Abstract:
A system for monitoring a movable barrier in which a small receiver box is wired in line between a television signal source and a television monitor. When the receiver box receives a signal from a garage door operator mounted near the garage door, a small icon is displayed in the corner of the television indicating that the door is open. This will place an indication of the status of the garage door right where many people are looking. Advantageously, many people watch television before going to bed and having an icon displayed exactly where they will be looking before falling asleep can help increase home security.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to movable barriers, such as garage doors. More specifically, but without limitation thereto, the present invention relates a monitoring system for a movable barrier operator.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Movable barriers, e.g., garage doors, have typically been opened and closed manually by a user. More recently, moveable barriers have been connected to automatic movable barrier operators, e.g., garage door operators. This allows the movable barrier to be opened and closed through the activation of the movable barrier operator. In many instances, generally due to human error, a movable barrier whether manually operated or operated automatically, may be left open when the user intended that it be closed. In order to check the status of the movable barrier the user will go and look at the movable barrier to see if it is open or closed. Typically, however, a person will not remember to check whether the movable barrier has been left open or will remember at an inconvenient time.  
           [0003]    Garage door status monitors such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,105 to Doyle et al. are known in the art. A status monitor is attached to a garage door and equipped with a RF transmitter. An RF receiver which is limited to indicating barrier status, receives a signal from the RF transmitter and emits a tone and/or a visual indicator to signal that the garage door is open. However, if the user is not in the room where the RF receiver is located, the user will not be notified of the status of the garage door.  
           [0004]    Thus there is a need for a monitoring system for a movable barrier which can solve the problems above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The arrangement described and claimed herein advantageously addresses the need as well as other needs by providing status indications about the barrier at times and locations convenient to a user.  
           [0006]    One disclosed embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a movable barrier operator for controlling a movable barrier; and a receiver box, electronically coupled to the movable barrier operator, for sending a status image combined with a display signal to a viewing monitor such as a television set or a computer screen.  
           [0007]    Another embodiment includes a method of sending a status image for a movable barrier comprising the steps of determining a status of the movable barrier; receiving a display signal from a signal source; and sending a status image and the display signal to a viewing monitor. Advantageously, the display signal may be a television program signal or a computer monitor signal.  
           [0008]    Yet another embodiment includes a method of monitoring a movable barrier comprising the steps of receiving a status signal from a movable barrier operator; receiving a display signal from a signal source; combining the display signal and a status image to create a combined signal; and sending the combined signal to a viewing monitor; wherein the status image corresponds to the status signal.  
           [0009]    A subsequent embodiment can be characterized as a method of sending a status image for a movable barrier comprising the steps of determining a status of the movable barrier; and sending a status image to a viewing monitor; wherein the status image is shown on the viewing monitor simultaneously with a display signal from a signal source.  
           [0010]    An additional embodiment can be characterized as a method of monitoring a movable barrier comprising the steps of receiving a status signal from a status monitor; determining a status of the movable barrier; and outputting a status image signal for display on either a computer monitor or a television. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for monitoring a movable barrier;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless system for monitoring a movable barrier;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating of one method in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating a status monitor attached to a movable barrier. 
     
    
       [0016]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity 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 embodiments of the present invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a system for monitoring a movable barrier in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown is a movable barrier  102 , a movable barrier operator  104 , a signal source  106 , a receiver box  108 , a viewing monitor  110 , a status image  112 , a signal source input  114 , a status input  116 , and an output  118 . The movable barrier  102  is coupled to the movable barrier operator  104 . The movable barrier operator  104  is electrically coupled to a receiver box  108 . The receiver box  108  is electrically coupled in-line between the signal source  106  and the viewing monitor  110 .  
         [0018]    The movable barrier operator  104  controls the movement of the movable barrier  102 . Generally, the movable barrier  102  is either open or closed, or in the process of opening or closing. In one embodiment, the movable barrier operator  104  sends a status signal to the receiver box  108  indicating the status of the movable barrier, e.g., open, closed, currently opening, currently closing or position from a limit e.g., 1 inch from the floor. Additionally, the status signal can include many other types of information, e.g., failure modes of the movable barrier. Optionally, the movable barrier operator  104  sends the status signal to the receiver box  108  in response to a query from the receiver box  108 .  
         [0019]    The receiver box  108  determines whether to send the status image  112  to the viewing monitor  110  based upon the status signal. When the receiver box  108  determines that the status image  112  should be sent to the viewing monitor  110 , the receiver box  108  combines the status image  112  with a display signal sent from the signal source  106  and sends the combined signal to the viewing monitor  110 . The viewing monitor  110  then displays both the status image  112  and display signal. Thus, the status image  112  of the movable barrier  102  is shown in a very convenient location, namely, a portion of a television or computer screen.  
         [0020]    The receiver box  108  determines whether to send the status image  112  to the viewing monitor  110  based upon the status signal. When the receiver box  108  determines the status image  112  should be sent to the viewing monitor  110 , the receiver box  108  combines the status image  112  with a display signal sent from the signal source  106  and sends the combined signal to the viewing monitor  110 . The viewing monitor  110  then displays both the status image  112  and display signal. Advantageously, the viewing monitor is a television picture tube or the display of a computer both of which are places frequented by persons interested in barrier status. The signal source may be a cable television feed or antenna output in the case of a television viewing monitor, or the source may be the video output of a computer. Thus, the status image  112  of the movable barrier  102  is shown in a very convenient location.  
         [0021]    A user of the viewing monitor  110  is notified of the status of the movable barrier  102  through viewing of the status image  112 . In one embodiment, the status image  112  is only shown on the viewing monitor  110  when the movable barrier  102  is open. Alternatively, the receiver box  108  determines the status of the movable barrier  102 . The receiver box  108  determines whether to send the status image  112  to the viewing monitor  110  based upon the determination of the status of the movable barrier  102 . For example, the receiver box may send the signal at a predetermined interval and when a change of status occurs. When the receiver box  108  determines the status image  112  should be sent to the viewing monitor  110 , the receiver box  108  sends the display signal received from the signal source  106  and the status image  112  to the viewing monitor  110 . The viewing monitor  110  then displays both the status image  112  and display signal. Alternatively, the receiver box  108  combines the display signal and the status image  112  into a combined signal. The combined signal is then sent to the viewing monitor  110  for display. The display of the status image  112  on the viewing monitor  110  conveniently notifies a user of the viewing monitor  110  of the status of the movable barrier  102 .  
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the movable barrier  102  is a garage door, the movable barrier operator  104  is a garage door opener, the signal source  106  is a cable television signal and the viewing monitor  110  is a television. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to this environment and that many different components may be substituted. For example, the movable barrier  102  could be many types of movable barriers, including, but not limited to, a gate, a door, a garage door, and a window.  
         [0023]    Similarly, the movable barrier operator  104  shown in FIG. 1 is employed for controlling the opening and closing of a conventional overhead garage door. It should be well understood that the movable barrier operator  104  shown in FIG. 1 is only one embodiment and many systems for controlling many movable barriers can be used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]    Additionally, the signal source  106  is described as a cable television signal. It should be well understood that the signal source  106  can be many signals, including, but not limited to a digital television signal, a broadcast signal, a satellite television signal, a signal sent over the internet, a VCR signal, a computer signal, and a game signal, e.g., a signal coming from a Microsoft X-Box. The signal source provides a display signal, e.g., a TV signal which will be combined with the status signal from the receiver box. The TV signal can be the signal which is received from the cable provider or the signal which is output from a standard television cable box, such as is known in the art. The status signal is combined with the signal from the television cable box and sent to the television. In the present embodiment, the television signal can be either a digital TV signal or an analog TV signal.  
         [0025]    The viewing monitor  110  shown in FIG. 1 is a standard television set. The present invention is not limited to a standard television set and could be many types of viewing monitors, such as, but not limited to a liquid crystal display, a computer monitor, a lap top computer monitor, a projection television, a high definition television, and a flat panel television.  
         [0026]    The receiver box  108  is shown with the output  118  to the viewing monitor  110 . The output  118  of the receiver box  108  can be many types of outputs, such as for example, a coaxial output, an RCA output, a component video output, an infrared output, a S-Video output, a USB output and a RS-232 output. Additionally, the receiver box  108  can include a plurality of outputs including, e.g., any combination of the coaxial output, the RCA output, the component video output, the S-Video output, the USB output, and the RS-232 output.  
         [0027]    In an alternative embodiment, the receiver box  108  is not wired in-line with the signal source  106 . In this embodiment, the receiver box  108  determines the status of the movable barrier and sends a signal to, for example, a cable box or a computer. The cable box or the computer then combines the status image  112  with the display signal from the signal source  106  and sends the combined signal to either a television or a computer monitor. In this embodiment, the receiver box  108  does not have to combine the status image  112  with the signal.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless system for monitoring a movable barrier  102 . Shown is a status monitor  204 , a wireless transmitter  206 , a wireless channel  208 , the signal source  106 , a receiver box with an antenna  210 , the status image  112 , and the viewing monitor  110 .  
         [0029]    Generally, the movable barrier  102  is either open or closed, or in the process of opening or closing. As shown in FIG. 2 the status monitor  204  is attached to the door, detects the status of the door and sends the status signal to the receiver box  210  through the wireless transmitter  206 . The indicated status may be, for example, open, closed, currently opening, currently closing, position from a limit, or a failure mode. The status monitor  204  may send the status signal to the receiver box  210  in response to a query by the receiver box  210 . When so configured the transmitter  206  may include receiving capability while the receiver box  210  may be equipped with transmitting capabilities. The wireless communication mode is equally well suited to automatic and manually operated barriers.  
         [0030]    In another embodiment the receiver box  210  itself determines the status of the movable barrier  102 . The receiver box  210  determines whether to send the status image  112  to the viewing monitor  110  based upon the determination of the status of the movable barrier  102 . When the receiver box  210  determines the status image  112  should be sent to the viewing monitor  110 , the receiver box  210  sends the display signal received from the signal source  106  and the status image  112  to the viewing monitor  110 . The viewing monitor  110  then displays both the status image  112  and display signal. Alternatively, the receiver box  210  combines the display signal and the status image  112  into a combined signal. The combined signal is then sent to the viewing monitor  110  for display. The display of the status image  112  on the viewing monitor  110  conveniently notifies a user of the viewing monitor  110  the status of the movable barrier  102 .  
         [0031]    As previously discussed the alerting system of the present description may be used with a computer display when such is the case the receiver box  210  can be connected to a communication port of a computer. For example, the receiver box  210  can be connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or an RS-232 port which is coupled to a computer. The receiver box  210  sends a status signal to the computer. The computer, determines if the status image  112  will be displayed on the viewing monitor  110 , e.g., the computer monitor. If the computer determines that it should display the status image  112 , the status image  112  will be sent to the viewing monitor  110  for display along with the “normal” display information being sent by the computer to the monitor. For example, in the Windows™ environment the status may appear as an icon on top of the display for a presently running application. The computer may be installed with a software program which determines what will be displayed on the computer based upon the signal from the receiver box  210 .  
         [0032]    When the display is a computer monitor, the status image  112  is combined with the signal that will be sent to a Video Graphics Array (VGA) monitor, e.g., the signal from a VGA card. Additionally, most displays sold today support the Ultra Extended Graphics Array (UXGA) standard. A typical UXGA adapter takes the digital data sent by application programs, stores it in video random access memory (VRAM) or some equivalent, and uses a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to convert it to analog data for the display scanning mechanism. Once it is in analog form, the information is sent to the monitor through a VGA cable. Thus, the receiver box can send a signal through a communication port to the computer. An application on the computer will send data to the UXGA adapter and the data will eventually be sent through a VGA cable for display on the computer monitor. Alternatively, the computer monitor can be a digital monitor. In this embodiment, a digital signal is sent to the digital monitor, using for example, the Digital Video Interface (DVI) standard.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of one method in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Shown is a determining step  302 , a receiving step  304  and a sending step  306 .  
         [0034]    The determining step  302  comprises the receiver box  108  determining the status of a movable barrier  102 , e.g., the movable barrier  102  described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The status of the movable barrier  102  can be determined, e.g., by the movable barrier operator  104  sending a signal to the receiver box  108 . Alternatively, the status of the movable barrier  102  can be determined by either the receiver box  108  monitoring an electrical connection to the movable barrier operator or by the status monitor  204 , one example of which will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 4. The receiving step  304  comprises the receiver box  108  receiving a display signal from the signal source  106 , e.g., the signal source  106  described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0035]    The sending step  306  comprises the receiver box  108  sending the display signal and a status image  112  to a viewing monitor  110 , e.g., the viewing monitor  110  described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be understood that the sending step  306  can include either sending both the display signal and the status image  112  to the viewing monitor  110  or sending a combined signal to the viewing monitor  110 . The combined signal including both the status image  112  and the display signal. The method shown in FIG. 3 can operate similarly with the receiver box  210  shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating a status monitor attached to a movable barrier. Shown is the movable barrier  102 , and the status monitor  204 . The status monitor  204  is attached to the movable barrier  102 , such that when the movable barrier  102  changes position, e.g., opening or closing, the status monitor  204  detects the change in position. Advantageously, the status monitor can include an RF transmitter, such as is known in the art, for transmitting a status signal to the receiver box  108  (not shown in FIG. 4).  
         [0037]    The status monitor  204  is known in the art. For example, a status monitor which could be used in accordance with the present invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,105 to Doyle et al. While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, other modifications, variations, and arrangements of the present invention may be made in accordance with the above teachings other than as specifically described to practice the invention within the spirit and scope defined by the following claims.