Abstract: A control unit 11 responds in ordinary course to external stimuli. In addition, the control unit 11 further processes the external stimuli to characterize and otherwise seek to identify certain aspects and attributes. Unique audible signals that correspond to varying results of such analysis are then provided. These audible signals can readily facilitate ease and accuracy when diagnosing the cause of a particular operational issue. In one embodiment the diagnostic audible signals are selectively mutable without concurrently muting other audible signals as correspond to ordinary operation of the control unit 11.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator is having a position sensor in a telescoping barrier control arm is described. A controller, remote from the arm, senses the barrier position to identify limits of barrier travel and to control rate of travel of the barrier between limits. The operator includes both optical and edge sensor obstruction detectors and is responsive to wireless communication for receiving user initiated command signals.

Abstract: A learning mode 40 permits a device 11 to register a plurality of transmitters (as part of authorizing such transmitters to act as remote control devices for use with a movable barrier operator 12) without necessitating intervening user tactile inputs (as through a user interface keypad 33) and without unnecessarily creating a security risk with respect to the duration of the learning mode. In one embodiment, duration of the learning mode is extended in response to detecting indicia that the learning mode continues to be used.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator having a microprocessor (10) or other programmable platform will automatically work in a safe and appropriate manner both with and without safe-operation sensors (13). Once a safe-operation sensor is detected, the operator will thereafter function in a fashion that requires the continued presence of such sensor. In one embodiment, the operator state can be purposely reset to the initial operating state.

Abstract: A learning mode 40 permits a device 11 to register a plurality of transmitters (as part of authorizing such transmitters to act as remote control devices for use with a movable barrier operator 12) without necessitating intervening user tactile inputs (as through a user interface keypad 33) and without unnecessarily creating a security risk with respect to the duration of the learning mode. In one embodiment, duration of the learning mode is extended in response to detecting indicia that the learning mode continues to be used.

Abstract: A control unit 11 for a movable barrier operator and having a user interface having a display 31 can provide information on that display 31 of all presently blocked remote control transmitters without necessitating the display of any non-blocked transmitter information. In one embodiment the information is displayed one transmitter at a time, either automatically or in response to the user's actions.

Abstract: A control device 11 for use with another device (such as a movable barrier operator 12) has multiple memory interfaces 26 and 27 to permit the contents of one memory to be copied to another memory to thereby create an effective clone of the first memory. This copied memory is easily removable from the control device 11 and thereafter stored separately as a back-up memory or used as the main memory in another control device 11. This effectively avoids a need for more tedious registration of authorized remote control transmitters in systems where the control device 11 interfaces with a movable barrier operator 12. In one embodiment, blocking information as corresponds to any of the otherwise registered transmitters can also be copied to the new memory when effecting this process.

Abstract: A control unit 11 responds in ordinary course to external stimuli. In addition, the control unit 11 further processes the external stimuli to characterize and otherwise seek to identify certain aspects and attributes. Unique audible signals that correspond to varying results of such analysis are then provided. These audible signals can readily facilitate ease and accuracy when diagnosing the cause of a particular operational issue. In one embodiment the diagnostic audible signals are selectively mutable without concurrently muting other audible signals as correspond to ordinary operation of the control unit 11.