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

• US 6,915,146 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2000
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hung, Wojciak, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US09/557,690
• Time in Patent Office: 1,897 Days
• Field of Search: 455/702, 455/176.1, 455/178.1, 455/188.1, 455/227, 455/229, 455/267, 455/334, 455/343, 455/703, 455/127, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340 561- 564
• US Class Current: 455/702
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/61 Signal comprising different frequencies, e.g. frequency hopping
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/06 Receivers

Abstract

A receiver capable of receiving a plurality of different codes at a plurality of different frequencies is set forth herein. The receiver offers digital frequency control by using a controller driven signal diode to add or remove capacitance to or from a band pass filter circuit, thereby altering the frequency the bandpass filter is setup to receive. Input devices allow the receiver code, bit pattern, and relay output to be selected among a plurality of different codes, bit patterns, and relay output types. The receiver processes the selections, determines what frequency receiver actuation signal is to be received, and alters the bias of the signal diode to adjust the bandpass filter frequency accordingly.

Claims

1. A receiver capable of receiving a plurality of different codes at a plurality of different frequencies, comprising:

an input device for selection among a plurality of different codes and a plurality of different bit patterns wherein at least some of the plurality of different bit patterns differ from one another with respect to packet length;

an antenna for receiving a receiver actuation signal;

digital frequency control circuitry;

a controller for comparing said received receiver actuation signal to said code and bit pattern selections; and

output circuitry for responding to the receipt of a receiver actuation signal that matches said code and bit pattern selections.

2. The receiver of claim 1 wherein said digital frequency control circuitry comprises a signal diode capable of adding and removing discrete components from a bandpass filter.

3. The receiver of claim 2 wherein said input device for selecting among a plurality of different codes is a multi-position switch.

4. The receiver of claim 2 wherein said input device for selecting among a plurality of different bit patterns is a DIP switch.

5. A super-regenerative receiver capable of receiving a plurality of different codes at a plurality of different frequencies, comprising:

an input device for selection among a plurality of different codes and a plurality of different bit patterns wherein at least some of the plurality of different bit patterns differ from one another with respect to packet length;

an antenna for receiving a receiver actuation signal;

digital frequency control circuitry;

a controller for comparing said received receiver actuation signal to said code and bit pattern selections; and

output circuitry for responding to the receipt of a receiver actuation signal that matches said code and bit pattern selections.

6. A radio frequency receiver for receiving a plurality of actuation signals from a movable barrier operator transmitter, each receiver being capable of receiving a plurality of coded signals comprising:

a plurality of different codes; and

different bit patterns wherein at least some of the bit patterns differ from one another with respect to packet length;

at a plurality of different frequencies, comprising;

first and second user-selectable input devices for selecting a specified code and a specified bit pattern for receiving said actuation signals;

a controller coupled to said input devices for processing said code and bit pattern selections and outputting data responsive to said input; and

receiver circuitry responsive to said controller output data for receiving particular actuation signals at one frequency and receiving particular other actuation signals at another frequency.

7. The radio frequency receiver of claim 6, wherein said first user-selectable input device comprises a multi-position switch which determines a particular code to be received as said actuation signal based upon the position of said multi-positioned switch.

8. The radio frequency receiver of claim 7, wherein said second user-selectable input device comprises a dual in-line packaged switch having a plurality of inner switches which determine a particular bit sequence to be received as said actuation signal based upon the position of said plurality of inner switches.

9. The radio frequency receiver of claim 8, wherein said controller processes the code and bit sequence selections from said input devices and outputs data according to said input to said receiver circuitry causing said receiver circuitry to receive particular data at one frequency and other data at another frequency.