Barrier movement operator communications

• US 8,040,217 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Nam V
• Application Number:
  US11/058,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20060183457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,436 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.71, 340/5.7, 340/5.74, 340/5.8, 455/403, 455/466, 160/188, 235/382, 49/13, 49/31
• US Class Current: 340/5.71
• 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 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/80 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A moveable barrier operator actuates an actuator thereby causing a message to be formed. The message indicates that the user at the moveable barrier operator requires assistance. A communication channel is established between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center. The message is transmitted to the assistance center over the communication channel. An assistance action is performed to provide assistance to the user at the moveable barrier operator.

Claims

1. A moveable barrier operator comprising:

an actuator;

a transmitter having an output; and

a controller coupled to the actuator and the transmitter, wherein the actuator is configured to be actuated by a user and the controller is programmed to form a message in response to a user actuation of the actuator, the message indicating a request for assistance, wherein the controller is programmed to establish a communication channel between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center and to transmit the message to the assistance center at the output of the transmitter over the communication channel, and wherein the controller is programmed to adjust settings of the operator in response to information received from the assistance center;

wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of a maximum amount of force to apply to the barrier and a pause time of the barrier.

2. A moveable barrier operator comprising:

an actuator;

a transmitter having an output; and

a controller coupled to the actuator and the transmitter, the controller programmed to form a message in response to a user actuation of the actuator, the message indicating a request for assistance, wherein the controller is programmed to establish a communication channel between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center and to transmit the message to the assistance center at the output of the transmitter over the communication channel, and wherein the controller is programmed to adjust settings of the operator in response to information received from the assistance center;

wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of a maximum amount of force to apply to the barrier and a pause time of the barrier.

3. A moveable barrier operator comprising:

an actuator;

a transmitter having an output; and

a controller coupled to the actuator and the transmitter, the controller programmed to establish a two-way communication channel between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center in response to actuation of the actuator, the communication channel carrying operational data selected from the group consisting of a maximum amount of force to apply to the barrier and a pause time of the barrier.

4. The moveable barrier operator of claim 3 wherein the controller is programmed to adjust settings of the operator in response to operational data received from the assistance center.

5. The moveable barrier operator of claim 3 wherein the controller is programmed to form a message in response to the user actuation of the actuator and transmit the message to the assistance center at the output of the transmitter over the communications channel.

6. The moveable barrier operator of claim 3 wherein the controller includes monitoring circuitry configured to relay readings from the operator to the assistance center.

7. The moveable barrier operator of claim 6 wherein the readings are selected from the group consisting of a maximum travel distance, serial number information, an amount of force required, a speed of travel, error information, a force, a number of usages, a temperature, a force profile, a number of reversals, a code version, and reasons for reversals.

8. A moveable barrier operator comprising:

an actuator;

a transmitter having an output;

a controller coupled to the actuator and the transmitter, wherein the actuator is configured to be actuated by a user and the controller is programmed to form a message in response to a user actuation of the actuator, the message indicating a request for assistance, wherein the controller is programmed to establish a communication channel between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center and to transmit the message to the assistance center at the output of the transmitter over the communication channel; and

monitoring circuitry of the controller configured to transmit to the assistance center operational settings as to how the operator will operate, the transmission to the assistance center over the communication channel in response to the user actuation of the actuator, and

wherein the controller is programmed to adjust the operational settings of the operator responsive to messages received from the assistance center regarding the operational settings of the operator transmitted by the monitoring circuitry,

wherein the operational settings are selected from the group consisting of a maximum travel distance, force settings, a speed of travel, a pause time of the barrier, and combinations thereof.