Status signal method and apparatus for movable barrier operator and corresponding wireless remote control
First Claim
1. A method for use with a movable barrier operator comprising:
- automatically wirelessly transmitting a status signal regarding at least a first movable barrier operator operating state;
receiving a wireless remote control signal;
automatically taking a predetermined action in response to the remote control signal to thereby effect a change to a corresponding movable barrier operator operating state.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A movable barrier operator (11) transmits status signals from time to time to reflect its own operational states. A corresponding wireless remote control apparatus (14) receives such status signals and used the informational content of such status signals to effect a variety of automatic and/or user-facilitated control strategies. In one embodiment, the wireless remote control apparatus can use the status signal to determine a distance (or at least an approximate distance) between the movable barrier operator and the wireless remote control apparatus. This distance information, in turn, can also be used to inform and enrich the control strategies and possibilities of the wireless remote control apparatus.
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Citations
70 Claims
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1. A method for use with a movable barrier operator comprising:
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automatically wirelessly transmitting a status signal regarding at least a first movable barrier operator operating state;
receiving a wireless remote control signal;
automatically taking a predetermined action in response to the remote control signal to thereby effect a change to a corresponding movable barrier operator operating state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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at a movable barrier operator;
automatically wirelessly transmitting a status signal regarding at least a first movable barrier operator operating state;
at a wireless remote control apparatus;
receiving the status signal;
transmitting a wireless remote control signal;
at the movable barrier operator;
receiving the wireless remote control signal;
automatically taking a predetermined action in response to the remote control signal to thereby effect a change to a corresponding movable barrier operator operating state. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for use with a movable barrier operator remote control apparatus, comprising:
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receiving a wireless transmission comprising a status signal regarding at least a first movable barrier operator operating state;
in response to receiving the status signal, automatically making a corresponding predetermined response. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. A movable barrier operator remote control apparatus comprising:
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a wireless movable barrier operator status condition signal receiver;
a human-discernable prompt that is operably coupled to the receiver and that is responsive to reception of at least a first movable barrier operator status condition signal. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A method for use with a movable barrier operator remote control apparatus, comprising:
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monitoring reception of a wireless transmission comprising a status signal regarding at least a first movable barrier operator operating state;
using the status signal to determine a likely distance between the movable barrier operator remote control apparatus and a movable barrier operator that transmits the status signal;
receiving a user command via a movable barrier operator remote control apparatus user interface;
when the movable barrier operator remote control apparatus is not within a predetermined likely distance of the movable barrier operator, storing the user command;
when at least within the predetermined likely distance of the movable barrier operator, automatically transmitting to the movable barrier any previously stored user commands. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70)
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Specification