Barrier movement operator communications

• US 20060183457A1
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 8,040,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/403
• 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 method of obtaining assistance for a user at a moveable barrier operator comprising:

actuating an actuator at the moveable barrier operator thereby causing a message to be formed, the message indicating that a user at the moveable barrier operator requires assistance;

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

performing an assistance action to provide assistance to the user at the moveable barrier operator.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing a communication channel between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center prior to transmitting the message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing a communication channel comprises establishing a channel selected from a group comprising a cell phone channel, an Internet channel, a digital service channel, a satellite channel, and a land line telephone channel.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein performing an assistance action comprises performing an assistance action selected from a group comprising returning a message to a user over the communication channel, initiating a phone call to the user, mailing a response to the user, and sending a human representative to contact the user.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the operator comprises a plurality of electronically controlled settings and the method comprises changing selected settings of the operator from the assistance center.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring readings from the operator at the assistance center.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein monitoring the readings comprises monitoring readings selected from a group comprising 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, code version, and reasons for reversals.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising accessing manufacturing information and field problem reports concerning the operator using the serial number information.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising accessing manufacturing information and field problem reports concerning the operator using the code version.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising recreating a problem at the moveable barrier and monitoring the recreated problem at the assistance center.

11. A moveable barrier operator comprising:

an actuator;

a transmitter having an output; and

a controller coupled to the actuator and the transmitter, wherein a user actuates the actuator to form a message, the message indicating that the user requires assistance, and 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.

12. The moveable barrier operator of claim 11 wherein the actuator comprises a switch.

13. The moveable barrier operator of claim 12 wherein the switch is a dedicated assistance button.

14. The moveable barrier operator of claim 12 comprising a motor connected to a barrier and wherein the controller activates the motor for moving the barrier between opened and closed positions.

15. A system of obtaining assistance for a user at a moveable barrier operator comprising:

a moveable barrier operator having an actuator;

an assistance center coupled to the moveable barrier operator via a communication channel; and

wherein a user actuates the actuator at the moveable barrier operator causing a message to be sent to the assistance center over the communication channel, the message indicating that a user at the moveable barrier operator requires assistance, and wherein an assistance action is performed at the assistance center to provide assistance to the user at the moveable barrier operator.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the communication channel is selected from a group comprising a cell phone channel, an Internet channel, a digital service channel, a satellite channel, and a land line telephone channel.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the assistance action is selected from a group comprising returning a message to a user over the communication channel, initiating a phone call to the user, mailing a response to the user, and sending a human representative to contact the user.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the assistance center further comprises means for changing selected settings of the operator.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the assistance center further comprises means for monitoring readings from the operator.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the readings are selected from a group comprising 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, and reasons for reversals.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising accessing manufacturing information and field problem reports concerning the operator using the serial number information.

22. The system of claim 20 further comprising accessing manufacturing information and field problem reports concerning the operator using the code version.

23. The system of claim 15 the operator further comprises means for recreating a problem and the assistance center further comprises means for monitoring the recreated problem.