| THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120133485 | Wireless Gate Control and Communication System - A gate control and communication system of the invention including a base unit located within a premises, a gate receiver unit positioned next to a remotely located gate, and a gate control unit located next to the gate. The base unit provides for voice communications with an individual at the gate and for issuing of commands to control the gate. The gate receiver unit includes a switching device which, in response to commands directs the opening and closing of the gate. The gate control unit includes a call button for initiating voice communication with the base unit and a keypad for entering an identification code or password. The information stored in an existing gate control unit may be cloned into an additional or replacement gate control unit by entering an appropriate identification code and command while positioning the units in range of each other. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120066976 | Driven Member Positioner - In one aspect, a method of operating a movable barrier operator includes engaging a flexible driven member with a drive of the movable barrier operator. The method includes moving the flexible driven member in a first direction to move a movable barrier connected to the driven member and monitoring the position of the movable barrier. In response to the movable barrier reaching a given position, the driven member is moved in a second direction without moving the movable barrier to remove slack from the driven member. In another aspect, a movable barrier apparatus includes a movable barrier controller operatively coupled to a movable barrier operator. The movable barrier controller is configured to cause the movable barrier operator to reverse direction of a flexible driven member a distance after stopping movement of a movable barrier toward a limit position and without moving the movable barrier. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20110254685 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Barrier Movement Controllers and Employing a Camera and a Wireless Transmitter - A control circuit, upon detecting a condition of interest, automatically forwards information regarding a recently-captured image to a predetermined recipient. Upon then later receiving an instruction (which instruction was prompted at least on behalf of the predetermined recipient), the control circuit then wirelessly transmits a movable barrier remote control signal to a corresponding barrier movement controller. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110217920 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Wireless Communications Systems - A pool of identifiers are individually used by corresponding particular ones of a repeaters. A communications protocol as used by the repeaters provides time slots to be used by these repeaters when making their transmissions. Each of the time slots is associated with individual corresponding ones of the identifiers, though the time slots are allocated unequally amongst the identifiers such that at least one of the identifiers has more time slots allocated to that identifier, over a given beacon cycle, than others of the identifiers. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110216689 | Facilitating Asynchronous Transmissions Using a Protocol Having Asynchronous and Synchronous Portions - One or more repeaters enable the conveyance of both asynchronous and synchronous transmissions. This can comprise receiving, via a first carrier, a transmission from a message source that is asynchronous with respect to a time slot partitioning of the communication protocol and then, when the asynchronous transmission is received during an asynchronous source transmission portion, buffering a corresponding message until a next available synchronous time slot opportunity during the asynchronous source transmission portion and then transmitting the message via the first carrier to at least attempt to forward the message. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110205014 | Method and Apparatus for Training a Learning Movable Barrier Operator Transceiver - A system and method for training a learning transceiver to a movable barrier system includes a learning transceiver that is configured for being trained to the movable barrier system. To provide ease of use to consumers, a user is able to train the learning transceiver to the movable barrier system without needing to push a button on a movable barrier operator or use a pretrained transmitter. To this end, a movable barrier operator is configured to transmit a transmission signal to the learning transceiver including a rolling access code, which is used to train the learning transceiver. To maintain the security of the movable barrier system and to restrict unauthorized users from accessing the movable barrier system, the movable barrier operator waits to transmit the transmission signal, including the rolling access code, to the learning transceiver until it has received an indication that a predetermined event occurred. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110205013 | Method and System of Conditionally Operating a Movable Barrier - A method and system provides conditional allowance of access by operating a movable barrier such that access is not granted unless another condition is met. In one illustrative approach, a first signal is received and, if a second signal is received within a set time frame relative to receipt of the second signal, a movable barrier operator is then activated. By one approach, one of the signals is a long-range transmission, and the other signal is a visual-range transmission. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110096817 | Wirefree Intercom Having Error Free Transmission System And Process - A wireless intercom having a microcontroller that is programmed to place the intercom into a power saving sleep mode unless actively receiving or transmitting signals. The microcontroller of the intercom is interconnected to a transceiver for sending and receiving digital data packets, and to a codec for converting the digital packets to analog sound signals, and vice versa. The intercom receives digital transmission of data over a first channel and then corrects any errors in the digital data using a retransmission of the digital data over a second channel that is sufficiently spaced apart from the first channel to avoid the possibility of interference affecting both the first and second channels. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110084836 | Alarm System Interaction with a Movable Barrier Operator Method and Apparatus - A secure communication link ( | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110084798 | System Interaction with a Movable Barrier Operator Method and Apparatus - A secure communication link ( | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110074331 | Movable Barrier Operator with Energy Management Control and Corresponding Method - A movable barrier operator system wherein one or more of the various components of the system is configured to operate selectively in at least either of two operational modes. Each operating mode is characterized by a corresponding energy usage profile. The operational status of the system is monitored and operating modes are selected that serve both to substantially ensure proper operation given current likely operational expectations and an overall desire to reduce energy consumption. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20100308960 | Method and Apparatus for a Rolling Code Learning Transmitter - A barrier movement operator system having a receiver for receiving, learning and responding to transmitted rolling code type access codes; at least one trained transmitter for operating the system by transmitting a rolling code type access code to the receiver; at least one learning transmitter for learning the rolling code type access code from said trained transmitter in order to operate the system; a controller for evaluating the relationship between the learning transmitter rolling type access code and the trained transmitter rolling type access code; and a device for providing a barrier movement in response to access codes received by the receiver. The barrier movement operator provides a method of learning valid security codes by a security code receiver comprising the steps of receiving a first security code, then within a predetermined period of time receiving a second security code, having a predetermined relationship to the first security code; and storing a representation of the second security code as a valid security code. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100257784 | Movable Barrier Operator with Energy Management Control and Corresponding Method - A movable barrier operator system wherein one or more of the various components of the system is configured to operate selectively in at least either of two operational modes. Each operating mode is characterized by a corresponding energy usage profile. The operational status of the system is monitored and operating modes are selected that serve both to substantially ensure proper operation given current likely operational expectations and an overall desire to reduce energy consumption. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100242369 | Movable Barrier Operator and Transmitter With Eminent Barrier Moving Notification - A movable barrier system with a moving-barrier eminent 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 eminent motion notification, communications to the movable barrier operator include information to assist the operator in determining whether to operate the moving-barrier eminent motion notification in combination with moving the door or to specifically command that the moving-barrier eminent 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 eminent motion notification, or a transmitter identifier can provide information with respect to operation of the moving-barrier eminent motion notification. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100238117 | Movable Barrier Operator System Display Method and Apparatus - A movable barrier operator system operational component includes an integral display comprising at least one of a numeric display, an alphanumeric display, and a graphics display. The display can comprise an active display or an active interactive display and can further operate in conjunction with adjacent user-input interface opportunities. So configured, numerous user interface events can be highly leveraged to contribute to ease of installation and ease and reliability of use. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100087156 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Using Multiple Carrier Frequencies - A wireless radio frequency transmitter ( | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100085145 | System and Method for Control of Multiple Barrier Operators - 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. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100060413 | Garage Door Operator Having Thumbprint Identification System - A movable barrier operator having thumbprint identification in either a remote radio frequency transmitter, or a receiver/barrier operator system or both is provided. A control circuit with a non-volatile memory receives thumbprint information from a fingerprint detector device and stores the information, identifying an authorized user. On subsequent operation of the fingerprint detector, a fingerprint data set is received in the control circuit and an attempt is made to match the incoming data with previously stored data thus establishing the identify of the user according to highly reliable biometric principles. As an option, a variety of different actions can be taken based upon the perceived identity of a particular individual, as well as the type of device communicating with the receiver/barrier operator. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100019916 | SPRING FAILURE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A movable barrier that is at least partially counterbalanced by a spring is moved from a first position to a second position while substantially simultaneously monitoring at least one characteristic associated with moving the movable barrier to provide at least one monitored characteristic. The at least one monitored characteristic is compared to a predetermined criterion. When the at least one monitored characteristic does not meet the predetermined criterion, an alarm condition is set to indicate a failure of the spring. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20090324235 | MULTIPLE MOVABLE BARRIER OPERATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A first moveable barrier operator is actuated to move a first moveable barrier and a light beam is encoded with operational information regarding the first movable barrier operator. The encoded light beam is transmitted from an emitter associated with the first moveable barrier operator to a first detector associated with the second moveable barrier operator. The second moveable barrier operator may be subsequently operated at least in part according to the operational information encoded in the light beam. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090320374 | MOVABLE BARRIER OPERATOR SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A first movable barrier operator is actuated in order to move a first movable barrier to a first predetermined position via a first movement and according to a first operating characteristic. A second operating characteristic is selected for moving a second movable barrier to a second predetermined position via a second movement. The second operating characteristic is chosen so that the second movement of the second movable barrier to the second predetermined position does not interfere with the first movement of the first movable barrier to the first predetermined position. A second movable barrier operator is actuated to move the second movable barrier to the second predetermined position via the second movement according to the second operating characteristic. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090284188 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Controlling the Connection of a Mains to a Movable Barrier Operator Power Supply - A movable barrier operator having control circuitry ( | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090251281 | Alarm System Interaction With a Movable Barrier Operator Method and Apparatus - A secure communication link ( | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090231434 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Communicating Operational Data As Pertains to a Self-Storage Facility - Each of a plurality of disparate facility components can be provided with a communications interface. That interface, in turn, can serve to facilitate communicating operational data between individual ones of such facility components and, for example, a central self-storage facility controller. This interface can comprise a wireless or a non-wireless interface as desired. These teachings will also accommodate the use of one or more wireless repeaters to support such an approach. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090231121 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Receiving and Processing Status Information As Pertains to a Self-Storage Facility - A central facility automatically receives status information regarding at least three different kinds of system elements and processes that status information to provide a corresponding status report. These teachings will readily accommodate a wide variety of system elements including, but not limited to, area lights, security cameras, overlooks, movable barrier status detectors, point-of-entry elements, sensors of various kinds, data communication paths, and so forth. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090231093 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Controlling an Overlock as Pertains to a Self-Storage Facility - Upon detecting a secondary influence of interest one automatically controls one or more overlooks for one or more of the self-storage units as comprise a part of a self-storage facility. The secondary influence can comprise, for example, a weather condition (such as a sleeting weather condition) that is capable of causing the overlock to persist a given lock state (such as a presently-locked state). The automatic action can comprise, for example, automatically removing the overlock condition for some or all of the presently overlooked self-storage units regardless of the present contractual propriety of maintaining an overlooked state. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090230768 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate the Provision of Electrical Power As Pertains to a Self-Storage Facility - A self-storage facility having a variety of differing facility components (that utilize electricity) can couple those components to an electric mains to provide operating power. Upon sensing a lack of electrical power to that electric mains, however, these teachings can provide for actuating a back-up generator to provide back-up electrical power for some or all of those components. These teachings will also accommodate, if desired, using a renewable electrical source to provide the aforementioned electrical power to a disparate grouping of facility components. These teachings will also further accommodate, as desired, providing a source of direct current electrical power (such as a 48 volt direct current electrical power source) and then coupling that source to this disparate grouping of facility components to provide their required electrical power. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090176465 | FREQUENCY AGILE ANTENNA SYSTEM AND METHOD - A first value of an operational center frequency of a signal to transmit is determined according to received user input. The operational center frequency is centered within a first band of frequencies and the first band of frequencies has a first bandwidth. A single loop antenna is tuned to match the first value of the center frequency and the single loop antenna is arranged and configured to operate across a second band of frequencies having a second bandwidth. The first bandwidth is less than the second bandwidth. The signal is transmitted from the single loop antenna according to the first value of the operational center frequency to provide a transmitted signal. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090175025 | PERMANENTLY INSTALLED LIGHT EMITTING ELEMENTS FOR A BARRIER OPERATOR - A barrier movement operator controls movement of a movable barrier. The barrier movement operator includes a head unit, including a chassis, for commanding the movable barrier to perform movable barrier functions. A plurality of closely mounted light emitting elements are fixedly mounted onto the head unit. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the set of light emitting elements and with the chassis of the barrier movement operator to dissipate thermal energy from the set of light emitting elements. A controller is utilized for controlling the head unit to provide power to the set of light emitting elements. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090146777 | Moveable Barrier Operator Feature Adjustment System and Method - 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. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090140836 | MOVEABLE BARRIER OPERATOR TRANSLATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system includes a translator device that is configured to receive, using a pre-programmed native mode of operation, a first barrier actuation code transmitted by a transmitter according to a first code format. The translator device then analyzes the first barrier actuation code and verifies that it is a valid code. When a valid code, the translator device saves the information contained in the code, and creates a second barrier actuation code at least in part from information contained in the first actuation code and transmits the second barrier actuation code according to the second code format, which is different from the first code format. A barrier operator is coupled to the translator device and a barrier. The barrier operator has a receiver apparatus and the receiver apparatus receives the second barrier actuation code. The barrier operator determines whether the second barrier actuation code is valid, and when the barrier actuation code is determined to be valid, actuates the barrier. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090122534 | Moveable Barrier Operator Having Directional Light Sources And Corresponding Method - A moveable barrier operator includes a motor for moving a moveable barrier and a housing is disposed around the motor. The moveable barrier operator also includes a plurality of light sources and the plurality of light source are coupled to the housing along a periphery of the housing and being individually directable so as to illuminate at least one predetermined area outside the housing. The at least one predetermined area is proximal to a moveable barrier operator. A controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the motor. The controller is arranged and configured to automatically selectively actuate the motor to move the moveable barrier according to received user instructions. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090113541 | Method and apparatus for coding identification information into a security transmission and method and apparatus for automatic learning of replacement security codes - A method for use in relation to a security system includes receiving one or more items of information that each identify things or users associated with the security system, and forming a fixed portion of a security code using the one or more items of information. The fixed portion of the security code is stored in an apparatus that is configured to transmit the security code. A method and apparatus involving the receipt of such a security code are also disclosed. A method for use in relation to a security system includes generating a fixed portion of a security code, and setting a value of the fixed portion of the security code to a value that has a relationship to a fixed portion of a previously learned security code. The relationship indicates that the fixed portion of the security code is a replacement for the fixed portion of the previously learned security code. The fixed portion of the security code is stored in an apparatus that is configured to transmit the security code. A method and apparatus involving the receipt of such a security code are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090103739 | Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Use of Background Noise When Providing Secure Access to Equipment - A user interface device provides secure access to equipment. An audio reception device is adapted to receive an audio input comprising background noise and to receive an audio user code from a user. A user input device receives a manual input comprising a manual user code from the user. A control unit stores one or more target user codes and receives an audio input and determines a noise level of the background noise. An instruction message is generated to inform the user to enter the manual user code in response to the noise level of the background noise exceeding a predetermined threshold level. An output device provides the instruction message to the user. A control unit provides secure access to the equipment in response to at least one of the audio user code and the manual user code. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090100756 | Movable Barrier Drive Case Installation Safety Latch Method and Apparatus - A movable barrier drive case ( | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090033460 | System and Method for Operating a Transmitter With a Proximity Sensor - A system and method are provided that use at least one proximity sensor to illuminate a transmitter such that the transmitter can be seen by the user and/or to activate the transmitter so that the user can interface with the transmitter and send code to a receiver via the transmitter to effect an action, such as the opening or closing of a barrier or garage door. The transmitter can also be deactivated so that the proximity sensor is not continually triggering actions by the transmitter thereby potentially causing unwanted actions by the transmitter. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090021348 | ROLLING CODE SECURITY SYSTEM - A rolling code transmitter is useful in a security system for providing secure encrypted RF transmission comprising an interleaved trinary bit fixed code and rolling code. A receiver demodulates the encrypted RF transmission and recovers the fixed code and rolling code. Upon comparison of the fixed and rolling codes with stored codes and determining that the signal has emanated from an authorized transmitter, a signal is generated to actuate an electric motor to open or close a movable barrier. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090016530 | ROLLING CODE SECURITY SYSTEM - A rolling code transmitter is useful in a security system for providing secure encrypted RF transmission comprising an interleaved trinary bit fixed code and rolling code. A receiver demodulates the encrypted RF transmission and recovers the fixed code and rolling code. Upon comparison of the fixed and rolling codes with stored codes and determining that the signal has emanated from an authorized transmitter, a signal is generated to actuate an electric motor to open or close a movable barrier. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20080310689 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOVEABLE BARRIER OPERATOR - The presence of a first human fingerprint at the fingerprint scanner. The first human fingerprint is analyzed to determine whether the first human fingerprint has been previously learned by the barrier movement operator. When the first human fingerprint is determined to be previously learned, a first command is sent to actuate a moveable barrier operator. Within a predetermined time period after the first human fingerprint has been determined to be previously learned, the presence of a second human fingerprint is sensed at the fingerprint scanner. Without analyzing the second fingerprint, a second command is sent to actuate the moveable barrier operator. The first fingerprint and the second fingerprint may be from the same or different users. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080309455 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOVEABLE BARRIER OPERATOR - In some of these approaches, a first fingerprint of a first user is stored in a memory and the transmission of an activation code is authorized. Subsequently, the first fingerprint is re-sensed and authenticated and a second fingerprint of a second user is responsively sensed and stored. The activation code is transmitted to the moveable barrier operator upon subsequent authenticating of the second fingerprint. Subsequently, the second fingerprint is re-sensed and authenticated and a third fingerprint of a third user is responsively sensed and stored. The activation code is transmitted to the moveable barrier operator upon subsequent authenticating of the third fingerprint. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080303706 | Method and Apparatus Regarding a Movable Barrier Operator Remote Control Transmitter Kit - A movable barrier operator remote control transmitter kit comprises a transmitter ( | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080297370 | ROLLING CODE SECURITY SYSTEM - A rolling coda transmitter is useful in a security system for providing secure encrypted RF transmission comprising an interleaved trinary bit fixed code and rolling cede. A receiver demodulates the encrypted RF transmission and recovers the fixed code and rolling code. Upon comparison of the fixed and roiling codes with stored codes and determining that the signal has emanated from an authorized transmitter, a signal is generated to actuate an electric motor to open or close a movable barrier. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080224819 | MULTIPLE BARRIER OPERATOR SYSTEM - A command is received at a controller of the barrier movement operator system and it is determined whether the command is a valid command. When the command is a valid command, at least one of the plurality of barriers to be controlled is identified based upon information included within the command. A motor is selectively coupled to the identified barrier or barriers and the motor is energized to move the one or more barriers. | 09-18-2008 |
