Barrier operator feature enhancement

• US 9,122,254 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2012
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Cate, Casparus, Fitzgibbon, James J., Keller, Robert R. Jr., Sorice, Cory, Murray, James Scott, Stanek, Gregory John, Willmott, Colin Barns
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US13/671,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20140125499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.5, 340 57- 571
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/42 for multiple openings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/85 User input means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/70 Retrofitting of elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/00 Systems controlled by a computer G05B13/00, G05B19/00 take precedence; automatic controllers with particular characteristics G05B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 Domotique, access through internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25209 Device status answer, response, acknowledge
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25217 Configure communication protocol, select between several
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2628 Door, window
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 : using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 : using inductive or magnetic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 : for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

A barrier operator feature enhancement device is designed to provide one or more features found in modern barrier operator devices and to incorporate those features into a previously installed barrier operator system. To facilitate ease of use, the barrier operator feature enhancement device can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. To facilitate the ease of installation, the device is designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the feature enhancement device works with the barrier operator to provide one or more additional features to enhance the capabilities of the previously installed barrier operator.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing containing at least;

a barrier operator communication module configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of barrier operator types that use different communication protocols for receiving communications by sending communication signals by wireless or wired communication protocols;

control circuitry configured to use the barrier operator communication module to communicate with any of the plurality of barrier operator types, the control circuitry configured to use the barrier operator communication module to communicate to at least one separate pre-installed barrier operator to control operation of at least one feature of the at least one pre-installed barrier operator;

an input/output module operatively in communication with the control circuitry, the input/output module configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device configured to provide information regarding an operation status of the separate pre-installed barrier operator, and to receive communications from at least one second peripheral device, including at least one open/close command, configured to effect operation of the pre-installed barrier operator;

wherein the control circuitry is configured to;

effect sending communication signals from the barrier operator communication module via a plurality of communication protocols to the pre-installed barrier operator;

receive a communication indicating a response from the pre-installed barrier operator that at least one of the plurality of communication protocols is a communication protocol used by the pre-installed barrier operator; and

configure the barrier operator communication module to operate according to a communication protocol that effected the response from the pre-installed barrier operator; and

the control circuitry configured to, in response to receiving the open/close command from the at least one second peripheral device, effect sending an open/close signal to the pre-installed barrier operator to effect a movement of a barrier operated by the separate pre-installed barrier operator between an open and closed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input/output module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising a computing device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the input/output module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising a gateway device configured to enable communications with devices over a network.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input/output module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising one or more from the group consisting of:

an obstacle detector, a network adaptor, a separate barrier operator, a handheld transmitter, a wall controller, a door position sensor, and combinations thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sound generator and a light.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the control circuitry is configured to effect generation of a sound by the sound generator and flashing of the light in coordination with effecting sending a signal to effect closing of the barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the control circuitry is configured to disable generation of a sound by the sound generator and flashing of the light in response to determining that the pre-installed barrier operator includes a sound generator and light effect to provide an alert regarding closing of a barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input/output module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising an obstacle detector.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the control circuitry is configured to not send a signal to effect closing a barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator in response to receiving a command to do so when detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle, in response to receiving indication from the input/output module that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle, or in response to receiving indication that the pre-installed barrier operator is opening a barrier.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the control circuitry is configured to send a signal to effect opening a barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator in response to detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle or in response to receiving indication from the input/output module that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein in response to receiving an indication from the at least one peripheral device that the pre-installed barrier operator is closing a barrier, the control circuitry is configured to send a signal to effect opening the barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator when detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle or in response to receiving indication from the input/output module that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input/output module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising a network adaptor to effect a connection to Internet.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input/output module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising a sensor disposed to detect a location of a barrier operated by the pre-installed barrier operator.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input/output module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising a handheld transmitter configured to send barrier commands via a radio frequency transmission to the input/output module.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a housing containing at least;

a wireless communication interface configured to;

exchange communications including wireless local area network communications with peripheral devices including exchange of information regarding a status of a separate pre-installed barrier operator, and

send radio frequency communications in a plurality of formats to the separate pre-installed barrier operator, wherein the separate pre-installed barrier is of one of a plurality of barrier operator types that use different communication protocols for receiving communications;

control circuitry configured to effect sending an open/close signal to the separate pre-installed barrier operator from the wireless communication interface to effect movement of a barrier by the separate pre-installed barrier operator between an open and closed position in response to receipt of an open/close command from a peripheral device configured to effect movement of the barrier;

wherein the control circuitry is configured to effect sending communication signals from one or both of the wireless communication interface and a wired communication interface via a plurality of communication protocols to the separate pre-installed barrier operator;

receive a communication indicating a response from the particular pre-installed barrier operator that at least one of the plurality of communication protocols is a communication protocol used by the pre-installed barrier operator; and

configure one or both of the wireless communication interface and the wired communication interface to operate according to a communication protocol that effected the response from the separate pre-installed barrier operator.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the wireless communication interface is further configured to receive radio frequency communications from a handheld transmitter.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control circuitry is configured to effect sending at least two communications to the separate pre-installed barrier operator, including the open/close signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the wireless communication interface is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising

a gateway device configured to enable communications with one or more devices over a network.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a presence detector configured to detect presence of a vehicle, wherein the presence detector is in operable communication with the control circuitry, which is configured to effect communication with one or more of the at least one peripheral devices in response to an initial detection of the vehicle.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the communication with the one or more of the at least one peripheral devices in response to an initial detection of the vehicle is one or more from the group consisting of:

a communication with a thermostat device to effect a change in temperature setting for a climate control system;

a communication with a lighting controller device to effect a change in a lighting configuration;

a communication with a computing device to effect a synchronization of data stored in the vehicle and data stored on the computing device;

a communication with a security system to effect a change in status of the security system;

a communication with a home-based computing device to effect sending a message to a user of the home-based computing device;

a communication with a gateway communication device configured to communicate with one or more of a thermostat device, climate control system, lighting controller, computing device, security system, and home-based computing device;

and combinations thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a presence detector configured to detect presence of a vehicle, wherein the presence detector is in operable communication with the control circuitry, which is configured to effect communication with one or more of the at least one peripheral devices in response to an initial detection of absence of the vehicle.

22. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a sound generator and a light.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the control circuitry is configured to effect generation of a sound by the sound generator and flashing of the light in coordination with effecting sending a signal to effect closing of the barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the control circuitry is configured to disable generation of a sound by the sound generator and flashing of the light in response to determining that the separate pre-installed barrier operator includes a sound generator and light effect to provide an alert regarding closing of a barrier by the separate pre-installed barrier operator.

25. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the wireless communication interface is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising an obstacle detector.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the control circuitry is configured to not send a signal to effect closing a barrier by the particular pre-installed barrier operator in response to receiving a command to do so when detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle, in response to receiving indication that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle, or in response to receiving indication that the separate pre-installed barrier operator is opening a barrier.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the control circuitry is configured to send a signal to effect opening a barrier by the separate pre-installed barrier operator in response to detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle or in response to receiving indication that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein in response to receiving an indication from the at least one peripheral device that the separate pre-installed barrier is closing a barrier, the control circuitry is configured to send a signal to effect opening the barrier by the separate pre-installed barrier operator in response to receiving a command to do so when detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle or in response to receiving indication that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle.

29. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the wireless communication module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising a network adaptor to effect a connection to Internet.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the wireless communication module is configured to send communications to and receive communications from devices over the Internet.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the wireless communication module is configured to receive commands to operate the separate pre-installed barrier operator from a device over the Internet.

32. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the wireless communication module is configured to send status information regarding the pre-installed barrier operator to a device over the Internet.

33. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the wireless communication module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising a sensor disposed to detect a location of a barrier operated by the separate pre-installed barrier operator.

34. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the wireless communication module is configured to receive communications from at least one peripheral device comprising a handheld transmitter configured to send move barrier commands via a radio frequency transmission to the wireless communication module.

35. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

a wired communication interface configured to send communication signals in a plurality of formats to a pre-installed barrier operator;

wherein the control circuitry is configured to effect sending at least one of a plurality of communications from either the wireless communication interface or the wired communication interface.

36. A method comprising:

sending communication signals from a communication module via a plurality of communication protocols to a separate pre-installed barrier operator;

receiving at the communication module a communication indicating a response from the separate pre-installed barrier operator that at least one of the plurality of communication protocols is a communication protocol used by the pre-installed barrier operator;

configuring the communication module to operate according to a communication protocol that effected the response from the separate pre-installed barrier operator;

receiving at the communication module information including an open/close command from a peripheral device;

determining an action or setting change for the separate pre-installed barrier operator based on the information from the peripheral device;

sending from the communication module an open/close signal according to the communication protocol to the separate pre-installed barrier operator, the open/close signal configured to effect movement of a barrier by the separate pre-installed barrier operator between an open and closed position in response to receipt of an open/close command from a peripheral device configured to effect movement of the barrier.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the configuring the communication module to operate according to a communication protocol is performed utilizing information from the peripheral device.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the determining the action or setting change comprises determining to open or close a barrier controlled by the pre-installed barrier operator.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein the sending the communication signals from the communication module via the plurality of communication protocols to the pre-installed barrier operator comprises sending the communication signals using wire based and wireless based communication protocols.

40. The method of claim 36 wherein the receiving the communication indicating a response from the pre-installed barrier operator comprises receiving a signal from a door position sensor indicating movement of the door.

41. The method of claim 36 wherein the receiving the signal from the door position sensor indicating movement of the door comprises receiving the signal from one or more of the group consisting of a tilt sensor, a limit switch, and combinations thereof.

42. The method of claim 36 further comprising:

analyzing a signal received from a handheld transmitter associated with the pre-installed barrier operator to determine a communication protocol associated with the pre-installed barrier operator; and

configure the communication module to operate according to the communication protocol associated with the pre-installed barrier operator.

43. The method of claim 36 wherein the receiving information from a peripheral device further comprises receiving information from a computing device.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the receiving information from a peripheral device further comprises receiving information from a gateway device configured to enable communications with devices over a network.

45. The method of claim 36 further comprising effecting generation of a sound by a sound generator and flashing of a light in coordination with sending a signal to effect closing of the barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator.

46. The method of claim 36 further comprising disabling generation of a sound by a sound generator and flashing of a light in response to determining that the pre-installed barrier operator includes a sound generator and light effective to provide an alert regarding closing of a barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator.

47. The method of claim 36 wherein the receiving information from a peripheral device comprises receiving information from an obstacle detector.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising not sending a signal to effect closing a barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator in response to receiving a command to do so when detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle, in response to receiving indication from the input/output module that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle, or in response to receiving indication that the pre-installed barrier operator is opening a barrier.

49. The method of claim 47 further comprising sending a signal to effect opening a barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator in response to detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle or in response to receiving indication from the input/output module that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle.

50. The method of claim 47 further comprising in response to receiving an indication from the peripheral device that the pre-installed barrier is closing a barrier, sending a signal to effect opening the barrier by the pre-installed barrier operator in response to receiving a command to do so when detecting that the obstacle detector is unable to detect an obstacle or in response to receiving indication from the input/output module that the obstacle detector detected an obstacle.

51. The method of claim 36 wherein the receiving information from a peripheral device further comprises receiving information from at least one peripheral device comprising a network adaptor to effect a connection to Internet.

52. The method of claim 48 further comprising sending communications to and receiving communications from devices over the Internet.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising receiving commands to operate the pre-installed barrier operator from a device over the Internet.

54. The method of claim 52 further comprising sending status information regarding the pre-installed barrier operator to a device over the Internet.

55. The method of claim 36 wherein the receiving information from a peripheral device further comprises receiving information from at least one peripheral device comprising a sensor disposed to detect a location of a barrier operated by the pre-installed barrier operator.