Garage door message display system

Claim 2

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.

Claim 3

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the message display panel is operative to present the visual displays only after the door operator is actuated to move the garage door to the closed position.

Claim 4

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a remote door operator control including a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver, the receiver being connected to actuate the door operator.

Claim 5

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the message generator means includes a clock.

Claim 6

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the message generator means includes a microprocessor-based computer.

Claim 7

The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the computer is operable to maintain a schedule of events and communicate information regarding the schedule to the display panel for presentation thereon.

Claim 8

The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the content of the visual display is determined at least in part by the time and date at which the visual display is presented.

Claim 9

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein electronic communication between the door operator, the display panel and the message generator means is achieved via a household electrical wiring system from which the door operator, the display panel and the message generator means receive electrical power.

Claim 10

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the door operator, the message display panel, and the message generator means are in operative communication with and form part of an integrated home automation system.

Claim 11

The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the visual displays pertain to the operational status of one or more household devices included in the home automation system.

Claim 12

The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the integrated home automation system includes a computer for controlling the operational status of one or more household devices, and actuation of the door between the open and closed positions generates a signal communicated to the computer and used by the computer as an input in its control of the operational status of one or more of the household devices included in the home automation system.

Claim 13

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.

Claim 14

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.

Claim 15

The garage door message display system as defined in claim 12 wherein movement of the garage door between the open and closed positions triggers the production of the visual displays.

Claim 16

The garage door message display system as defined in claim 12 wherein actuation of the door between the open and closed positions generates a signal communicated to the computer, said signal serving as an input to the programmed instructions controlling the operation of one or more of the household devices.

Claim 17

The garage door message display system as defined in claim 12 wherein the computer further functions to maintain a schedule of events, information regarding the schedule being communicated to the message generator means for production of visual displays therefrom.

Claim 18

The garage door message display system as defined in claim 12 wherein the garage door operator is actuated by means of a remote control system comprising a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver, the receiver being connected to the door operator.