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.

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.

Abstract: A system includes a photo beam detector. The photobeam detector senses a presence of an obstruction. The system also includes an apparatus to attach the photo beam detector to the moveable barrier. At least a portion of the photo beam detector is positioned at the moveable barrier such that a movement of the moveable barrier causes a simultaneous rotation of the portion of the photo beam detector. The system also includes a coupler and a controller. The controller is coupled to the photo beam detector via the coupler. The controller is programmed to determine whether the obstruction exists in a pathway of the moveable barrier from input received from the photo beam detector.

Abstract: When a movable barrier operator detects (101) a predetermined state with respect to a remote transmitter learning mode, the movable barrier operator can respond by temporarily requiring (103) at least a first programmer protection duration of time to pass before permitting the movable barrier operator to respond to a remote transmitter-sourced barrier movement control signal. By one approach this first programmer protection duration of time is longer than a loss-of-signal detection duration as characterizes the movable barrier operator.

Abstract: Remote control signaling may be conveyed using a spread spectrum link and/or a non-spread spectrum link. Enabling link interfaces (such as corresponding transmitters, receivers, or transceivers) to support this flexibility are provided in a shared housing and couple as appropriate to a remote control signal platform. A corresponding apparatus may comprise a housing having disposed therein a first radio frequency transmitter such as a spread spectrum transmitter and a second radio frequency transmitter such as a non-spread spectrum transmitter. This housing can further contain a remote control signal controller that operably couples to at least one of the first and second radio frequency transmitters. As another example, a corresponding apparatus may comprise a housing having disposed therein a first radio frequency receiver comprising a spread spectrum receiver and a second radio frequency receiver comprising a non-spread spectrum receiver.

Abstract: A plurality of conductive members is disposed on an edge of a moveable barrier. The edge has a width and each of the conductive members is disposed along a portion of the width. A controller is coupled to each of the plurality of conductive members and is programmed to determine whether an obstruction exists within a path of movement of the barrier by analyzing a first capacitance sensed by a first of the plurality of conductive members and ground and a second capacitance sensed by a second of the plurality of conductive members and ground.

Abstract: An access requesting remote control device (10) includes an agile radio frequency transmitter (13) that will accommodate a variety of communication channels and modulation types. Programmable logic (11) controls the operation of the transmitter depending upon its programming. Such programming can be selectively varied as desired. In one embodiment, any of a plurality of pre-existing application programs can be selected in response to reception of a corresponding selection command via an external communication interface (14). In another embodiment, a relevant application program can be downloaded to the programmable logic via the external communication interface. In yet another embodiment, both options are available.

Abstract: An encrypted rolling code (11), a plurality of differing data bit order patterns (13), and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns 14) are provided. One then selects (15) a particular one of each of these patterns and uses those selected patterns as transmission characteristics when transmitting (16) at least part of the encrypted rolling code.

Abstract: A wireless transmit-only apparatus (20) has a controller (21) that responds to a user interface 25 by correlating specific user input with a corresponding characterizing transmission parameter(s) as is stored in a memory (35) and by selecting a corresponding resonant device (31 and 32). The latter devices serve to drive the PLL control input of a phase locked loop (23) to thereby influence the transmission carrier frequency of a wireless transmitter (22). In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the resonant devices comprises a mechanically resonant device such as a surface acoustic wave device, a crystal resonator, or a ceramic resonator.

Abstract: A system and method of actuating a remote control access system in a motor vehicle non-invasively detects the occurrence of an event involving an actuation of at least one component of a motor vehicle. A control signal is transmitted to a remote control access system as a result of detecting the event.

Abstract: Ternary data as corresponds to a movable barrier operator is provided (21) and converted (22) into corresponding binary information. In a preferred approach this comprises converting each ternary trit into a corresponding binary pair. Pursuant to a preferred approach binary bits as correspond to, for example, fixed and/or non-fixed information (32 and 33) are provided (31) and then converted (34) into the aforementioned ternary data.

Abstract: A keypad transmitter for mounting outside a controlled area which may respond to the voice or other biometric indicia of users by transmitting validatable codes to a controller of a barrier movement system. The keypad may be used to send a validatable code or it may be used in a learning operation of the voice responsive portion. The voice responsive portion includes speaker dependent voice analysis for some functions and speaker independent voice analysis for other functions.

Abstract: Upon providing (101) message content (such as a remote control instruction) to be transmitted, and in conjunction with provision (102) of a plurality of different transmission characteristics (as correspond, for example, to different types of transmission) and a corresponding plurality of correlated recovery identifiers (103), a particular transmission characteristic is selected (104) and used to transmit (105) a joint message. n particular, in a preferred approach, the selected transmission characteristic (106) is used when transmitting at least a portion of the message content portion of the joint message while another part of the joint message carries the recovery identifier to thereby facilitate selection of an appropriate reception technique by a receiver when receiving the joint message.

Abstract: One provides (101) message content comprising at least a first message content part and a second message content part. One then selects (103) (at least) a first and second form of message alteration wherein each form of message alteration has corresponding recovery content that can be used to facilitate recovering message content that has been altered using the respective form of message alteration. The first message content part, in combination with recovery content as corresponds to the second form of message alteration, is then converted (104) into a first altered form using the first form of message alteration. In addition, one also preferably converts (105) the second message content part into a second altered form using the second form of message alteration. The first and second altered forms, in addition to recovery content as corresponds to the first form of message alteration, are then transmitted (106) as a joint message.

Abstract: A moveable barrier operator that is used as a repeater includes a receiver device having an input, a transmitter device having an output, an apparatus responsive to predetermined signals received by the receiver for controlling the position of a barrier; and a controller. The controller is coupled to the receiver device and the transmitter device and controller is programmed to receive a signal from a signaling actuation device at the input of the receiver device. The controller is programmed to responsively re-transmit the signal to at least one other moveable barrier operator from the output of the transmitter device when indicated by the signal.

Abstract: A recording of a macro is initiated. A first of a plurality of actions performable by the moveable barrier operator is selected and the first action is associated with the macro. At least a second of the plurality of actions available is selected at the moveable barrier operator and the second action is associated with the macro. A functional sequence of the first and second actions is recorded. The functional sequence specifies the order of performance of the first and second action. The recording of the macro is terminated. Subsequent to the terminating, actions recorded by the macro are performed at the moveable barrier operator in accordance with the functional sequence.

Abstract: In a barrier movement operator comprising a controller hard-wire connected to a first safety sensor, it is determined whether a second safety sensor has been wirelessly connected to the controller. When it is determined that the second safety sensor has been wirelessly connected to the controller, the operator is operated according to a first predetermined procedure. On the other hand, when it is determined that the second safety sensor has not been wirelessly connected to the controller, the operator is operated according to a second predetermined procedure.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator having an electrical motor responsive to control signals for moving the barrier, a controller to control the barrier movements, and two command apparatuses for generating command inputs, which command apparatuses are located remotely from each other. The first command apparatus is mounted in a location remote from the controller and easily accessible by the users, and the second command apparatus is located close proximity to the controller to be easily accessible by an installer at the time of service.

Abstract: A moveable barrier operator actuates an actuator thereby causing a message to be formed. The message indicates that the user at the moveable barrier operator requires assistance. A communication channel is established between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center. The message is transmitted to the assistance center over the communication channel. An assistance action is performed to provide assistance to the user at the moveable barrier operator.

Abstract: A secure communication link (24) is provided between a movable barrier operator (23) and a peripheral alarm system (20). Information conveyed via this link is used by one, the other, or both such elements to further inform or direct their respective actions.