US 9,775,329 B1 · Automatic chicken coup door

Abstract

An automatic drive unit for a door assembly of the type having a frame with an opening, a door positionable within the opening between an open position and a closed position, and a door actuator for moving the door between the open and closed positions, includes a controller circuit having a power source, a timing circuit for reporting the date and time to a processor, a non-volatile memory, a programmed set of instructions, and a display. The programmed set of instructions are adapted for receiving input of a location and open and close offset times, and storing such information in the memory. The controller circuit executing the instructions determines based on its location and the date a sunrise time and a sunset time, opens the door at the sunrise time plus the open offset time, and closes the door at the sunset time plus the close offset time.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An automatic drive unit for a door assembly of the type having a frame with an opening, a door positionable within the opening between an open and a closed position, and a door actuator fixed with the frame and adapted for moving the door between the open and closed positions, the automatic drive unit comprising:

a controller circuit that includes, at least, the following:
a power source;
a timing circuit having a means for reporting a current date and time;
a processor;
a non-volatile memory;
a display;
and
a programmed set of instructions adapted for receiving input of a location signally, an open offset time, and a closed offset time, and further adapted for storing the location and offset times in the memory, whereupon said programmed set of instructions is enabled to make a determination, based on the location and the date, of a sunrise time and sunset time for the current date;
whereby, the door is opened at sunrise plus the open offset time and closed at sunset plus the close offset time for an indefinite future without the need for human control.

6 more elements

A method of opening and closing a door assembly of the type having a frame with an opening and a door positionable within the opening between an open and a closed position;

a door actuator fixed with the frame and adapted for moving the door between the open and closed positions;
and a controller circuit that includes at least the following:
a power source;
a timing circuit having a means for reporting a current date and time;
a processor;
a non-volatile memory;
a programmed set of instructions adapted for receiving input of a location, an open offset time, and a closed offset time, and further adapted for storing the location and offset times in the memory;
a display;
and a user input device;
the method comprising the steps:
a) receiving an input of a location, an open offset time, and a closed offset time;
b) storing the location and offset times in the memory;
c) determining based on the location and date a precise sunrise time and a precise sunset time for that date;
d) opening the door at sunrise plus the open offset time for an indefinite future without the need for human control;
and
e) closing the door at sunset plus the close offset time also for an indefinite future without the need for human control.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic chicken coup door

Life of this patent

Automatic chicken coup door

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16