Garage Door Gateway Control for Hands-Free Vehicle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional garage door remote controls require user intervention for operation, which can be cumbersome for vehicle operators, especially when wearing gloves or both hands are occupied, and existing systems lack automatic opening and closing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A movable barrier gateway device that autonomously receives signals from a mobile transmitter mounted in a vehicle, matches the identification code, and controls a legacy movable barrier controller to open or close the garage door without user intervention, using a communication interface, processor, and control signal output port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional remote control devices are used, then garage door operation is possible, but user convenience deteriorates when hands are occupied or wearing gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle itself to automatically operate the garage door by detecting its presence and triggering the opener, eliminating the need for manual remote control operation. The vehicle's onboard systems (transponders, sensors) perform the control function automatically, allowing operation even when hands are occupied or wearing gloves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical remote control operation with automated electronic detection and control systems. Vehicle-mounted transponders and garage door openers use electronic signal recognition and automated actuation, substituting the mechanical action of pressing a remote control button with electronic field-based communication and automatic motor actuation.
2Ease of operation
If manual remote control operation is required, then basic functionality is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates during driving or when both hands are occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of vehicle presence and automatically initiates garage door operation before the user would need to manually operate it. The garage door opener detects the approaching vehicle and begins the opening sequence in advance, eliminating the need for the user to stop, reach for a remote, and press buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The garage door system automatically detects the vehicle's presence through onboard transponders or external sensors and autonomously triggers the opening mechanism, allowing the vehicle to service itself regarding garage access without requiring manual intervention from the driver or passenger.
3Reliability
If rolling code technology is used, then security is improved, but system complexity increases due to code generation and synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a fixed identification code stored in the vehicle's transponder that is copied or replicated by the garage door opener for authentication. Instead of generating new rolling codes, the same static identification code is transmitted and recognized, simplifying the system while maintaining security through code matching rather than code generation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and system is disclosed for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention. A vehicle-mounted mobile transmitter autonomously and continuously transmits a repeating signal pattern when power is applied to the transmitter as a vehicle is started by a user. A movable barrier gateway device receives the signals from the mobile transmitter and compares an identification code contained in each of the signals to an identification code stored in memory. When a match is found, the movable barrier gateway device sends a signal to a movable barrier controller to open the garage door, and keep the door open as long as the movable barrier gateway continues to receive the signals from the mobile transmitter.