Power conserving mobile transmitter

• US 20080164973A1
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Inventors: Mamaloukas, Jason L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,956,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.7
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00888 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An operator system and related methods for automatically controlling access barriers which include a base controller associated with at least one access barrier and at least one base receiver associated with the base controller. The system also includes a mobile transmitter configured to be carried by a carrying device, such as a vehicle. The mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generates a mobile signal received by the base receiver. The base controller selectively generates barrier movement commands upon receipt of the at least one mobile signal. Furthermore, the mobile transmitter includes an accelerometer to detect when the carrying device is moving so as to selectively turn the mobile transmitter on and off in order to conserver power.

Claims

1. A system for controlling an access barrier comprising:

a base operator to actuate the access barrier, said base operator adapted to communicate learning data only in a learn mode and receive operational data only when in an operate mode;

at least one mobile transmitter including a motion detector and a transceiver, said transceiver adapted to communicate learning data only when in said learn mode and transmit operational data only when in said operate mode, said at least one mobile transmitter and said base operator being learned to each other by exchanging learning data, thereby enabling said at least one mobile transmitter to actuate said base operator when said motion detector detects movement and is in said operate mode.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said base operator includes a base transceiver.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile transmitter is a hands-free device.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said learning data includes a communication frequency selected by said base operator.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said learning data comprises a security code.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said security code comprises a rolling code.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the exchange of said learning data results in the selection of a communication frequency for use by said base operator and said at least one mobile transmitter.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said motion detector is an accelerometer.

9. An operator system for automatically controlling access barriers, comprising:

a base controller associated with at least one access barrier;

at least one base transceiver associated with said base controller; and

at least one mobile transmitter including a motion detector and a transceiver, said at least one mobile transmitter generating at least one mobile signal for receipt by said base controller when said motion detector detects movement, said base controller configured to receive said mobile signal and said base controller and said at least one mobile transmitter adapted to exchange learning data between each other in a learn mode, so as to be learned to each other; and

wherein if said at least one mobile transmitter and said base controller are learned to each other, said mobile signal is detectable by said at least one base receiver, said base controller selectively generating barrier movement commands depending upon whether said at least one mobile signal is received or not.

10. The operator system according to claim 9, wherein said learning data comprises a security code.

11. The operator system according to claim 10, wherein said security code comprises a rolling code.

12. The operator system according to claim 9, wherein said a communication frequency is selected during the exchange of said learning data in said learn mode.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein said motion detector is an accelerometer.

14. A method of detecting movement of a carrying device comprising:

providing a mobile transmitter that is by default in a sleep mode, said mobile transmitter having an accelerometer that monitors movements in at least one axis of movement;

determining whether movement along at least one axis of movement is changing;

activating said mobile transmitter out of said sleep mode if movement along said at least one axis of movement is changing.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

generating a mobile signal if movement along said at least one axis of movement is changing.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

returning the mobile transmitter to a sleep mode if no movement along said at least one axis of movement is detected.

17. A mobile transmitter, comprising:

a power supply;

an activity sensor connected to said power supply, said activity sensor detecting motion thereof and generating a detection signal; and

an emitter connected to said power supply, said emitter generating a mobile signal upon generation of said detection signal.

18. The transmitter according to claim 17, wherein said activity sensor comprises an accelerometer detecting motion at least along one axis thereof, said accelerometer generating said detection signal.

19. The transmitter according to claim 18, further comprising:

a processor connected to said power supply, said processor periodically checking said accelerometer and receiving said detection signal, said processor connected to said emitter and causing said emitter to generate said mobile signal upon generation of said detection signal.

20. The transmitter according to claim 19, wherein said accelerometer monitors acceleration along one or more axes of motion, and generates said detection signal upon detection of a change in at least one axis of motion.

21. The mobile transmitter according to claim 17, further comprising:

an actuation button connected to said emitter, wherein actuation of said actuation button causes said emitter to generate said mobile signal.