Method, system and apparatus for opening doors

• US 7,151,351 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2003
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chamblerlain Group LLC, The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Wolfe, Peter, Pastor, Donald, Piechowiak, John, St. Pierre, James H., Dobis, Erick
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US10/730,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20050269984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 318264-267, 318/286, 318466-469, 388/907.5, 340/825, 340/825.69, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 318/466
• 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 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/80 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

An improved garage door opener is disclosed. The garage opener has a motor drive unit for opening and closing a garage door. The motor drive unit has a microcontroller. Connected to the motor drive unit is a wall console that is located inside the garage. The wall console also has a microcontroller. The microcontroller of the motor drive unit is connected to the microcontroller of the wall console by means of a digital data bus.

Claims

1. A barrier movement operator comprising a motor drive unit having a controller with stored operational software for controlling the movement of a barrier, the controller comprising a communication port connected to an external microprocessor for installing operational software via the communicator port.

2. A barrier movement operator according to claim 1, wherein the external microprocessor is comprised by a personal computer.

3. A barrier movement operator according to claim 1, wherein the external microprocessor is comprised by a personal computing device.

4. A barrier movement operator comprising a first motor drive unit for moving a first barrier, a second motor drive unit for moving a second barrier, each motor drive unit comprising a controller connected to a communication port and a digital data communication medium interconnecting the communications ports of the first and second motor drive units to facilitate digital communication between the first and second motor drive units.

5. A barrier movement operator according to claim 4, wherein the digital data communications medium comprises a digital data bus.

6. A barrier movement operator according to claim 5, comprising a wall console connected to the digital data bus for communication with the first and second motor drive units.

7. A barrier movement operator according to claim 6, comprising an additional wall console connected to the digital data bus.