Garage door message display system
AssigneeStanley Home Automation
InventorDaniel V. Meyvis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A visual display panel is mounted on the exterior surface of a power-operated garage door to display messages for viewing by occupants of a departing automobile after the garage door has closed. The display panel may be part of an integrated home automation system (IHAS) so that, in addition to pre-programmed messages, the operational status of household devices included in the IHAS are presented on the display panel. Actuation of the garage door operator to open the garage door can also cause the IHAS to direct changes in the operation of one or more of the included devices.
Claims16
In combination:
- a garage door;
- a power-driven door operator mechanically connected to
- the door and actuable to move the door to open and closed positions;
- a message display panel carried by the door and operative to present visual displays of alphanumeric and other graphic symbols visible from the exterior side of the door when the door is in the closed position;
- message generator means in operative communication with the panel and activatable for producing the visual displays presented thereon when the door operator is actuated;
- and
- means responsive to actuation of the operator to activate the message generator means.
A garage door message display system for incorporation in an integrated home automation system wherein a computer monitors and controls a plurality of household devices in accordance with programmed instructions, the message display system operable to visually present messages pertaining to the operational status of the household devices and comprising:
- a garage door movable between an open and a closed position;
- a garage door operator electronically actuable to move the garage door between the open and closed positions, said door operator being in operative communication with the computer to provide the computer with a signal representing door position;
- a visual message display panel carried by the door and visible from the exterior side of the door;
- message generator means electronically coupled with the computer to receive information pertaining to the operational status of the household devices and with the display panel to produce visual displays thereon, the visual displays being produced from the information received from the computer;
- and
- means for actuating the door operator to close the door and activate the display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.