Patent Application
20130145692
This generally relates to methods and devices for effecting hands-free control of a barrier.
Barriers such as doors and gates generally require user input to operate the barrier. Most barriers are opened and closed manually through direct user contact. For example, a typical door may require a user to turn a door knob or handle or simply exert force on the door itself. Barriers may also be automated. To open an automatic door, for example, a user typically must press a button or input a code on a touchpad. Such automated doors may be implemented for convenience or security purposes or to assist those with physical handicaps. Regardless of the method of opening, these barriers generally require a user to make direct physical contact, generally by hand, with the barrier or a connected device.
In nearly every environment, user contact with a surface can result in the spreading of undesirable microorganisms, such as germs. Germs may be spread from the user to the surface and vice versa. Repeated user contact with such a surface contributes to the spreading of these germs to others who contact the surface. For example, a user wishing to open a door of a public facility must typically turn a door handle in order to open the door. Repeated opening and closing of the door can result in a buildup of germs on the handle. Any user who contacts the handle is exposed to the germs.
Because it is known that germs may be spread through contact with common objects, various systems have been developed to reduce the spreading of germs. For example, many public facilities such as public restrooms now have automated water and soap dispensers that allow users to wash their hands without making contact with any surfaces. While such systems are effective in sanitizing a user's hands, their effectiveness is short-lived as a user must then touch a door or door handle to open the door and exit the restroom. Depending on the hygiene of previous users, germs from that door or door handle may be spread to even those users who take care to sanitize their hands.
In light of these insufficiencies, various additional solutions have been developed to reduce the spreading of germs. For example, an automated door can be programmed to move from an open position to a closed position when a proximity sensor detects a patron within a certain proximity of the door. Another known door-opening process begins when a proximity sensor detects a patron's hand within a defined proximity of an actuator. While these and other motion-activated automatic doors generally eliminate the need for physical contact prior to opening a door, these devices allow for very little, if any, user control over the barrier's movement beyond full open and full close operations. That is, once an automated door is activated, the door will move from a closed position to an open position, or vice versa, regardless of the user's subsequent intentions.
Generally speaking, an improved barrier control apparatus that effects controlled movement of a barrier and a method to effect controlled movement of the barrier are described. The barrier control apparatus allows a user to move a door without contacting the door, while still providing control over the movement of the door.
The barrier control apparatus senses an object within a threshold distance and determines a direction of movement of the object and a rate of movement of the object. Based at least in part on the direction of movement of the object and the rate of movement of the object, the controller controls the barrier operator, which in turn controls movement of the door. The controller may also be configured to maintain a defined distance between the object and a defined location relative to the barrier such that movement of the barrier follows movement of the object. In this way, a user is able to maintain control of the movement of the barrier throughout the opening and closing process.
In one example, the barrier control apparatus is further able to detect gestures made by the user based at least in part on the direction of movement of the object and the rate of movement of the object and can control movement of the barrier accordingly. This permits the user to approach a door and perform familiar gestures to move the door. Depending on the direction and speed of the user's hand movement, the door may fully open, fully close, partially open, partially close, or stop moving. For example, a user wishing to fully open a closed door that opens away from the user can perform a gesture that includes quickly pushing their hand toward the door. Similarly, a user wishing to fully open a closed door that opens toward the user can perform a gesture that includes quickly pulling their hand away from the door. Based on the door configuration, the determined direction of proximity change, and the determined rate of proximity change, the controller recognizes these gestures as “fully open” commands. The barrier control apparatus also recognizes motions indicating a user's desire to stop movement of the door.
The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the hands-free barrier operator described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
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 and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments, a hands-free barrier control apparatus is provided to allow control of a movable barrier without the need to physically contact the barrier or an actuator that controls the barrier. The term “hands-free” is a commonly-used phrase that refers to the ability to perform an action without direct physical contact by a hand or other body part.
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to
The barrier 4 depicted in
As previously mentioned, the approaches described herein provide for a hands-free barrier control apparatus. However, it may be advantageous in certain instances to provide handles on the barrier for manual operation of the barrier. For example, a door which includes both a door knob and the barrier control apparatus described herein allows a user the choice of manually opening the door by operating the door knob or using a hands-free approach described herein.
In addition, the number of barriers 4 and barrier control apparatuses 2 shown in the examples described herein is one. However, it will be appreciated that the approaches described herein can be extended to include any number of movable barriers 4 and any number of barrier control apparatuses 2. Also, multiple movable barriers 4 may be controlled by a single barrier control apparatus 2. Furthermore, multiple barrier control apparatuses 2 may control a single movable barrier 4. For example, one barrier control apparatus 2 may be employed to operate a movable barrier 4 from one side of the barrier 4, and another barrier control apparatus 2 may be employed to operate the movable barrier 4 from the other side of the barrier 4.
The sensor 8 is configured to detect the presence of an object 10. In one approach, the sensor 8 is a proximity sensor. For example, the sensor 8 may be an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a magnetic sensor, or a photoelectric sensor. Furthermore, sensing of an object may be accomplished using optical distance sensing by amplitude or time of flight, sound distance sensing by amplitude or time the flight, or electromagnetic proximity sensing by loss factor or reflectivity. Such sensors are known in the art and need no further explanation herein.
In one approach, the sensor 8 is mounted to the barrier 4. For example, the sensor 8 may be mounted just above a door knob. Alternatively, the sensor 8 may be mounted within a door knob. In another approach, the sensor 8 is not mounted to the barrier 4. In this approach, the sensor 8 may be mounted, for example, on a ceiling above the barrier 4, or on a wall above or next to the barrier 4. In any of these approaches, the sensor 8 may be configured to determine a distance of the object 10 from a defined location 14 relative to the barrier 4. For example, in one approach, a sensor 8 mounted in or on a door or door knob determines a distance between an object 10 and the sensor 8. In this approach, the sensor 8 location is the defined location 14 relative to the barrier 4. In another approach, a sensor 8 mounted to a wall or ceiling determines a distance between an object 10 and a door or door knob. In this approach, the door or door knob, respectively, is the defined location 14 relative to the barrier 4.
As previously stated, the sensor 8 is configured to sense an object 10. The object 10 depicted in
The controller 12 is in operative communication with the sensor 8. The controller 12 may be located adjacent to, or near, the sensor 8. Alternatively, as depicted in
Using information received from the sensor 8 regarding a sensed object 10, the controller 12 determines a direction of movement of the object 10, as well as a rate of movement of the object 10. The rate of movement may be measured as a speed of the object 10. Alternatively, the rate and direction may be measured as a velocity vector or as an acceleration of the object. For example, as described by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. in ANSI/BHMA A156.10-2005, which is incorporated by reference as if wholly rewritten herein, the controller 12 may determine that a hand is moving toward the barrier 4 at a rate of 6 inches per second.
Based at least in part on the direction of movement of the object 10 and the rate of movement of the object 10, the controller 12 controls the barrier operator 6, which in turn operates the barrier 4. The barrier operator 6 may be any known apparatus for controlling movement of a barrier. The barrier operator 6 may include, for example, a motor or other electro-mechanical, electro-hydraulic, or electro-pneumatic assembly. Furthermore, although the barrier operator 6 depicted in
In one approach, shown in
Upon determining that an object 10 is within the threshold distance 30, the controller 12 controls the barrier operator 6, which in turn moves the barrier 4 so as to maintain a defined distance 32 between the object 10 and the defined location 14. The defined distance 32 is the distance sought to be maintained between the object 10 and defined location 14. The defined distance 32 may be programmed at the time of manufacture or may be programmed by the end user. The defined distance 32 may also be adjustable after manufacture.
Although the defined distance 32 depicted in
In the examples shown in
By receiving information from the sensor 8, the controller 12 is continuously aware of the distance between the object 10 and the defined location 14. As the distance between the object 10 and the defined location 14 changes, the controller 12 controls the barrier operator 6 accordingly, thus maintaining the defined distance 32 between the object 10 and the defined location 14. The barrier control apparatus 2 is therefore able to cause a barrier 4 to follow movement of an object 10 in both the opening and closing directions.
As discussed, the barrier control apparatus 2 may allow for manual operation of a barrier 4. In this approach, referring again to
The barrier detector 16 may also provide a safety feature in which the controller 12 releases control of the barrier operator 6 when the barrier detector 16 detects an external force caused by a person or other obstacle that is in the path of an opening or closing barrier 4. For example, if a user initiates the opening of a barrier 4 and the opening barrier 4 contacts another person standing on the opposite side of the barrier 4, the barrier detector 16 will detect the contact using conventional obstacle collision detecting technology, and in response the controller 12 will release control of the barrier operator 6. The user would then be able to manually operate the barrier 4.
The barrier control apparatus 2 may further be configured to release control of the barrier 4 when the sensor 8 no longer senses an object 10. The barrier control apparatus 2 may release control of the barrier 4 when the distance between the object 10 and the defined location 14 becomes too short or too far. The release can be effected in response to any combination of these options to provide flexibility in designing the use of mechanism for door control.
Turning now to
In one approach, the method 50 for controlling movement of a barrier further includes determining 55 a distance of the object 10 from a defined location 14 relative to the barrier. The method 50 further includes controlling 56 the barrier operator 6 in response to determining the distance of the object 10 from the defined location 14 is less than a threshold distance 30. The method further includes controlling 57 the barrier operator 6 to maintain a defined distance 32 between the object 10 and the defined location 14.
In another approach, with reference to
In yet another approach, the method 50 for controlling movement of a barrier further includes controlling 63 the barrier operator 6 to move the barrier from a first position to a second position in response to determining the direction of movement of the object 10 is a defined direction of movement and the rate of movement of the object 10 is at least a defined rate of movement of the object 10. With reference to
In addition to maintaining a defined distance 32 between an object 10 and the defined location 14, as previously described herein, the barrier control apparatus 2 may also respond to defined movements or gestures. By using defined movements or gestures, a user is able to perform familiar movements to operate a door. As will be described, a user may approach a door and move his or her hand is if opening or closing a door, to which the barrier control apparatus 2 would respond accordingly. This maintains the natural feel of operating a door while advantageously preventing the need for physical contact.
In one approach, the controller 12 is configured to control the barrier operator 6 to move the barrier 4 from a first position to a second position in response to determining the direction of movement of the object 10 is a defined direction of movement and the rate of movement of the object 10 is at least a defined rate of movement of the object 10. With reference to
In one example of this approach, an object 10 such as a hand moving generally toward the defined location 14 at a velocity substantially equivalent to the defined rate of movement (or within a range of defined rates of movements) indicates an “open” command. In another example, a hand moving generally away from the defined location 14 at a velocity substantially equivalent to the defined rate of movement (or within a range of defined rates of movements) indicates a “close” command. Other defined directions of movement and rates of movement may indicate additional commands, such as “partially open,” “slowly open,” “partially close,” “slowly close,” or “stop movement.” Commands may also be indicated by movements in multiple defined directions, at multiple rates of movements, or both.
In another approach, the controller 12 is configured to determine an object gesture. This determination is based at least in part on the direction of movement of the object and the rate of movement of an object 10. The controller 12 is further configured to control the barrier operator 6 to perform a defined object gesture response based at least in part on determining the object gesture. The object gestures may include any of the object movements, including directions of movements and rates of movements, described herein. The defined object gesture response may include controlling the barrier operator 6 to stop movement of the barrier 4, or controlling the barrier operator 6 to move the barrier 4 from a first position to a second position. As with the approaches previously described, with reference to
The controller 12 may be configured to operate the barrier operator 6 such that movement of the barrier 4 corresponds to known industry standards. For example, as described by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. in ANSI/BHMA A156.10-2005, upon recognition of an open command by the controller 12, the barrier operator 6 may move the barrier 4 to an 80 degree open position in 1.5 seconds, at which point the barrier operator 6 may slow the speed of the barrier 4 until the barrier 4 reaches a 90 degree open position. Upon recognition of a close command, the barrier operator 6 may control the closing time of the barrier 4 according to the equation T=D√{square root over (W)}/188, where T is the closing time to latch check in seconds, D is the width of the door in inches, and W is the weight of the door in pounds. When the barrier 4 reaches the latch check position, for example, 10 degrees from the closed position, the barrier operator 6 may slow the speed of the barrier 4. In one example, the barrier does not close through the final 10 degrees in less than 1.5 seconds. Other industry standards may be implemented, such as those described by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. in ANSI/BHMA A156.19-2007 and by the United States Access Board in “Automated Doors: State of the Art Report,” each of which is incorporated by reference as if wholly rewritten herein.
As discussed, multiple barrier control apparatuses 2 may control a single movable barrier 4. In one approach, a barrier 4 is operated by one barrier control apparatus 2 on one side of the barrier 4, and a second barrier control apparatus 2 on the other side of the barrier 4. Thus, a user can open a barrier 4 from one side using the approaches described herein, and close the barrier 4 from the other side, also using the approaches described herein.
The barrier control apparatus 2 may further provide feedback or other information to the user. For example, the barrier control apparatus 2 may alert a user when the sensor 8 has detected an object 10 within the threshold range 30, when the barrier 4 is opening, closing, or stopping, when the controller 12 has recognized an object gesture, when the barrier control apparatus 2 is about to perform an action, or when the barrier detector 16 has detected movement of the barrier 4 not caused by the barrier operator 6.
Information may be conveyed visually or audibly. In one approach, the information is provided in the form of audible words, informing the user what the barrier control apparatus 2 has detected or what actions the barrier control apparatus 2 is or will be performing. Audible information may also be conveyed using a chime or other audio alert. In another approach, the information is provided visually. Visual information can be conveyed to a user, for example, through the illumination of one or more light-emitting diodes, or through a display screen such as a liquid crystal display screen, a light-emitting diode backlit liquid crystal display screen, or other screen capable of conveying information.
So configured, the barrier control apparatus 2 and method 50 for controlling movement of a barrier allow a user to move a barrier without the need for physical contact, while still providing the user control over the barrier's position throughout the barrier-movement process. The barrier control apparatus 2 and method 50 are also capable of recognizing user gestures, which act as commands for specific movements of the barrier. A user is therefore able to approach a door and perform familiar gestures to move the door without contacting the door.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.
