Abstract: A light system for a barrier operator includes a plurality of barrier operators each in communication with a respective wall console. The light system further includes a plurality of light kits, each light kit of the plurality of light kits being in communication with at least one barrier operator of the plurality of barrier operators. Each barrier operator of the plurality of barrier operators is configured to select one of the light kits of the plurality of light kits as a master light kit, receive a state information from the master light kit, and transmit the state information of the master light kit to other light kits of the plurality of light kits. As such the lights connected to a barrier operator may become synchronized.

Abstract: Movable barrier monitoring apparatus and methods are provided for rapidly responding to barrier travel obstructions and other abnormal occurrences to cause the movable barrier operator to halt barrier travel or stop and reverse barrier travel, while ignoring typical and normal impediments to barrier travel. Alternate methods are described for programming the barrier operator controller to compare characteristics of the monitored barrier run over the defined travel path with the characteristics of a good barrier run without interruption to barrier travel, with the degree of differentiation of such characteristics determinative of whether the operator controller is to interrupt barrier travel or not.

Abstract: A door operating system includes a door operator; a laser transmitter; and an accessory device operatively connected to a laser receiver, the accessory device is powered, at least in part by, energy received by a laser shining at the laser receiver. A method of providing power to accessory devices associated with a door opening system includes: configuring a laser receiver to receive power from a laser; configuring the laser receiver to provide power to an accessory device; configuring a laser transmitter to convert AC power to a laser; controlling the laser transmitter with a controller that also controls a door operator.

Abstract: A moveable barrier system may include a moveable barrier configured to provide selective access to a space; a barrier operator configured to manipulate the moveable barrier between a closed position and an open position; a light; and a control station comprising a multi-function button configured to initiate more than one action by the barrier operator and by the light, the multi-function button being configured to initiate actions of: stopping an auto-close timer in response to receiving a first user input at the multi-function button; and toggling the light between an off state and an on state in response to receiving a second user input at the multi-function button.

Abstract: A light system for a barrier operator includes a plurality of barrier operators each in communication with a respective wall console. The light system further includes a plurality of light kits, each light kit of the plurality of light kits being in communication with at least one barrier operator of the plurality of barrier operators. Each barrier operator of the plurality of barrier operators is configured to select one of the light kits of the plurality of light kits as a master light kit, receive a state information from the master light kit, and transmit the state information of the master light kit to other light kits of the plurality of light kits. As such the lights connected to a barrier operator may become synchronized.

Abstract: A garage door status monitoring and control system includes a control module for receiving door position information and receiving change of door position commands from a remote Internet access device. The control module includes a programmable platform configured to: route door position information to a wireless interface for transmission to the Internet access device; and cause said change of door position commands to generate a light and sound command and a door position command. A Bluetooth microprocessor generates a wireless signal to actuate a light fixture in response to the light and sound command. The light fixture includes a microprocessor for wirelessly returning an acknowledge signal. The acknowledge signal is conductively transmitted to the programmable platform from the Bluetooth microprocessor. Receipt of the acknowledge signal allows the door position command to be generated only after a defined period of time following the generation of the light and sound command.

Abstract: A garage door status monitoring and control system for a jackshaft operator may include a control module comprising a programmable platform configured to: receive a change-door-status command to change a position of a door; in response to the change-door-status command, generate and communicate a light or sound command to a wireless controller; delay a period of time after communicating the light or sound command to the wireless controller; and only after the delay, generate a door command corresponding to said change-door-status command to change the position of the door.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator release mechanism includes an operator chassis having a first side. A shaft extending in a first direction from the first side of the chassis. A brake assembly coupled to the chassis and the first shaft extends into the brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a lever, mounted to a mounting plate of the brake assembly on end and freely movable at the other end. A cable attached to the lever that when pulled pivots the lever about its mounting point. When moved, the lever disengages the brake assembly allowing for free movement of the movable barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a first side panel having a first opening and a second side panel, opposing the first side panel, where the second side panel has a second opening. The operator further includes a motor having a first side and an opposing second side including a first shaft extending in a first direction and a second shaft of the motor extending in a second opposite direction. The operator further includes a first bearing, the first bearing inserted into the first opening of the first side panel, wherein the first shaft of the motor is inserted through the first bearing and a second bearing, the second bearing inserted into the second opening of the second side panel, wherein the second shaft of the motor is inserted through the second bearing to thereby prevent transfer of vibration from the motor to the second side panel.

Abstract: A system for moving a barrier includes a motor with an integrated encoder operative to generate pulses as a function of rotation of the rotatable shaft of the motor. A preferred form of encoder is a rotary optical encoder to generate optical pulses as a function of rotational movement of the rotatable shaft. Both a microcontroller to determine door status and a controller to control door movement receive the pulses and separately execute methods in response thereto.

Abstract: A universal system and method for controlling existing garage doors via existing garage door openers. The system includes a module operable both manually and automatically to control the existing garage door, Wifi communication circuitry to receive instructions wirelessly from a remote, circuitry for automatic and remote control of the garage door and circuitry for pushing garage door status information.

Abstract: A movable barrier opener system having a brushless DC motor is provided. The movable barrier opener system may have a power supply unit with a drive circuit power module and a storage bank. The storage bank may be chargeable by the drive circuit power module and may be connectable to the drive assembly to provide electrical power to the drive assembly to move the movable barrier. The drive circuit power module may be selectably turned on and off to improve efficiency of power consumption by turning off during periods of lowered demand.

Abstract: A door operator includes: a controller; a sensor operatively connected to the controller, the sensor configured to detect an undesirable condition and communicate a signal to the controller when the undesirable condition is detected; and a door operatively connected to the controller, the controller is configured to cause the door to move from a closed position to a non-closed position when the controller receives the signal. In another aspect, the disclosure describes a method of operating a door. The method includes: detecting an undesirable condition with a sensor; communicating with a controller when the undesirable condition is detected by the sensor; and moving the door from a closed position to a non-closed position when the controller receives the signal.

Abstract: Movable barrier monitoring apparatus and methods are provided for rapidly responding to barrier travel obstructions and other abnormal occurrences to cause the movable barrier operator to halt barrier travel or stop and reverse barrier travel, while ignoring typical and normal impediments to barrier travel. Alternate methods are described for programming the barrier operator controller to compare characteristics of the monitored barrier run over the defined travel path with the characteristics of a good barrier run without interruption to barrier travel, with the degree of differentiation of such characteristics determinative of whether the operator controller is to interrupt barrier travel or not.

Abstract: A movable barrier opener system having a multiphase brushless DC motor in the drive assembly is provided. The multiphase brushless DC motor may impart motive force to a movable barrier in response to barrier movement instructions from the barrier operator controller to the drive assembly. The barrier operator controller of the movable barrier opener system is configured to detect a back EMF of at least one winding of the multiphase brushless DC motor and determines a position of the movable barrier and/or determines a torque of the multiphase brushless DC motor in response to the detected back EMF. A position sensor and a back EMF sensor module provides actual operating parameters to the controller.

Abstract: A controller for a door operator including a processor, a first actuator, and a transmitter, and associated method. The method may include inverting bit positions of a rolling code, dividing the inverted code by a predetermined number, converting the divided inverted code to base 9 coefficients, and substituting an output nibble for each base 9 coefficient in the divided converted code. The transmitter may be configured to transmit the substituted output nibble responsive to actuation of the first actuator.

Abstract: A movable barrier opener system having a brushless DC motor is provided. The movable barrier opener system may have a power supply unit with a drive circuit power module and a storage bank. The storage bank may be chargeable by the drive circuit power module and may be connectable to the drive assembly to provide electrical power to the drive assembly to move the movable barrier. The drive circuit power module may be selectably turned on and off to improve efficiency of power consumption by turning off during periods of lowered demand.