Door operator console

• US 7,337,016 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2006
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation (Sanwa Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation (Sanwa Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Hantke, Bryan R., Hrusch, Gerard J., McMahon, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US11/324,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20060195200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83, 340/521, 340/5.71
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/512 of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/80 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent

Abstract

A console or controller unit for a garage door operator includes a message recording and playback device. The console unit may be wall mounted or configured as a remote transmitter type unit and includes a molded light transmitting switch actuator part mounted on a housing part of the console unit between an outer wall and a circuit board and comprising integrally molded door operator, garage lighting and message record, playback and erase switch actuators. LED indicators provide light for illuminating the switch actuators and for indicating a message waiting and low battery power. The message recording and playback circuitry is electrically isolated from the door operator control circuitry and is battery powered. The message recording and playback device includes a programmable microcontroller for controlling a voice message recording and playback circuit.

Claims

1. A door operator wall mounted console unit in combination with and operable for controlling a door operator for a motor operated door, said console unit comprising:

a housing;

a door operator control circuit supported on said housing and including a button type switch actuator for effecting operation of said door operator and at least one of a lighting control switch actuator and a door operator lock switch;

an electrical circuit isolated electrically from said door operator control circuit and including a battery power source, said isolated electrical circuit including a microcontroller circuit operably connected to a voice message recording and playback circuit, a first voltage regulator circuit operably connected to said microcontroller and a second voltage regulator circuit operably connected to said message recording and playback circuit for providing selected operating voltages to said microcontroller circuit and said message recording and playback circuit, respectively;

a switch actuator part formed of a flexible light transmitting material supported on said housing and including plural integral switch actuators operable in response to digital actuation, respectively, to control at least one of said door operator and for effecting recording and playback of voice messages, at will; and

a light source for illuminating said switch actuators by way of said switch actuator part.

2. The console unit set forth in claim 1 including:

a light transmitting projection formed on said switch actuator part and disposed adjacent visual indicator means operably connected to said microcontroller circuit for providing a visual signal indicating a message awaiting playback.

3. The console unit set forth in claim 1 including:

a light transmitting projection formed on said switch actuator part and disposed adjacent visual indicator means operably connected to said microcontroller circuit for providing a visual signal indicating low voltage available from a battery power source.