Networked movable barrier operator system

• US 20070146118A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qmotion Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Qmotion Incorporated
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Yan, Garcia, Ben
• Granted Patent: US 8,542,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.710
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24048 Remote test, monitoring, diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24067 Processor stores variables, events and date in eeprom, for external monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2628 Door, window
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/62 Rolling code

Abstract

A network operator radio module (NORM) configured to be removably attached to a barrier operator comprises a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, a transceiver antenna, and a microcontroller. The module communicates with a communication network that comprises various nodes configured by a network controller module and a network communication module. Each node may be associated with a network appliance, and may be remotely controlled by sending a suitable function code to the module via local command signals. Furthermore, various local remote transmitters and keyless entry transmitters are configured to transmit function codes to control the module and the associated various network appliances.

Claims

1. A network barrier operator system having a barrier operator for moving an access barrier between limit positions and a network appliance, the network barrier operator system comprising:

a barrier operator;

a network appliance;

a local transmitter configured to transmit a local communication signal containing a command to control at least one function maintained by said barrier operator and at least one function maintained by said network appliance; and

a network operator radio module (NORM) maintained by said barrier operator and linked to said network appliance, wherein said network operator radio module receives and converts said local communication signal transmitted by said local transmitter into a network communication signal, and transmits said network communication signal to said network appliance.

2. The network operator system according to claim 1, wherein said network operator radio module comprises:

a receiver antenna;

a transceiver antenna; and

a microcontroller coupled to each of said antennas, wherein said receiver antenna is configured to receive said transmitted local communication signal, and said transceiver antenna is configured to transmit said network communication signal.

3. The network operator system according to claim 2, wherein said network operator radio module further comprises:

a memory unit coupled to said microcontroller, said memory unit adapted to store a routing table that identifies one or more of said network appliances.

4. The network operator system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a local accessory learned to said barrier operator; and

said network operator radio module further comprising an accessory antenna coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said accessory antenna transmits an accessory signal to control said local accessory associated with said barrier operator in response to a command sent by said local transmitter.

5. A network barrier operator system comprising:

a barrier operator comprising a barrier controller, said barrier operator having a sleep mode and an operate mode;

a network operator radio module configured to be operatively associated with said barrier operator, said network operator radio module comprising a microcontroller, a receiver, and a transceiver, wherein said receiver and said transceiver are coupled to said microcontroller, and an output of said microcontroller is coupled to said barrier controller such that when a transmitted signal is received by said network operator radio module which contains a command to be carried out by said barrier controller, said barrier operator toggles from said sleep mode to said operate mode.

6. A method for controlling a network appliance comprising:

providing a barrier operator that moves a barrier between limit positions, said barrier operator linked to a network operator radio module;

receiving at least one local communication signal containing a command from a local transmitter and converting said local communication signal to a network communication signal containing said command by said network operator radio module; and

transmitting said network communication signal containing said command to a communication network maintaining at least one network communication module associated with a network appliance, wherein said communication module controls said network appliance in accordance with said command.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

storing and generating a routing table of said at least one network communication module at said barrier operator.

8. The method according to claim 6 further comprising:

receiving at said network operator radio module either said at least one local communication signal or a network signal containing said command;

determining whether said at least one received signal comprises an operator command associated with an operator function code to be carried out by said barrier operator; and

forwarding said operator function code to said barrier operator if said received signal contains an operator command.

9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

carrying out an operation at said barrier operator in accordance with said forwarded operator command.

10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

receiving at said network operator radio module either said at least one local communication signal or a network signal containing said command;

determining whether said at least one received signal comprises a network appliance command associated with a network appliance function code to be carried out by said network appliance; and

forwarding said network appliance command to the communication network module if said received signal contains said network appliance function code.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

carrying out an operation at said network appliance in accordance with said forwarded network appliance command.

12. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

generating, prior to said receiving step, a routing table associating each of the at least one network communication modules with one another; and

storing said routing table at said network operator radio module.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

displaying status information of said at least one network communication module.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

automatically displaying a status of said appliance upon completion of a function performed by said appliance.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

displaying a status of said appliance upon completion of a function performed by said appliance only upon specific request of a user.