OPERATOR OF MOBILE BARRIER THAT HAS PASSIVE INFRARED DETECTOR
5 = Background of the Invention The invention relates generally to movable barrier operators and, in particular, to movable barrier operators such as garage door operators or gate operators 10 which include passive infrared detectors associated with them jfl to detect the presence of a person or other object at high temperature to control the function of the movable barrier operator, such as lighting. It has been known to use pyro-electric infrared detectors or passive infrared detectors (PIR) for the detection of a person in a particular neighborhood. For example, it has been known that pyro-electric infrared detectors can be used in combination with lighting lamps,
Q carriage lamps, room lamps and their like for
20 form a low-cost home security system. The pyroelectric infrared detector typically has a plurality of segments. One or more of the segments can be activated by infrared radiation focused on them by a Fresnel lens located in front of the PIR detector. The pyro-electric detector
25 provides an output signal when a change occurs at the potential level between one element and another element in the array. Such a
The change in voltage detected by infrared indicates that a hot object that radiates infrared radiation, typically a person, moves with respect to the detector. The detectors will provide output signals upon receipt of infrared 5 radiation in about the ten micron wavelength range. The infrared radiation in microns is generated by a body having a temperature of about 90 ° F, around the temperature of a human body (98.6 ° F). It is also known that garage door operators
The movable barrier operators may include a passive infrared detector associated with the garage door operator's head unit. The passive infrared detector, however, needs some kind of pointing or aligning mechanism associated with such that it can thermally respond to at least part of the
15 interior of the garage. The detectors were connected such that upon receipt of infrared energy from a moving heat source, they will cause a light associated with the garage door operator to light up. It was known in the past to use watches associated with
Such systems would be such that if there were no more thermal signal, the light would turn off after a predetermined period. Such units were expensive since the passive infrared detector had to be built into the head unit of the garage door operator. Also, previous PIR detectors were fragile.
25 During the assembly of the head unit to the roof of the garage,
§ & i ^ aiteLl - a collision with the pointing device associated with the passive infrared detector could damage them. The ability to point detection reliably was poor, sometimes leaving blank or dead spots in the infrared coverage. Even other operators using pivoting head infrared detectors required that the detector be back-adjusted within the middle of the output circuit of a conventional garage door operator. This would have to be done by garage door operator service personnel as it would surely involve cutting out strokes on a printed circuit board or the like. The unauthorized alteration of the circuit panel by a consumer could involve the loss of warranty coverage of the garage door operator or even cause safety problems. What is needed then is a passive infrared detector to control lighting from a garage door operator that can quickly and easily retro-fit existing garage door operators with a minimum of problems and without nullify the guarantee. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A passive infrared detector for a garage door operator includes a passive infrared detector section connected to a comparator to generate a signal when an infrared or moving thermal signal is detected by the passive infrared detector. The signal is fed to a micro-controller. Both the infrared detector and the comparator and the microcontroller are contained in a wall control unit. The wall control unit has a plurality of switches that would normally be used to control the operation of the garage door operator and are connected in a conventional manner to it. The PIR detector is included with the switches to open the garage door, closing the garage door and causing a lamp to light up. The microcontroller is also connected to a lighting detection circuit, which may typically comprise a cadmium sulfide (CdS) element that responds to visible light. The CdS element supplies a lighting signal to a room light comparator which in turn supplies an illuminator level signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller also controls a start point signal fed to the comparator. The start point signal can be adjusted by the microcontroller according to the desired trigger point for the ambient lighting level. The microcontroller also communicates on the lines carrying the normal wall control switch signals in a head unit of the garage door operator. The wall control micro-controller can interrogate the garage door operator's head unit with a request for information. If the garage door operator's head unit is a conventional unit, no response will return and the wall control micro-controller will assume that a conventional garage door operator's head
• is being used. In the event that a signal returns 5 in the form of a data frame that includes a flag that is related to whether the light was ordered to turn on, the microcontroller can then respond and determine with respect to the state of the infrared detector and the light environment if the light should stay on or should turn off. In the event that a conventional garage door operator head is used, the microcontroller can, in effect, create a feedback cycle with the head unit by sending a light change signal to the microcontroller in the head unit ordering you to change the state of light. 15 If the light is turned on, the increase in illumination is detected by the cadmium sulfide detector and such is signaled to the micro-controller head allowing the light to remain on. If, in an alternative, the light goes out and the drop in the light output is detected by the cadmium sulfide detector, the microcontroller wall control then changes the light back, changing it back to on to cause the light to remain on for a full period of time assigned to it, usually from two and a half to four and a half minutes. It is a main aspect of the present invention
25 provide a fast retro-adjusted passive infrared detector
and A. j. I I and easily to control the lighting of a garage door operator through conventional signaling channels. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a garage door operator having a passive infrared detector in which the passive infrared detector can control a variety of garage door operators. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to a person skilled in the art upon review of the following description and claims in the light of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a garage including a movable barrier operator, specifically a
15 garage door operator, having associated a passive infrared detector in a wall control unit and realizing the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the electrical systems greater than a portion of the garage door operator shown in Figure 1; Figures 3A-C are schematic diagrams of a portion of the electrical system shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the wall control including the passive infrared detector; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the wall control; Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the wall control shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the wall control 5 shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of the wall control shown in Figure 6; Figure 9 is a side view, shown in cross section, of the wall control of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a plan view, shown in cross section, of the wall control; Figure 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of the wall control shown in Figure 5; and Figures 12A-H are flow charts showing details of a program flow controlling the operation of a microcontroller contained within the wall control as shown in Figures 3A-C. W-? DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and especially to FIGURE 1, a movable barrier operator performing the present invention is shown therein and is generally identified by the reference number 10. The movable barrier operator , in this embodiment a garage door operator 10, is placed inside a garage 12. More specifically, a roof 14 of the garage 12 is mounted in 25 for operation, in this embodiment, of a garage door of multiple panels 16. The multi-panel garage door 16 includes a plurality of rollers 18 rotatably confined within a pair of tracks
20 positioned adjacent to and on opposite sides of an opening 22 5 for the garage door 16. The garage door operator 10 also includes a head unit 24 to provide movement to the garage door 16 via a set of rails 26. The rail assembly 26 includes a trolley 28 for a releasable connection of the head unit 24 to the garage door 16 via an arm 30. The arm 30 is connected to an upper portion 32 of the garage door 16 to open and close it. The trolley 28 is connected to an endless chain to be carried by it. The chain is carried by a pinion in the head unit 24. The pinion acts as a
15 power start for an electric motor located in the head unit 24. The head unit 24 includes a radio frequency receiver 50, as best seen in FIG. 2, having an antenna 52 associated with the to receive transmissions from
20 radio frequencies encoded from one or more radio transmitters 53 which may include portable transmitters or remote control or keyboard transmitters. The radio receiver 50 is connected via a line 54 to a microcontroller 56 which interprets signals from the radio receiver 50 as commands of
Code for controlling other portions of the garage door operator 10. A wall control unit 60 performing the present invention, as will be seen in greater detail hereinafter, communicates on a line 62 with the microcontroller 56 of the 5 head unit for performing control of a garage door operator motor 70 and a light 72 via a logic relay 74 connected to the microcontroller 56. The entire head unit 24 is energized from a power supply 76 Additionally, the garage door operator 10 includes
^ fc an obstacle detector 78 that optically or via an infrared pulsed beam detects when the garage door aperture 22 is blocked and sends signals to the microcontroller 56 of the lock. The microcontroller 56 then causes a reversion or opening of the door 16. In addition, a position indicator 80
15 indicates to the head unit micro-controller 56, through at least part of the displacement of the door 16, the position of the door such that the micro-controller 56 can control the closing position and the opening position of the door 16 accurately. Figures 3A-C are schematic diagrams of a portion of the electrical system shown in Figure 2. Wall control 60, as best seen in Figure 4, includes a passive infrared sensor 100 having an output line 102 connected to a differential amplifier 104. The differential amplifier 104 feeds a pair of 5 comparators 106 and 108 coupled to a microcontroller of
110, in this embodiment a PIC 16505 microchip. The sensor 100 changes signals from the comparators when the infrared illumination changes in the passive infrared sensor 100. The microcontroller 110 provides an output to line 112 to the line 62 , which is connected to the micro-controller in the garage door operator's head. Also associated with the wall control is a momentary contact light switch 120, a door control switch 122, a vacation switch 124, and an automatic-manual selection switch 126. The light switch 120 is connected through from a capacitor 130 to other portions of the wall control 60. The vacation switch 124 is connected through a capacitor 132 to the wall control 60. The capacitor 132 has a different value than the capacitor 130. The wall control 60 controls to the microcontroller 56 through its switches for the effective pulse width or load time required when a respective switch is closed as controlled by its associated capacitor or by the direct connection, as set forth for the door control switch 122. In addition, an ambient light sensor 140 is provided connected in a voltage divider circuit having a variable resistor 134 which feeds a comparator 150 that provides an ambient light level signal on a line 152 to the microcontroller 110. Additionally, the microcontroller 110 supplies a
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starting point signal on a line 160 back to the comparator 150 such that the microcontroller 110, through the use of a pulse width modulation, can control the point of
• start of the light level comparator 150 to determine the point where the ambient light comparator 150 fires and thereby determine the level of ambient light illumination. Figures 5-11 are several views of the wall control 60 discussed above. Figures 12A-H are flow charts showing details of a program flow controlling the apparatus of the microcontroller 56 contained within the wall control 60 as shown in Figures 3A-C. As can best be seen in Figure 12, when the processor or microcontroller 110 energizes the ports and the outputs are also set as the clock in a step 500 in which
15 point a main cycle is entered and the clock is read in a step 502. A test is made to determine if 10 milliseconds have elapsed in step 504, if they have not already done so, the control is transferred back to step 502. If they have elapsed, the pulse width modulation cycle is erased in a step 506 of
20 way to initiate pulse width modulation to control the starting point for illumination. In step 508, the pulse width modulation is turned on and the pulse width modulation counter is erased. In step 510, the pulse width modulation counter is incremented and a
25 test is done to determine if the modulation counter of
? j? The pulse width is equal to the pulse width modulation value in a step 512. If not, the control is transferred to step 510. If so, the control is transferred to step 514 where the pulse width modulator it has the counter cleared and turns off and the pulse width modulation value goes out. Followed by step 516 where the pulse width modulation counter is incremented and a test is made to determine if the pulse width modulation counter value is equal to pwm rem in step 518. If not, the control is transferred back to step 516. If so, as best seen in FIG. 12B, the pulse width modulation cycle is increased in a step 520, and a test is made in step 522 to determine if it is equal to six. If not, the control is transferred back to step 508 to reset the pulse width modulation. If so, the pulse width modulator is turned off in step 526 and a comparison of readings is made in step 530. If the read comparator is high, the counter is decremented in a step 532, and the increment counter it is incremented in a step 534. In a step 536, the value of the incremented counter is tested to determine if it is greater than 10. If so, the counter is deleted in a step 538. If it is not, the control is transferred to a step 540 where the remaining value of pulse width is set equal to the complement of pulse width modulation value. In the case that the value of the comparison step of
.l? 'A) YES. iyAy i readings 530 produces a low value, a jump counter is erased in a step 550 and a decrement counter is incremented by a
^ step 552. A test is done in a step 554 to determine if the decrement counter value is greater than 10. If not, the
5 control is passed to step 540. If so, the decrement counter is cleared in a step 556 and a test is made to determine if the pulse width modulation value is zero in one step
560. If it is zero, the control is transferred to step 540. If it is not, the pulse width modulation value is decremented, the
The counter is incremented in a step 562. In a step 564, the counter is tested to determine if it is greater than 12. If so, the pulse width modulation value is tested for if it is less than 20 in one step 566. If not, the pulse width modulation value is set equal to the modulation value of the pulse width modulation.
15 pulse width minus nine in a step 568 and the control is transferred to step 540. Before the output of step 540, as can best be seen in
^ Figure 12C, a test step 570 enters to determine whether the light in state has been adjusted by the head unit of the
20 mobile barrier operator. If not, a test is done in a step 522 to determine if the alarm clock is active. If the alarm clock is active, the control is transferred to a step 574 which causes a 16-bit counter clock to increase and to clear any bit counter. If the clock
25 is not active, the control is transferred to determine if the
blank clock is active in a step 576. If so, the control is transferred to step 574. If not, the control is transferred to a test step 578 to determine if the check is active. If the check is active, the check counter is incremented in step 530 and a test is made to determine if the value of the check counter is equal to one second in a step 582. If not, the control is transferred at a test step 600, as shown in Figure 12D. If so, a test is made to determine whether the light flag on is on or not in a step 602. If not, a test is made in a step 604 to determine if the pulse width modulation value is equal to the stored modulation value. If it is indicated that it is of greater intensity, the control is transferred to a step 606 to clear the check. If it is indicated that it is of minor
15 intensity, the control is transferred to a step 608 causing the work light signal to be changed by the wall control over the lines connected to the head unit. If the flag fl of light value on is indicated as off, a test is made in a step 610 to determine whether the modulation value of
20 pulse width present is equal to the stored value. If it is indicated to be of less intensity, the control is transferred to step 606. If it is indicated to be of greater intensity, step 612 turns on the work light changer to flip the light state and transfers control to step 606. 25 Once the light has been changed, a test is done
in step 600, as shown in Figure 12D, to determine whether the wake-up flag has been adjusted. If it has been done, a test is done in a step 620 to determine if the work light changer is active. If so, the pulse width value is increased in a step 622, and a test is made to determine whether the pulse width counter is equal to 20 (which is equivalent to 200 milliseconds) in a step 624. If not thus, the work light is switched to off in a step 626. In the event that the wake-up flag has not been adjusted, a test is made in a step 630 to determine whether the RC time constant for the supply of Energy has expired. In other words, if the energy has remained high for more than 1.5 minutes as tested in step 630. If it has not been, the control is transferred back to the main cycle of Figure 12A. If so, the wake-up value is adjusted and the clock is cleared in step 634, and the control is transferred back to the main cycle. In the event that the time constant has expired in step 630, the wake-up flag is cleared and the counts are adjusted to highs in step 636 after which the control is transferred back to the main cycle. After the working light has been changed in step 626, a step is made in a step 660, as best seen in Figure 12E to determine if the blank clock is active. If so, it has been checked. If this is not the case, a test is done to determine if there is any indication of passive infrared input activity
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indicating a change in step 662. If not, a quiet state enters. If the PIR has been indicated as active, a second test is done to determine if the PIR still indicates that it is changing
^ to indicate that a false signal has not been received. If so, a test is done to determine if the work light is on inside the garage. If the work light is on, the control is transferred back to the main cycle. If the work light is indicated not lit, a test is made to determine if the pulse width value is greater than 128, in other words, if the garage is indicated as bright or
• opaque. If it is indicated as bright, indicated that it is lit, the control is transferred back to the main cycle. If it is indicated as opaque, the control is transferred to test step 680, as can best be seen in Figure 12G, to determine if
15 two and a half seconds have elapsed. If not, the blank clock is turned off in step 682. If so, a test is made in step 684 to determine whether the on light state has been adjusted. If so, a test is done in a step 686 to determine if six minutes have passed. If they have passed, the clock is erased, the light flag on is erased, the blank flag is adjusted, and an attempt is made to read the light status from the head unit via serial communication in one step 688. A test is done in a step 690 to determine if serial communication has been successful. If so, a test is done 5 then in a step 692 to determine if the flag of light
On, it has returned from the head unit to the wall control. If so, indicating that the light has been turned on, the change output is adjusted in a step 694. If it is not, the control will be
^ P has transferred to the main cycle. If the serial communication has failed 5, as tested in step 690, the change output is adjusted in a step 700, the pulse width modulation value A is stored in a step 702, and the check is adjusted in a step 704 before transferring back to the main cycle. To be able to respond to the search function, which is used to interpret the word sent back by the head unit, as can be seen better in Figure 12H. In a step 750, there is a delay until a key reader pulse in a step 752 and a clock is set in a step 754. A delay of 500 milliseconds is expected in a step 756. A series of delays are used for
15 generate an on-off output code of variable pulse widths followed by a delay of 100 milliseconds in a step 758. A test is then made in a step 760 to determine if the wall control input pin is low. If not, the test is done again. If so, the
The control is transferred to a step 762 to adjust a flag indicating that serial communication is successful. A time value is set in a step 766 and the state is read in a step 768. A test is made in a step 770 to determine if the series is OK and in a step 772 a brake signal is tested and
25 is sent.
To answer the question light, as shown in Figure 12F, in a step 800 the question light is called. A test is made in a step 802 to determine if it can be read by a serial communication with the head. If so, a test is done in a step 804 to determine if the light was on. If so, the control is transferred back to the main cycle. If not, the change output is adjusted to indicate that the state was light turned on in step 806 to force the light on. In case the serial communication could not be read, the change output is adjusted, its light is turned on in step 810, the pulse width modulation value is reset in step 812, and the check flag is set in step 814. Annex is an appendix consisting of the pages Al to A-12 comprising a list of software execution in the microcontroller 110. Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.