Remote control device and a method of using the same

• US 6,388,559 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Cohen, Alan Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/218,188
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/5.72, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/3.32, 340/686.1, 340/573.1, 340/539, 318/283, 49/25, 49/30
• US Class Current: 340/5.71
• 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: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A remote control system uses a state signal that indicates whether a door or lock is opening, open, closing or closed. The state signal that indicates whether a door or lock is opening, open, closing or closed is transmitted. The remote control device receives the state signal, while the remote control device is proximate to the door or lock. The received state signal is stored in the remote control device. An alarm signal is generated, if the state signal is not received by the remote control device, and the stored state signal indicates that the door or lock is opening or open. The system may be used to monitor and control an automatic garage door opener, a power door locking system in an automobile, a trunk locking system in an automobile, or door or window locking systems in a building.

Claims

1. Remote control apparatus comprising:

a control circuit capable of transmitting a state signal that indicates whether a door or lock is opening, open, closing or closed; and

a remote control device that includes;

a receiver that receives the state signal while the remote control device is proximate to the control circuit,

a memory for storing the received state signal, and

an alarm circuit that generates an alarm signal, if the state signal is not being received, and the stored state signal indicates that the door or lock is opening or open.

2. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alarm circuit generates the alarm signal if the state signal is received and a magnitude of the state signal is less than a threshold value.

3. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device further comprises an alarm device that provides a visible or audible alarm while the alarm signal is generated.

4. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device further comprises a display that displays the value of the stored state signal.

5. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device further comprises:

an input mechanism that is operable by a user, and

a display that displays the value of the stored state signal when the input mechanism is operated by the user.

6. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the remote control device further comprises a transmitter that transmits an acknowledgment signal when the receiver receives the state signal; and

the control circuit includes;

a memory that stores the value of the state signal, and

a receiver,

wherein the control circuit generates and transmits a closing signal to a door or lock closer, if the receiver of the control circuit is not receiving the acknowledgment signal and the state signal indicates that the door or lock is open.

7. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls a garage door opening and closing system.

8. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls a car door locking system or a car trunk locking system.

9. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls a locking mechanism for a door or lock of a building.

10. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a door or lock closer that closes the door or lock under control of the control circuit.

11. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a timer that is started when the door or lock is closed,

wherein the control circuit stops transmitting the state signal, when the timer indicates that a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the door or lock is closed.

12. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device further includes a switch that turns off the remote control device when the state signal indicates that the door or lock is closed.

13. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device further includes:

a timer that is started when the door or lock is closed, and

a switch that turns off the remote control device, when the timer indicates that a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the timer is started.

14. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device further includes:

a timer that is started when the state signal changes, and

a switch that turns off the remote control device when the timer indicates that the state signal remains unchanged for a predetermined period of time after the timer is started.

15. Remote control apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the switch is capable of being actuated manually, to turn the remote control device back on after the remote control device is turned off.

16. Remote control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alarm signal can be turned off manually, and the alarm signal terminates after:

a predetermined period of time elapses, or the alarm signal is turned off manually, whichever occurs first.

17. Remote control apparatus comprising:

door or lock control means for transmitting a state signal indicating whether a door or lock is opening, open, closing or closed; and

a remote control device that includes;

receiving means for receiving the state signal while the remote control device is proximate to the door or lock control means,

storage means for storing the received state signal, and

alarm means for generating an alarm signal, if the state signal is not being received, and the stored state signal indicates that the door or lock is opening or open.

18. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the alarm means generates the alarm signal if the state signal is received and a magnitude of the state signal is less than a threshold value.

19. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the remote control device further comprises alarm indicating means for providing a visible or audible indication while the alarm signal is generated.

20. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the remote control device further comprises display means for displaying the value of the stored state signal.

21. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the remote control device further comprises:

input means that is operable by a user, and

a display means for displaying the value of the stored state signal when the input means is operated by the user.

22. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein:

the remote control device further comprises transmitter means for transmitting an acknowledgment signal when the receiving means receives the state signal; and

the door or lock control means includes;

storage means for storing the value of the state signal, and

means for receiving the acknowledgment signal,

wherein the door or lock control means generates and transmits a closing signal to a door or lock closer, if the acknowledgment signal receiving means is not receiving the acknowledgment signal and the state signal indicates that the door or lock is open.

23. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the door or lock control means controls a garage door opening and closing system.

24. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the door or lock control means controls a car door locking system or a car trunk locking system.

25. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the door or lock control means controls a locking mechanism for a door of a building.

26. Remote control apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a door or lock closing means for closing the door or lock under control of the control circuit.

27. A method for controlling a door or lock, comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting a state signal indicating whether a door or lock is opening, open, closing or closed;

(b) receiving the state signal in a remote control device, while the remote control device is proximate to the door or lock;

(c) storing the received state signal in the remote control device, and

(d) generating an alarm signal, if the state signal is not being received by the remote control device, and the stored state signal indicates that the door or lock is opening or open.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein step (d) includes generating the alarm signal if the state signal is received and a magnitude of the state signal is less than a threshold value.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a visible or audible alarm while the alarm signal is generated.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein the method further comprises the step of displaying the value of the stored state signal.

31. The method according to claim 27, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

operating an input mechanism located on the remote control device, and

displaying the value of the stored state signal when the input mechanism is operated.

32. The method according to claim 27 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting an acknowledgment signal from the remote control device when the state signal is received; and

generating and transmitting a closing signal to a door or lock closer, if the acknowledgment signal is not being transmitted, and the state signal indicates that the door or lock is open.

33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of discontinuing the transmitting of the state signal, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the door or lock is closed.

34. The method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of automatically turning off the remote control device when the state signal indicates that the door or lock is closed.

35. The method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of automatically turning off the remote control device, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the door or lock is opened.

36. The method according to claim 27, further comprising the step of automatically turning off the remote control device when the state signal remains unchanged for a predetermined period of time.