Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Providing Power to Remote Peripheral Devices for Use with A Movable Barrier Operator System

• US 20080186129A1
• Filed: 02/01/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,143,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00603 by power transmission from lock
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/23 characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices

Abstract

Operating power (207 and/or 209) is wirelessly transmitted (101) within a movable barrier operator system (200) to at least one remote peripheral device (204) to thereby provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements. By these teachings, this remote peripheral device and the movable barrier operator for the movable barrier operator system are able to transmit information there between separate and apart from such wireless transmission of operating power. Such an exchange might comprise, for example, one or more separate wireless transmissions that are distinct and separate from the wireless power transmissions.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

within a movable barrier operator system;

wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device for use with the movable barrier operator system to thereby provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements;

at a movable barrier operator, at least one of providing to and receiving information from the at least one remote peripheral device separate and apart from wirelessly transmitting the operating power.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting power to a handheld remote control device that is configured and arranged to provide movable barrier operator remote control signals with a purpose of facilitating recharging of a portable power supply as corresponds to the handheld remote control device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one remote peripheral device comprises at least one of:

a movable barrier operator user control interface;

an obstacle detector.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device comprises wirelessly transmitting operating power to a plurality of remote peripheral devices.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the plurality of remote peripheral devices comprise, at least in part, at least one movable barrier operator user control interface and an obstacle detector.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device to thereby provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements further comprises wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device to thereby:

provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements; and

provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s power recharging requirements.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device comprises, at least in part, determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission comprises, at least in part, determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission as a function, at least in part, of an operating state of a movable barrier as is controlled by the movable barrier operator.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission comprises, at least in part, determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission as a function, at least in part, of a power request transmitted from the at least one remote peripheral device.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission comprises, at least in part, determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission as a function, at least in part, of an operating state of at least one remote peripheral device.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one remote peripheral device comprises the remote peripheral device.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission comprises, at least in part, automatically determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein automatically determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission comprises, at least in part, automatically determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission as a function, at least in part, of a desired operating state of the at least one remote peripheral device.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein:

wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device to thereby provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements comprises wireless transmitting the operating power using a first bearer frequency; and

at least one of providing to and receiving information from the at least one remote peripheral device separate and apart from wirelessly transmitting the operating power comprises at least one of providing to and receiving the information using a second bearer frequency that is different than the first bearer frequency.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first bearer frequency comprises an Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band frequency.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second bearer frequency does not comprise an ISM band frequency.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device comprises wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device using only a single transmission antenna.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein using only a single transmission antenna comprises using an omni-directional transmission antenna.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein using only a single transmission antenna comprises using a directional transmission antenna.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device further comprises configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device comprises configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct a substantial portion of its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct a substantial portion of its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device comprises, at least in part, configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct a substantial portion of its radiated energy towards a plurality of the remote peripheral devices.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct a substantial portion of its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device further comprises configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct a majority portion of its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device comprises wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device using a plurality of transmission antennas.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device using a plurality of transmission antennas comprises wirelessly transmitting operating power using a first bearer frequency with a first one of the plurality of transmission antennas and wirelessly transmitting operating power using a second bearer frequency, which second bearer frequency is different from the first bearer frequency, with a second one of the plurality of transmission antennas, which second one of the plurality of transmission antennas is different from the first one of the plurality of transmission antennas.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein using a plurality of transmission antennas comprises using at least one directional transmission antenna.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein using at least one directional transmission antenna comprises using a plurality of directional transmission antennas.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein using a plurality of directional transmission antennas further comprises, at least in part:

wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least a first remote peripheral device to thereby provide at least a portion of the first remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements using a first one of the plurality of directional transmission antennas;

wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least a second remote peripheral device, which second remote peripheral device is different from the first remote peripheral device, to thereby provide at least a portion of the second remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements using a second one of the plurality of directional transmission antennas, which second one of the plurality of directional transmission antennas is different from the first one of the plurality of directional transmission antennas.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

directing the at least one directional transmission antenna at the at least one remote peripheral device.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein directing the at least one directional transmission antenna at the at least one remote peripheral device comprises, at least in part:

wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device while varying the at least one directional transmission antenna'"'"'s directionality to provide corresponding results;

selecting a particular directionality as a function, at least in part, of the corresponding results.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein providing corresponding results comprises, at least in part, rendering the corresponding results ascertainable via the at least one remote peripheral device.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein rendering the corresponding results ascertainable via the at least one remote peripheral device comprises, at least in part, rendering the corresponding results visually ascertainable via a display.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein rendering the corresponding results ascertainable via the at least one remote peripheral device comprises, at least in part, rendering the corresponding results audibly ascertainable via an audio transducer.

34. The method of claim 30 wherein providing corresponding results comprises, at least in part, rendering the corresponding results ascertainable via the movable barrier operator.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein rendering the corresponding results ascertainable via the movable barrier operator comprises, at least in part, rendering the corresponding results visually ascertainable via a display.

36. The method of claim 31 wherein rendering the corresponding results ascertainable via the movable barrier operator comprises, at least in part, rendering the corresponding results audibly ascertainable via an audio transducer.

37. The method of claim 1 wherein wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device comprises wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device having an external antenna configured and arranged to compatibly receive the operating power.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the external antenna comprises, at least in part, an electrically conductive receiver element that is supported, at least in part, by an electrically non-conductive material.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the electrically non-conductive material comprises, at least in part, an adhesive material to facilitate mounting the external antenna to a selected surface during installation.

40. An apparatus comprising:

a power input to facilitate operable coupling to a source of power;

a power output operably coupled to the power input and being configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit operating power to at least one remote peripheral device for use with a movable barrier operator system, separate and apart from any wireless transmission of information between a movable barrier operator and the remote peripheral device, to thereby provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the at least one remote peripheral device comprises at least one of:

a movable barrier operator user control interface;

an obstacle detector.

42. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit operating power to a plurality of the remote peripheral devices.

43. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit operating power to at least one remote peripheral device to thereby provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements further comprises wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device to thereby:

provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements; and

provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s power recharging requirements.

44. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit operating power to at least one remote peripheral device by, at least in part, determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to determine when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission by, at least in part, determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission as a function, at least in part, of an operating state of a movable barrier as is controlled by the movable barrier operator.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to determine when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission by, at least in part, determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission as a function, at least in part, of a power request transmitted from the at least one remote peripheral device.

47. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to determine when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission by, at least in part, determining when to use a first level of power transmission and when to use at least a second level of power transmission that is different from the first level of power transmission as a function, at least in part, of an operating state of at least one remote peripheral device.

48. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit operating power to at least one remote peripheral device to thereby provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements comprises wireless transmitting the operating power using a first bearer frequency.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the first bearer frequency comprises an Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band frequency.

50. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit operating power to at least one remote peripheral device by wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device using only a single transmission antenna.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the single transmission antenna comprises an omni-directional transmission antenna.

52. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the single transmission antenna comprises a directional transmission antenna.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the directional transmission antenna configured and arranged to direct its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the directional transmission antenna is configured and arranged to direct its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device by configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct a substantial portion of its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the directional transmission antenna is configured and arranged to direct a substantial portion of its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device by, at least in part, configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct a substantial portion of its radiated energy towards a plurality of the remote peripheral devices.

56. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the directional transmission antenna is configured and arranged to direct a substantial portion of its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device by configuring and arranging the directional transmission antenna to direct a majority portion of its radiated energy towards the at least one remote peripheral device.

57. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit operating power to at least one remote peripheral device by wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least one remote peripheral device using a plurality of transmission antennas.

58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit operating power to at least one remote peripheral device using a plurality of transmission antennas by wirelessly transmitting operating power using a first bearer frequency with a first one of the plurality of transmission antennas and wirelessly transmitting operating power using a second bearer frequency, which second bearer frequency is different from the first bearer frequency, with a second one of the plurality of transmission antennas, which second one of the plurality of transmission antennas is different from the first one of the plurality of transmission antennas.

59. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein at least one of the transmission antennas comprises a directional transmission antenna.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the directional transmission antenna comprises a plurality of directional transmission antennas.

61. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein the power output is further configured and arranged to use a plurality of directional transmission antennas by, at least in part:

wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least a first remote peripheral device to thereby provide at least a portion of the first remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements using a first one of the plurality of directional transmission antennas;

wirelessly transmitting operating power to at least a second remote peripheral device, which second remote peripheral device is different from the first remote peripheral device, to thereby provide at least a portion of the second remote peripheral device'"'"'s instantaneous power consumption requirements using a second one of the plurality of directional transmission antennas, which second one of the plurality of directional transmission antennas is different from the first one of the plurality of directional transmission antennas.