System for processing multiple signal frequencies and data formats for a barrier operator

• US 8,111,133 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Homerun Holdings Corporation
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Yan, Garcia, Ben L., Murray, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Syed, Nabil
• Application Number:
  US11/724,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20080224885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/12.22, 340/12.28, 340/5.63, 340/5.64, 340/5.23, 340/5.22, 340/12.23, 340/12.5, 340/12.52, 340/10.1, 340/10.2, 340/5.61, 235/380, 235/375, 235/382
• US Class Current: 340/5.7
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00253 dynamically, e.g. variable code - rolling code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A barrier operator is configured to learn and receive disparate wireless transmission signals to control movement of a barrier. The operator includes a receiver core circuit adapted to receive wireless transmission signals containing known and unknown formatted data words. A microcontroller is adapted to determine a fixed code portion of the unknown formatted data words. The microcontroller is also associated with a memory unit and connected to the receiver core circuit for storing in the memory unit the known formatted data words and the unknown formatted data words if the fixed code portion can be determined when the microcontroller is in a learn mode. The receiver core circuit may also scan only frequencies associated with learn codes, pre-selected frequencies, and incremental frequencies within a predetermined range of frequencies.

Claims

1. A method of processing received command signals transmitted from a wireless transmitter to a barrier operator so as to actuate an access barrier, the method comprising:

scanning by a receiver in at least one of two ways to detect a command signal frequency wherein said scanning can be done in an initial use mode, a scan all mode, and a scan stored mode by selectively actuating a scan button;

wherein in said initial use mode, said receiver checks one of two frequencies and sets said receiver if data is received on one of the two frequencies;

wherein in said scan all mode, said receiver checks a number of frequencies and sets said receiver if data is received on one of said number of frequencies; and

wherein in said scan stored mode, said receiver checks previously stored frequencies and sets said receiver if data is received on one of said stored frequencies;

setting said receiver to receive said command signal at a detected signal frequency;

receiving at said receiver said command signal which includes a function code data word associated with a function to be performed by the barrier operator;

determining whether a data format of said function code data word is stored in said barrier operator;

determining whether any portion of said function code data word matches one or more fixed code tags if said data format of said function code data word is not stored at said barrier operator; and

carrying out the function associated with said function code data word at the barrier operator if a match is made at said second determining step.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether said function code contains a rolling code portion or a fixed code portion if the data format of said function code data word cannot be ascertained at said first determining step.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining whether said fixed code portion of said function code data word is stored in said barrier operator.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

carrying out the function associated with said function code data word at said barrier operator if said fixed code portion of said function code data word is stored in said barrier operator.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining whether said rolling code portion of said function code is stored in said barrier operator.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

carrying out the function associated with said function code data word at said barrier operator if said rolling code portion of said function code data word is stored said barrier operator.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

scanning by said receiver only frequencies of said command signals associated with said function code data words stored in said barrier operator.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

scanning by said receiver only predetermined frequencies within a set range of frequencies.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

scanning by said receiver in predetermined frequency increments a set frequency bandwidth.

10. A barrier operator configured to learn and receive disparate wireless transmission signals to control movement of a barrier, the operator comprising:

a receiver core circuit adapted to receive wireless transmission signals containing known and unknown formatted data words;

a microcontroller associated with a memory unit, said microcontroller adapted to determine a fixed code portion of said unknown formatted data words, said microcontroller connected to said receiver core circuit and storing in said memory unit known formatted data words and unknown formatted data words if said fixed code portion can be determined when said microcontroller is in a learn mode; and

a scan button associated with said microcontroller, wherein actuation of said scan button selects one of at least two scan modes for setting a frequency of operation by said receiver core circuit wherein said at least two scan mode comprise;

an initial use mode wherein said receiver checks one of two frequencies and sets said receiver to receive on one of the two frequencies;

a scan all mode wherein said receiver checks a number of frequencies and sets said receiver if data is received on one of said number of frequencies; and

scan stored mode wherein said receiver checks previously stored frequencies and sets said receiver if data is received on one of said stored frequencies.

11. The operator according to claim 10, wherein in an operate mode said microcontroller compares received wireless transmission signals containing known formatted data words and unknown formatted data words having said fixed code portions that can be compared to those stored in said memory unit and generating a barrier command when a match is found.

12. The operator according to claim 11, wherein in said learn mode said microcontroller stores a frequency value of each known and unknown formatted data word in said memory unit, and wherein in said operate mode said receiver core circuit scans only those frequency values stored in said memory unit.

13. The operator according to claim 11, wherein in said operate mode said receiver core circuit receives said wireless transmission signals at any number of frequencies.

14. The operator according to claim 13, wherein in said operate mode said receiver core circuit scans selected discrete frequency values within a predetermined range of frequencies.

15. The operator according to claim 13, wherein in said operate mode, said receiver core circuit incrementally scans at discrete intervals within a predetermined range of frequencies.

16. The operator according to claim 10, wherein said memory unit is provided with predesignated known formatted data words for comparison to wireless transmission signals received in said learn mode.

17. The operator according to claim 10, further comprising:

a voltage controlled oscillator connected to said receiver core circuit and to said microcontroller, wherein said microcontroller provides input to said oscillator which in turn tunes said receiver core circuit to receive said signals at a selected frequency.