Abstract: A garage door status monitoring and control system includes a motor operable to move a garage door to alternate garage door positions, an encoder associated with the motor and configured to generate a pulse stream comprising motor signal pulses indicative of movement of the motor, a door control module with a first microprocessor operatively coupled to the encoder via a first path and configured to receive the pulse stream, and a garage door operator having a door controller with a second microprocessor operatively coupled to the encoder via a second path and configured to receive the pulse stream from the encoder independent of the door control module. The first microprocessor is configured to generate a digital door status indicative of one of the alternate garage door positions in response to the pulse stream. The garage door operator provides supervisory control over movement of the motor based upon the pulse stream.

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 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 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 barrier operator includes a motor, a controller operably connected to the motor, a sensor, and a control module. The motor is couplable to a drive mechanism of a barrier and is configured to move the barrier between open and closed positions. The sensor is configured to monitor an operating parameter of the barrier operator associated with movement of the barrier. The control module includes user input controls. The controller is configured to receive a first user input from the control module; initiate, in response to receipt of the first user input, operation of the motor for a first movement of the barrier to establish a first travel limit of the barrier; receive a first signal indicative of the operating parameter from the sensor; and generate, during the first movement of the barrier, a first force limit based on the first signal from the sensor.

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 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 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 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 system for enabling both the remote monitoring and receipt of remote change-of-door status commands, via the Internet, of the open or closed status of the garage door. The system includes an encoder generating signal pulses as a function of the motor and garage door movement. A microprocessor processes the signal pulses to generate digital pulses indicative of the open or closed status of the garage door, which status is wirelessly transmitted, via the Internet, for remote monitoring. Change-of-door status commands remotely transmitted, via the Internet, are received by the system to activate a warning and delayed change of door status.

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 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. Control circuitry is configured to receive the optical pulses from the motor, convert the optical pulses to electrical pulses, and thereafter to digital pulses indicative of the status of the barrier.