Networked movable barrier operator system
First Claim
1. A network operator radio module configured to be removably attached to a barrier operator for moving an access barrier between limit positions, and a network appliance, the network operator radio module comprising:
- a receiver circuit configured to receive, via a coupling to a receiver antenna, a first local communication signal containing a first command to control at least one function maintained by said network appliance;
a transceiver circuit configured to transmit, via a coupling to a transceiver antenna, a network communication signal to a network appliance over a communication network, the communication network including a network controller;
a microcontroller coupled to the receiver antenna coupling and the transceiver antenna coupling, wherein said microcontroller is configured to convert said first local communication signal to the network communication signal, and transmit said network communication signal to said network appliance via the transceiver circuit; and
a communication interface configured to removably couple the network operator radio module to the barrier operator, the communication interface comprising a coupling to the receiver antenna,wherein the barrier operator is configured to receive and respond to a second local command signal containing a second command to control at least one function maintained by said barrier operator, said second local command signal being received via the communication interface, andwherein the microcontroller is further configured to receive, simultaneous to the barrier operator, and not respond to the second local command signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network operator radio module (NORM) configured to be removably attached to a barrier operator comprises a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, a transceiver antenna, and a microcontroller. The module communicates with a communication network that comprises various nodes configured by a network controller module and a network communication module. Each node may be associated with a network appliance, and may be remotely controlled by sending a suitable function code to the module via local command signals. Furthermore, various local remote transmitters and keyless entry transmitters are configured to transmit function codes to control the module and the associated various network appliances.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A network operator radio module configured to be removably attached to a barrier operator for moving an access barrier between limit positions, and a network appliance, the network operator radio module comprising:
a receiver circuit configured to receive, via a coupling to a receiver antenna, a first local communication signal containing a first command to control at least one function maintained by said network appliance; a transceiver circuit configured to transmit, via a coupling to a transceiver antenna, a network communication signal to a network appliance over a communication network, the communication network including a network controller; a microcontroller coupled to the receiver antenna coupling and the transceiver antenna coupling, wherein said microcontroller is configured to convert said first local communication signal to the network communication signal, and transmit said network communication signal to said network appliance via the transceiver circuit; and a communication interface configured to removably couple the network operator radio module to the barrier operator, the communication interface comprising a coupling to the receiver antenna, wherein the barrier operator is configured to receive and respond to a second local command signal containing a second command to control at least one function maintained by said barrier operator, said second local command signal being received via the communication interface, and wherein the microcontroller is further configured to receive, simultaneous to the barrier operator, and not respond to the second local command signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 10)
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3. A method for controlling a network appliance and a barrier operator, comprising:
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providing a barrier operator that moves a barrier between limit positions, said barrier operator being configured to receive, via a receiver antenna, local command signals; removably coupling a network operator radio module to the barrier operator using a communication interface, said network operator radio module comprising a microprocessor and a transceiver circuit configured to receive, via the receiver antenna, local communication signals; receiving, using the transceiver circuit of the network operator radio module, a first local communication signal, wherein the first local communications signal contains a first command to control at least one function maintained by a network appliance; converting, using the microprocessor of the network operator radio module, said first local communication signal to a network communication signal containing said first command; transmitting, using the transceiver circuit of the network operator radio module, said network communication signal containing said first command to a communication network maintaining at least one network communication module associated with said network appliance; and receiving, simultaneously at said barrier operator and said network operator radio module, a second local communication signal containing a second command to control at least one function maintained by said barrier operator, wherein said barrier operator is configured to respond to the second local communication signal and the network operator radio module is configured to not respond to the second local communication signal. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11)
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Specification