Overhead Door Corporation

Tom Deneen

Steven E Wilder

Brent Buescher

Tim Ikeler

Brent Alan Rauscher

Mike Dragomier

An Internet based system for remotely monitoring and changing the open/closed door status of a garage door. A position detector is coupled to the door. Two position detectors, preferably substantially orthogonal with respect to one another, determine the barrier status. A wireless transmitter transmits the barrier status to a multi-functional control module. The control module also receives a change of status command from the Internet Cloud to move one or more doors in accordance with the command. Multiple relays paired with the doors allow the control module to control a plurality of doors.

Remote transmission of barrier status and change of status over a network

An Internet based system for remotely monitoring and changing the open/closed door status of a garage door. A position detector is coupled to the door. The position detector has at least one tilt switch, and preferably two substantially orthogonal with respect to one another, for determining the barrier status, which indicates whether the door is in the open or closed position, and a wireless transmitter that transmits the barrier status to a multi-functional control module based upon a change thereof and/or an automatic pre-established periodic pulse. A multi-functional control module transmits the barrier status, upon a change thereof and/or an automatic pre-established periodic pulse to the Internet Cloud, and thereafter to a Smartphone. No request is ever made to obtain door status. The control module also receives a command from the Internet Cloud to move one or more doors. The control module pushes the barrier status to the Internet in response to receipt thereof, and not in response to a request for the barrier status. A Smartphone sends the command to the Internet, receives the barrier status therefrom, and displays the barrier status.

Automatic transmission of a barrier status and change of status over a network

Disclosed herein is a method including manufacturing a barrier opening system comprising a barrier operator, and at least one wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting commands to the barrier operator. Prior to delivery of the barrier opening system to an end user, an authorization code is programmed into the at least one wireless transmitter. Also prior to delivery of the barrier opening system to the end user, the barrier operator is placed into a learn mode. The authorization code is then transmitted to the barrier operator while the barrier operator is in the learn mode, using a transmitter external to the barrier opening system. The barrier operator then exits the learn mode. The barrier operator is thereafter packaged together the at least one wireless transmitter.

Programming of paired authorization codes in wireless transmitter and barrier operator prior to use by end user

Disclosed herein is a process for pairing one or more wireless transmitters with a power head unit of a barrier opening system prior to delivering the system to the end user. In one facility, an authorization code of a wireless transmitter is received and passed to a printer that prints an encoded label with indicia corresponding to the authorization code. The so-encoded label is affixed to the wireless transmitter or its packaging or pallet. In another facility, the encoded label is thereafter scanned, and the authorization code is deciphered and stored in a database. The power head is programmed with the identical code by placing the power head into a learn mode, retrieving the deciphered authorization code from the database, and transmitting the retrieved code to the power head using a test transmitter while the power head is in the learn mode, with the power head thereafter moved out of the learn mode, thereby pairing the transmitter with the power head. The so-programmed power head and wireless transmitter are then packaged for sale and distribution to the end user of the barrier opening system.

Growing community of inventors

Akron, OH, United States of America

Tom Deneen