Code learning system for a movable barrier operator

• US 6,414,587 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1998
• 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): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bangachon, William L.
• Application Number:
  US09/444,175
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.22, 340/5.7, 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 379/93.02, 379/93.05, 379/102.01, 379/102.06
• US Class Current: 340/5.22
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/106 Lighting
• 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 code responsive security system for an operational apparatus, comprising:

a controller for controlling the operational apparatus in response to receipt of a received code when said received code matches a stored code;

a receiver for receiving a base band signal indicative of a code to be stored in a code storage unit;

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

,

an input device for enabling code learning.

2. A code responsive security system, comprising:

a wireless receiver for receiving wireless command signals and producing authorization signals;

a command detector for detecting the authorization signals;

a storage device for storing an authorization signal template;

a wired control panel for generating a code signal;

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

an input device for generating a code programming signal; and

a storage device for storing the code signal in a memory responsive to the programming signal and the authorization signal.

3. A code responsive security system according to claim 2, further comprising a timer for enabling the code signal storing means for a limited period after receipt of the code programming signal from the input device.

4. A code responsive security system for an operational apparatus, comprising:

a controller for controlling the operational apparatus 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 of the security system; and

a code generator for generating a code to be stored in the code storage unit.

5. A code responsive security system, comprising:

a radio frequency receiver;

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

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

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

6. A code responsive security system for an operational apparatus, comprising:

a serial communication receiver receiving a serial signal characterized by a variable time characteristic; and

a controller for enabling or disabling the operational apparatus in response to said serial signal.