Moveable Barrier Operator Feature Adjustment System and Method

• US 20090146777A1
• Filed: 12/06/2007
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J., Laird, Edward T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,416,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.700
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence

Abstract

At a moveable barrier operator, parameters are adjusted. At a first time, the moveable barrier operator is configured with at least one parameter and adjustment of the at least one parameter is disabled until a predetermined identification signal is received. At a second time, the predetermined identification signal is received and the at least one parameter is responsively adjusted.

Claims

1. A method for parameter adjustment of a moveable barrier operator comprising:

at a moveable barrier operator;

at a first time, configuring the moveable barrier operator with at least one parameter and disabling adjustment of the at least one parameter until a predetermined identification signal is received; and

at a second time, receiving the predetermined identification signal and responsively adjusting the at least one parameter.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first time occurs during manufacturing of the moveable barrier operator.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined identification signal includes a predetermined code.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein responsively adjusting the at least one parameter comprises enabling a feature of the moveable barrier operator.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein responsively adjusting the at least one parameter comprises modifying an already enabled feature of the moveable barrier operator.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the already enabled feature comprises a force limit.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising learning a presence of a secure transmitter device that sends the predetermined identification signal and verifying an identity of the secure transmitter device.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein responsively adjusting the at least one parameter comprises automatically adjusting the at last one parameter according to received instructions.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein responsively adjusting the at least one parameter comprises manually adjusting at least one actuator at the moveable barrier operator.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing adjustment of the at least one parameter for only a predetermined time period.

11. A moveable barrier operator comprising:

a motor configured and arranged to move a barrier;

an interface configured and arranged to receive a predetermined identification signal;

at least one parameter being configured at a first time; and

a controller coupled to the motor and the interface, the controller being configured and arranged to disable adjustment of the at least one parameter until the predetermined identification signal is received at the interface at a second time, which second time is later than the first time.

12. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 wherein the first time occurs during manufacturing of the moveable barrier operator.

13. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 wherein the predetermined identification signal includes a predetermined code.

14. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 wherein the at least one parameter is associated with enabling a feature of the moveable barrier operator.

15. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 wherein the at least one parameter is associated with modifying an already enabled feature of the moveable barrier operator.

16. The moveable barrier operator of claim 15 wherein the already enabled feature comprises a force limit.

17. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 wherein the controller is further configured and arranged to learn a presence of a secure transmitter device sending the predetermined identification signal and to responsively verify an identity of the secure transmitter device.

18. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 wherein the controller is configured and arranged to automatically adjust the at least one parameter based upon instructions received at the interface.

19. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 further comprising an adjustment member, and wherein the adjustment member is configured and arranged to provide for manual adjustment of the at least one parameter.

20. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 the controller is configured and arranged to allow adjustment of the at least one parameter for only a predetermined time period.