Decryption of access codes of diverse protocols in barrier operator systems

• US 9,388,621 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2012
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated, Overhead Door Corporation (Sanwa Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated, Overhead Door Corporation (Sanwa Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Siegesmund, Mark Kenneth, Delport, Vivien Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY III, EDWIN C
• Application Number:
  US13/477,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20120299697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/12.29, 380/270
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/0652 Tracks E05D15/063 - E05D15/0647 and E05D15/0656 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/38 for upwardly-moving wings, e.g. up-and-over doors
• 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 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/681 operated by flexible elongated pulling elements, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/684 by chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/686 by cables or ropes
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/656 Chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/668 Pulleys; Wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/672 Tensioners, tension sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0413 for tubes using the innerside thereof F16B7/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/042 with a locking element, e.g. pin, ball or pushbutton, engaging in a hole in the wall of at least one tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0433 for rods or tubes being in parallel relationship
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00412 the transmitted data signal being encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00888 programming by learning
• 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: G07C 9/00857 : where the code of the data carrier can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 : specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 : having a variable access code
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49959 : Nonresilient fastener

Abstract

Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter.

Claims

1. A barrier operator system for controlling a motor to move a barrier between open and closed positions, comprising:

remote control transmitter devices capable of each transmitting encrypted commands of first and second encryption protocols; and

a barrier operator, including a receiver, comprising a microcontroller configured to decrypt encrypted commands of said first and second encryption protocols, thereby to actuate said motor in accordance with such differently encrypted commands;

wherein the microcontroller is also configured to, based on receipt of a first user input, enter a learn mode which permits selection of one of multiple different operational parameters of the barrier operator for adjustment, the selection being based upon a second user input subsequent in time to the first user input;

wherein a given one of the multiple different operational parameters comprises which encrypted commands of the second encryption protocol are known by the microcontroller, and wherein permission of the selection of the given one of the multiple different operational parameters is based upon the second user input being receipt of a known encrypted command of the first encryption protocol;

wherein the microcontroller is also configured to, when in the learn mode and the given one of the multiple different operational parameters is selected, learn a new encrypted command of the second encryption protocol.

2. A barrier operator system comprising a barrier operator for moving a barrier between open and closed positions in response to a movement command, and at least one wireless transmitter for transmitting access codes encrypting the movement command, and a receiver for receiving said access codes, in which

the at least one transmitter switchably wirelessly transmits access codes of different protocols, the transmitter having a user-actuated control, the user-actuation of the control at a first time, and in a first manner, results in the transmission of access codes of a first protocol, and the user-actuation of the control at a different time, and in a different manner, results in the transmission of access codes of a second, and different, protocol;

and

the receiver alternately learns both the access codes of the first protocol and the access codes of the second protocol, the learning by the receiver of the access code of the second protocol being responsive to (i) the barrier operator being placed in a learn mode via a first user input, (ii) the receiver receiving a second user input sourced differently from and subsequent in time to the first user input, the second user input being the transmission of a previously learned access code of the first protocol, and (iii) if the second user input was received, the receiver opening a window of time for it to listen for and receive the access code of the second protocol.

3. The barrier operator system of claim 2, further comprising a set of lights with different illuminations respectively indicating the learning of the access codes of the first protocol or of the access codes of the second protocol.

4. The barrier operator system of claim 2 in which the different manner of actuation is by holding the control down for a fixed period of time.