Abstract: A lock for securing a door is provided, the lock includes a housing configured to be mounted on a door, a locking member movable between locked and unlocked positions, a core with a keyway and configured to turn relative to the housing to cause the locking member to move between the locked and unlocked positions, at least one optical source configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation signal at an object in the keyway, at least one optical detector configured to detect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation signal, a memory configured to store at least one authorized key characteristic, a motor configured to control movement of the locking member between locked and unlocked positions, and a processor that determines at least one sensed characteristic of the object in the keyway based at least in part on the electromagnetic radiation signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for managing and controlling network-enabled movable barrier operators is provided. A method for managing network-enabled movable barrier operator includes receiving a user account identifier and a movable barrier operator identifier from a user device, providing an instruction to perform a specified action with a movable barrier operator associated with the movable barrier operator identifier to the user device, determining a registration condition is met upon detecting that the specified action has been performed, and, in the event that the registration condition is met, associating the movable barrier operator identifier with the user account identifier to allow a user account associated with the user account identifier to control the movable barrier operator over a network.

Abstract: In one aspect, a remote server computer is provided for facilitating operation of movable barrier operator systems having imminent motion notification apparatuses. The remote server computer includes a processor, a memory, and a network interface for communicating state change commands to the movable barrier operator systems via a network. The remote server computer is configured to receive a confirmation indicating that a sensor check has been performed to test sensors of those systems. Upon receiving a state change request from a remote control associated with a movable barrier operator system, the processor may determine whether the confirmation has been received for that system, and if so, causes communication of an attended command signal that inhibits operation of an imminent motion notification apparatus of the movable barrier operator system. Otherwise, the remote server computer may communicate an unattended command signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, an in-vehicle computing device is provided for controlling operation of a movable barrier operator. The in-vehicle computing device includes a sensor configured to detect a vehicle characteristic and communication circuitry operable to cause automatic operation of the movable barrier operator by communicating with the movable barrier operator. The in-vehicle device further includes a processor operatively coupled to the communication circuitry, the sensor, and the memory. The processor configured to determine satisfaction of a user account condition and, upon the user account condition not being satisfied, to inhibit the communication circuitry from initiating automatic operation of the movable barrier operator.

Abstract: In one aspect, a server computer is configured to facilitate operation of a movable barrier operator using voice commands. The server computer includes a processor configured to receive a request for a first rolling voice identifier from a communication apparatus in response to receipt of a voice command of a user requesting a state change of a movable barrier. The processor is configured to send the first rolling voice identifier to the communication apparatus causing the communication apparatus to provide a first physical stimulus to the user based at least in part on the first rolling voice identifier and user account information. The processor is configured to receive a communication indicative of a user voice response to the first physical stimulus and determine whether to instruct the movable barrier operator to change a state of the movable barrier based on the user voice response to the first physical stimulus.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for managing and controlling movable barrier operator systems are described herein. A method for controlling a movable barrier operator system comprises receiving a credential associated with a first user account from a first user device, storing the credential in a memory of the movable barrier operator system, communicating the credential and an identifier of the movable barrier operator system to a remote computer to register the movable barrier operator system with the remote computer, and configuring the movable barrier operator system to change a state of a movable barrier in response to the movable barrier operator system receiving a state change request from a second user device associated with a second user account, the state change request from the second user device including the credential or a derivative of the credential received from the first user device.

Abstract: In one aspect, an in-vehicle device is provided that includes a sensor configured to detect a vehicle characteristic indicative of the vehicle being in proximity to a location associated with a movable barrier operator. The in-vehicle device includes communication circuitry to communicate an open command to the movable barrier operator that causes the movable barrier operator to open a movable barrier connected to the movable barrier operator. A memory is configured to store a vehicle arrival condition indicative of whether the vehicle arrived at the location associated with the movable barrier operator. A processor is configured to determine satisfaction of the vehicle arrival condition and, upon the vehicle arrival condition not being satisfied, cause the communication circuitry to communicate a close command to the movable barrier operator that causes the movable barrier operator to close the movable barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: In one aspect, a portable electronic device is provided for accessing a secured area to deliver a package therein. The portable electronic device includes a sensor configured to detect an indicium of the package and communication circuitry configured to communicate a message to a server computer associated with the package upon the sensor detecting the indicium. The communication circuitry is further configured to receive delivery information from the server computer, the delivery information including at least a location of the secured area. The portable electronic device further includes a processor operatively coupled to the sensor and the communication circuitry. The processor is configured to cause, via the communication circuitry, the movable barrier operator to open a movable barrier associated with the secured area.

Abstract: A method and a motion data extraction and vectorization system (MDEVS) extract and vectorize motion data of an object in motion with optimized data storage and data transmission bandwidth. The MDEVS includes an image sensor, a motion data processor, and a storage unit. The image sensor captures video data including a series of image frames of the object in motion. The motion data processor detects an object in motion from consecutive image frames, extracts motion data of the detected object in motion from each image frame, and generates a matrix of vectors defining the object in motion for each image frame using the extracted motion data. The motion data includes, for example, image data of the object, trajectory data, relative physical dimensions, a type of the object, time stamp of each image frame, etc. The storage unit maintains the generated matrix of vectors for local storage, transmission, and analysis.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator that includes a motor, an armature shaft of the motor, and a worm screw assembled with a distal end portion of the armature shaft. The movable barrier operator further includes a worm wheel engaged with the worm screw and a rotatable drive member connected to the worm wheel. Turning of the armature shaft and worm screw mounted thereto causes turning of the worm wheel and rotatable drive member.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system includes a light emitter that emits a light signal and a light detector configured to receive a portion of the light signal reflected back from an object. The system includes a processor operatively coupled to the light emitter and the light detector to determine a presence of an obstacle based on the portion of the light signal received by the light detector. The system includes a heater operatively coupled to a power source and at least one sensor configured to determine an ambient temperature and an ambient relative humidity. The processor is operatively coupled to the power source, the heater, and the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to calculate a dew point of the environment from the ambient relative humidity and the ambient temperature and to activate the heater in response to the ambient temperature being less than the dew point.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an in-vehicle apparatus includes a transmitter operable to transmit radio frequency control signals and communication circuitry configured to communicate with a remote computer via a network. The communication circuitry is configured to receive information from the remote computer via the network, the information pertaining to one or more controllable devices of a user account. The apparatus includes a processor configured to: communicate, via the communication circuitry, a transmitter identifier representative of a transmitter code of the transmitter with the remote computer; effect the movable barrier operator to change a state of a movable barrier by causing the transmitter to transmit a first radio frequency control signal to the movable barrier operator system; and effect the movable barrier operator to learn the transmitter by causing the transmitter to transmit a second radio frequency control signal to the movable barrier operator system.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for a movable barrier system having a rotatable drum and an elongate member that winds up on and pays out from an external surface of the rotatable drum. The sensor apparatus includes a base portion, a sensing portion, and a controller. The sensing portion senses a first spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion and a second spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion. The controller detects a change in the proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion without the elongate member contacting the sensing portion.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a head unit of a movable barrier operator is provided including a motor for moving a movable barrier and a first circuit board operable to provide power to the motor. The head unit includes a fire-resistant container that contains the first circuit board. This permits the electrical components of the head unit that utilize higher voltage, such as 120 volts, to be provided on the first circuit board and contained in the fire-resistant container. The head unit further includes a second circuit board outside of the fire-resistant container and operably coupled to the first circuit board. Because the second circuit board is outside of the fire-resistant container, the second circuit board may contain electrical components of the head unit that operate at lower voltages, such as at or below 24 volts.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system and method are provided for pairing a network-enabled movable barrier operator with a transmitter. The method may include receiving a pairing request, retrieving a hashed version of the transmitter fixed code, verifying access authorization, and forwarding the hashed version of the transmitter fixed code to a movable barrier operator to allow the movable barrier operator to determine whether a new transmitter is authorized to control the movable barrier operator.

Abstract: In one aspect, a user device is provided that includes a processor configured to execute a user interface application, a controllable device application, and an operating system of the user device. The user device includes communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication between the controllable device application and the controllable device. The user interface application is configured to detect a notification of the controllable device application communicated to the operating system, the notification pertaining to a state of the controllable device associated with the controllable device application. The user interface application is configured to determine the state of the controllable device based at least in part on the notification of the controllable device application communicated to the operating system of the user device.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein that may be used to monitor a movable barrier operated by a movable barrier operator. In some embodiments, a system includes a camera configured to capture frames, and a control circuit. The camera has a field of view that defines a boundary of each of the frames. The control circuit is configured to receive a first frame, identify a stationary object in the first frame, and define a region of interest “ROI” relative to the stationary object in the first frame. The control circuit is further configured to receive a second frame, identify the stationary object in the second frame, determine whether at least a portion of the ROI is outside of the second frame, and cause the movable barrier operator to enter a failsafe mode upon the at least a portion of the ROI being outside of the second frame.