Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an access control apparatus for a barrier movement system that moves a barrier. The access control apparatus includes a near field communications (NFC) module, a radiofrequency (RF) module, and a controller coupled to the NFC module and RF module. The controller is configured to read an NFC signal from an authenticated external device, via the NFC module. In response to reading the NFC signal, the controller transmits a command signal, via the RF module, that commands the barrier movement system to move the barrier.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 62/162,474 filed on May 15, 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to the maximum extent allowable by law. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to remote operated barrier operator systems, and more particularly to the use of near field communications (NFC) in connection therewith. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Movable barriers, such as upward acting sectional or single panel garage doors, residential and commercial rollup doors, and slidable and swingable gates, are used to alternatively allow and restrict entry to building structures and property. These barriers are driven between their respective open and closed positions by coupled barrier moving units, known and referred to in the trade as “barrier operators”, and in the specific case of a garage door, known and referred to as “garage door operators.” 
         [0004]    For example, a typical garage door operator for driving an upward acting sectional garage door between its open and closed positions includes, as a central control unit, a door control module or “head” unit including a microcontroller for (i) processing incoming user actuated door instructions and (ii) generating output control signals corresponding to these instructions; a motor controller for receiving and transmitting these control signals to a motor; and a DC or AC motor drivingly coupled to the garage door. The user actuated door instructions are in the form of wired or wireless signals typically transmitted to the microcontroller from wall consoles mounted at the interior and exterior of the garage, hereinafter referred to as “access panels”, or from hand held or vehicle mounted RF transmitters. 
         [0005]    Activation of a barrier operator so as to cause a barrier to be driven between the open and closed positions via an exterior access panel can be particularly convenient for users. For example, the barrier may be opened without the need for the user to carry an RF transmitter. These exterior access panels typically utilize a keypad into which a user must enter a personal identification code in order for the barrier operator to be enabled to cause the barrier to be driven between the open and closed positions. 
         [0006]    While such exterior access panels are in wide use and add convenience for users, additional functionality is still desirable. For example, a user may have forgotten their personal identification code and not have their RF transmitter in their immediate possession. Consequently, further developments in exterior access panels for activating a barrier operator, such as a garage door opener, to accommodate those and other situations are desirable. For example, other ways of causing exterior access panels to enable the barrier operator are desirable. 
         [0007]    As known to those of skill in the art, near field communications (NFC) is a form of short-range wireless communication in which an NFC antenna is used. An NFC antenna is much smaller than the wavelength of the carrier signal, thus preventing a standing wave from developing within the antenna. In the near-field, typically considered to be one quarter of a wavelength or less, the antenna can produce either an electric field, or a magnetic field, but not an electromagnetic field. Thus, near field communications are either by way of a modulated electric field, or a modulated magnetic field, but not by a modulated electromagnetic wave. 
         [0008]    The NFC technology has recently expanded to smartphones, smartphones typically using electric field NFC, operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, corresponding to a wavelength of 22.11 m, for secure communications. Therefore, NFC technology is particularly useful for smartphone communication because the very short range of NFC makes it difficult for eavesdroping. In operation, the NFC antenna sets up the near-field around itself, with length, width and depth of the field being roughly the same as the dimensions of the NFC antenna. Thus, the NFC antenna produces a stationary electric field pulsating at 13.56 MHz. If another similarly small NFC antenna comes into this electric field, it will induce an electric potential into it, alternating at the same frequency. By modulating the signal in the NFC antenna, a signal is thus transmitted to the passive, receiving NFC antenna. 
         [0009]    It is therefore the principal object of this invention to utilize the benefits of near field communication technology to improve the ability to obtain remote access to a garage or other building structure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    Disclosed herein is an access control apparatus for a barrier movement system that moves a barrier. The access control apparatus includes a near field communications (NFC) module, a radiofrequency (RF) module, and a controller coupled to the NFC module and RF module. The controller is configured to read an NFC signal from an authenticated external device, via the NFC module. In response to reading the NFC signal, the controller transmits a command signal, via the RF module, that commands the barrier movement system to move the barrier. 
         [0011]    Another aspect is directed to electronic device for communication with an access control apparatus for a barrier movement system that moves a barrier. The access control apparatus includes a near field communications (NFC) module, a radiofrequency (RF) module, and a controller coupled to the NFC module and RF module. The controller is configured to read an NFC signal, via the NFC module, and in response to reading the NFC signal and receiving a user command, transmit a command signal, via the RF module, that commands the barrier movement system to move the barrier. The electronic device includes a near field communications (NFC) module, a wireless data module, and a controller coupled to the NFC module and the wireless data module. The controller is configured to activate the NFC module to transmit the NFC signal to the access control apparatus, and send the user command to the access control apparatus, using the wireless data module. 
         [0012]    A method aspect is directed to a method of moving a barrier that includes bringing an authenticated near field communications (NFC) device within communications distance of an access control apparatus that reads a NFC signal emitted from the authenticated NFC device, and in response to the NFC signal, transmits a command signal that commands a barrier movement system to move the barrier. 
         [0013]    Another method aspect is directed to a method of operating an access control apparatus for a barrier movement system that moves a barrier including reading a near field communications (NFC) signal from an authenticated external device, using a NFC module. A command signal that commands the barrier movement system to move the barrier is transmitted, using a radiofrequency (RF) module. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows an interior perspective of a residential garage diagrammatically illustrating a typical system for opening and closing the garage door. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an exterior front plan view of the residential garage of  FIG. 1 , showing an exterior access panel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of the principal component parts of a system for opening the garage door in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    One or more embodiments of communication systems in accordance with the principles of the present invention will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of techniques to implement the invention, as defined solely by the attached claims. Additionally, in an effort to provide a focused description of the invention and the principles of the invention, minor features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a typical garage door operator, or remote controlled garage door opener system  1  used for proximately (or remotely) activating (opening and closing) a garage door. The system  1  includes a garage door operator, the principal component in this embodiment of which is a door control module or head unit  20  normally suspended from the ceiling of the garage. A rail  22  extends from head unit  20  and is secured to the wall above the garage door  24 . One end of a door arm  26  is joined to the garage door  24 , and an opposed end of the door arm  26  is adapted to reciprocate along the length of the rail  22 . The head unit  20  includes a drive mechanism  64 , as is known in the art, for reciprocatively moving a carriage (not shown) by chain, belt, or screw drive along the rail  22 , thus respectively opening and closing the garage door  24 . The control module or head unit  20  also includes a controller  131  (see  FIG. 3 ), constituting a microcontroller, microprocessor, system on a chip, programmable gate array or similar apparatus that, upon receipt of user-actuated instruction signals, processes and outputs these instructions to the drive mechanism  64 , thereby effectuating opening or closing of the garage door  24 . Additional details of this type of garage door opener system are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,842,829, issued Sep. 23, 2014, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Alternatively, the garage door opener system  1  may be of the jackshaft/counterbalance drive type known in the industry, an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat.  7 , 296 , 607 , issued November  20 ,  2007 , assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
         [0019]    Referring again to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the user actuated instruction signals may originate from an interior located access panel  31 , in wired connection with the controller of the head unit  20 , by which user actuation of the button switch  30  of the access panel  31  instructs the opening or closing of the garage door  24 . Alternatively, encoded radio frequency (RF) instructions may be transmitted to an antenna included within a RF module  133  in the head unit  20  (see  FIG. 3 ), which is constituted by a RF receiver or RF transceiver, and in turn may be passed to the controller in the head unit  20 . The RF instructions may originate from a hand-held or vehicle mounted transmitter, or from an exterior mounted access panel  110  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0020]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the exterior mounted access panel  110  includes a keypad  112 , which includes a plurality of electrical switches, for accepting user entry of an access code. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the access panel  110  may optionally include a display  115 , such as a LCD or seven segment panel, for displaying to the user the keys of the access code as entered, or a visual representation of how many keys have been pressed. A controller  111 , such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, programmable gate array, or similar apparatus, is coupled to the keypad  112 , and reads output from the electrical switches of the keypad  112 . When an access code is entered into the keypad  112 , the controller  111  compares the access code to one or more stored authorized access codes. If the entered access code matches a stored authorized access code, the controller  111  may cause the display  115  to display a message to the user indicating that the access code is authorized and has been accepted. When the entered access code matches a stored authorized access code, the controller  111  encodes user-actuated instructions to open or close the door, and actuates an RF module  114 , which is a RF transmitter or RF receiver coupled to an antenna. The RF module  114  uses the antenna to transmit the encoded user-activated instructions as encoded user-actuated RF instructions to the RF module  133  in the head unit  20 . 
         [0021]    The encoded user-actuated RF instructions utilize an encrypted hopping code signal that changes with each transmission. The controller  111  of the access panel  110  therefore performs encryption, while the controller  131  of the head unit  20  is operable to decrypt the encrypted hopping code signal as received by its RF module  133  and to activate drive mechanism  64  when the decrypted signal properly identifies the transmission as having come from the access panel  110 . The encoding and decoding functions respectively performed by the controller  111  of the access panel  110  and controller  131  of the head unit  20  employ variations of the code hopping technique disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,187 to Bruwer, et al., which by this reference is incorporated herein in its entirety. These variations of the code hopping technique are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,667,684 to Wagamon et al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,842,829 to Bresson et al., both of which are hereby incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable under the law. 
         [0022]    The access panel  110  includes a NFC module  133 , which is comprised of a NFC antenna and a NFC receiver or NFC transceiver. The NFC module  133  enables the access panel  110  to communicate with a smartphone  120 . The smartphone  120  includes a controller  121 , which may be a system on a chip, microcontroller, microprocessor, or other suitable apparatus, coupled to a NFC module  122 , and to a touch sensitive display  123  that also acts as an input device. The NFC module  122  includes a NFC antenna coupled to a NFC transceiver, while the touch sensitive display  123  includes a display layer, and a capacitive sensing layer associated with the display layer. 
         [0023]    The invention described herein specifically relies on the use of the NFC module  133  for actuation of the access panel  110  and subsequent causing of the access panel  110  to transmit the encoded instructions to the head unit  20 . Accordingly, details of improvements to the system  1 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention, are now described. 
         [0024]    The smartphone  120  and the access panel  110  are initially “paired” through a NFC communication between their respective NFC modules  113 ,  122  and the entering of an authorized personal identification number into the keypad  112  of the access panel  110 , and potentially into the touch sensitive display  123  of the smartphone  120 . Once the smartphone  120  and access panel  110  are paired, the smartphone  120  is then considered to be authorized. 
         [0025]    A subsequent NFC communication between the respective NFC modules  113 ,  122  causes the controller  111  to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions using the RF module  114 , so as to command the head unit  20  to open or close the garage door  24 . If the controller  111  of the access panel  110  does not recognize the smartphone  120  as being authorized, it will not open or close the garage door  24  based upon NFC communication, thereby disallowing unauthorized access to the interior of the structure bounded by the garage door  24 . 
         [0026]    In some applications, the controller  111  of the access panel  110  is configured to only cause the RF module  114  to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions during a certain interval of time. That is, if a NFC communication is initiated between the NFC modules  113 ,  122  during the interval of time (i.e. between 9 am and 5 pm), the controller  111  of the access panel  110  will cause the RF module to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions, but if the NFC communication is initiated outside of that interval of time, the controller  111  of the access panel  110  will take no action. The interval of time may be programmed into the controller  111  of the access panel  110  via the keypad  112 . 
         [0027]    The controller  111  of the access panel  110  may additionally or alternatively be configured to only cause the RF module  114  to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions on a certain day or days of the week, or on a certain date or dates. For example, if a NFC communication is initiated between the NFC modules  113 ,  122  on a Monday, the controller  111  of the access panel  110  will cause the RF module to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions, but if the NFC communication is initiated on Tuesday, the controller  111  of the access panel  110  will take no action. As another example, if a NFC communication is initiated between the NFC modules  113 ,  122  on Jan. 2, 2015, the controller  111  of the access panel  110  will cause the RF module to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions, but if the NFC communication is initiated on Jan. 1, 2015, the controller  111  of the access panel  110  will take no action. The day or days of the week, or date or dates, may be programmed into the controller  111  via the keypad  112 . 
         [0028]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the time intervals and day of week or date restrictions may be utilized in tandem. Thus, the controller  111  may be configured to only cause the RF module to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions if the NFC communication is initiated between 9 am and 5 pm on a weekday, for example. 
         [0029]    Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that different smartphones  120  may be paired to the access panel  110 , and that such different smartphones may have different access limitations. For example, the controller  111  may be configured to cause the RF module to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions if the NFC communication is initiated at any time by a first smartphone  120 , but to only cause the RF module to transmit the encoded user-actuated RF instructions if the NFC communication is initiated during a certain interval of time, or on a certain day or days, or on a certain date or dates, if the NFC communications is initiated by a second smartphone. 
         [0030]    Although the foregoing description has described the system  1  with reference to a smartphone  120  being used to actuate the access panel  110 , it should be understood that any device with a NFC module may be authenticated, and used with the system once authenticated. For example, an unpowered NFC token or NFC sticker may be used. 
         [0031]    In some cases, the system  1  may operate on a dual authentication basis. In detail, after the NFC communication between the respective NFC modules  113 ,  122  takes place, a second user input must be provided in order for the controller  111  to transmit the encoded RF instructions to command the head unit  20  to open or close the garage door  24  using the RF module  114 . The second user input may be provided by entering an authorized access code into the keypad  112 , after which the controller  111  transmits the encoded RF instructions. As another example, the second user input may be provided by entering an access code into the smartphone  120  via its touch sensitive display  123 , or by providing biometric information (such as a fingerprint or retina) to the smartphone  120 . In this instance, the smartphone  120  may, without user input, prompt the user for either an access code or biometric information, in response to initiation of the NFC communication between the NFC modules  113 ,  122 . 
         [0032]    In some cases, the access panel  110  may be powered by a battery, and may remain in a low power state until initiation of the NFC communication between the respective NFC modules  113 ,  122 , at which point the access panel  110  transitions into a normal operating mode until at least completion of transmission of the encoded RF instructions by the controller  111 . 
         [0033]    In the low power state, the various components of the access panel  110  may be either off or in a low power mode. For example, in the low power state, the clock speed of the controller  111  may be reduced, the display  115  may be off, the RF module  114  may be off, a backlight of the display  115  or keypad  112  (if so equipped) may be off, and an indicator light (if so equipped) indicating whether the access panel  110  is operating in the normal operating state may be off 
         [0034]    After transition into the normal operating state, the various components of the access panel  110  that were either off or in a low power mode are placed into a normal operation state. Thus, for example, the clock speed of the controller  111  may be increased, the display  115  may be on, the RF module  114  may be on, a backlight of the display  115  or keypad  112  (if so equipped) may be on, and an indicator (if so equipped) indicating whether the access panel  110  is operating in the normal operating state may be on. 
         [0035]    While the disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be envisioned that do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure shall be limited only by the attached claims.