Simplified method and apparatus for programming a universal transmitter

• US 8,325,008 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2001
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Keller, Robert Roy Jr., Cacciatore, Joseph John, McCarthy, Mark A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US09/842,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20040207537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,241 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 340/5.64, 340/5.23, 340/5.71, 340/176, 340/12.23, 340/5.2, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

A universal transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of signals at a plurality of different modulations and frequencies which provides a simplified programming setup so that multiple signal configurations (including code format, modulation format and frequency) can be programmed quickly and easily. The transmitter comprises a signal configuration input which an operator can use to select a desired signal configuration for transmission, a controller for interpreting the selected signal configuration, storing it to memory, retrieving it when the appropriate user input is depressed, and outputting it to a transmitter circuit capable of transmitting the selected signal configuration received from the controller at a predetermined modulation and frequency, and at least one user input for actuating the transmitter and identifying to the controller what signal configuration is to be transmitted by the transmitter.

Claims

1. A transmitter for transmitting security codes at a plurality of modulations and frequencies comprising:

a plurality user manipulatable signal configuration switches which are adjusted by an operator to define signal configuration settings for transmitter signals, the signal configuration settings comprising at least a code to be transmitted by the transmitter;

a plurality of user manipulatable transmit initiation keys;

a controller responsive to the signal configuration switches during a learn mode for storing the signal configurations defined by the signal configuration switches in a memory location in association with selected ones of the user manipulatable transmit initiation keys;

apparatus responsive to user interaction with each transmit initiation key during an operate mode for retrieving the signal configuration stored in association therewith; and

transmitter circuitry for transmitting the retrieved signal configuration received from the controller at a predetermined frequency.

2. A transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the signal configuration switches comprise:

a multi-position switch for defining a type of transmitter that is to be emulated; and

a multi-position switch for defining a code to be transmitted by the transmitter.

3. A transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the transmit initiation keys comprise:

a first switch identifying to the controller the location of a first signal configuration to be retrieved and transmitted;

an

a second switch identifying to the controller the location of a second signal configuration to be retrieved and transmitted.

4. A transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuitry comprises:

a single transmitter circuit for selectively transmitting a signal at one of a plurality of different frequencies.

5. A transmitter according to claim 4, wherein the single transmitter circuit further comprises a transmitter circuit selectively operable at frequencies of 300 MHZ, 310 MHZ and 390 MHZ.

6. A transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuitry comprises:

a first transmitter circuit for transmitting at a first predetermined frequency; and

a second transmitter circuit for transmitting at a second predetermined frequency.

7. A method of programming a universal transmitter comprising a plurality of user manipulatable signal configuration switches, the method comprising:

setting the plurality of signal configuration switches to a first set of positions defining a first signal configuration including a first code to be transmitted by the transmitter;

storing the first signal configuration defined by the signal configuration switches into a first memory location;

setting the plurality of signal configuration switches to a second set of positions defining a second signal configuration including a second code to be transmitted by the transmitter;

storing the second signal configuration defined by the signal configuration switches into a second memory location;

associating one of a plurality of transmit switches with each stored signal configuration; and

detecting user interaction with one of the plurality of transmit switches and transmitting the stored signal configuration associated therewith.

8. A method of programming a transmitter comprising:

setting a signal configuration switch to a first set of positions defining a first signal configuration including a first code to be transmitted by the transmitter;

selecting one of a plurality of transmit switches with which the first signal configuration is to be associated;

storing the first signal configuration into a first memory location;

setting the signal configuration switch input to a second set of positions defining a second signal configuration including a second code to be transmitted by the transmitter;

selecting one of the plurality of transmit switches with which the second signal configuration is to be associated; and

storing the second selected signal configuration into a second memory location.

9. A method of programming a transmitter including a plurality of multi-position signal configuration switches comprising:

setting the multi-position switches to a first set of positions defining a first signal configuration including a first code to be transmitted by the transmitter;

selecting one of a plurality of transmit switches during a first learn mode operation with which the first signal configuration is to be associated;

storing the first signal configuration into a first memory location;

setting the multi-position switches to a second set of positions defining to a second signal configuration including a second code to be transmitted by the transmitter;

selecting one of a plurality of transmit switches during a second learn mode operation with which the second signal configuration is to be associated; and

storing the second signal configuration into a second memory location.

10. A method according to claim 9, comprising:

depressing a predetermined transmit switch for a predetermined period of time in order to place the transmitter into a learn mode.

11. A method according to claim 9, comprising:

identifying from the multi-position switch settings a type of transmitter to be emulated.

12. A method according to claim 9, comprising:

identifying from the multi-position switch settings a security code to be transmitted.

13. A method according to claim 9, comprising:

identifying from the multi-position switch settings a modulation format at which a signal is to be transmitted.

14. A method according to claim 9, comprising:

identifying from the multi-position settings a frequency at which a signal is to be transmitted.

15. A method of operating a code learning apparatus having a plurality of signal configuration switches, comprising steps of:

setting a combination of the configuration switches to define a code signal configuration including a code signal to be learned by the code learning apparatus;

activating a learn mode of the code learning apparatus;

reading the identified code signal configuration from the configuration switches during the learn mode; and

storing the code signal configuration read from the configuration switches in a predetermined memory location.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the combination of the configuration switch settings comprises a security code.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the code signal configuration identifies a security code and a code format in which the signal is to be transmitted.

18. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein a code learning apparatus comprises a plurality of transmit switches, the method further comprising steps of:

identifying one of the transmit switches; and

storing a code signal configuration in a memory location associated with the identified transmit switch.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the learning apparatus comprises at least one transmitter, and the method comprises:

identifying one of the transmit switches during a transmit mode;

reading from the memory, the code signal configuration associated with the identified transmit switch; and

transmitting a signal in accordance with the code signal configuration read from the memory.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the at least one transmitter is an RF transmitter, and the code signal configuration includes a type of transmitter, an RF frequency and a modulation format in which a signal is to be transmitted.