Patent Publication Number: US-7224275-B2

Title: Movable barrier operators status condition transception apparatus and method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to movable barrier operators. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Movable barriers of various kinds are known in the art, including but not limited to horizontally and vertically sliding barriers, vertically and horizontally pivoting barriers, single-piece barriers, multi-piece or segmented barriers, partial barriers, complete barriers, rolling shutters, and various combinations and permutations of the above. Such barriers are typically used to control physical and/or visual access to or via an entryway (or exit) such as, for example, a doorway to a building or an entry point for a garage. 
     In many cases, a motor or other motion-imparting mechanism is utilized to effect selective movement of such a movable barrier. A movable barrier operator will then usually be utilized to permit control of the motion-imparting mechanism. In some cases a user may control the movable barrier operator by indicating a selection via one or more control surfaces that are physically associated with the movable barrier operator. In other cases such control can be effected by the transmission of a wireless remote control signal to the movable barrier operator. 
     Over time, the capabilities of and features supported by such movable barrier operators has expanded to include actions other than merely opening and closing a corresponding movable barrier. Some movable barrier operators provide ambient lighting. Some movable barrier operators can sense the likely presence of an obstacle in the path of the movable barrier and take an appropriate corresponding action. And some movable barriers have a plurality of operating modes to facilitate differing control strategies (for example, many movable barrier operators have a so-called vacation mode that prompts use of a differing set of operational states when the user leaves the movable barrier operator for an extended period of time or a learning mode that places the movable barrier operator into a programmable state to permit manual and/or automatic setting or selection of one or more operational parameters such as a maximum force setting). 
     Installation settings and needs can vary considerably from one place to another. Notwithstanding this truism, movable barrier operator manufacturers prefer to seek the economies of scale that attend the manufacture and distribution of movable barrier operator platforms that will provide satisfactory service in a wide variety of settings. As a result, some movable barrier operators are manufactured with the ability to support a wide range of functionality. Unfortunately, this often means that a physical interface must be provided to support numerous potentially utilized peripheral devices (including but not limited to sensors, control surfaces, alarms, displays, ambient and/or spot lighting, and so forth). This physical interface can represent undesired additional cost when part of the interface goes unused in a given installation. 
     Furthermore, even when a given installation includes use of all potentially supported peripherals, the physical installation itself will often necessarily include a physical signaling path to couple the movable barrier operator to the various peripherals. This in turn can result in undesired exposed wiring and/or an undesired increase of installation time. 
     It is also likely in some installation settings that the physical interface of a given movable barrier operator, regardless of how well conceived in the first instance, may nevertheless fail to permit compatible support of a given peripheral. For example, a given user may wish to provide a quantity of individual lighting platforms that exceeds the number of lights that are supported by the physical interface for a given movable barrier operator. As another example, another given user may wish to support a relatively new function, such as an alarm that sounds when a possibly unauthorized individual enters an opened entryway, that is not specifically supported by a given movable barrier operator. 
     For these and other reasons, prior art movable barrier operators are often partially or wholly inadequate to suit the present and/or developing needs of a given application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the movable barrier operator status condition transmission apparatus and method described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  comprises a block diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  comprises another block diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  comprises a flow diagram as configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  comprises a schematic view of a message packet as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  comprises a flow diagram as configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  comprises a block diagram as configured in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are typically not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments, a movable barrier operator has a controller having a plurality of potential operational status conditions, a movable barrier interface that operably couples to the controller, and a wireless status condition data transmitter that is operably coupled to the controller as well. If desired, one or more status condition sensors can be utilized to sense one or more predetermined conditions and to provide corresponding indicia to the controller. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless status condition data transmitter transmits a status condition signal that corresponds to at least one of the potential operational status conditions. If desired, the status condition signal can be combined with an identifier that correlates (uniquely or relatively uniquely) to the controller and/or the movable barrier operator. Such an identifier can serve to permit a receiving device to process as appropriate the status condition information. 
     Such status condition information can be received and processed, in a preferred embodiment, by a remote peripheral device (such as, but not limited to, a display, an alarm, a lighting control unit, and so forth). If desired, although the status condition information does not comprise a control signal as such (meaning that the status condition information does not comprise an instructional signal but rather presents only informational content), the remote peripheral can be configured to process the data content to thereby nevertheless effect a desired corresponding action. 
     So configured, a given movable barrier operator can be set to wirelessly transmit a wide variety of simple messages regarding its operational states. Such information can then be utilized to compatibly support a wide range of presently desired and later-developed features and functionality. If desired, the overall cost of a given platform can be reduced as the need to over-design a physical peripheral interface becomes diminished. Furthermore, such a platform has an improved opportunity to remain compatible with evolving features and legal and/or regulatory requirements to thereby promote a longer useful service life. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment a movable barrier operator  10  will include a controller  11 , a movable barrier interface  12 , and a wireless status condition data transmitter  15 . The controller  11  will preferably comprise a programmable platform (such as, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic or gate array, or the like) that can be readily programmed and configured in accordance with the various teachings set forth herein and as is generally well understood in the art. The movable barrier interface  12  couples to and is controlled by the controller  11  and further couples to a movable barrier  13 . Various mechanisms now known or hereafter developed can serve as the movable barrier interface  12  including various drive mechanisms, clutch arrangements, and so forth. In general, the movable barrier interface  12  serves to selectively impart motion to the movable barrier  13  to cause the movable barrier  13  to move to a desired position (such as, for example, a fully opened or a fully closed position) and/or to restrict or prohibit such motion (as when movement of the movable barrier may be the result of gravity and the movable barrier interface  12  serves in part to prevent such movement until such movement is desired). Such controllers  11  and movable barrier interfaces  12  are well understood in the art, and therefore, for the sake of brevity and the preservation of focus, additional explanatory detail regarding such mechanisms will not be provided here. 
     The wireless status condition data transmitter  15  operably couples to an output of the controller  11 . This transmitter  15  can be of any variety as may suit the needs of a given application. For example, the transmitter  15  can comprise a radio frequency carrier-based transmitter, an infrared carrier-based transmitter, or a sonic carrier-based transmitter (all being generally well understood in the art). In a similar fashion, the transmission power, modulation type, signaling protocol, and other attendant characterizing features and practices of the wireless transmitter  15  can again be as desired to suit the needs of a particular setting. In a preferred embodiment, this transmitter  15  will comprise a relatively low power transmitter such that the signals it broadcasts are only receivable within a relatively constrained area (such as, for example, an effective range of 100 meters, 500 meters, 1,000 meters, or the like). Again, such transmitters are well understood in the art and hence further elaboration here will not be provided. 
     In a typical embodiment, the controller  11  will have a plurality of potential operational status conditions. For example, the controller  11  might have two or more of the following potential operational status conditions:
     moving the movable barrier in a first direction (such as towards a closed position);   moving the movable barrier in a second direction (such as towards an opened position);   reversing movement of the movable barrier (for example, to alter movement from a closed position and towards an open position);   halting movement of the movable barrier;   detecting a likely presence of an obstacle (such as a person or pet) in the likely path of movement of the movable barrier;   detecting a likely proximal presence of a human (such as a person in the vicinity of the controller);   detecting a likely proximal presence of a compatible transmitter (such as a corresponding remote control transmitter for the movable barrier operator);   receiving a wireless remote control signal (as sourced, for example, by a handheld remote control device);   receiving a wireline remote control signal (as sourced, for example, by a wall mounted remote control device);   receiving a learning mode initiation signal (via, for example, a switch provided for this purpose on the movable barrier operator housing);   a lighting status change (as when, for example, the controller switches ambient lighting in a garage to an off condition a predetermined period of time following closure of the movable barrier);   a vacation mode status change (as when a user effects this change via a switch provided for this purpose);   detecting a likely proximal presence of a vehicle;   detecting the identification of a proximal vehicle (as when, for example, the vehicle or some corresponding agent device transmits an identifying signal); and   receiving an operating parameter alteration signal (via, for example, an integral or remote switch or other user interface).
 
It will be understood and appreciated that these are intended for illustrative purposes only, and that a given controller may have only a subset of these status conditions, a combination of some or all of these status conditions with other status conditions, or a set of wholly different potential status conditions.
   

     Depending upon the needs of the setting, the controller  11  can be self-aware of such operational status conditions (as when, for example, the controller  11  is aware that it has switched a given ambient light fixture on or off) or the controller  11  can be provided with externally developed information regarding the condition. To effect the latter, it may be desirable in some settings to use one or more status condition sensors  14 . Such sensors  14  can be disposed integral to the movable barrier operator  10  as suggested by the illustration in  FIG. 1  and/or can be configured as remotely disposed entities to suit the requirements of a specific application. 
     Pursuant to these various embodiments, the wireless status condition data transmitter  15  serves to transmit a status condition signal that represents a present operational status condition of the controller  11 . In a preferred embodiment, this transmission occurs automatically in response to when the controller  11  detects at least one predetermined condition, which predetermined condition preferably, but not necessarily, corresponds to the present operational status being reported via the transmission. Another option would be to have such information transmitted on a substantially regular periodic basis. An illustrative (but not all-inclusive) listing of potentially useful predetermined conditions might include:
     moving the movable barrier in a first direction;   moving the movable barrier in a second direction;   reversing movement of the movable barrier;   halting movement of the movable barrier;   detecting a likely presence of an obstacle to movement of the movable barrier;   detecting a likely proximal presence of a human;   receiving a wireless remote control signal;   receiving a wireline remote control signal;   receiving a learning mode initiation signal;   receiving an operating parameter alteration signal;   expiration of a predetermined duration of time; and   attainment of a predetermined point in time.   

     In a preferred approach, this status condition signal does not constitute a control signal per se. That is to say, the controller  11  does not necessarily source this status condition signal as a specific part of implementing a control strategy. As an example, the controller  11  would not source this status condition signal to specifically cause a light to be switched on upon receipt of the signal. Instead, the controller  11  sources this status condition signal to specify that it has, through some other means, initiated a control action or strategy to cause a light to be switched on. The status condition signal then simply reflects the actions being taken by the controller  11  and/or the other operational conditions being experienced by the controller  11 . 
     If desired, such status condition data signals can also be transmitted by the controller  11  via a wireline connection  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the status condition signals as transmitted from such a movable barrier operator  10  are preferably received by a remote peripheral  20  having a corresponding compatible wireless receiver  21  that operably couples to a peripheral controller  22 . The remote peripheral  20  itself can comprise any of a wide variety of platforms, including but certainly not limited to an informational display, a remote access interface, a light fixture, a timer apparatus, an alarm unit, and so forth. So configured, the remote peripheral  20 , upon receiving status condition information from the movable barrier operator  10  via the wireless transmissions being sourced by the latter, can process that information in accord with a desired end result. For example, the remote peripheral  20  can serve to simply further communicate such status information via a display such as an alphanumeric display, a graphic images display, one or more signal lights and/or corresponding indicative audible sounds, and so forth. 
     As another example, the remote peripheral  20  can process such status information to then itself ascertain a particular resultant course of activity. To illustrate, the remote peripheral can comprise a peripheral lighting unit that controls the provision of ambient lighting in a particular area (such as in a yard area outside the entrance to a residential garage). Upon receiving a status condition signal from the movable barrier operator  10  indicating that the movable barrier operator  10  has switched on its own lights, the remote peripheral  20  can then itself determine to also switch on its own lights. In a similar fashion, upon being informed that the movable barrier operator  10  has switched its lights off, the remote peripheral  20  can also decide to switch its own lights to an off condition. 
     So configured, it can be seen that when a movable barrier operator  11  provides wireless signals that represent one or more status conditions, a wide variety of known and hereafter developed remote peripherals  20  can be readily configured to leverage the receipt of such information for a variety of other purposes. Such remote peripherals can further supplement or extend the functionality of the movable barrier operator  10  itself (as when the remote peripheral  20  simply activates additional lighting to complement the lighting strategy of the movable barrier operator  10 ) or they can facilitate functionality that is above and beyond the control architecture of the movable barrier operator  10 . To support the latter, it is preferred that the movable barrier operator  10  tend towards a relatively rich data stream where at least many or even substantially all current operational status conditions are regularly noted and transmitted to thereby provide considerable informational grist for use by the remote peripherals to thereby more likely facilitate additional not-otherwise-supported functionality. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the movable barrier operator  10  related above serves as an appropriate platform to effect a process  30  wherein one or more predetermined operational status conditions are detected  31 . In a preferable approach, monitoring (and/or condition occurrence sensitivity) to support such detection occurs on a regular, or even substantially constant, basis. It is also preferred that a plurality of operational status conditions be monitored such that a plurality of differing operational status conditions can be so detected as they occur. As noted earlier, such monitoring and detection can result through one or more operational status condition sensors and/or through the ability of the controller to self-monitor its own operational status. 
     Upon detecting such a condition, the process  30  then forms  32  a message that includes content to relate, reflect, or otherwise correspond to the detected status condition. In an optional approach, this message can be formed to include an identifier for the movable barrier operator. For example, and referring now momentarily to  FIG. 4 , such a message  40  can include a first field  41  that includes a specific identification number that is at least relatively unique to a given movable barrier operator and that also includes one or more additional data fields. A single data field can be used if desired to contain information that corresponds to the specified status condition. As another approach, and as illustrated, a plurality of fields (from field  1   41  to field N  43 ) can be provided, with each field corresponding to, for example, a particular monitored condition. The content of such fields could then comprise one or more flags or other indicia to indicate a particular present status for each such field. (In another approach, such indicia could also provide an indication as to an anticipated or planned change to the status of a given condition including, where available, an anticipated or planned temporal schedule for effecting such changes.) 
     Upon receipt of such a message, a remote peripheral can use the identifying information to determine whether the received information corresponds to a relevant movable barrier operator (i.e., to a movable barrier operator with which the remote peripheral has been previously associated). When information from an unrecognized movable barrier operator is received for whatever reason or due to whatever circumstance, the remote peripheral can choose to simply ignore the information and thereby avoid taking a potentially inappropriate action. 
     Returning again to  FIG. 3 , the process  30  then provides for automatic transmission  33  of the status condition message via the carrier/transmitter of choice and as otherwise is generally described above. It would of course be possible to transmit other signals and messages via the transmitter too, if desired. For example, specific control signals could also be transmitted (either as part of the above-described message or as a separate message) as an integral part of the overall control strategy of the movable barrier operator. 
     In a similar fashion, and referring now to  FIG. 5 , the above-described remote peripheral  20  can serve as a suitable platform to effect a corresponding process  50  wherein the process  50  detects  51  for the reception of status condition signals and, upon receiving such a signal, uses the corresponding data to thereby permit effectuation  52  of a corresponding predetermined action. As already noted, the corresponding predetermined action (or actions) can be many and varied. A non-exhaustive illustrative listing could include:
     activating a light (either ambient lighting and/or signaling indicia);   deactivating a light;   activating an audible alarm;   deactivating an audible alarm;   manipulating a locking mechanism;   providing a corresponding information display;   allowing remote modification of configuration variables; and   initiating a timing mechanism.
 
Other possibilities of course exist. It should also be clearly understood that functions not yet conceived or enabled may also be well served and supported by these embodiments, as these embodiments are not dependent upon the movable barrier operator having an already-existing native ability to support such functionality. Instead, by providing movable barrier operator status indicia, the remote peripherals are themselves able to intuit when circumstances are appropriate to initiate or restrain their own functionality and features.
   

     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept. For example, if desired, the movable barrier operator could also wirelessly transmit control signaling in addition to the status condition information. Though such control signaling may not offer a same degree of long term flexibility as the preferred approaches set forth above, such control signaling may nevertheless serve to facilitate one or more presently known and highly desired features or functions. 
     As another example, and referring now to  FIG. 6 , a remote peripheral controller  22  can also couple to a wireless transmitter  62 . In turn, the movable barrier operator controller  11  can further couple to a wireless receiver  61  that serves to compatibly receive messages as transmitted by the remote peripheral controller  11 . This link can mirror the carrier/modulation/protocol mechanism described above for the movable barrier operator-to-remote peripheral link, or it can be different. As an illustrative example, the movable barrier operator can have a wireless status condition data transmitter that uses an infrared carrier and a receiver that uses a radio frequency carrier. So configured, a variety of useful purposes can be served. As one example, the remote peripheral controller  22  can query the movable barrier operator controller  11  via this communication mechanism to thereby cause the movable barrier operator controller  11  to respond with, for example, an updated status condition data message.