The Chamberlain Group, Inc.

Edward Thomas Laird

James Joseph Fitzgibbon

Robert John Olmsted

Eric M Gregori

Colin Barns Willmott

Thomas A Brookbank

Robert Keller

Dana M Brad

James C Griffin

An encrypted rolling code, a plurality of differing data bit order patterns, and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns are provided. Based on the encrypted rolling code, patterns are selected from one or more of the plurality of differing data bit order patterns and the plurality of differing data inversion patterns. At least a part of the encrypted rolling code is transmitted to a movable barrier operator using the selected patterns as transmission characteristics.

Method and apparatus to facilitate transmission of an encrypted rolling code

An encrypted rolling code, a plurality of differing data bit order patterns, and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns are provided. One then selects a particular one of each of these patterns and uses those selected patterns as transmission characteristics when transmitting at least part of the encrypted rolling code.

A sensor apparatus for a movable barrier system having a rotatable drum and an elongate member that winds up on and pays out from an external surface of the rotatable drum. The sensor apparatus includes a base portion, a sensing portion, and a controller. The sensing portion senses a first spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion and a second spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion. The controller detects a change in the proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion without the elongate member contacting the sensing portion.

Cable tension monitor

An encrypted rolling code (), a plurality of differing data bit order patterns (), and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns) are provided. One then selects () a particular one of each of these patterns and uses those selected patterns as transmission characteristics when transmitting () at least part of the encrypted rolling code.

Upon providing () message content (such as a remote control instruction) to be transmitted, and in conjunction with provision () of a plurality of different transmission characteristics (as correspond, for example, to different types of transmission) and a corresponding plurality of correlated recovery identifiers (), a particular transmission characteristic is selected () and used to transmit () a joint message. In particular, in a preferred approach, the selected transmission characteristic () is used when transmitting at least a portion of the message content portion of the joint message while another part of the joint message carries the recovery identifier to thereby facilitate selection of an appropriate reception technique by a receiver when receiving the joint message.

Method and apparatus to facilitate message transmission and reception using different transmission characteristics

Upon providing () message content (such as a remote control instruction) to be transmitted, and in conjunction with provision () of a plurality of different transmission characteristics (as correspond, for example, to different types of transmission) and a corresponding plurality of correlated recovery identifiers (), a particular transmission characteristic is selected () and used to transmit () a joint message. n particular, in a preferred approach, the selected transmission characteristic () is used when transmitting at least a portion of the message content portion of the joint message while another part of the joint message carries the recovery identifier to thereby facilitate selection of an appropriate reception technique by a receiver when receiving the joint message.

A movable barrier system with a moving-barrier imminent motion notification includes a movable barrier and a movable barrier operator connected to control movement of the movable barrier between a first position and a second position. To reduce user dissatisfaction with the moving-barrier imminent motion notification, communications to the movable barrier operator include information to assist the operator in determining whether to operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification in combination with moving the door or to specifically command that the moving-barrier imminent motion notification operate or not. The communication may include a signal or input separate from and in addition to a typical command signal or input to the operator. By other approaches, the method of communication can provide information to the operator with respect to operation of the moving-barrier imminent motion notification, or a transmitter identifier can provide information with respect to operation of the moving-barrier imminent motion notification.

Movable barrier operator and transmitter with imminent barrier moving notification

A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.

Barrier movement system including a combined keypad and voice responsive transmitter

At a moveable barrier operator, parameters are adjusted. At a first time, the moveable barrier operator is configured with at least one parameter and adjustment of the at least one parameter is disabled until a predetermined identification signal is received. At a second time, the predetermined identification signal is received and the at least one parameter is responsively adjusted.

Moveable barrier operator feature adjustment system and method

A system for controlling operation of a plurality of movable barrier operators includes a controller configured to communicate with a plurality of movable barrier operators. The controller is programmed to receive a command to operate the plurality of movable barrier operators and to send a signal to start operation of a first movable barrier operator of the plurality of movable barrier operators in response to receiving the command. The controller is also programmed to send a signal to start a second movable barrier operator of the plurality of movable barrier operators at a time after sending the signal to start the operation of the first movable barrier operator. An arbitration of confirmation signals from the plurality of movable barrier operators may be used to determine the order of operation of the movable barrier operators.

System and method for control of multiple barrier operators

A system for detecting objects includes a digital image device such as CCD camera to control a defined area for unauthorized intrusions. The digital imaging device views a predetermined pattern positioned across the defined area from the device. A processor periodically compares an image stored in the memory with a digital representation of the predetermined pattern, and a signal is sent to a control unit when the correlation is missing as a result of the object entering field of vision of the digital imaging device and obscuring said predetermined pattern.

Detecting objects by digital imaging device

A barrier mount system is disclosed which opens and closes a barrier such as a gate or garage door in response to user generated commands. Obstruction detection apparatus is provided for safety of operator. When an obstruction is sensed, the barrier movement system is inhibited from responding to user generated commands until a predetermined event occurs. The event may be passage of a predetermined amount of time or barrier movement of a particular amount.

Barrier movement control safety method and apparatus

Methods and apparatus for controlling the speed of an A.C. induction motor are disclosed and shown in operation for controlling the movement of a barrier. Included are voltage configuration circuits which selectively gate portions of the half-cycles of AC mains voltage to the induction motor. When the motor is started increasing amounts of mains AC voltage is applied to the motor and decreasing portions of the mains AC are applied to the motor during a stopping routine. The motor can also be energized with less than full mains AC to permit differences in barrier movement speed dependent on operating parameters.

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Lombard, IL, United States of America

Edward Thomas Laird