Barrier movement operator communications

• US 8,952,783 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2011
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• 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:
  US13/240,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20120008758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 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;

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

monitoring circuitry of the controller configured to relay settings of the operator to the assistance center over the communication channel in response to the user actuation of the actuator;

wherein the controller is configured to adjust settings 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, the settings adjusted according to messages received from the assistance center regarding the settings of the operator relayed by the monitoring circuitry.

2. The moveable barrier operator of claim 1 further comprising a motor connected to a barrier and wherein the controller is configured to activate the motor to move the barrier between opened and closed positions.

3. The moveable barrier operator of claim 1 wherein the monitoring circuitry is configured to relay settings 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, reasons for reversals, and combinations thereof.

4. The movable barrier operator of claim 1 wherein the controller is programmed to adjust settings of the operator that control the operator'"'"'s function in response to conditions determined at the operator.

5. A method for controlling a moveable barrier operator, the method comprising:

receiving at a controller of the moveable barrier operator an indication of a user actuation of an actuator;

in response to receiving the indication;

forming a message indicating a request for assistance,

establishing a communication channel between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center,

transmitting the message to the assistance center over the communication channel, and

relaying at least one setting of the operator that controls the operator'"'"'s function in response to conditions determined at the operator to the assistance center over the communication channel;

after relaying the at least one setting, receiving a message from the assistance center regarding adjusting one or more of the at least one setting;

in response to receiving the message from the assistance center, adjusting the one or more of the at least one setting of the operator according to message received from the assistance center, wherein the adjusting the one or more of the at least one setting of the operator comprises adjusting at least one setting selected from the group consisting of a maximum travel distance, force settings, a speed of travel, a pause time of barrier, and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the relaying at least one setting comprises relaying at least one setting 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, reasons for reversals, and combinations thereof.

7. A moveable barrier operator comprising:

a transmitter having an output;

a controller coupled to the transmitter and in communication with an actuator, 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

monitoring circuitry of the controller configured to relay settings of the operator to the assistance center over the communication channel in response to the user actuation of the actuator;

wherein the controller is configured to adjust settings 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, the settings adjusted according to messages received from the assistance center regarding the settings of the operator relayed by the monitoring circuitry.

8. The moveable barrier operator of claim 7 further comprising a motor connected to a barrier and wherein the controller is configured to activate the motor to move the barrier between opened and closed positions.

9. The moveable barrier operator of claim 7 wherein the monitoring circuitry is configured to relay settings 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, reasons for reversals, and combinations thereof.

10. The movable barrier operator of claim 7 wherein the controller is programmed to adjust settings of the operator that control the operator'"'"'s function in response to conditions determined at the operator.

11. The movable barrier operator of claim 7 further comprising the actuator.