Abstract: An automatic door opening safety system particularly for use with garage doors is provided. The garage door includes a leading edge that moves from the open position, where the leading edge defines the top of the opening and a closed position, where the leading edge contacts the ground. A controller is provided for controlling movement of the door. An activation member provides an input to the controller to initiate movement of the door. A non-contact detector detects whether an obstruction is in the path of the door. The non-contact detector is positioned in front of the leading edge of the door, such that obstructions are detected at a predetermined distance in front of the leading edge of said door.

Abstract: An automatic door opening safety system particularly for use with garage doors is provided. The garage door includes a leading edge that moves from the open position, where the leading edge defines the top of the opening and a closed position, where the leading edge contacts the ground. A controller is provided for controlling movement of the door. An activation member provides an input to the controller to initiate movement of the door. A detection member is provided for detecting obstructions in the path of the garage door. The detection member includes an infrared transmitter for transmitting an infrared signal to the infrared receiver of the controller.

Abstract: A wireless safety system for a garage door opener adapted for use at least in part with an independent energy source is provided. The wireless safety system includes a control circuit for controlling movement of the garage door. An activation member provides an input to the control circuit to initiate motion of the garage door. A detecting member detects whether an obstruction is provided in the path of the garage door. The detecting member includes a first state, wherein the detection member does not detect obstructions and consumes minimal energy, and a second state wherein the detection member detects obstructions. The detection member is selectively switchable between the first state (dormant) and the second state (active) by the control circuit.