Alarm system interaction with a movable barrier operator method and apparatus

• US 7,482,923 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2005
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2005
• 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): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US11/044,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20060176171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/545.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 Electrical actuation

Abstract

A secure communication link (24) is provided between a movable barrier operator (23) and a peripheral alarm system (20). Information conveyed via this link is used by one, the other, or both such elements to further inform or direct their respective actions.

Claims

1. A method for communicating between a peripheral alarm system and a movable barrier operator controlling movement of a movable barrier, the method comprising:

providing a secure encrypted wireless communication link between the movable barrier operator and the peripheral alarm system;

effecting at least one encrypted wireless information communication from the movable barrier operator to the peripheral alarm system using the secure encrypted wireless communication link; and

performing a peripheral alarm system action in response to the encrypted wireless information communication from the movable barrier operator to the peripheral alarm system,

wherein the moveable barrier operator is configured to receive secure encrypted signals from a user input via a remotely located user interface and wherein effecting the at least one encrypted wireless information communication further comprises providing an instruction from the movable barrier operator to the peripheral alarm system for the peripheral alarm system to take an action, and

wherein the method further comprises the peripheral alarm system action providing an encrypted wireless signal over the secure communication link to instruct the movable barrier operator to take an action.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing an instruction to the movable barrier operator further comprises providing an instruction regarding subsequent movement of a movable barrier as is controlled, at least in part, by the movable barrier operator.

3. An alarm system comprising:

a movable barrier operator secure encrypted communication link interface;

an alarm system controller that is responsive, at least in part, to data from a movable barrier operator as is received via the movable barrier operator secure encrypted communication link interface;

wherein the alarm system controller comprises an alarm actuator having a corresponding actuation time delay, wherein a first mode of operation of the actuation time delay is alterable, at least in part, in response to reception of data from a movable barrier operator via the movable barrier operator secure encrypted communication link interface.

4. The alarm system of claim 3 wherein the alarm actuator comprises an alarm arming actuator and wherein the data comprises information regarding at least one of:

reception by the movable barrier operator of a remotely transmitted command;

a predetermined state of a movable barrier as is controlled by the movable barrier operator.

5. The alarm system of claim 4 wherein the data comprises information regarding both the reception by the movable barrier operator of the remotely transmitted command and the predetermined state of the movable barrier.

6. The alarm system of claim 3 wherein the alarm actuator comprises an alarm disarming actuator and wherein the data comprises information regarding at least one of:

reception by the movable barrier operator of a remotely transmitted command;

a predetermined state of a movable barrier as is controlled by the movable barrier operator.

7. The alarm system of claim 3 wherein the alarm actuator comprises means for controlling at least one of arming and disarming an alarm capability as a function, at least in part, of movable barrier operator system information as is indicated by the data.

8. The alarm system of claim 7 wherein the movable barrier operator system information corresponds to at least one of:

reception of a remotely sourced movable barrier operator command signal;

a current position of a movable barrier;

initiation of movement of the movable barrier;

current movement of the movable barrier;

cessation of movement of the movable barrier;

reversal of movement of the movable barrier;

detection of an obstacle in a pathway of the movable barrier;

unauthorized movement of the movable barrier.

9. The alarm system of claim 3 further comprises a movable barrier operator message transmitter that is operably coupled to the alarm system controller.

10. The alarm system of claim 9 wherein the alarm system controller further comprises means for providing a movable barrier operator message to be transmitted by the movable barrier operator message transmitter, wherein the movable barrier operator message is directed to at least one of:

the movable barrier operator;

a movable barrier operator user.

11. A method for use by an intrusion detection alarm system for communicating with a garage door opener controlling movement of a garage door, the method comprising:

receiving from the garage door opener, via a secure encrypted communication link, information regarding at least one of operational status and received operational commands as corresponds to the garage door opener;

effecting at least one intrusion detection alarm system action in response to the information received from the garage door opener.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein effecting at least one action further comprises effecting a specific action with respect to at least one of arming and disarming an intrusion detection alarm.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the method further comprises effecting at least one an external communication.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein transmitting an external communication further comprises transmitting at least one of:

a command to the garage door opener;

an inquiry to the garage door opener;

a command to a peripheral alert mechanism;

a message.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the-encrypted secure communication link is wireless.