Patent Abstract:
A system and portable device are provided for opening and closing sliding doors associated with conventional sliding doors as used in residences and businesses. The portable sliding door device attaches to a sliding door via a bracket, and moves along the same track used by the sliding door. The sliding door device can be initiated to move the sliding door to the open position through remote control, voice-activation, and proximity transmitters. The sliding door device can communicate with wireless routers and be remotely controlled and monitored by computers, netbooks and cell phones. The sliding door device has safety features, including cameras and speakers to ward off attempted break-ins.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of a system for opening and closing sliding doors, and more particularly to a system and a portable device for opening and closing sliding glass doors in residential and/or commercial dwellings where such device operates on and along the track of the sliding glass door. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Sliding glass door assemblies are commonplace in both residential and commercial dwellings. A sliding door is mounted on a horizontal track in offset alignment with a separate, fixed door or panel. When a person desires to enter or leave through the sliding door, the person opens the latch and slides the sliding door along the track to open the door, and then slides the door back to the closed position and locks the door. 
         [0003]    Sliding door devices have been invented to open sliding doors for the elderly, those who are physically challenged, or someone seeking additional convenience by the assistance of a powered device to open and close the sliding door. In many of the prior art designs, the powered sliding door devices were installed and mounted outside of the sliding door assembly. These devices also required a specialist or technician who would know how to assemble the device, and then install and mount such device to the sliding door assembly and corresponding wall or other fixed surface. The assembly, installation and mounting of the devices can be difficult due to the many parts of the powered device, and possibly to complicated electrical wiring and hydraulic systems. Since these powered door openers were fixed into a surrounding wall, these devices were not portable and could not be easily moved from one sliding door assembly to another. The powered device would have to be completely removed and disassembled before it could be installed in another location. 
         [0004]    One of the disadvantages of the prior art devices is that in many instances, the door frame, and sometimes the sill or jamb, or surrounding wall area, had to be structurally altered for the devices to be mounted for operation. This poses many problems which involve whether the integrity of the surrounding wall or door frame was suitable and durable for mounting purposes. Once mounted, these powered devices also had the problem of having an obstacle at or near the passageway of the sliding door. 
         [0005]    When a pet (e.g., dog, cat) wants to go outside, the owner of the pet must open and close the sliding door. Sometimes a pet door is installed in the sliding door, or to another separate piece which fits between the sliding door and the building. There is no way for the pet to open a sliding door on their own. If an owner is away for extended periods of time, this can cause the pet great inconvenience, and usually the owner as well, since the owner will be forced to clean up after a pet that was unable to go outside. 
         [0006]    Therefore, what is needed is a motorized device for opening and closing sliding doors that requires little or no assembly. What also is needed is a motorized device that can be easily mounted to a sliding door. What is also needed is a power-driven device that is programmable and gives the operator options for opening the door to desired openings and at variable speeds. Yet another need is for a power-driven device that is fully compatible with an existing security system or functions independently as it own security system. What is also needed is a device for a sliding door to open and close when a pet wants to go outside or come inside. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a power-driven device for opening/closing sliding doors that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
         [0008]    An object of the present invention is to provide a motorized device for opening/closing sliding doors that requires little or no assembly. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized device for opening/closing sliding doors that is portable from one sliding door assembly to another. 
         [0010]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a power-driven device for opening/closing sliding doors that is controlled by a programmable remote controller. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, motorized device for opening/closing sliding doors that is easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for opening/closing sliding doors that can be programmed, monitored and managed by a variety of remote devices, including remote controllers, computers and cell phones. 
         [0013]    One embodiment of the present invention is a motorized device for opening/closing sliding doors that comprise a battery, at least one wheel, a servo coupled to the at least one wheel and coupled to the battery, and a controller coupled to the servo and battery, for controlling the servo to rotate the at least one wheel along the track in one direction to open the sliding door and for controlling the servo to rotate the at least one wheel along the track in the opposite direction to close the siding door. 
         [0014]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a system for opening and closing sliding doors, comprising a device including, a battery, at least one wheel, a servo coupled to the at least one wheel and coupled to the battery, a controller coupled to the servo and battery, for controlling the servo to rotate the at least one wheel along the track in one direction to open the sliding door and for controlling the servo to rotate the at least one wheel along the track in the opposite direction to close the siding door; and a remote device for communicating with the controller to operate the device. 
         [0015]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed and not to limit it. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a two-dimensional front perspective view of a device for opening and closing sliding doors according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a two-dimensional front perspective view of a device for opening and closing sliding doors according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a top-side, two-dimensional view of device  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative track according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a top-side, two-dimensional view of device  10  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a side, two-dimensional view of device  10  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of a device for opening and closing sliding doors according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows different systems and devices that are able to communicate with a device for opening and closing sliding doors according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a two-dimensional front perspective view of a device for opening and closing sliding doors according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device for opening and closing sliding doors may be also referred to as a slider, opener, closer, machine, apparatus, gadget or other equivalent term. As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  10  opens and closes sliding door  12 . Device  10  attaches to or is mounted to sliding door  12  via mounting bracket  14  and optionally, mounting bar or bracket  16 . Device  10  slides along and on the sliding door track  22  via wheels  18 . Although sliding door track  22  is shown in  FIG. 1 , it is understood that track  22 , the bottom  24  of the sliding door  12 , and rollers  26  of sliding door  12  are usually recessed into the frame of the sliding door and are not visible when installed in a building. 
         [0027]    Device  10  is a rectangular box and preferably is manufactured out of steel. However, other materials other than such as aluminum, plastic or other durable metals may be used. Device  10  preferably is in the horizontal position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, in an alternative embodiment, device  10  can be positioned in the vertical position as shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows a two-dimensional front perspective view of a device for opening and closing sliding doors according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Instead of device  10  having two wheels  18  (as in  FIG. 1 ), device  10  of  FIG. 2  has one wheel  18 . One advantage of the alternative embodiment is that sliding door  12  can be opened more than when device  10  is in the horizontal position. 
         [0028]    The width of device  10  is made to fit within the dimensions of the sliding door without touching or scraping along the fixed glass (or other material) panel. In alternative embodiments, the width of device  10  could be larger than the width of the sliding door  12 . This however means that there be a slight protrusion beyond the width of the sliding door  12 . 
         [0029]    Mounting bracket  14  is used to attach device  10  to sliding door  12 . Mounting bracket  14  is preferably made from steel or some other type of metal, but other durable materials may be used as well, such as plastic for example. Mounting bracket  14  has two holes at opposite end of the bracket  14 , where a screw is inserted to attach and hold mounting bracket  14  to device  10  and sliding door  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , mounting bracket  14  attaches to the side of device  10  and to the side  28  of sliding door  12 . The holes for where the screws would penetrate into device  10  would be drilled in advance. Instead of using screws to attach the mounting bracket  14  to device  10 , some alternatives for attaching the bracket to device  10  and sliding door  12  may include super glue, some other durable, long-lasting adhesive that adjusts well to different climate and temperature zones, and Velcro, for example. In addition to the screws, steel or rubber washers may also be used to provide a level of insulation when a hole is made in sliding door  12 . 
         [0030]    Mounting bracket  14  may be fixed in length or adjustable. Device  10  may be flush with sliding door  12 , or there may be a distance separating device  10  from sliding door  12 . Although mounting bracket  14  is a straight, rectangular piece of steel with two holes at opposite ends, in alternative embodiments, mounting bracket  14  could be a “u”-shaped bracket that mounts to one end of device  10  and the rear portion  30  of sliding door  12 . Mounting bracket  14  could also be a “L”-shaped bracket that attaches to the top of device  10  and the rear portion  30  of sliding door  12 . In another alternative embodiment, mounting bracket  14  could also be a “L”-shaped bracket that attaches to the side of device  10  and the rear portion  30  of sliding door  12 . 
         [0031]    Although  FIG. 1  only shows one mounting bracket  14 , in alternative embodiments more than one mounting bracket  14  may be used (such as shown in  FIG. 2 ). For example, two mounting brackets  14  may be mounted to the side of device  10  and the side of sliding door  12 . In another example, one mounting bracket  14  may be mounted to the top of device  10  and the rear portion of sliding door  12 , and a second mounting bracket  14  may be mounted to the side of device  10  and the side  28  of sliding door  12 . 
         [0032]    An optional feature of the present invention is mounting bar or bracket  16 . Mounting bar  16  is preferably a steel round or rectangular bar that extends from device  10  to some place along the side  28  or rear  30  of sliding door  12 . Mounting bar  16  helps in stabilizing sliding door  12  when it is being opened and closed, especially in those cases where sliding door  12  is older and harder to move, than a newer or newly installed sliding door. Mounting bar  16  would have holes in opposite ends where screws could be inserted to attach mounting bar  16  to device  10  or sliding door  12 . Mounting bar  16  may be fixed in length or adjustable. 
         [0033]    It is preferred that latch  20  is an commercially available, electronic latch that is capable of wirelessly communicating with device  10 . The electronic latch  20  may include a keypad to enter a specific code to open the door  12 . However, latch  20  can be a non-electronic, regular latch that has to be manually opened and closed. With the push of a button, device  10  can automatically open, close and safely and securely lock sliding door  12 . What follows is an example of a sequence of events to open the sliding door  12 . First, a signal is sent to device  10  to open sliding door  12 . Second, device  10  then sends a signal to latch  20  to move to the open position. If latch  20  is non-electronic, then latch  20  must physically be opened. Thereafter, device  10  either waits for an acknowledgment that the latch  20  is open, or after the expiration of a period of time, starts to move by pulling sliding door  12  open. Once device  10  has reached the desired open position, device  10  either waits for a signal to close or will close after an expiration of a period of time. Whereupon, device  10  will start to move by pushing the sliding door  12  into the closed position. Once in the closed position, device  10  will send a signal to latch  20  to close. Latch  20  will then close and lock. 
         [0034]    The signal to open sliding door  12  can be sent in a variety of different ways. In the preferred embodiment, the “open” signal could be sent by a handheld, remote, wireless device. Alternatively, the signal could be sent via a button or keypad on the sliding door or mounted to a wall or counter, or via a button or switch on the device  10  itself. In yet another embodiment, electronic latch  20  may send the signal when a person physically opens the latch and/or enters a code on a keypad on latch  20 . In also another embodiment, a pad that lays on the floor could transmit an open signal when either a person or pet steps onto it. In another embodiment, a commercially available proximity transmitter could transmit an open signal to device  10  when within a certain area by device  10 . The proximity transmitter could be attached to pets, wheelchairs, people and canes, for example. In yet another embodiment, a cellular phone (such as an iPhone) could run an application that displays the functions of the remote controller and would transmit the “open” signal after the user activated such function. In another embodiment, a voice-activated signal could be sent—such as a person speaking the word “open”. In some of these methods, the “open” signal could be encrypted or software could be used to assure that a new code is sent every time the “open” signal is sent. Encryption provides an additional level of security. 
         [0035]    The “close” signal will be sent internally to device  10  (via controller  70  discussed below) after a predetermined or programmable period of time. For example, the period of time could be five seconds from the time device  10  and sliding door  12  reach the open position. Therefore after five second, device  10  would begin the sequence of events to close sliding door  12 . Alternatively, the devices mentioned in the previous paragraph could send or transmit a “close” signal to device  10 . If a proximity transmitter transmitted an “open” signal as discussed above, once the pet or object moves away from sliding door  12  and is out-of-range for device  10  to receive the “open” signal, then device  10  would initiate the sequence of events to close sliding door  12 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows a top-side, two-dimensional view of device  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , device  10  comprises two axles  50 ,  52  that support two wheels  18 , servo  54 , sprocket  56 , chain  58 , and sprocket  62 . There are additional parts of device  10  that are not shown in  FIG. 3  but in later figures. Although not shown, device  10  may optionally include a weight. The purpose of this additional weight is to provide a force to hold device  10  down onto sliding door track  22 . The additional weight may be distributed evenly across the horizontal direction via a plate, or at some specific location in device  10 . 
         [0037]    Wheels  18  are centered within device  10  to slide, roll or ride along sliding door track  22 . Wheels  18  are commercially available, and can be similar to those used in the sliding doors  12 , where the wheel or roller has an indentation so as to roll along and stay aligned onto track  22 . Wheels  18  may also made of steel, another metal or some other softer type of material that provides greater traction and friction with the surface of the sliding door assembly, for example rubber or plastic. Each of the wheels  18  are also in line or aligned in the same axis with each other. Wheel  18  on axle  50  moves freely around axle  50 , and helps support device  10 . Wheel  18  of axle  50  is held into place by washers  60  that fit onto axle  50  and on either side of wheel  18 . Washers  60  may be steel, plastic, rubber or some other durable material. Washers  60  are preferably fixed in location on axle  50 . Wheel  18  is fixed or coupled to axle  52 , and will only rotate when axle  52  rotates. 
         [0038]    In an alternative embodiment, wheels  18  may have some material, for example rubber or plastic, that provides a grip on track  22 . The material is located on the inside of the wheels, or in the area of the recess where wheel  18  comes into contact with track  22 . This material provides greater traction and friction for wheels  18  when wheels  18  are rolling along track  22 . 
         [0039]    Wheel  18  will be rotated by servo  54  via a chain and sprocket system which is comprised of chain  58  and sprockets  56 ,  62 , all of which are commercially available. Sprockets  56 ,  62  are those that have toothlike projections and are used to engage the links of chain  58 . Although the chain and sprocket system is connected only to one axle in  FIG. 3 , in alternative embodiments, the chain and sprocket system could also be connected to axle  50 . Two axles  50 ,  52  would therefore be attached to the chain and sprocket system and be powered by servo  54 . 
         [0040]    Servo  54  is a commercially available servo that is extremely powerful for its size. Servo  54  provide the torque to move sprocket  62 , which in turn moves chain  58  and rotates sprocket  56 , thereby forcing axle  52  and wheel  18  to rotate. Motor  54  operates in either direction, so as to move chain  58  and thus device  10  in either direction along track  22  (i.e., opening and closing sliding door  12 ). In an alternative embodiment, the chain and sprocket system could be replaced with a screw system, where servo  54  turns a screw which then turns a gear which is coupled to axle  52 . The rotation of the screw would drive the gear to rotate, thereby rotating axle  52  and wheel  18 . In another embodiment, servo  54  could be directly coupled to axle  52  via gears that rotate axle  52  in either direction. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative track according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Track  22  is the track that is centered in the sliding door assembly and is the track used by the wheels of sliding door  12 . Gear track  23  is a special track for device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the track has evenly-spaced indentations, notches or groves. Gear sprocket wheels of device  10  will make contact to or be inserted into the indentations of gear track  23 , thus providing greater traction when device  10  is opening/closing sliding door  12 . Gear track  23  can be easily installed into the existing sliding door track assembly and can be held into place by commercially available adhesives or other means, such as metal screws for example. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a top-side, two-dimensional view of device  10  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The parts are similar to those parts described in relation to  FIG. 3 , however, with the additional feature of sprocket wheels  65 . These sprocket wheels  65  are at opposite ends of axle  55  and are positioned or aligned on axle  55  so that each of the sprocket wheels  65  will make contact with their portion of the gear track  23  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a side, two-dimensional view of device  10  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , device  10  comprises two wheels  18  and two sprocket wheels  65  (although only one is shown). Sprocket wheel  65  is a wheel rimmed with toothlike projections, used to engage the indentations, notches or groves of gear track  23  (of  FIG. 3 ). As can readily be seen, when device  10  turns sprocket wheels  65 , this provides better power, control and traction for opening/closing sliding door  12  than using conventional wheels  18  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0044]    In an alternative embodiment, instead of using to sprocket wheels  65  as shown in  FIG. 6 , wheels  65  may just be wheels without sprockets made of steel, metal, plastic, rubber or some other durable material. Wheels  65  may be on their own axle  55 , or may even be on the same axle  52  as wheel  18  (see  FIG. 5 ) if device  10  is oriented in the vertical direction rather than the horizontal direction. This means that wheels  18  and  65  will rotate and be controlled via servo  54 . Having two wheels  65  rotate on a different portion of the sliding door assembly rather than on track  22 , provides extra traction and friction to control the movement of sliding door  12 . However wheel(s)  18  provide the necessary movement along track  22  so that sliding door  12  will stay aligned in the sliding door assembly and not rub or scratch the fixed glass panel. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of a device for opening and closing sliding doors according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Device  10  comprises servo  54 , controller  70 , emergency switch  72 , antenna  74 , camera  76 , speaker  78 , battery  80  and solar panel charger  82 . 
         [0046]    Controller  70  includes a microprocessor and memory that is responsible for controlling all the functions and features of device  10 , such controlling the opening and closing of sliding door  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , controller  70  is coupled to servo  54 , emergency switch  72 , antenna  76 , speaker  78  and battery  80 . Controller  70  communicates with a remote device via antenna  74 . Signals are transmitted between a remote device and controller  70  via antenna  74 . These signals include signals to open and close the sliding door  12 . Controller  70  may be programmed via uploading the software via antenna  74  from a wireless networking device or a home-based computer, or via a laptop with a wireless connection. Alternatively, controller  70  could be programmed with software via insertion of a USB  2  device into a port (not shown), that will automatically download the software after insertion. Additionally, controller  70  could be programmed via a computer where a cable (e.g., USB  2  cable) manually connected device  10  to the computer. 
         [0047]    Controller  70  is responsible for communicating signals to servo  54  to open and close sliding door  12 . The “open” signal would instruct servo  54  to rotate or move in a particular direction, whereby device  10  would slide along track  22  and open sliding door  12 . The distance by which device  10  opens sliding door  12  can be programmed or preselected from predetermined distances. The “close” signal would instruct servo  54  to rotate or move in the opposite direction so that device  10  would roll along track  22  to move sliding door  12  into the closed position. Controller  70  will monitor servo  54  to determine if extra force is being applied by servo  54 . If so, such a condition may signal that the door is fully closed. 
         [0048]    If someone was attempting to break-in the building by forcing open sliding door  12 , servo could detect the motion and notify controller  70  of the motion. Whereupon, controller  70  could trigger speaker  78  so a loud sound would be emitted for a brief period of time. Controller  70  could also transmit a signal via antenna  74  to the building&#39;s security system. The separate security system could then trigger the other alarms and send the appropriate signals to security or police stations, or to send a text to a cell phone of the building&#39;s owner/occupant. Alternatively, controller  70  could send a signal directly to a wireless router to notify the police or the owner/occupant about the attempted break-in. Device  10  is programmable to be fully compatible with many different types of wireless security systems for home and commercial usage. 
         [0049]    Controller  70  can be programmed to open sliding door  12  a certain distance for pets and another distance for people. Controller  70  can also be programmed to control how fast sliding door  12  is opened and closed. The speed of opening the door can vary and be different from the speed by which sliding door  12  closes. 
         [0050]    A proximity transmitter could be attached to a pet, person or object so that when the pet, person or object is within a certain region or area of sliding door  12 , the proximity signal would be received via antenna  74  and transmitted to controller  70 . Controller  70  could be programmed to detect whether the pet, person or object was located in the vicinity of the sliding door for a period of time before starting the sequence of events to open sliding door  12 . The proximity feature can be disabled using the remote controller or pressing a proximity disable/enable switch (not shown) on device  10 . 
         [0051]    Controller  70  can be programmed to work with and recognize a variety of optional safety features. For example, safety sensors can be installed around the sliding door assembly that project an invisible, infrared light beam across the sliding door opening. Controller  70  would automatically reverse or open sliding door  12  if anything interrupts the light beam while sliding door  12  is being closed. 
         [0052]    Another safety feature that could be programmed into controller  70  is sensing software that will stop sliding door  12  from closing if contact is made with a person or object. For example, if device  10  was moving into the closed position, but a person or pet were still blocking sliding door  12 , servo  54  could transmit this information to controller  70  which would determine whether to stop or to start a sequence to open sliding door  12 . Servo  54  would detect that something is in the path of track  22  due to the extra force required to roll, slide or move sliding door  12 . The sensitivity of servo  54  could be adjusted so that bumps during the closing sequence would not trigger controller  70  to open the door. 
         [0053]    Antenna  74  is a commercially available antenna for transmitting and receiving signals within a predetermined distance. Antenna  74  can either be mounted on the outside of device  10 , or preferably inside the box of the device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , antenna  74  is coupled to controller  70 . 
         [0054]    Battery  80  is preferably a rechargeable lithium battery. Battery  80  may be removable through opening the top or side of device  10 , or may plug into a port in device  10  which could then be easily removed without opening device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , battery  80  is coupled to servo  54 , controller  70 , camera  76 , speaker  78  and solar panel charger  82 . Battery  80  may be charged three different ways. First, solar panel charger  82  may charge battery  80  via solar energy. Solar panel chargers  82  are commercially available and include solar panels for collecting and converting solar energy into electricity. Solar panel charger  82  would be coupled or plug into battery  80 . Second, a standard 120V electrical outlet charger would have a cord which could be inserted into battery  80  (either directly or via a port on the outside of device  10  that would be connected to battery  80 ). Third, battery  80  would be removed and plugged into a standard 120V electrical outlet charger, and then reinserted into device  10  after battery  80  is fully charged. The third option permits device  10  to have multiple rechargeable batteries  80  so while one battery  80  is charging, another battery  80  could be inserted into device  10  to make it operational. 
         [0055]    Optional features of device  10  include the emergency switch  72 , camera  76 , speaker  78  and/or microphone  84 . Emergency switch  72  is a safety override switch that will automatically stop device  10  from moving in either direction when switch  72  is pressed. Emergency switch  72  is a physical button, latch or switch located on the outside of device  10  that can be pressed by a person. As shown in  FIG. 7 , emergency switch  72  is coupled to servo  54  and to controller  70 . Emergency switch  72  may optionally disengage servo  54  so that sliding door  12  can be manually be moved in either direction. Device  10  will not start moving in either direction unless device  10  receives another “open” or “close” signal, which will initiate controller  70  to engage servo  54 . 
         [0056]    Camera  76  is another optional feature of device  10 . Camera  76  is a commercially available camera that can be installed inside or outside of device  10  via a port, plug or otherwise. Camera  76  may also be a commercially available web cam. As shown in  FIG. 7 , camera is coupled to controller  70  and to battery  80 . The purpose of camera  76  is to provide a view outside of the door and/or a view of the inside of the building. A ‘live” feed from camera  76  could be relayed to controller  80 , where such feed could be transmitted via antenna  74  to a wireless router (see  FIG. 8  below), and thereafter communicated to remote devices, such as a computer or cellular phone for example. Controller  70  could also turn camera  74  on at periodic intervals, where camera  74  would take pictures. The pictures could then be stored in memory of controller  70  to record who or what is entering or exiting a building, especially when the owner of the building is not present. 
         [0057]    Speaker  78  is yet another optional feature of device  10 . Speaker  78  is a device for emitting a sounds, including alarm sounds and prerecorded voice sounds. For example, the prerecorded words “opening door” would be played on speaker  78  when sliding door  12  was opening, and the prerecorded words “closing door” would be played on speaker  78  when sliding door  12  was closing, for example. As shown in FIG.  7 , speaker  78  is coupled to controller  70  and battery  80 . If someone was attempting to break into the dwelling, servo  54  would sense the movement of sliding door  54  and notify controller  70  of the movement. Controller  70  could then determine from the signals sent by servo  54  whether the movement was associated with an attempted break-in or something else, like the wind. For example, if servo  54  determined that sliding door  12  moved at least one inch, then such information would be relayed to controller  70  which would determine that a break-in is most likely occurring. Controller  70  would then trigger a sound to be emitted by speaker  78 . The intensity and loudness of the emitted sound could be programmable via controller  70  and a remote controller or computer. 
         [0058]    Microphone  84  is a commercially available microphone. As shown in  FIG. 7 , microphone  84  is coupled to controller  70 . The purpose of microphone  84  is to make device  10  a voice-activated device. When sounds are received via microphone  84 , controller  70  uses an embedded, commercially available speech recognition application or software to determine whether such received sounds are associated with a command, such as “open” (to open sliding door  12 ) or “close” (to close sliding door  12 ). If controller  70  determines such voice command words have been received, then controller  70  will initiate the appropriate function. The speech recognition application or software of controller  70  may be programmed to recognize the specific command words (for example “open”, “close”, “lock” (to lock the electronic latch  20 ), “off” (to turn device  10  off, or to go into hibernation or stand-by mode) for each member of the household or building. 
         [0059]    In another example, when device  10  receives a proximity signal from a proximity transmitter associated with a pet, device  10  may initiate a prerecorded voice, such as “Spot, do you want to go outside?”. If the dog barks, then microphone  84  will receive the bark signal, controller  70  will process the signal, and initiate the open door sequence if controller  70  determines that the pet is barking. 
         [0060]      FIG. 8  shows different systems and devices that are able to communicate with a device for opening and closing sliding doors according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , device  10  can communicate with remote controller  100 . Remote controller  100  may be as simple as having one button to transmit a signal (open and close) to device  10  (similar to a garage door opener). Remote controller  100  may also have a variety of dials and buttons that control different features of device  10 , for example: a open/close button (to open/close sliding door  12 ), person/pet button (to set the sliding door  12  to open/close for a person or pet), proximity enable/disable button, speed dials (to adjust the speed of opening/closing the sliding door  12 ). The remote controller  100  may have fixed buttons and dials, or could use a touch pad screen that displays the various features and functions of device  10 . The touch pad screen may include programmable features of device  10  to adjust the speed of opening/closing door and program device  10  how far to open the door for a person or pet. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , computer  102  can plug directly into device  10  via some type of connection, such as USB  2  connection, for example. Computer  102  can be any of the commercially available models and makes, either configured as a desk computer, laptop or netbook. Computer  102  could be used for programming device  10 . In addition, computer  102  could communicate with device  10  using a wireless connection via wireless router  105 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , device  10  can establish a wireless communication with wireless router  105 . Wireless router  105  is in the same region or area of where device  10  is located, such as a home or business for example. Wireless routers  105  are commercially available and can be installed and set-up using computer  102 . Computer  102  can either be connected directly to wireless router  105  via some type of wireless connection or some type of commercially available cable. Computer  102  via wireless router  105  could program and monitor device  10  (including live camera feeds from camera  76  and sounds via microphone  84 ). Having the wireless router  105  gives a person working on computer  102  at some location in the house or business the option of checking on the status of device  10  and seeing the camera feed from device  10  around sliding door  12 . 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , wireless router  105  can be coupled to a modem  107  which is coupled to the Internet or world-wide web  125 . Modem  107  can be any of those commercially available, including high-speed DSL or cable modems. This means that remote devices as computers, laptops, netbooks, cellular phones, and any next generation communication devices can communicate remotely with device  10 . For example, computer  102  may be part of a home-based network, where computer  102  can communicate with device  10  via wireless router  105 . Another example is where computer  102  is a laptop computer used at work or on the road, where computer  102  can communicate with device  10  via gateway base station  130  to Internet  125  to modem  107  to wireless router  105 . Gateway base station  130  includes the many types of gateway base stations publicly and privately available (such as those available at coffee houses, restaurants, airports, business networks, and cellular phone infrastructure systems for example). 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , cell phone  135  can remotely connect to device  10  via gateway base station  130 , then to the Internet  125 , modem  107  and router  105 . Cell phone  135  if local to the area of device  10  would have to communicate with a cell tower  130 . Cell phone  135  may be able to connect wireless to sliding door device  10  if such cell phone (e.g., iPhone)  135  could execute an application that simulates the features and functions of remote controller  100 . In such a case, cell phone  135  would be turned into a remote controller  100 , so that device  10  and cell phone  135  could directly communicate and send/receive proper communication signals without going through wireless router  105 . 
         [0065]    The system shown in  FIG. 8  is useful when utilizing a proximity transmitter. For example, instead of having device  10  open sliding door  12  when a proximity transmitter (associated with a pet) is detected, device  10  via controller  70  and antenna  74  may take a picture from camera  76  and send the picture and text to cellular phone  135  via wireless router  105 , modem  107 , the Internet  125 , and gateway base station  130 . Upon receipt, the user of cellular phone  135  may text a response such as “open” that will initiate device  10  to open sliding door  12 . In another example, upon detection of the proximity signal, controller  70  may transmit a “live” camera feed from a web cam  76  to computer  102  via the Internet  125 . Whereupon, the owner can determine whether to open sliding door  12  or not by transmitting an appropriate signal to device  10  via gateway base station  130 , the Internet  125 , modem  107  and wireless router  105 . 
         [0066]    While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, instead of device  10  being a separate and distinct piece from sliding door  12 , device  10  could be integrated into the bottom of a sliding door. All the piece and parts would be contained in the sliding door. Thus some or all the parts and pieces shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  could be integrated, included or incorporated into the bottom of a sliding door. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4