There is disclosed a method of testing an optical door sensor 100 having an emitter 102 for emitting a light signal 104 and a receiver 106 for detecting the light signal 104, the optical door sensor 100 having at least one sensor operating parameter and further having a baseline state in which the receiver 102 can detect a light signal from the emitter 106. The method comprises setting the optical door sensor in an offset state 204, 304, in which a sensor operating parameter is offset from a baseline setting by an offset amount, the baseline setting corresponding to the baseline state of the optical door sensor; conducting a signal test 206 with the optical door sensor in the offset state; and generating an alert 216 when the signal test result is negative for the offset state and the offset amount is less than or equal to a limit margin. The signal test comprises: emitting a light signal from the emitter 208 and determining whether the light signal is detected by the receiver 210. The signal test has a positive result if the light signal is detected by the receiver and a negative result if the light signal is not detected by the receiver.

There is disclosed a method of testing an optical door sensor 100 having an emitter 102 for emitting a light signal 104 and a receiver 106 for detecting the light signal 104, the optical door sensor 100 having at least one sensor operating parameter and further having a baseline state in which the receiver 102 can detect a light signal from the emitter 106. The method comprises setting the optical door sensor in an offset state 204, 304, in which a sensor operating parameter is offset from a baseline setting by an offset amount, the baseline setting corresponding to the baseline state of the optical door sensor; conducting a signal test 206 with the optical door sensor in the offset state; and generating an alert 216 when the signal test result is negative for the offset state and the offset amount is less than or equal to a limit margin. The signal test comprises: emitting a light signal from the emitter 208 and determining whether the light signal is detected by the receiver 210. The signal test has a positive result if the light signal is detected by the receiver and a negative result if the light signal is not detected by the receiver.

An automatic animal door includes a first door column, a second door column, a top plate, a door plate, and a driving mechanism. The first door column defines a first groove The second door column defines a second groove. The top plate is connected with a top end of the first door column and a top end the second door column. The top plate defines an entrance with the first door column and the second door column. The door plate is disposed between the first door column and the second door column. The door plate is movable along the first groove and the second groove to close or expose the entrance. The driving mechanism is disposed on the top plate. The driving mechanism is connected with the door plate to drive the door plate to move along the first groove and the second groove.

An automatic animal door includes a first door column, a second door column, a top plate, a door plate, and a driving mechanism. The first door column defines a first groove The second door column defines a second groove. The top plate is connected with a top end of the first door column and a top end the second door column. The top plate defines an entrance with the first door column and the second door column. The door plate is disposed between the first door column and the second door column. The door plate is movable along the first groove and the second groove to close or expose the entrance. The driving mechanism is disposed on the top plate. The driving mechanism is connected with the door plate to drive the door plate to move along the first groove and the second groove.

A garage door opener system having a garage door opener and a remote input device electrically connected to the garage door opener by an electrical conductor. The remote input device receives power by the electrical conductor. The remote input device includes a device controller to communicate an event message, monitor for an acknowledgement message within a time period, and repeat the event message when the acknowledgement message is not received within a time period. The garage door opener includes a master controller. The master controller receives the event message and communicates the acknowledgement message in response to receiving the event message. Also disclosed is a method of operating the garage door opener system.

A garage door opener system having a garage door opener and a remote input device electrically connected to the garage door opener by an electrical conductor. The remote input device receives power by the electrical conductor. The remote input device includes a device controller to communicate an event message, monitor for an acknowledgement message within a time period, and repeat the event message when the acknowledgement message is not received within a time period. The garage door opener includes a master controller. The master controller receives the event message and communicates the acknowledgement message in response to receiving the event message. Also disclosed is a method of operating the garage door opener system.

The invention relates generally to the field of motorized garage door openers. In particular, the invention relates to wireless safety sensors for garage door openers and garage door opener with a wireless safety sensor. The wireless safety sensor has a wireless communication link with a main control unit of the garage door opener. The wireless safety sensor also has an internal wireless link, i.e., a detection beam link, between a master unit and a slave unit. The wireless safety sensor periodically verifies that the wireless communication link has good signal quality and maintains the quality of the wireless communication link.

The invention relates generally to the field of motorized garage door openers. In particular, the invention relates to wireless safety sensors for garage door openers and garage door opener with a wireless safety sensor. The wireless safety sensor has a wireless communication link with a main control unit of the garage door opener. The wireless safety sensor also has an internal wireless link, i.e., a detection beam link, between a master unit and a slave unit. The wireless safety sensor periodically verifies that the wireless communication link has good signal quality and maintains the quality of the wireless communication link.

A door (20) with a door access system is movable between an open position and a closed position and includes a first side (20A) and a second side (20B). The door (20) further includes a chamber (48) therein. The door (20) further includes a translucent reflective layer (36) mounted to the first side (20A) of the door (20). An intensity of a reflected portion of a light reflected by the translucent reflective layer (36) is greater than an intensity of a transmitted portion of the light transmitted through the second side (20B) to the first side (20A) of the door (20). A door access system (10) is coupled to the door (20) and includes a door access control device (50) mounted in the chamber (48) of the door (20). The door access control device (50) is configured to control opening of the door (20).

A device for monitoring a machine movement of a movable constructional element includes a detecting device and a control device. The detection device comprises at least one transmission unit which transmits a signal, and a reception unit which receives the signal. The control device comprises an evaluation unit which evaluates the signal received at the reception unit. The control device allows the machine movement upon a receipt of the signal at the reception unit, and to output a first triggering pulse to stop the machine movement in an absence of the signal at the reception unit. The evaluation unit comprises a first threshold value measuring unit to detect a signal strength of the signal received at the reception unit and which, upon detection that a predetermined threshold value of a signal strength is fallen short of, outputs a second triggering pulse to stop the machine movement.