Movable barrier operator with energy management control and corresponding method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- in a movable barrier operator apparatus configured to move a movable barrier along a track, the movable barrier operator apparatus having;
a power supply comprising an alternating current power interface that is operably coupled to a source of alternating current;
at least one stationary obstacle detector operably coupled to the source of alternating current to power the obstacle detector; and
a controller which effects signals to select an energy consumption operating mode, the method comprising;
determining an operating state of the movable operator barrier apparatus from activity of components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than activity of the obstacle detector;
with the controller, selecting one from at least two different energy consumption operating modes for the movable barrier operator apparatus as a function, at least in part, of the operating state of the movable barrier operator apparatus;
effecting signals with the controller to provide a selected energy consumption operating mode; and
using the selected energy consumption operating mode to control energy consumption by the obstacle detector and components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than the obstacle detector including at least one of the group consisting of;
the power supply by toggling the power supply between two states of provision of power at different power levels other than providing no power, a motor RPM sensor, movable barrier operator control circuitry, a radio, a remotely disposed user interface, and combinations thereof.
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Abstract
A movable barrier operator system wherein one or more of the various components of the system is configured to operate selectively in at least either of two operational modes. Each operating mode is characterized by a corresponding energy usage profile. The operational status of the system is monitored and operating modes are selected that serve both to substantially ensure proper operation given current likely operational expectations and an overall desire to reduce energy consumption.
56 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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in a movable barrier operator apparatus configured to move a movable barrier along a track, the movable barrier operator apparatus having; a power supply comprising an alternating current power interface that is operably coupled to a source of alternating current; at least one stationary obstacle detector operably coupled to the source of alternating current to power the obstacle detector; and a controller which effects signals to select an energy consumption operating mode, the method comprising; determining an operating state of the movable operator barrier apparatus from activity of components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than activity of the obstacle detector; with the controller, selecting one from at least two different energy consumption operating modes for the movable barrier operator apparatus as a function, at least in part, of the operating state of the movable barrier operator apparatus; effecting signals with the controller to provide a selected energy consumption operating mode; and using the selected energy consumption operating mode to control energy consumption by the obstacle detector and components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than the obstacle detector including at least one of the group consisting of;
the power supply by toggling the power supply between two states of provision of power at different power levels other than providing no power, a motor RPM sensor, movable barrier operator control circuitry, a radio, a remotely disposed user interface, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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in a movable barrier operator apparatus configured to move a movable barrier along a track, the movable barrier operator apparatus having; a power supply comprising an alternating current power interface that is operably coupled to a source of alternating current; and at least one stationary obstacle detector operably coupled to the source of alternating current to power the obstacle detector, the method comprising; determining an operating state of the movable barrier operator apparatus from activity of components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than activity of the obstacle detector; selecting one from at least two different energy consumption operating modes for the movable barrier operator apparatus as a function, at least in part, of the operating state of the movable barrier operator apparatus to provide a selected energy consumption operating mode, the different energy consumption operating modes maintaining power to the movable barrier operator apparatus including the obstacle detector, one energy consumption mode being less than another; and using the selected energy consumption operating mode to control energy consumption by the obstacle detector and components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than the obstacle detector including at least one of the group consisting of;
the power supply by toggling the power supply between two states of provision of power at different power levels other than providing no power, a motor RPM sensor, movable barrier operator control circuitry, a radio, a remotely disposed user interface, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method comprising:
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in a movable barrier operator apparatus configured to move a movable barrier along a track, the movable barrier operator apparatus having; a power supply comprising an alternating current power interface that is operably coupled to a source of alternating current; at least one stationary obstacle detector operably coupled to the source of alternating current to power the obstacle detector; a controller which effects signals to select an energy consumption operating mode, the method comprising; determining an operating state of the movable barrier operator apparatus from activity of components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than activity of the obstacle detector; with the controller, selecting one from at least two different energy consumption operating modes for the movable barrier operator apparatus as a function, at least in part, of the operating state of the movable barrier operator apparatus, the different energy consumption modes maintaining power to the movable barrier operator apparatus including the obstacle detector, one energy mode being less than the other; effecting signals with the controller to provide a selected energy consumption operating mode from the different energy consumption modes; and using the selected energy consumption operating mode to control energy consumption by the obstacle detector and components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than the obstacle detector including at least one of the group consisting of;
the power supply by toggling the power supply between two states of provision of power at different power levels other than providing no power, a motor RPM sensor, movable barrier operator control circuitry, a radio, a remotely disposed user interface, and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification