Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02533092 2006-O1-16
Attorney Docket No. 79412
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A BARRIER WITH A LIGHT POINTING
INSTRUMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field of the invention relates to moveable barner operators and,
more
specifically, to actuating moveable barriers using a light producing
instrument.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Different types of moveable barrier operators have been sold over the
years and
these systems have been used to actuate various types of moveable barriers.
For example,
garage door operators have been used to move garage doors while gate operators
have
been used to open and close gates.
[0003] Such barrier movement operators may include a wall control unit, which
is
connected to send signals to a head unit thereby causing the head unit to open
and close
the barrier. In addition, these operators often include a receiver unit at the
head unit to
receive wireless transmissions from a hand-held code transmitter or from a
keypad
transmitter, which may be affixed to the outside of the area closed by the
barrier or other
structure.
[0004] In many situations, a barrier or series of barriers may need to be
opened. For
example, in a warehouse, a forklift that is carrying crates or other items may
need to
proceed through several doors, gates, or other barners within the warehouse.
Some
previous barrier operator systems rely on hand-held transmitters to open the
different
barriers, but these transmitters transmit radio signals to all operators,
which may result in
the opening of more than one barrier within the warehouse when only one barner
should
be opened. Additionally, some previous systems include transmitters that send
a unique
code to a receiver, thereby requiring that each receiver be trained to each
transmitter. In
addition, previous transmitter devices are often bulky to carry and handle.
Still other
previous systems use key cards or other devices that must be inserted in the
barrier entry
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system or be in close proximity to the barrier entry system in order to
operate. Because of
these requirements, it is inconvenient for a forklift or other vehicle user to
have to exit the
forklift or other vehicle every time the user desires to pass through a
barrier.
SUMMARY
[0005] A system for operating a moveable barrier uses a light pointing
instrument to
transmit a narrow directed beam to a receiver at a moveable barrier operator.
These
approaches provides the easy and convenient opening and closing of a single or
multiple
barriers in a confined space such as a warehouse.
[0006] In many of these embodiments, a light pointing instrument, such as a
laser
pointer, is directed at a light receiver "target" associated with the moveable
barner
operator. The light pointing instrument transmits a narrow and directed beam
of light that
creates a small visible light region on the light receiver connected to the
operator. The
beam of light is received at the receiver and a moveable barner is actuated in
response to
receiving the light beam.
[0007] The light beam may be transmitted in a predetermined format. For
example, the
beam may be modulated with a tone, a fixed code, or a rolling code. In
addition, the beam
of light may also be turned on for a first predetermined amount of time and
turned off for a
second predetermined amount of time. One beam of light may be transmitted to
open the
barrier, and another beam of light may be transmitted to close the barrier.
[0008] In some of these embodiments, the direction of travel of vehicles or
other
objects through the barrier can be determined. The direction of travel ican be
used by the
operator to make actuation decisions such as whether to open or close the
barrier.
[0009] In others of these embodiments, the barrier may be moved to an open
position
and maintained in the open position for a pause time. Once the pause time
expires, the
barrier may be returned to the closed position.
[0010] Thus, a system automatically actuates a barrier by using a light
pointing
instrument. The system is easy to implement and convenient to use, especially
when the
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Attorney Docket No. 79412
user is at a substantial distance from the operator. The system does not
require a vehicle
user to exit the vehicle and allows multiple barriers to be actuated exactly
when needed by
a user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIIE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for actuating a moveable barrier
operator using a
light pointing instrument according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a light pointing instrument;
[0013] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a moveable barner operator according to
the present
invention; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an approach for actuating a moveable barrier
operator
according to the present invention.
[0015] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for
ease of understanding and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For
example, the
dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative
to other
elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the
present
invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful in a
commercially
feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less
obstructed view of
the various embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring now to the drawings and especially FIG. 1, a system for
actuating a
moveable barner operator using a light pointing instrument is described. A
light pointing
instrument 102 is held by a user operating a moving vehicle 106 in a warehouse
128.
Alternatively, the light pointing instrument 102 may be affixed to the vehicle
106 or
attached to the user.
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Attorney Docket No. 79412
[0017] The light pointing instrument 102 is any instrument that transmits a
narrow and
directed beam of visible light. In one example, the light pointing instrument
is a laser
pointer. Other examples of light pointing instruments are possible.
Pt~eferably, the beam
of light is collimated as it is transmitted from the light pointing instru~ent
102 to produce
a beam having substantially parallel components and is visible to the user
when it strikes a
light receiver.
[0018] The light pointing instrument 102 is directed toward a receiver 110 on
a
moveable barner operator 108. The receiver 110 is positioned on the operator
108 so that
a light beam 104 from the light positioning instrument 102 can be received at
the receiver
110. The beam 104 is of sufficient size such that it produces a small, risible
region at the
receiver 110. This region can be seen at the user on the vehicle 106 and is
preferably used
by the user to verify that the beam has properly engaged the receiver to open
or close the
barrier.
[0019] Although of sufficient size to be visible to the user, the size of the
region
produced by the beam 104 on the receiver 110 is limited such that the light
spot cannot
strike two receivers simultaneously. In one example of sizing, the spot on a 6
inch wide
receiver is limited to be one inch in diameter when the beam 104 is
transmitted from a
distance of 5 yards from the receiver, thereby allowing a user to see the spot
on the
receiver, but having a spot of suitable small dimensions so as not to
simultaneously strike
more than one receiver.
[0020] A moveable barrier 114 is actuated by the moveable barrier operator
108, which
also includes another receiver 112. In addition, a second moveable barrier 130
is actuated
by a moveable barner operator 118. The moveable barrier operator 118 has two
receivers
116 and 120. Although two receivers are shown, it will be understood that a
single
receiver or more than one receivers can be used depending upon the physical
environment
of where the operator is positioned.
[0021] The moveable barners 114 and 130 may be any type of barriers, for
example,
swinging gates, garage doors, swinging doors, or sliding gates. The operators
108 and 118
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Attorney Docket No. 79412
and any types of operators used to actuate the barriers 114 and 130 such as
gate operators
or garage door operators. Other examples of barriers and operators are
possible.
[0022] The receivers 110, 112, 116 and 120 may be connected to the operators
108 and
118. For example, they may be physically incorporated into the operators or
connected to
the operators 112 or 120 by a wire or some other connector. The receivers 110,
112, 116
and 120 are conventual receivers capable of receiving and detecting visible
light from a
light pointing instrument such as a laser pointer and are large enough to
allow a user to
observe a light patch created by the light pointing instrument 102.
[0023] The signals from the light source may be coded to permit only selected
users to
actuate a barrier. Coded signals may be used in an environment where security
is a
concern. For example, certain barriers at airports may only be permitted to be
actuated by
personnel having high security clearances, and these barners may require the
receipt of
specially coded signals in order to be actuated. On the other hand, uncoded
signals may be
used in other environments where security is not a concern. For example, in a
warehouse
facility, where all operators of light sources are assumed to be permitted
users, uncoded
signals may be used to actuate the burners.
[0024] In addition, a receiver may be actuated by one or more codes. For
example, a
first user may have an associated first code and a second user may have an
associated
second code. A first barrier may be actuated by only the first code, a second
barrier by
only the second code, and a third barrier by both the first code and the
second codes.
[0025] In one example of the operation of system of FIG. 1, the vehicle 106
moves
across the warehouse 128. The vehicle 106 passes through burners 114 and 130
and past
positions 122, 124 and 126. At position 122 (or in the vicinity of this
position), the light
pointing instrument is directed at the receiver 110 and the operator 108. The
barrier 114
may then be opened by the operator 108 and the vehicle 106 may pass through
the barrier
114. As explained above, coded or uncoded signals may be used to actuate the
barrier
114. If a coded signal is used, the system may decode the signal and compare
an extracted
code to a list of permitted codes. If a match is determined, the burner 114
may be opened
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Attorney Docket No. 79412
and if no match is determined the barner 114 may remain closed. On the other
hand, if no
codes are used, the barrier may be responsively opened.
[0026] After passing the barrier 114, the user may point the light pointing
instrument
102 at the receiver 112. When the light beam is received at the receiver 112,
the operator
108 may close the barner 114, since the vehicle 106 is now past the barrier
114. The
vehicle 106 is now at or near the position 124 in the warehouse 128. ;Again,
if coded
signals are used, the system may decode the signal and compare an extracted
code in the
signal to a list of permitted codes. If a match is determined, the barrier 114
may be closed
and if no match is determined the barrier 114 may remain open. On the other
hand, if no
codes are used, the barrier may be responsively closed. In another
alternative, the barner
114 may remain open for a pause time before being automatically closed at the
expiration
of the pause time.
[0027] The user at the vehicle 106 now desires to open the barner 130.
Consequently,
the user points the light instrument at the receiver 116 of the operator 118,
which causes
the barrier 130 to be opened. Either coded or uncoded signals can be used as
described
above.
[0028] The vehicle 106 then passes through the barrier 130 to position 126 and
point
the light pointing instrument 102 at the receiver 120 of the operator 116. The
light is
received at the receiver 120, which causes the operator 118 to close the
barner 130. Either
coded or uncoded signals can be used as described above. The vehicle 106 is
now at or
near the position 126.
[0029] As mentioned above, the user may open the burner 114 or 130 using the
light
pointing instrument 102. However, the burner may be held open for a period of
time,
which may be fixed or variable. Then, the burner may be closed after this
period of time
expires without using the light pointing instrument to close the barrier. In
this case, a
timer may be used to determine the expiration of the time period.
[0030] In addition, the direction and/or volume of traffic passing through the
barriers
114 and 130 may be determined by placing a sensor or sensors 115 and 125 near
the
burners 114 and 130. The direction and/or volume of traffic passing through
the burners
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114 and 130 may be used to make actuation decisions. For instance, once the
direction is
determined, it can be determined whether to open or close the barrier.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, one example of a light poiri~ting
instrument 200
and moveable barrier operator 210 is described. The light pointing instrument
200
includes a power source 202, modulator 204, and optical system 206. The
operator 210
includes receivers 212 and 216, a controller 214 and a motor system and driver
222.
[0032] The power source 202 may be a battery to create a light beam. The
modulator
204 may be used to create a coded light beam or may be removed to have an
encoded
beam. In another example, the modulator 204 may be a switch and the user may
turn this
switch on and off for predetermined amounts of time using a button or other
actuation
device at the light pointing instrument 210. The optical system 206 may
contain lenses or
other components to create a narrow and directed beam 208. Preferably, the
beam 208 is
collimated by the optical system 206.
[0033] For many purposes the beam 208 does not require modulation for security
reasons and the power source 202 may be connected directly to the optical
system 206.
When greater security is required, the modulator 208 may modulate or code the
beam 208.
For example, the beam 208 may be amplitude, frequency, or phase modulated or
encoded
in any other way by a code by the modulator 208.
[0034] The beam 208 is received at the receiver 212 and creates a small and
visible
spot 218. The visible spot 218, when seen by a user, informs the user that
they have
successfully contacted the operator 210 with the beam 208. In addition, the
receiver 216 is
positioned at a separate end of the operator 216. The receiver 216 is
positioned to receive
light beams originating opposite receiver 212 so that light beams create a
small and visible
spot 220. In addition, the beam 208 is of sufficiently small size so that it
does not
simultaneously strike two receivers. Thus, as a user moves out of the range of
receiver
212, they can contact the receiver 216 with a light beam.
[0035] Once the beam 208 is received, the receiver 212 extracts any required
information being transmitted with the beam 208 and evaluates selected
properties of the
beam 208 so that an actuation decision can be made when the beam is not
modulated or
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coded. For instance, when the beam 208 is coded or modulated, the receiver 212
decodes
or demodulates the beam 208. The strength and any other properties 4f the beam
208
together with any coded or demodulated information is then sent to the
controller 214.
The controller 214 evaluates the information and actuates the motor at~d
driver module
222. The motor and driver module 222 contains elements that move a moveable
barrier to
opened or closed positions. When uncoded beams are used, no decoding is
required.
[0036] Although shown as being incorporated with the operator 210, the
receivers 212
and 216 may be separate from the operator 210 and connected by a wire or some
other
connector. In this approach, the placement of the receivers 212 and 216 may be
adjusted
for special environmental or other conditions. Further, although two receivers
are shown
in this system, any number of receivers may be used. For example, if properly
placed, a
single receiver may be used in some situations where the single receiver is
visible and
accessible from all directions.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, one example of using a light pointing
instrument to
actuate a moveable barner is described. At step 402, the receiver detects a
light spot. The
spot is of sufficient size so that it is visible to a user, but is not so
large as to strike two
different receivers. For example, the size of the light spot may be one inch
in diameter on
a receiver that is 6 inches at a transmitted distance of S yards. Other
examples of sizings
of the light spot are possible.
[0038] At step 404, it is determined if it is necessary to decode the light
beam. For
example, in systems where security is a concern, the beam is modulated or
coded. In other
systems where security is not a concern, the system may not encode or modulate
the light
beam. If the answer is affirmative at step 404, then at step 406, the light
beam is decoded.
If the answer is negative, control continues at step 410.
[0039] At step 408, it is determined whether the decoding has been successful.
For
example, the code obtained from the light beam may be compared to a list of
codes that are
allowed to actuate the barner. If a match is obtained, then the barrier is
allowed to be
opened, and if no match is obtained, the barrier is not allowed to be opened.
If the answer
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at step 408 is negative, execution ends. If the answer at step 408 is
affirmative, execution
continues with step 410.
[0040] At step 410, the moveable burner is opened. At step 412, the receiver
receives
a second light beam that is sensed and this beam appears as a light spot to
the user. At
step 414, it is again determined if it is necessary to decode the received
light beam. If the
answer is negative, execution continues with step 420. If the answer is
affirmative,
execution continues with step 416.
[0041] At step 416, the signal is decoded. At step 418, it is determined if
the decoding
has been successful. If the answer at step 418 is negative, execution ends. If
the answer at
step 418 is positive, execution continues at step 420. At step 420, the
barrier is closed.
[0042] Alternatively, steps 412, 414, 416, and 418 may be omitted and the
barrier may
be held in an open position for a pause time. At the expiration of the pause
time,
execution may proceed to step 420 where the burner is closed.
[0043] In addition, the decision of whether and under what circumstances to
actuate the
barrier at steps 410 and 420 may include the performance of other steps. For
instance, the
system may keep track of the state of the barrier (opened or closed) and any
actuation
decision will move the barrier to the opposite state of the current state. In
another
example, a traffic sensor may determine the direction of traffic through the
burner and the
decision of whether to actuate the barrier may be based upon this information.
Other
conditions or readings may also be used to make actuation decisions.
[0044] While there has been illustrated and described particular embodiments
of the
present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and
mpdifications will
occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims
to cover all those
changes and modifications which fall within the true scope of the presi~nt
invention.
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