Abstract:
A system includes a photo beam detector. The photobeam detector senses a presence of an obstruction. The system also includes an apparatus to attach the photo beam detector to the moveable barrier. At least a portion of the photo beam detector is positioned at the moveable barrier such that a movement of the moveable barrier causes a simultaneous rotation of the portion of the photo beam detector. The system also includes a coupler and a controller. The controller is coupled to the photo beam detector via the coupler. The controller is programmed to determine whether the obstruction exists in a pathway of the moveable barrier from input received from the photo beam detector.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of the invention relates to moveable barrier operators and, more specifically, to sensors for detecting obstructions in the pathways of barriers. 
       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 and 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]    Obstructions sometimes become situated in the pathway of barriers such as a garage doors. For instance, portions of vehicles or other items enter the pathway of the door. If the door strikes these obstructions, then the obstruction, the barrier, and/or the barrier operator system may become damaged. In order to prevent damage from occurring, obstruction detection systems have been used. For example, a light emitter and detector are sometimes used to detect obstructions. In this case, when an object interrupts the beam of light between the emitter and detector, an obstruction is determined to be present in the pathway of the door. 
         [0005]    Swinging gates are typically used at entrances and allow vehicles to enter a restricted area. Fixed IR beam obstruction detectors are often used in these arrangements. Unfortunately, when vehicles or other obstructions are present, there is the possibility that the beam misses part of the obstruction. For instance, the bumper of the vehicle may remain above or below beam. In addition, in swinging door or gate systems, since the obstruction detectors are fixed, there is the possibility that an object such as a bicycle may be in the pathway of the door or gate (as the door or gate swings) and the detectors will miss detection of the object. Consequently, because of these problems, objects that are in the pathway of the gate will be missed and collisions may occur. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A system and method are provided that allow the sensor or part of the sensor to rotate with the barrier. In one particularly useful example of rotation, a barrier such as a gate arm, rotates in a sweeping arc movement from a closed position (i.e., the barrier extends parallel to the ground) to an open position (i.e., the barrier arm is swept upward to be nearly perpendicular to the ground) and vice versa. Since the sensor moves along with the barrier, objects that are in the pathway of the door will be detected as the barrier rotates. Consequently, objects that might remain undetected if the sensor were fixed are detected and damage to the barrier, barrier operator system and/or the object is avoided. 
         [0007]    In accordance with the principles described herein, a system includes a photo beam detector. The photobeam detector senses the presence of an obstruction. The system also includes an apparatus to attach the photo beam detector to the moveable barrier. At least a portion of the photo beam detector is positioned at the moveable barrier such that a movement of the moveable barrier causes a simultaneous rotation of the portion of the photo beam detector. The system also includes a coupler and a controller. The controller is coupled to the photo beam detector via the coupler. The controller is programmed to determine whether the obstruction exists in a pathway of the moveable barrier based upon input received from the photo beam detector. The coupler can be any number of arrangements such as a wired connection or a wireless connection. 
         [0008]    The photo beam detector can include a variety of components. For example, the photo beam detector may include an emitter and a detector and the emitter and detector may track an edge of the moveable barrier. In another example, the photo detector comprises may include and emitter, a detector, and a reflector (e.g., a mirror). At least a portion of the photo detector may be embedded in the barrier. 
         [0009]    In still other examples, the moveable barrier may comprise an arm and the emitter and the detector is positioned at a first end of the arm and the reflector is coupled to an opposite end of the arm. In another approach, the emitter and detector are coupled to the barrier operator and the reflector is coupled to the arm. In still another example, the emitter at least partially embedded in the arm, and the reflector is coupled to the end of the arm. 
         [0010]    The moveable barrier may include a variety of different types of barriers. For example, the moveable barrier may be a garage door, a swinging gate, and a sliding gate. Other types of barriers may also be used. 
         [0011]    Thus, approaches are provided that are able to detect objects in the paths of barriers such as swinging gates or doors. Since at least some portions of the sensor rotate with the barrier, objects that might remain undetected that went undetected are detected and damage to the objects, the barrier operator system and/or the barrier is prevented. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a movable barrier operator system providing obstruction detection according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of another example of a moveable barrier operator system providing obstruction detection according to the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of another example of a moveable barrier operator system providing obstruction detection 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 , one example of a barrier operator system where at least a portion of the photo detector rotates with the barrier is described. A barrier  104  is attached to a barrier operator  102 . The barrier operator  102  moves the barrier in a sweeping arc movement  110  from a first position  120  to a second position  122 . In the first position  120 , the barrier is closed while in the second position, the barrier is open. As can be seen, the barrier  104  rotates in a sweeping arc movement between open positions and closed positions. 
         [0017]    In this example, the barrier  104  is a gate arm and the barrier operator  102  is a gate operator. However, other types of barriers (e.g., swinging gates, sliding gates, and garage doors) and barrier operators (e.g., gate operators and garage door operators) may be used. 
         [0018]    A photo detector includes an emitter  106  and a detector  108 . The emitter  106  transmits an energy beam  107  and the transmitted energy beam  107  is detected by the detector  108 . In one example, the energy beam  107  may be visible or infrared light. If an obstruction is present in the pathway of the barrier  104 , the energy beam is interrupted and not detected by the detector  108 . When an obstruction is detected, the operator  102  may take action, for instance, by halting movement of the barrier  104 . An apparatus may be used to secure the emitter  106  and detector  108  to the barrier  104 . In one example, the apparatus may be screws, nails, brackets, or some combination of these elements. 
         [0019]    A controller  116  is coupled to the emitter  106  and the detector  108  by a coupler  118 . The coupler  118  may be a wired connection or an unwired connection. The controller  116  is programmed to determine whether an obstruction exists in a pathway of the moveable barrier  104  based upon input received from the photo beam detector (emitter  106  and detector  108 ). 
         [0020]    As the barrier  104  rotates in the movement  110 , it detects all obstructions that are present in the path of the barrier  104  as the barrier  104  rotates. For example, if a bumper  104  of a vehicle were positioned below the barrier  104  (while the barrier  104  was in position  122 ) and the barrier were closed, the bumper would be detected as the barrier  104  came down to the position  120 . This approach is advantageous over previous approaches wherein the emitter  106  and  108  were both in a fixed position since, in these previous approaches, the bumper or other obstruction would remain undetected. 
         [0021]    Another emitter/detector pair may be positioned at the top of the barrier  104 . In addition, the emitter  106  may be positioned on the operator  102 . In this case, the emitter  106  remains fixed while the detector  108  rotates. The emitter  106  and detector  108  may also be partially embedded in the barrier  104 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , another example of a barrier operator system where at least a part of the photo detector rotates with the barrier is described. A barrier  204  is attached to a barrier operator  202 . The barrier operator  202  moves the barrier in an arc movement  210  from a first position  220  to a second position  222 . In the first position  220 , the barrier is closed while in the second position the barrier is open. As can be seen, the barrier  204  rotates in a sweeping arc movement between open positions and closed positions. 
         [0023]    In this example, the barrier  204  is a gate arm and the barrier operator  202  is a gate operator. However, other types of barriers (e.g., swinging gates, sliding gates, and garage doors) and barrier operators (e.g., gate operators and garage door operators) may be used. 
         [0024]    A photo detector includes an emitter/detector  206  and a reflector  208 . The emitter/detector  206  transmits an energy beam  207  and the transmitted energy is detected by the detector  207 . In one example, the energy beam  207  may be visible or infrared light. If an obstruction is present in the pathway of the barrier  204 , the energy beam  207  is interrupted and not detected by the emitter/detector  206 . The operator  202  can take action, for instance, halting movement of the barrier. An apparatus may be used to secure the emitter/detector  206  to the barrier  204 . In one example, the apparatus may be screws, nails, brackets, or some combination of these elements. Other examples of an apparatus are possible. 
         [0025]    A controller  216  is coupled to the emitter  206  and the detector  208  by a coupler  218 . The coupler  218  may be a wired connection or an unwired connection. The controller  216  is programmed to determine whether the obstruction exists in a pathway of the moveable barrier  204  based upon input received from the photo beam detector (emitter/detector  206  and reflector  208 ). 
         [0026]    As the barrier  204  rotates in the movement  210 , it detects all obstructions that are present in the path of the barrier  204  as the barrier  204  rotates. For example, if a bumper  204  of a vehicle were positioned below the barrier  204  (while the barrier  204  was in position  222 ) and the barrier closed, the bumper would be detected as the barrier  204  came down to position  220 . This approach is advantageous over previous approaches wherein the emitter  206  and  208  were both fixed since and the bumper may remain undetected. 
         [0027]    Another emitter/detector/reflector may be positioned at the top of the barrier  204 . In addition, the emitter/detector  206  may be positioned on the operator  202 . In this case, the emitter/detector  206  remains fixed while the reflector  208  rotates. The emitter/detector  206  and reflector  208  may also be partially embedded in the barrier  204 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , another example of a barrier operator system where at least a part of the photo detector rotates with the barrier is described. A barrier  316  is attached to a barrier operator  306 . The barrier operator  306  rotates the barrier in an arc movement  320  from a first position  322  to a second position  324 . In the first position  322 , the barrier is closed while in the second position  324  that barrier is open. In this example, the barrier  316  is a swinging door or gate and the barrier operator  306  is a swinging door or gate operator. However, other types of barriers (e.g., garage doors) and barrier operators (e.g., garage door operators) may be used. The rotation of the barrier  316  is assisted by a moveable arm  304 , which is attached to a base portion  302 . The base portion may simply secure the barrier  316  or may additionally include a motor or similar device to drive and move the barrier  316 . 
         [0029]    A first photo detector on one side of the barrier  316  includes an emitter/detector  308  and a reflector  310 . The emitter/detector  308  transmits an energy beam  307  and this energy is reflected as return energy  309  by the reflector  310 . In one example, the energy beams  307  and  309  may be visible or infrared light. A second photo detector is located on the opposite side of the barrier  316  and includes an emitter/detector  312  and reflector  314 . The emitter/detector  312  transmits an energy beam  317  and this is reflected as energy beam  315  and detected by the emitter detector  312 . If an obstruction is present in the pathway of the barrier  316 , the energy beams  317  or  309  are not detected by the emitter/detector  308  or the emitter/detector  312 . The operator  306  can take action, for instance, by halting movement of the barrier. An apparatus may be used to secure the emitter/detector  308  and emitter/detector  312  to the barrier  316 . In one example, the apparatus may be nails, bolts, screws, brackets, or other fastening members. Other examples of an arrangements are possible. 
         [0030]    A controller  326  is coupled to the emitter/detector  308  and the emitter/detector  312  by a coupler  328 . The coupler  328  may be a wired connection or an unwired connection. The controller  326  is programmed to determine whether the obstruction exists in a pathway of the moveable barrier  316  from input received from the photo beam detector (emitter/detectors  308  and  312 , and reflectors  310  and  314 ). 
         [0031]    As the barrier  316  rotates in the movement  320 , it detects all obstructions that are present in the path of the barrier  316  as the barrier  316  rotates. For example, if an obstruction (e.g., a person or bicycle) were positioned in the path of the barrier  316  (e.g., along the arc  320 ) and the barrier  316  opened, the obstruction would be detected as the barrier  316  came down to position  324 . In contrast, prior approaches where the sensors are fixed would not detect the obstruction. 
         [0032]    Various types of photo detectors may be used. For example, separate emitters and detectors may be used as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . In addition, the emitter/detectors  308  and  312  may be positioned on the operator  306 . In this case, the emitter/detectors  308  and  312  remain fixed while the reflectors  310  and  314  rotate. The emitter/detectors  308  and  312  may also be partially embedded in the barrier  316 . 
         [0033]    While there has been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications 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 present invention.