Automatic barrier operator system
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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.
40 Citations
51 Claims
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1-29. -29. (canceled)
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30. 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, 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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transmitting a radio frequency signal to said remote receivers;
receiving a signal from a remote transmitter of one of said plural remote control units at said base receiver; and
causing said base control circuit to effect one of opening and closing said barrier dependent on said base receiver receiving a signal which includes an identifier of said remote control unit. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. 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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transmitting a radio frequency signal to said remote receiver; and
effecting one of opening and closing said barrier depending on whether or not said base receiver receives a signal from said remote transmitter including an identifier of said remote transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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45. The method set forth in Clam 43 wherein:
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said operator system includes a human operator controllable base switch operably connected to said base control circuit, and said method further includes the steps of;
causing said base transmitter to transmit a radio frequency signal to said remote receiver;
actuating said base switch to effect opening of said barrier; and
causing said controller to maintain said barrier in an open condition as long as said base receiver receives a signal from said remote transmitter.
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Specification