Barrier Control System with Auxiliary Power Supply and Auxiliary Power Supply for Barrier Control System

Abstract

The invention relates generally to the field of barrier control systems and in particular relates to barrier control systems, such as a garage door opener, with auxiliary power supply and auxiliary power supply for barrier control systems. A barrier control system, such as a garage door opener, with an auxiliary power supply and an auxiliary power supply for a barrier control system are described. The auxiliary power supply includes a backup battery and a light source that is operable on DC power. The auxiliary power supply includes a sensor to detect whether a DC motor of the barrier control system is powered by the backup battery, and switches on the light source upon detecting the DC motor being powered by the backup battery,

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A barrier control system for controlling operation of a barrier movement mechanism, the barrier control system comprising:
 a microprocessor, said microprocessor receiving user command for operating the barrier movement mechanism,   a direct current (“DC”) motor for driving the barrier movement mechanism, energizing of the DC motor being controlled by the microprocessor,   a light source that can draw DC current directly,   an AC-DC converter unit for converting alternating current (“AC”) power supply to DC power output, the DC motor being powered by said DC power output, and   an auxiliary power supply, said auxiliary power supply being configured to supply backup power to the microprocessor, the light source and the DC motor during power failure of said AC power supply, said auxiliary power supply comprising:
 a backup battery for supplying the backup power, and 
   a sensor to detect the DC motor being powered by the backup battery,   wherein said microprocessor is configured to cause the auxiliary power supply to energize the light source for a pre-selected duration upon detection of the DC motor being powered by the backup battery.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier control system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier control system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is built into the auxiliary power supply. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier control system of  claim 1 , wherein switching-on of the light source is separately controllable. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier control system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor detects a DC current drawn from the backup battery by the DC motor to determine whether the DC motor is powered by the backup battery. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier control system of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier control system is a garage door opener control system and the barrier movement mechanism includes driving mechanism for opening and closing a garage door. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier control system of  claim 1 , wherein the backup battery is electrically connected to the DC power output of the AC-DC converter unit. 
     
     
         8 . An auxiliary power supply for a barrier control system, said barrier control system operating on AC power to control operation of a barrier movement mechanism, the barrier control system having a microprocessor, a DC motor controlled by the microprocessor for driving the barrier movement mechanism, and an AC-DC converter unit for converting AC power supply to DC power output, the auxiliary power supply comprising:
 a backup battery for powering the microprocessor and the DC motor during power failure of the AC power,   a second microprocessor powered by the backup battery, and   a sensor unit to detect the DC motor being powered by the backup battery,   wherein said second microprocessor is configured to switch on a light source that draws DC current from the backup battery for a pre-selected duration upon detection of the DC motor being powered by the backup battery.   
     
     
         9 . The auxiliary power supply of  claim 8 , wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         10 . The auxiliary power supply of  claim 8 , wherein the light source is built into the auxiliary power supply. 
     
     
         11 . The auxiliary power supply of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor unit detects a DC current supplied to the DC motor to determine whether the DC motor is powered by the backup battery. 
     
     
         12 . The auxiliary power supply of  claim 8 , wherein the barrier control system is a garage door opener control system and the barrier movement mechanism includes driving mechanism for opening and closing a garage door. 
     
     
         13 . The auxiliary power supply of  claim 8 , wherein the backup battery is electrically connected to the DC power output of the AC-DC converter unit. 
     
     
         14 . A barrier control system for controlling operation of a barrier movement mechanism, the barrier control system comprising:
 a microprocessor, said microprocessor receiving user command for operating the barrier movement mechanism,   a DC motor for driving the barrier movement mechanism, energizing of the DC motor being controlled by the microprocessor,   a light source that can draw DC current directly,   an AC-DC converter unit for converting AC power supply to DC power output, the DC motor being powered by said DC power output, and   an auxiliary power supply, said auxiliary power supply being configured to supply backup power to the microprocessor, the light source and the DC motor during power failure of said AC power supply, said auxiliary power supply comprising:
 a backup battery for supplying the backup power, and 
 a sensor to detect barrier movement, 
   wherein said microprocessor is configured to cause the auxiliary power supply to energize the light source for a pre-selected duration upon detection of the barrier movement.   
     
     
         15 . The barrier control system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor detects a DC current drawn from the backup battery by the DC motor to determine whether the barrier is moved by the DC motor. 
     
     
         16 . The barrier control system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a light sensor that detects light path interruption by the door movement. 
     
     
         17 . The barrier control system of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is an infrared beam sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The barrier control system of  claim 14 , wherein the barrier control system is a garage door opener control system and the barrier movement mechanism includes driving mechanism for opening and closing a garage door.