Multi-frequency security code transmission and reception

• US 20060109077A1
• Filed: 11/22/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,230,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.640
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/61 Password, biometric

Abstract

A system is disclosed including a transmitter and receiver for the communication of security codes which may be validated at the receiver to operate equipment. In one embodiment, the transmitter transmits a security code at two frequencies contemporaneously to the receiver which may receive both frequencies and resolve the security code therefrom. The receiver may lock onto one frequency when parts of a security code are detected to the exclusion of the other frequency. In another embodiment, the transmitter selectively transmits security codes at a default frequency which is selected because of a recorded count of prior apparent successful transmission.

Claims

1. A security code transmitter comprising:

a source of security codes;

rf transmission apparatus capable of transmitting security codes at a plurality of radio frequencies;

a push button for user actuation;

a controller responsive to a first actuation of the push button for obtaining a security code from the source and controlling the rf transmission apparatus for transmitting a representation of the obtained security code at a default one of the plurality of radio frequencies and responsive to a second actuation of the push button within a predetermined period of time after the first actuation for controlling the transmission apparatus to transmit a representation of the security code at another one of the plurality of radio frequencies.

2. A security code transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of 4 to 40 seconds.

3. A security code transmitter according to claim 1 comprising apparatus responsive to the second actuation within the predetermined period of time for identifying the another of the plurality of radio frequencies to be the default one of the plurality of radio frequencies.

4. A security code transmitter according to claim 1 wherein the controller responds to a second actuation of the push button after the predetermined period of time by transmitting a representation security code obtained from the source at the default one of the plurality of radio frequencies.

5. A security code communication system comprising a transmitter comprising:

a source of security codes;

rf transmission apparatus capable of transmitting security codes at a plurality of radio frequencies;

a push button for user actuation;

a controller responsive to a first actuation of the push button for obtaining a security code from the source and controlling the rf transmission apparatus for transmitting a representation of the obtained security code at a default one of the plurality of radio frequencies and responsive to a second actuation of the push button within a predetermined period of time after the first actuation for controlling the transmission apparatus to transmit a representation of the security code at another one of the plurality of radio frequencies; and

a receiving unit comprising;

rf receiver for receiving both the predetermined one and the second of the plurality of radio frequencies.

6. A security code communication system according to claim 5 comprising apparatus for detecting portions of security codes received by the rf receiver.

7. A security code communication system according to claim 6 wherein the receiving unit, upon detecting portions of a security code at one of the default one or the another of the plurality of radio frequencies continues to receive an detect security codes secured at the frequency to the exclusion of the other frequency.

8. A security code transmitter comprising:

a source of security codes;

rf transmission apparatus capable of transmitting security codes at a plurality of radio frequencies;

a push button for user actuation;

a controller responsive to a first actuation of the push button for measuring the period of time after the first button actuation, for obtaining a security code from the source and controlling the rf transmission apparatus to transmit a representation of the obtained security code at a default one of the plurality of radio frequencies and responsive to a second actuation of the push button for obtaining a security code and being responsive to the period of time since the first button actuation for controlling the transmission apparatus to transmit a representation of the security code at another one of the plurality of radio frequencies.

9. A security code transmitter according to claim 8 wherein the controller responds to a second push button actuation within a predetermined period of time after the first push button actuation for controlling the rf transmission apparatus to transmit a representation of the security code at the another frequency.

10. A security code transmitter according to claim 9 wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of 4 to 40 seconds.

11. A security code transmitter according to claim 9 comprising apparatus responsive to the second actuation within the predetermined period of time for defining the second one of the plurality of radio frequencies to be the default one of the plurality of radio frequencies.

12. A security code transmitter according to claim 9 wherein the controller responds to a second actuation of the push button after the predetermined period of time by transmitting a representation of the security code obtained from the source at the default one of the plurality of radio frequencies.

13. A security code transmitter according to claim 8 wherein the controller maintains a count value in association with each of the plurality of radio frequencies, each count representing the number of the plurality of radio frequencies times the radio frequency associated therewith has been successfully used to transmit a security code.

14. A security code transmitter according to claim 13 in which the controller selects the radio frequency associated with the largest count for use in transmitting a security code.

15. A security code transmitter according to claim 8 including apparatus for locking one of the plurality of radio frequencies for future use in the transmission of security codes.

16. A security code transmitter according to claim 13 wherein the controller responds to the count values associated with each of the plurality of radio frequencies to select and lock the selected frequency for use in transmitting security codes.

17. A security code transmitter according to claim 16 comprising unlock apparatus to unlock a previously locked one of the plurality of frequencies.

18. A security code transmitter according to claim 17 wherein the unlock apparatus is capable of being controlled by a user.