Multi-frequency security code transmission and reception

• US 20060109078A1
• Filed: 11/22/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chamblerlain Group LLC, The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Johnson, Keith, Keller, Robert R. Jr., Markwart, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,589,615 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 to the exclusion of the other frequency when parts of a security code are detected. 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 a security code;

rf transmission apparatus capable of transmitting security code portions at a first rf frequency and a second rf frequency; and

control apparatus which obtains a security code from the source and controls the rf transmission to contemporaneously transmit portions of the obtained security code at both the first rf frequency and the second rf frequency.

2. A transmitter, according to claim 1 wherein the security code is repetitively transmitted at both the first rf frequency and the second rf frequency.

3. A transmitter, according to claim 1 wherein the rf transmission apparatus comprises first transmission circuitry for transmitting at the first rf frequency and second transmission circuitry for transmitting at the second rf frequency.

4. A transmitter, according to claim 1 where each security code comprises a plurality of security code portions and the transmission apparatus transmits security code portions in a sequence.

5. A transmitter in accordance with claim 4 wherein the sequence of security code portions are repetitively transmitted at both the first rf frequency and the second rf frequency.

6. A transmitter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transmission apparatus transmits portions of a security code at both the first and the second rf frequencies by transmitting a sequence of security code portions each separated by a non-transmission interval.

7. A transmitter in accordance with claim 6 wherein a time duration of transmitting a code portion is less than a time interval of non-transmission.

8. A transmitter in accordance with claim 7 wherein the security code portions are transmitted at the second rf frequency during the non-transmission intervals of the transmission at the first rf frequency.

9. A transmitter in accordance with claim 8 wherein the security code portions are transmitted at the first rf frequency during the non-transmission intervals of the transmission at the second rf frequency.

10. A transmitter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transmission apparatus comprises a first transmission circuit tuned to transmit a the first rf frequency and a second transmission circuit tuned to transmit at the second rf frequency.

11. A transmitter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transmission apparatus comprises a controllable transmission circuit adaptable in response to the control apparatus for selectively transmitting at the first rf frequency and the second rf frequency.

12. A security code receiver comprising:

antenna circuit for receiving rf transmitted security codes;

receiving apparatus connected to the antenna circuitry for receiving security codes at a first rf frequency and a second rf frequency;

a controller connected to the receiving apparatus for detecting signals received at both the first and the second rf frequency and, upon detection of the presence of a security code on one of the first and second rf frequencies for continuing to detect security codes at that frequency to the exclusion of the other frequency.

13. A security code receiver according to claim 12 wherein the controller alternates between the detection of security codes on the first and the second frequency.

14. A security code receiver according to claim 13 wherein the controller terminates alternating detection when the presence of a security code is detected at one of the first or second frequencies.

15. A barrier movement operator comprising:

antenna circuit for receiving rf transmitted security codes;

receiving apparatus connected to the antenna circuitry for receiving and validating security codes at a first rf frequency and a second rf frequency, different than the first rf frequency.