Patent ID: 8314509

Claim:
A method comprising: in a movable barrier operator apparatus configured to move a movable barrier along a track, the movable barrier operator apparatus having: a power supply comprising an alternating current power interface that is operably coupled to a source of alternating current; at least one stationary obstacle detector operably coupled to the source of alternating current to power the obstacle detector; and a controller which effects signals to select an energy consumption operating mode, the method comprising: determining an operating state of the movable operator barrier apparatus from activity of components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than activity of the obstacle detector; with the controller, selecting one from at least two different energy consumption operating modes for the movable barrier operator apparatus as a function, at least in part, of the operating state of the movable barrier operator apparatus; effecting signals with the controller to provide a selected energy consumption operating mode; and using the selected energy consumption operating mode to control energy consumption by the obstacle detector and components of the movable barrier operator apparatus other than the obstacle detector including at least one of the group consisting of: the power supply by toggling the power supply between two states of provision of power at different power levels other than providing no power, a motor RPM sensor, movable barrier operator control circuitry, a radio, a remotely disposed user interface, and combinations thereof.