Simplified method and apparatus for programming a universal transmitter

• US 20040207537A1
• Filed: 04/25/2001
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Cacciatore, Joseph John, McCarthy, Mark A. Jr., Keller, Robert Roy Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,325,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.72
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

A universal transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of signals at a plurality of different modulations and frequencies which provides a simplified programming setup so that multiple signal configurations (including code format, modulation format and frequency) can be programed quickly and easily. The transmitter comprises a signal configuration input which an operator can use to select a desired signal configuration for transmission, a controller for interpreting the selected signal configuration, storing it to memory, retrieving it when the appropriate user input is depressed, and outputting it to a transmitter circuit capable of transmitting the selected signal configuration received from the controller at a predetermined modulation and frequency, and at least one user input for actuating the transmitter and identifying to the controller what signal configuration is to be transmitted by the transmitter.

Claims

1. A transmitter for transmitting a plurality of signals at a plurality of modulations and frequencies comprising:

a signal configuration input for use by an operator to select signal configuration settings for transmitter signals;

a controller responsive to the signal configuration input for storing the selected signal configurations in memory locations;

a plurality of user inputs;

apparatus responsive to each user input for retrieving the signal configuration associated therewith; and

transmitter circuitry for transmitting, the selected signal configuration received from the controller at a predetermined frequency.

2. A transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of user inputs comprises:

a plurality of user inputs each associated with a stored signal configuration.

3. A transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the signal configuration input further comprise:

a multi-position switch for selecting a type of transmitter that is to be emulated; and

a multi-position switch for selecting, a code to be transmitted by the transmitter.

4. A transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the user inputs comprise:

a first switch capable of identifying to the controller the location of a first signal configuration to be retrieved and transmitted; and

a second switch capable of identifying to the controller the location of a second signal configuration to be retrieved and transmitted.

5. A transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuitry comprises:

a single transmitter circuit for selectively transmitting a signal at one of a plurality of different frequencies.

6. A transmitter according to claim 5, wherein the single transmitter circuit further comprises a transmitter circuit selectively operable at frequencies of 300 MHZ, 310 MHZ and 390 MHZ.

7. A universal transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuitry comprises:

a first transmitter circuit capable of transmitting at a first predetermined frequency; and

a second transmitter circuit capable of transmitting at a second predetermined frequency.

8. A method of programming a universal transmitter comprising:

setting a signal configuration input to a first set of desired positions corresponding to a first signal configuration;

storing the first signal configuration into a first memory location;

setting the signal configuration input to a second set of desired positions corresponding to a second signal configuration;

storing the second signal configuration into a second memory location;

associating one of a plurality of user inputs with each stored signal configuration; and

receiving one of the plurality of user inputs and transmitting the stored signal configuration associated therewith.

9. A method of programming a transmitter comprising:

setting a signal configuration input to a first set of desired positions corresponding to a first signal configuration;

selecting a desired user input with which the first selected signal configuration is to be associated;

storing the first selected signal configuration into a first memory location;

setting the signal configuration input to a second set of desired positions corresponding to a second signal configuration;

selecting a desired user input with which the second selected signal configuration is to be associated; and

storing the second selected signal configuration into a second memory location.

10. A method of programming a transmitter including a plurality of multi-position signal configuration switches comprising:

setting the multi-position switches to a first set of desired positions corresponding to a first signal configuration;

selecting a desired user input during a first learn mode operation with which the first selected signal configuration is to be associated;

storing the first signal configuration into a first memory location;

setting the multi-position switches to a second set of desired positions corresponding to a second signal configuration;

selecting a desired user input during a second learn mode operation with which the second selected signal configuration is to be associated; and

storing the second signal configuration into a second memory location.

11. A method according to claim 10, comprising:

depressing a predetermined user input for a predetermined period of time in order to place the transmitter into a learn mode.

12. A method according to claim 10, comprising:

identifying from the selected multi-position switch settings a type of transmitter to be emulated.

13. A method according to claim 10, comprising:

identifying from the selected multi-position switch settings a code format to be transmitted.

14. A method according to claim 10, comprising:

identifying from the selected multi-position switch settings a modulation format at which a signal is to be transmitted.

15. A method according to claim 10, comprising:

identifying from the selected multi-position settings a frequency at which a signal is to be transmitted.