Automatic barrier operator system
First Claim
1. In a barrier operator for moving a barrier, such as a gate or garage door, between open and closed positions, said operator including a motor and a drive mechanism interconnecting said barrier with said motor, a control system for said operator for causing said barrier to move between open and closed positions including:
- a base controller including a control circuit, a radio frequency base transmitter and a radio frequency base receiver operably connected to said control circuit for sending a radio frequency signal from said base transmitter in response to a signal from said control circuit, said control circuit being responsive to receiving a signal from said base receiver indicating a radio frequency signal received by said base receiver;
at least one remote control unit including a radio frequency remote receiver and a radio frequency remote transmitter operable for receiving radio frequency signals from said base transmitter and transmitting radio frequency signals to said base receiver; and
a signal processor operably associated with said control system for effecting automatic opening and closing of said barrier depending on the location of said remote control unit being within a predetermined range of said base transmitter.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic barrier operator system for operating a gate or upward acting garage door, for example, includes a controller for operating a reversible motor, a base radio frequency transmitter and a base radio frequency receiver. One or more remote control units include a radio frequency remote receiver and remote transmitter. The controller is operable to automatically close or open the barrier in response to a query signal sent from the base transmitter to the remote receiver and when the remote receiver is within range, returning a signal to effect operation of the barrier. The system is operable to effect operation or maintain the status quo of the barrier depending on the state of the barrier and a particular signal or lack of signal received by the controller from an authorized remote control unit or units. The system provides essentially hands-free automatic operation of opening and closing a garage door and the like.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. In a barrier operator for moving a barrier, such as a gate or garage door, between open and closed positions, said operator including a motor and a drive mechanism interconnecting said barrier with said motor, a control system for said operator for causing said barrier to move between open and closed positions including:
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a base controller including a control circuit, a radio frequency base transmitter and a radio frequency base receiver operably connected to said control circuit for sending a radio frequency signal from said base transmitter in response to a signal from said control circuit, said control circuit being responsive to receiving a signal from said base receiver indicating a radio frequency signal received by said base receiver;
at least one remote control unit including a radio frequency remote receiver and a radio frequency remote transmitter operable for receiving radio frequency signals from said base transmitter and transmitting radio frequency signals to said base receiver; and
a signal processor operably associated with said control system for effecting automatic opening and closing of said barrier depending on the location of said remote control unit being within a predetermined range of said base transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for operating a barrier, such as a gate or garage door, to move between open and closed positions, said barrier being operably connected to an operator system including a controller comprising a base control circuit, a radio frequency base transmitter and a radio frequency base receiver and at least one remote control unit operable to communicate with said base control circuit, said remote control unit including a radio frequency remote transmitter and a radio frequency remote receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
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causing said base transmitter to transmit a radio frequency signal to said remote receiver; and
causing said control circuit to effect one of opening and closing said barrier depending on whether or not said base receiver receives a signal from said remote transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for operating a barrier, such as a gate or garage door, to move between open and closed positions, said barrier being operably connected to an operator system including a controller comprising a base control circuit, a human operator controllable base switch operably connected to said base control circuit, a base signal transmitter and a base signal receiver and at least one remote control unit operable to communicate with said base control circuit, said remote control unit including a remote signal transmitter and a remote signal receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
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causing said barrier to move from one of said positions to the other upon actuation of said base switch;
causing said base transmitter to transmit a signal to said remote receiver; and
causing said control circuit to effect moving said barrier to said one position in response to said base receiver receiving a signal from said remote transmitter in response to said remote receiver receiving a signal from said base transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for operating a barrier, such as a gate or garage door, to move between open and closed positions, said barrier being operably connected to an operator system including a controller comprising a base control circuit, a human operator controllable base switch operably connected to said base control circuit, a radio frequency base transmitter and a radio frequency base receiver and plural remote control units operable to communicate with said base control circuit by way of said base receiver, each of said remote control units including a radio frequency remote transmitter and a radio frequency remote receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
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causing said base transmitter to transmit a radio frequency signal to said remote receivers; and
causing said base control circuit to effect one of opening and closing said barrier dependent on said base receiver receiving signals from said remote transmitters. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification