Barrier operator system having multiple frequency receivers

• US 7,327,249 B1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Murray, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/875,415
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 340/521, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/5.7, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.72, 340/3.1, 340/825.69, 340/438, 340/445, 340/5.6, 340/5.64, 340/825.72, 340/825.71, 455/73, 455/550.1
• US Class Current: 340/521
• 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

Abstract

A barrier operator system is disclosed that is capable of receiving different wireless signals. The system includes a primary controller that is connected to a first receiver which receives a first wireless signal. And the system includes a second receiver circuit that is connected to the controller and receives a second wireless signal that is different from the first wireless signal. This allows the system to accept wireless signals from two or more different types of transmitters to allow for use of older technology transmitters with newer technology operator systems. The wireless signals may be in the form of radio frequency, infra-red, visible light or audio signals.

Claims

1. A barrier operator system adapted to receive different wireless frequency signals from different frequency transmitters so as to move a barrier between limit positions, the system comprising:

a primary controller which initiates and controls movement of a single barrier;

a first receiver circuit directly receiving only a first wireless frequency signal from a first transmitter from which said first wireless frequency signal originates and electrically connected to said primary controller; and

a second receiver circuit directly receiving only a second wireless frequency signal from a second transmitter from which said second wireless frequency signal originates and electrically connected to said primary controller, wherein both said receiver circuits and said primary controller are maintained within an operator mechanism, and wherein said first wireless frequency signal is different than said second wireless frequency signal, and wherein said primary controller validates said first and second wireless frequency signals and subsequently initiates over a wired secure connection an operational function of said operator mechanism including moving said barrier.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a powered interface circuit connected to said primary controller and maintained within said operator mechanism, wherein said primary controller distinguishes said wireless frequency signals and sends command signals distributed by said interface circuit, said interface circuit transforming the supplied power into a voltage value in response to the receipt of said command signals.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a motor connected to said interface circuit for receiving said command signals, and said voltage value to move the barrier between limit positions.

4. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a supplemental controller connected to one of said receiver circuits and to said primary controller and maintained within said operator mechanism, wherein said supplemental controller generates command signals that are passed through said primary controller to said interface circuit.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said primary controller has a primary data format different from a supplemental data format utilized by said supplemental controller.

6. The system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a primary memory device connected to said primary controller and maintained within said operator mechanism; and

a supplemental memory device connected to said supplemental controller and maintained within said operator mechanism so as to separate data processing of both said primary and supplemental controllers from each other.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second receiver circuits receive radio frequency signals, and wherein said first wireless frequency signal is at a frequency distinguishable from said second wireless frequency signal.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said first and second wireless frequency signals are radio frequency signals between about 300.00 MHz and about 450.0 MHz.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless frequency signals are selected from the group consisting of radio frequency, infra-red, visible light and audible.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said receiver circuits receive said wireless frequency signals that are selected from the group consisting of radio frequency, infra-red, visible light and audible.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said first receiver circuit receives one type of said wireless frequency signals and said second receiver circuit receives another type of said wireless frequency signals.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said first and second receiver circuits receive the same type of wireless frequency signals, and wherein the same type of wireless frequency signals are at distinguishable frequencies.

13. A method for communicating wireless frequency signals from a plurality of wireless frequency transmitters to a barrier operator system which controls the movement of a barrier between limit positions, the method comprising:

maintaining an operator mechanism having a primary controller;

receiving at least two different wireless frequency signals directly from the wireless transmitters from which said wireless frequency signals originate, wherein a first receiver circuit receives only a first wireless frequency signal and a second receiver circuit receives only a second wireless frequency signal, said receiver circuits electrically connected to said primary controller and maintained within said operator mechanism;

validating at least one of said received wireless frequency signals;

processing said validated wireless frequency signals; and

sending command signals from said primary controller to a powered interface circuit over a wired secure connection, said interface circuit transforming supplied power into a voltage value to initiate movement of the motorized barrier.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

generating said command signals in a format compatible with a motor that moves the barrier between limit positions.

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

processing one of said received wireless frequency signals in a supplemental controller which is linked between said respective receiver circuit and said primary controller and maintained within said operator mechanism.

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

accessing a primary memory device connected to said primary controller to validate any of said wireless frequency signals not processed by said supplemental controller; and

accessing a supplemental memory device connected to said supplemental controller to validate any of said wireless frequency signals processed by said supplemental controller.

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

accessing a primary memory device connected to said primary controller to validate any of said wireless frequency signals received by said first and second receiver circuits.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving wireless frequency signals selected from the group consisting of radio frequency, infra-red, visible light and audible.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said receiving step further comprises:

receiving one type of said wireless frequency signal in said first receiver circuit; and

receiving another type of said wireless frequency signal in said second receiver circuit.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said receiving step further comprises:

receiving one type of said wireless frequency signal having a first frequency in a first receiver; and

receiving said one type of said wireless frequency signal having a second frequency in a second receiver, wherein said second frequency is distinguishable from said first frequency.

21. The method according to claim 20, receiving said first and second frequencies in a frequency range of about 300.0 MHz to about 450.0 MHz.