Methods and apparatus for pet doors
AssigneeSmartec Products LLC
InventorsStephen W. Miller, David W. White, Eric P. Zemke, Michael P. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pet access control system according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise a door unit interoperable with a security panel holder. The door unit covers a passage through a structure, such as through the wall or door of a building. The door unit may include a connector that may be mounted on a legacy security panel holder or a dedicated mounting system for the door unit. The door unit may operate in conjunction with a pet identification system to automatically identify and grant access only to authorized pets.
Claims17
A door unit configured to connect to a pet doer security panel holder and respond to a signal from an authorized tag associated with a pet, comprising:
- a frame having a hole defined therethrough;
- a door disposed over the hole and mounted on the frame, wherein the door opens only away from the security panel holder;
- a motor, wherein the motor drives movement of the door;
- a security panel interface on the frame, wherein the security panel interface comprises a selectable modular connector adapted to hang the frame on the security panel holder;
- a tag sensor disposed on a central part of the door, wherein the tag sensor comprises a directional wireless Bluetooth sensor, comprising:
- an interior sensor disposed on a first side of the door;
- an exterior sensor disposed on a second side of the door;
- and
- a shield housing, wherein the shield housing shields the interior sensor from signals from a first direction and shields the exterior sensor from signals from a second direction;
- a control system responsive to signals from the tag sensor, wherein:
- the motor is responsive to signals from the control system;
- and
- the control system causes the motor to open the door when the tag sensor receives the signal from the authorized tag.
A door unit configured to connect to a pet door security panel holder and respond to a signal from an authorized tag associated with a pet, comprising:
- a frame having a hole defined therethrough;
- a door disposed over the hole and mounted on the frame, wherein the door opens only away from the security panel holder;
- a motor, wherein the motor drives movement of the door;
- a security panel interface on the frame, wherein the security panel interface comprises a selectable modular connector adapted to hang the frame on the security panel holder;
- a tag sensor disposed on the door, wherein the tag sensor comprises a directional wireless Bluetooth sensor, wherein the directional wireless Bluetooth sensor comprises:
- an interior sensor disposed on a first side of the door;
- an exterior sensor disposed on a second side of the door;
- and
- a shield housing, wherein the shield housing shields the interior sensor from signals from a first direction and shields the exterior sensor from signals from a second direction;
- and
- control system responsive to signals from the tag sensor, wherein:
- the motor is responsive to signals from the control system;
- and
- the control system causes the motor to open the door when the tag sensor receives the signal from the authorized tag.
A method of operating a door unit configured to connect, to a pet door security panel holder surrounding an opening and respond to a signal from an authorized tag associated with a pet, comprising;
- positioning a frame having a hole defined therethrough adjacent opening, wherein the hole is aligned with the opening;
- selecting a modular connector from a plurality of modular connectors, wherein the selected modular connector engages the security panel holder;
- mounting the selected modular connector on the frame;
- hanging the frame on the security panel holder via the selected modular connector;
- sensing a signal corresponding to an approach of a tag;
- determining whether the sensed signal corresponds to the authorized tag;
- determining whether the pet is on a first side of a door or a second side of the door, comprising;
- sensing the signal from the direction of the first side of the door;
- sensing the signal from the direction of the second side of the door;
- and
- comparing the signals as sensed from the first and second sides of the door;
- and
- opening a door disposed over the hole and mounted on the frame if the sensed signal corresponds to the authorized tag, comprising opening the door away from the security panel holder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.