Pre-installed appliance with warning system and methods of operation

• US 7,190,266 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Yan, Bennett, Thomas B. III, Mullet, Willis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/988,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20060114116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/309.15, 340/309.16, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/309.7, 340/5.71, 368/10, 368/12, 368/89, 368/94, 368/109
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2827 Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

Abstract

A limited-use appliance, such as a garage door operator or a home network bridge device, is disclosed which has at least one input device for generating an input signal and a controller associated with the input device and receiving the input signal. The controller initiates at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of the input signal. A test device is maintained by the controller, and has a predetermined criteria which determines whether the input signal should be sent on to the controller or not. A warning system may be incorporated so that imminent expiration of the limited-use functions initiate warnings for the benefit of the end-user.

Claims

1. A limited-use appliance which generates expiration warnings, such that full enablement of the appliance is only implemented upon procurement of either a purchase or lease of an activation code, comprising:

at least one input device for generating at least one of an activation signal and an input signal;

a controller associated with said at least one input device and receiving said activation and input signals, said controller initiating at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of said input signal;

a memory device associated with said controller, said memory device storing an activation code;

a test device maintained by said controller, said test device having a predetermined criteria which determines whether said input signal should be sent on to said controller, said input device adapted to input said activation code via said activation signal, wherein if said inputted activation code matches said activation code stored in said memory device, said controller permanently disables said test device from blocking the receipt of all subsequent said input signals, thus fully enabling the appliance; and

a warning system maintained by said controller and monitoring said predetermined criteria, said warning system generating a warning signal when said predetermined criteria reaches a predetermined level indicating upcoming expiration of an initial-use period.

2. The limited-use appliance according to claim 1, wherein said test device is a counter set to a first predetermined value which is adjusted each time said input signal is sent to said controller, and wherein said test device blocks said input signal when said counter reaches a second predetermined value.

3. The limited-use appliance according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined criteria has more than one said predetermined level and said warning system generates said warning signal in a manner corresponding to said predetermined level.

4. The limited-use appliance according to claim 3, further comprising:

at least one perceptible output device connected to said warning system, said perceptible output device generating said warning signals depending upon said predetermined levels.

5. The limited-use appliance according to claim 4, wherein said perceptible output devices are selected from a group consisting of an illumination device and an auditory device.

6. The limited-use appliance according to claim 5, wherein a first predetermined level causes one of said perceptible output devices to generate said warning signal for a first predetermined period of time.

7. The limited-use appliance according to claim 6, wherein a second predetermined level causes both of said perceptible output devices to generate said warning signal for a second predetermined period of time.

8. The limited-use appliance according to claim 7, wherein a third predetermined level causes both of said perceptible output devices to generate said warning signal for a third predetermined period of time.

9. The limited-use appliance according to claim 1, wherein said controller is associated with a bridge device that enables a home network system.

10. The limited-use appliance according to claim 1, wherein said controller is associated with a barrier operation which moves a barrier between limit positions.

11. The limited-use appliance according to claim 10, wherein said test device is a counter set to a first predetermined value which is adjusted each time said input signal is sent to said controller, and wherein said test device blocks said input signal when said counter reaches a predetermined value.

12. The limited-use appliance according to claim 11, wherein:

said memory device stores a reset code; and

said input device is capable of generating a reset signal, wherein if said reset signal matches said reset code, said controller modifies the normal movement of the barrier between limit positions.

13. The limited-use appliance according to claim 12, wherein said controller only allows limited movement of the barrier between the limit positions if said reset signal matches said reset code.

14. A method for providing a use expiration warning for a pre-installed appliance, comprising

installing an appliance with a controller, said controller operating said appliance;

storing an activation code in a memory device maintained by said controller;

associating at least one input device from a group of input devices with said controller, wherein said input device generates an input signal to operate said appliance;

testing a predetermined criteria maintained by said controller;

generating a warning signal when said predetermined criteria reaches a predetermined level indicating upcoming expiration of an initial-use period;

blocking said input signal when said predetermined criteria is met;

generating an activation signal from one of said input devices selected from a group of input devices, said activation signal having a transmitted code;

comparing said transmitted code to said stored activation code; and

permanently preventing said controller from performing said blocking step if said transmitted code matches said activation code, such that said appliance permanently operates in a fully functional manner.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

associating said controller with one of a home network bridge used as a conduit between said group of input devices and a home network, and a barrier operator which moves a barrier between limit positions.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising:

setting a counter value for said predetermined criteria; and

adjusting said counter value upon completion of each operational cycle of said appliance.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

associating at least one perceptible output device with said controller; and

generating a first warning from one of said perceptible output devices for a first predetermined period of time when said counter value reaches a first predetermined value.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

generating a second warning signal from more than one of said perceptible output devices for a second predetermined period of time when said counter value reaches a second predetermined value.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

generating a third warning signal from more than one of said perceptible output devices for a third predetermined period of time; and

blocking said input signal when said third warning signal is generated.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

moving said barrier only a partial amount between the limit positions when said counter value reaches a predetermined value.

21. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

storing a reset code in a memory device maintained by said controller;

generating a reset code from one of said input devices; and

re-setting said predetermined criteria when said reset code is received by said controller.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

moving said barrier only a partial amount between the limit positions when said reset code is received by said controller.