Apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling gate operators via power line communication

• US 20080094186A1
• Filed: 10/04/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Viking Access Systems, LLC (FAAC S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Viking Access Systems, LLC (FAAC S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Tehranchi, Ali, Perez, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/545,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20080094186A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/12.33
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00904 for hotels, motels, office buildings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5416 by adding signals to the wave form of the power source
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus and method for controlling, monitoring and upgrading information via a power line that typically only supplies power to a gate operation system. By introducing an electrical signal to a power line along a frequency not used for the purposes of supplying electricity, signals and commands can propagate through a local power grid so that a user, for example a technician, may set, adjust and upgrade parameters of a gate operator in the comfort of a room that shares the same power grid as the gate operation system.

Claims

1. A method for a user to communicate with a movable barrier operator through a power grid comprising the steps of:

connecting a communication unit to said power grid to communicate with said movable barrier operator;

receiving a command signal from said user;

deriving a control signal from said command signal from said user; and

modulating a power line signal to carry said control signal to said movable barrier operator over said power grid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step for modulating a power line signal utilizes frequency shift keying modulation.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step for modulating a power line signal utilizes phase-shift keying modulation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step for modulating a power line signal utilizes orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing modulation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step for modulating a power line signal utilizes amplitude-shift keying modulation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said movable barrier operator is a gate operator.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising

receiving a response signal from said movable barrier operator carrying a data responsive to said control signal over said power grid;

and

demodulating said response signal and displaying said data on said communication device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said response signal from said movable barrier operator further comprises of a signal from a sensor connected to said movable barrier operator.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said communication unit and said movable barrier operator are connected to a common power grid.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said communication unit monitors and controls said movable barrier operator that is connected to said power grid.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said communication unit diagnosis and analyzes an operation of said movable barrier operator that is connected to said power grid.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said communication unit is used to adjust a parameter of said movable barrier operator that is connected to said power grid.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said communication unit is used to upgrade a software of the movable barrier operator that is connected to said power grid.

14. An apparatus for communicating with a movable barrier operator through a power grid comprising:

a power grid interface to connect said apparatus to said power grid;

a first circuitry configured to receive a command signal;

a controller to derive a control signal from said command signal; and

a second circuitry configured to modulate a power line signal to carry said control signal to said movable barrier operator over said power grid.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said controller receives a response signal from said movable barrier operator carrying a data responsive to said control signal over said power grid.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second circuitry demodulates said response signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said apparatus and said movable barrier operator are connected to a common power grid.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a display configured to present said data in a graphical and an alphanumerical format.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said data further comprises a set of information from a sensor connected to said movable barrier operator.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said data further comprises a power line voltage of the movable barrier operator.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said data further comprises a battery voltage of the movable barrier operator.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said data further comprises an internal control board voltage from a power supply.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said data further comprises an internal reference voltage said power supply.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said data further comprises an instantaneous consumption current of an internal device.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said data further comprises a motor voltage, current, speed, and position.

26. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said display is self illuminated.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

an internal storage for retrieval and display of a preloaded installation instruction manual.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the preloaded installation instruction manual includes an installation steps, a drawing, a dimension, and a set of procedures.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein a USB interface is connected to the controller to allow for software upgrades.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein a flash card interface is connected to the controller for expandable memory.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein a JTAG interface is connected to the controller for troubleshooting.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a speaker is connected to the controller.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein a microphone is connected to the controller.

34. A monitoring device for a user to communicate with a movable barrier operator through a power grid comprising:

a power grid interface to connect said monitoring device to said power grid;

a first circuitry configured to receive a command signal from said user;

a controller for;

deriving a control signal from said command signal, and

receiving a response signal from said movable barrier operator carrying a data responsive to said control signal over said power grid;

a second circuitry configured for;

modulating a power line signal to carry said control signal to said movable barrier operator over said power grid, and

demodulating said response signal; and

a display configured to present said data in a graphical and an alphanumerical format,

wherein said data further comprises of a set of information from a sensor connected to said movable barrier operator.