Code learning system for a movable barrier operator

• US 6,081,203 A
• Filed: 03/13/1998
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US09/042,167
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/908.1, 340/928, 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 318/16
• US Class Current: 340/12.23
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed

Abstract

A movable barrier or garage door operator has a control head controlling an electric motor connected to a movable barrier or garage door to open and close it. The control head has an RF receiver for receiving RF signals from a hand-held transmitter or a fixed keypad transmitter. The receiver operates the electric motor upon matching a received code with a stored code. The stored codes may be updated or loaded either by enabling the learn mode of the receiver from the fixed keypad transmitter or from a wired control unit positioned within the garage.

Claims

1. A barrier operator for moving a garage door or other barrier, comprising:

an electric motor positioned in a control head;

means for controlling the electric motor in response to receipt of a code when said code matches a stored code;

means for receiving a baseband signal indicative of a code to be stored in a code storage unit;

means for generating a code to be stored in said code storage unit; and

means for enabling code learning, said means for enabling code learning comprising switching means mounted on the control head.

2. A barrier operator for moving a barrier, comprising:

a control head having an electric motor positioned therein;

a transmission connected to the motor for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the barrier;

a wireless receiver for receiving wireless barrier operator command signals and producing barrier operator command signals;

means for detecting the barrier operator command signals;

means for storing a barrier operator command signal template;

a wired control panel for generating a code signal and a light signal;

a control panel signal receiver for connection via a baseband channel to the wired control panel;

a programming switch connected to the control head for generating a code programming signal; and

means for storing the code signal in a memory responsive to the programming signal and the barrier operator command code.

3. A barrier operator for moving a barrier according to claim 2, further comprising means for enabling the code signal storing means for a limited period after receipt of the code programming signal from the programming switch.

4. A barrier operator for moving a movable barrier, comprising:

an electric motor;

means for controlling the electric motor in response to receipt of a code when the code matches a stored code;

a remote baseband signal generator producing a learn mode enable signal for transmission to a code storage unit proximate with the electric motor; and

means for generating a code to be stored in a code storage unit.

5. A barrier operator for moving a movable barrier, comprising:

an electric motor;

a transmission system connectable to the electric motor for providing mechanical drive to the movable barrier;

a radio frequency receiver;

a decoder coupled to receive a demodulated signal from the radio frequency receiver;

means for recognizing a learn mode code received by the radio frequency receiver and producing a learn code enable signal in response thereto; and

means for storing a code received by the radio receiver subsequent to the learn enable code having been received.

6. A barrier operator for moving a movable barrier, comprising:

an electric motor;

a transmission connectable to the electric motor for transmitting mechanical energy to the movable barrier;

means for receiving a serial signal characterized by a variable time characteristic; and

means for enabling or disabling the electric motor in response to said serial signal.