Method and apparatus for transmitting a plurality of different codes at a plurality of different frequencies

• US 6,822,603 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2000
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2000
• 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: Robb, Eric J., Crimmins, Terence E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG Q
• Application Number:
  US09/557,801
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 341/176, 318/443, 318/265, 318/266, 340/825.69, 455/352, 455/353
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

An RF transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of different codes at a plurality of different frequencies is set forth herein. The transmitter offers a new way of multiplexing inputs so that fewer controller I/O ports are needed to read or determine the state of a plurality of inputs. More particularly, the controller is capable of using one pin as both an input port and output port and determines the state of various inputs by detecting changes to the I/O pin. The multiple inputs connected to the controller pin are also connected to a pull down resistor and capacitor, and the controller can determine what state the inputs are in by detecting whether the pin input is at a logic high, low, or some state in between.

Claims

1. A transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of different codes at a plurality of different frequencies, comprising:

a plurality of input devices for specifying a plurality of different codes and a plurality of different bit patterns;

a controller for identifying the different codes and bit patterns by driving and reading pins coupled to said input devices as both outputs and inputs of the controller;

multiplexing circuitry for assisting said controller in driving and reading said input devices; and

transmitter circuitry coupled to said controller for transmitting bit patterns identified by the controller at different frequencies.

2. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said input devices comprise multi-position switches for selecting among a plurality of different codes and DIP switches having a plurality of individual switches for selecting among a plurality of different bit patterns.

3. The transmitter of claim 2, wherein said multiplexing circuitry comprises resistors and capacitors coupled to said DIP switches which allow the controller to detect positions of the individual switches.

4. The transmitter of claim 3 wherein the controller comprises at least one pin connected to a pair of individual switches, one of the pair individual switches being connected to a resistor and one of the pair of individual switches being connected to a capacitor.

5. The transmitter of claim 4, the controller drives and reads at the least one pin to identify states of the individual switches of the pair.

6. A radio frequency transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of codes at a plurality of different radio frequencies comprising:

an input device for selecting among at least two codes and bit patterns, and for transmitting said selected code and bit pattern as a receiver actuation signal;

a controller having a plurality of input pins coupled to said input device for processing said code and bit pattern selections and transmitting output signals responsive to said selections, wherein said controller processes multiple information pertaining to a plurality of said selections from one input pin; and

transmitter circuitry coupled to said controller for receiving said controller output and transmitting said receiver actuation signal.

7. A radio frequency transmitter for actuating a movable barrier operator receiver, each transmitter being capable of transmitting a plurality of codes at a plurality of radio frequencies comprising:

a first input device for selecting transmission of a receiver actuation signal;

second and third user-selectable input devices for selecting a specified code and a specified bit pattern for said actuation signal transmission;

a controller having multiple input pins coupled to said input devices for processing said transmission, code and bit pattern selections and for outputting data responsive to said code and bit pattern input to transmitter circuitry, wherein said controller processes multiple information pertaining to a plurality of said selections from one input pin; and

transmitter circuitry for transmitting said output data at various frequencies associated with said input selections.

8. The radio frequency transmitter of claim 7, wherein said first input device is a push button input device which initiates transmission of said receiver actuation signal.

9. The radio frequency transmitter of claim 8, wherein said second user-selectable input device comprises a multi-position switch which determines a particular code to be transmitted as said actuation signal based upon the position of said multi-positioned switch.

10. The radio frequency transmitter of claim 9, wherein said third user-selectable input device comprises a DIP having a plurality of inner switches which determine a particular bit sequence to be transmitted as said actuation signal based upon the position of said plurality of inner switches.

11. The radio frequency transmitter of claim 10, wherein said controller processes the code, bit sequence and transmission selections from said input devices and outputs data according to said input to transmitter circuitry to transmit particular data at one frequency and other data at another frequency.