Power conserving mobile transmitter

• US 7,956,721 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Homerun Holdings Corporation
• Inventors: Mamaloukas, Jason L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sherwin; Ryan W
• Application Number:
  US11/651,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20080164973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,610 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.7, 340/5.72, 340/5.71, 340/5.61, 340/5.64
• US Class Current: 340/5.71
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00849 programming by learning
• 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

Abstract

An operator system and related methods for automatically controlling access barriers which include a base controller associated with at least one access barrier and at least one base receiver associated with the base controller. The system also includes a mobile transmitter configured to be carried by a carrying device, such as a vehicle. The mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generates a mobile signal received by the base receiver. The base controller selectively generates barrier movement commands upon receipt of the at least one mobile signal. Furthermore, the mobile transmitter includes an accelerometer to detect when the carrying device is moving so as to selectively turn the mobile transmitter on and off in order to conserver power.

Claims

1. A system for controlling an access barrier comprising:

a base operator to actuate the access barrier, said base operator adapted to communicate learning data only in a learn mode and receive operational data only when in an operate mode; and

at least one hands-free mobile transmitter including a motion detector and a transceiver, said transceiver adapted to communicate learning data only when in said learn mode and transmit operational data only when in said operate mode, said at least one mobile transmitter and said base operator being learned to each other by exchanging learning data in said learn mode;

said motion detector comprising an accelerometer which detects movement of said at least one hands-free mobile transmitter; and

said at least one hands-free mobile transmitter only transmitting operational data to be received by said at least one hands-free mobile base operator to actuate the access barrier when said transmitter records acceleration values in at least two different axes, then sleeps for a predetermined period of time, then awakens to detect a first change of acceleration in at least one axis of motion from said recorded acceleration values and then confirms a second change of acceleration in at least one axis of motion the same as or different than detected at said first change of acceleration.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said base operator includes a base transceiver.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said learning data includes a communication frequency selected by said base operator.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said learning data comprises a security code.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said security code comprises a rolling code.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the exchange of said learning data results in the selection of a communication frequency for use by said base operator and said at least one mobile transmitter.

7. An operator system for automatically controlling access barriers, comprising:

a base controller associated with at least one access barrier;

at least one base transceiver associated with said base controller; and

at least one hands-free mobile transmitter including a motion detector and a transceiver, said motion detector comprising an accelerometer which detects movement of said at least one hands-free mobile transmitter, said at least one mobile transmitter automatically and periodically generating dual identification mobile signals for receipt by said base controller when said accelerometer detects a change in acceleration, said dual mobile identification signals include an open identification signal and a close identification signal, said base controller configured to receive said dual identification mobile signal, and said base controller and said at least one mobile transmitter adapted to exchange learning data between each other in a learn mode, so as to be learned to each other;

wherein if said at least one mobile transmitter and said base controller are learned to each other, said dual identification mobile signals are detectable by said at least one base transceiver, said base controller selectively generating barrier movement commands depending upon whether said open and close identification signals are received or not, and wherein said at least one hands-free mobile transmitter only transmits said open and close identification signals when said at least one hands-free mobile transmitter first records acceleration values in at least two different axes, then sleeps for a predetermined period of time, then awakens to detect a first change of acceleration in at least one axis of motion from said recorded acceleration values and then confirms a second change of acceleration in at least one axis of motion the same as or different than detected at said first change of acceleration.

8. The operator system according to claim 7, wherein said learning data comprises a security code.

9. The operator system according to claim 8, wherein said security code comprises a rolling code.

10. The operator system according to claim 7, wherein said a communication frequency is selected during the exchange of said learning data in said learn mode.