Hand-held transmitter for transmitting different signals

A hand-held transmitter for the wireless transmitting of signals for operating remote-controlled garage door installations or the like is disclosed. The transmitter comprises a signal generating device, an energy source, and a hand-operable transmitter switch built into the transmitter housing. The transmitter is capable of selectively transmitting at least two different signals and includes a switch which is position-dependent with respect to the force of gravity for selecting one of said at least two different signals to be transmitted.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to a hand-held transmitter for the wireless 
transmitting of signals for operating remote-controlled garage door 
installations or the like comprising a signal generating device, an energy 
source, and a hand-operable transmitter switch built into the transmitter 
housing. 
Hand-held transmitters of this kind are known, and operate for example with 
an electric power supply in the form of a 9-volt battery, and allow a 
garage door, fitted with an appropriate receiver, to be opened or closed 
by means of electrical propulsion energy with the aid of a transmitted 
signal (for example, German Gebrauchsmusterschrift 76 26 730). 
In particular, such hand-held transmitters should be made so small and 
handy that they can be carried around conveniently. It should be noted in 
this regard that modern electronics make it possible to build such 
transmitters in a very small space. In addition, the electrical power 
supply can be provided in relatively little space. On the other hand, the 
operating elements are of critical importance, especially the required 
hand-operable transmitter switch, for example, a pushbutton, which must 
not exceed certain dimensions because of the dimensions of the human hand. 
It is often necessary to use at least two different receivers, one for each 
door of a two-door garage, or a driveway gate and a separate garage door. 
Different doors of this type should be openable selectively, in other 
words, the same signal should not open both doors. The reason for this may 
be that the owners may be different, or for safety reasons and the like. 
From a consideration of space limitation it would be advantageous to 
provide a transmitter which emits two different signals, for example two 
electromagnetic signals of different frequencies. Since the two signals 
would not have to be transmitted simultaneously as a rule, the different 
transmitting frequencies could be easily obtained by modifying the 
oscillator circuit through changes in the circuit. The important point is 
that two different "on" states must be provided. 
It would be possible to make these two different signal states capable of 
being selected with the aid of two switches, especially pushbutton 
switches. However, this would go against the desired effort to make the 
device small. 
Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held 
transmitter of the type described hereinabove, with the aid of which at 
least two different signal states can be set, without necessitating a 
corresponding number of switching devices accessible from the surface of 
the housing. 
This object is achieved according to the present invention by providing in 
a hand-held transmitter for the wireless transmitting of signals for 
operating remote-controlled garage door installations or the like 
comprising a signal generating device, an energy source, and a 
hand-operable transmitter switch built into the transmitter housing, the 
improvement comprising means for selectively transmitting at least two 
different signals, said means including a switch which is 
position-dependent with respect to the force of gravity for selecting one 
of said at least two different signals to be transmitted. 
The position-dependent switch provided according to the invention makes it 
possible to transmit at least two different signals with only one 
hand-operable transmitter switch such as a pushbutton. The 
position-dependent switch can be mounted at a fixed position nearly 
anywhere inside the housing, without affecting the shape of the housing, 
especially the outside, in any way. A single hand-operable transmitter 
switch such as a pushbutton accessible from the surface of the housing is 
sufficient, and can be provided at a convenient point so that the housing 
has the smallest possible dimensions. 
The position-dependent switch can be a simple working contact or, in a 
preferred embodiment, a switching contact. In both cases, the switching 
states, associated with the different signals, are distinguished by virtue 
of the fact that the entire hand-held transmitter and the 
position-dependent switch mounted on the hand-held transmitter housing, 
assume two different positions in space with respect to gravity. These two 
positions are not critical, since only an unstable transition state must 
be provided. For example, a first transmitting position can be defined by 
virtue of the fact that the housing assumes an approximately horizontal 
position with its broad sides. In this position, the first transmitting 
frequency is emitted by pressing the pushbutton. On the other hand if the 
unit is raised to a vertical position, pushing on the same pushbutton will 
transmit the second frequency. However, when the unit is in a vertical 
position, for example, swiveling it through approximately 90.degree. 
through a certain perpendicular will differentiate between the two 
switching positions. There are many possiblities here, and no special 
details need be provided. 
The position-dependent switch is characterized by a gravity-dependent 
switching element. In one preferred embodiment, the actual 
gravity-dependent switching element is a mercury filling which 
distinguishes between two different switching states as a function of 
gravity and the position of the hand-held transmitter in space. Such 
mercury switches are know of themselves, but with different designs, such 
that these switches are swivelably mounted on a fixed housing by means of 
electromagnetic forces or the like. 
To operate a hand-held transmitter of the present invention, primary cells 
can be employed which have to be replaced after a certain period of 
operation. Secondary cells can also be used, which can be recharged with 
the aid of a charger. In any case, it is important for a certain minimum 
energy to be available to operate the transmitter. In order to display the 
functional readiness of the device and hence to detect any malfunctions in 
the condition of the power supply, according to the present invention, the 
unit is preferably provided with an optical power monitoring device. In 
one preferred embodiment, a light-emitting diode (LED) is used which, 
preferably when the pushbutton is actuated, shows whether the power supply 
still has enough energy in it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the external appearance of one preferred 
embodiment of the hand-held transmitter of the present invention. It 
consists of a two-part housing represented as a whole by 1, the housing 
being provided on its wide side with a pushbutton 2. Inside the housing, a 
transmitter (not shown) is installed in such manner that two different 
electromagnetic frequencies can be transmitted as signals after the 
oscillator circuit is switched. Push-button 2 turns-on the transmitter. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a mercury switch mounted inside the housing and attached 
firmly thereto, said switch being provided with three terminals. In the 
position shown in FIG. 3, mercury switching element 3 connects contacts 4 
and 5 under the influence of gravity. When the unit is tipped out of the 
positon shown in such manner that the mercury switching element runs to 
the other end of the glass tube under the influence of gravity, contacts 5 
and 6 are connected together while the connection between contacts 4 and 5 
is interrupted. This is a clear method in switching technology to 
distinguish between different switching states. This solution from 
switching technology is employed to change the transmitting frequency of 
the transmitter, so that in one switching state (contacts 4 and 5 
connected) the transmitter operates on a first transmitting frequency, 
while in the second switch position it transmits a second frequency. It 
poses no problem to an individual skilled in the art to use these 
different switching states to transmit two different frequencies. This can 
be accomplished basically by virtue of the fact that two different 
transmitters are connected optionally and/or as a function of position 
such as transmitters A and B in FIG. 5, but a simpler approach can be used 
as well, namely, by changing the oscillator circuit, only the oscillator 
frequency passing through the mercury switch can be changed between two 
different oscillator frequencies. 
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the different spatial positions of the hand-held 
transmitter, which produce the two different transmission frequencies. In 
FIG. 1, the hand-held transmitter is shown with its broad side in a 
horizontal position, and transmission frequency X is transmitted by 
pushing button 2. In FIG. 2 on the other hand, the transmitter is shown 
vertical. By pushing on the same pushbutton 2, the hand-held transmitter 
emits frequency Y. Of course, other spatial positions can be used, in fact 
any in which a switch assumes different switching positions under the 
influence of gravity. 
An electrical energy source in the form of a primary cell or a secondary 
cell is incorporated in the hand-held transmitter (said energy source not 
being shown) see for example battery B in FIG. 5. If the voltage from this 
energy source drops below a certain value, the transmitter will no longer 
operate. This is often the cause of complaint, for which reason an effort 
has been made to display the operationally ready state. For this purpose, 
the embodiment of the hand-held transmitter is provided with a 
light-emitting diode(LED) 7. This LED is connected in series with a 
resistor 9 and no longer lights when the voltage from the energy source 8 
drops below a certain value. The circuit can be designed so that the 
luminous diode 7 lights when pushbotton 2 is pressed as shown in FIG. 5. 
While I have shown and described only one embodiment in accordance with the 
present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto 
but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those 
skilled in the art and I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the 
details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes 
and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.