating said command to attain said first condition.

13. The system according to claim 5, wherein said base controller detects said conditions of the actuation system and bypasses any subsequent commands to attain one of said conditions if already in said condition.

14. The system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a counter which is incremented when said second identification signal is not detected in a corresponding buffer, and wherein the last course of action is checked by said base controller only after said counter reaches a predetermined value.

15. The system according to claim 3, wherein said mobile transmitter generates said identification signals at pre-selected power levels.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile transmitter comprises an activity sensor, wherein said at least one mobile signal is only generated if said activity sensor detects a predetermined activity.

17. An operator system for automatically controlling access barriers, comprising:

a base controller associated with at least one access barrier;

at least one base receiver associated with said base controller; and

at least one mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generating at least one mobile signal detectable by said at least one base receiver, said base controller selectively generating barrier movement commands depending upon whether said at least one mobile signal is received.

18. The system according to claim 17, further comprising:

at least one timer associated with said base controller, wherein said at least one timer is started after completion of barrier movement, and subsequent barrier movements are prevented until said at least one timer expires.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said at least one timer has a first predetermined time period for barrier movements in a first direction and a second predetermined time period for barrier movements in a second direction.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein said at least one mobile transmitter generates an open identification signal and a close identification signal, and wherein said base controller determines a last course of action taken by said base controller and generates said barrier movement command depending upon the last course of action and which said identification signal is received.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein if said open identification signal is received and the last course of action was not to open the barrier, then said base controller generates an open barrier command.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein if said open identification signal is received and the last course of action by said base controller was to open the barrier, then said base controller determines whether said close identification signal has been received or not.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein if said close identification signal is received after not receiving said open identification signal, said base controller awaits reception of another one of said identification signals.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein if said close identification signal is not received, and the last course of action by said base controller was not to close the barrier, then said base controller generates a close barrier command.

25. The system according to claim 22, wherein if said close identification signal is not received, and the last course of action by said base controller was to close the barrier, no action is taken.

26. The system according to claim 20, wherein if said open identification signal and said close identification signal are not received, and the last course of action by said base controller was to close the barrier, then no action is taken.

27. The system according to claim 20, wherein if said open identification signal and said close identification signal are not received, and the last course of action taken by said base controller was not to close the barrier, then said base controller generates a close barrier command.

28. The system according to claim 20, wherein said at least one mobile transmitter is adapted to generate said open and close identification signals at more than one power level.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said at least one mobile transmitter is programmable to generate any one of four power levels for said open identification signal and said close identification signal.

30. The system according to claim 17, wherein said base controller is adapted to learn signal strengths of said at least one mobile signal at about an open action position and a close action position.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein if said base controller determines that said mobile signal is within a range of said learned open action position, said base controller generates an open barrier command.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein said base controller starts a timer after generating said open barrier command to disable receipt of said mobile signals for a predetermined period of time.

33. The system according to claim 31, wherein said base controller receives a group of consecutive mobile signals and compares them to a stored pattern of signals prior to generating said open barrier command.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein said base controller updates said stored pattern of signals after generating said open barrier command.

35. The system according to claim 30, wherein if said base controller determines that said mobile signal is not within a range of said learned open action positions, but within a range of said learned close action position, said base controller generates a close barrier command.

36. The system according to claim 33, wherein said base controller starts a timer after generating said close barrier command to disable receipt of said mobile signals for a predetermined period of time.

37. The system according to claim 35, wherein said base controller receives a group of consecutive mobile signals and compares them to a stored pattern of signals prior to generating said close barrier command.

38. The system according to claim 37, wherein said base controller updates said stored pattern of signals after generating said close barrier command.

39. The system according to claim 17, wherein said mobile signals are encrypted and said at least one mobile transmitter utilizes a counter known by said base controller.

40. A discrete add-on processing system adapted to be connected to a barrier operating system which moves a barrier between open and closed positions, the processing system comprising:

at least one mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generating at least one mobile signal;

a barrier position indicator generating a barrier position signal; and

an add-on controller adapted to be connected to the barrier operating system, said add-on controller receiving said at least one mobile signal and said barrier position signal so as to enable the barrier operating system to move the barrier based upon whether the at least one mobile signal is received or not.

41. The processing system according to claim 40, further comprising:

a receiver connected to one of said add-on controller and the barrier operating system, the receiver receiving said at least one mobile signal.

42. The processing system according to claim 40, wherein said add-on controller stores said mobile signal for later processing.

43. The processing system according to claim 42, wherein said mobile transmitter periodically generates a first identification signal and a second identification signal which, if received by said add-on controller, are stored in corresponding buffers.

44. The processing system according to claim 43, wherein said add-on controller initiates a change in the barrier operating system based upon said condition signal and said at least one mobile signal.

45. The processing system according to claim 44, wherein said at least one position indicator comprises:

a magnet adapted to be proximally secured to one of a trailing and a leading edge of the door in the barrier operating system; and

a pair of inductive switches adapted to be maintained in a track which guides the door, wherein each said inductive switch detects a presence of said magnet and generates said barrier position signal received by said add-on controller.

46. The processing system according to claim 45, whereupon detection of a change in the position of the door, said add-on controller initiates a timer having a corresponding time period, wherein said add-on controller ignores receipt of said mobile signals for said corresponding time period.

47. The processing system according to claim 40, wherein said at least one mobile transmitter comprises an activity sensor, wherein said at least one mobile signal is only generated if said activity sensor detects a predetermined activity.