Abstract: A barrier operator feature enhancement device is designed to provide one or more features found in modern barrier operator devices and to incorporate those features into a previously installed barrier operator system. To facilitate ease of use, the barrier operator feature enhancement device can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. To facilitate the ease of installation, the device is designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the feature enhancement device works with the barrier operator to provide one or more additional features to enhance the capabilities of the previously installed barrier operator.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system includes a first light emitter that emits a light signal and a first light detector configured to receive a portion of the light signal reflected back from an object. The obstacle detection system includes a second light emitter configured to emit a test signal toward the first light detector, and a second light detector configured to detect the light signal emitted by the first light emitter. The obstacle detection system includes a processor to determine, based on the light signal, whether an obstruction is detected and whether, by use of the second light emitter and the second light detector, the first light emitter and the first light detector are operable.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an auxiliary device for commanding a movable barrier operator, the apparatus having a first communication interface, a processor device, and a second communication interface. The first communication interface being configured to receive a status change request from the auxiliary device. The processor device runs a movable barrier controller application and is configured to generate a control signal for the movable barrier operator in response to receiving the status change request. The second communication interface is configured to send the control signal to the movable barrier operator through a network.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator system is provided that includes a moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus, a motor, a controller, and communication circuitry configured to communicate with a remote control. In response to the communication circuitry receiving a communication from the remote control, the controller causes the motor to change the state of the movable barrier and additionally operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus upon a determination of the remote control being beyond a physical proximity of a location associated with the movable barrier operator system. Upon a determination that the remote control is within the physical proximity, the controller refrains from operation of the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator system is provided that includes a moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus, a motor, a controller, and communication circuitry configured to communicate with a remote control. In response to the communication circuitry receiving a communication from the remote control, the controller causes the motor to change the state of the movable barrier and additionally operate the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus upon a determination of the remote control being beyond a physical proximity of a location associated with the movable barrier operator system. Upon a determination that the remote control is within the physical proximity, the controller refrains from operation of the moving-barrier imminent motion notification apparatus.

Abstract: Electronic systems are provided for secure actuation of a remote device such as a moveable barrier operator. The systems address the “man in the middle” problem of persons intercepting and duplicating radio frequency signals from a control device by introducing timing parameters into a bidirectional communication sequence between at least two devices.

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: A motion detector camera is configured to differentiate between an object or objects passing through the field of view of the camera and an object or objects approaching the sensor. In one example, motion is detected with a camera configured to identify and selectively filter specific directions of motion. The motion detector compares pixel changes, corresponding to the basic area or size of the object, from frame to frame, and detects the amount of increase in change or decrease in change. An increasing change in the area or size of an object indicates that an object is approaching, and a decreasing change in the area or size of an object indicates that an object that is receding.

Abstract: Electronic systems are provided for secure actuation of a remote device such as a moveable barrier operator. The systems address the “man in the middle” problem of persons intercepting and duplicating radio frequency signals from a control device by introducing timing parameters into a bidirectional communication sequence between at least two devices.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system includes a first light emitter that emits a light signal and a first light detector configured to receive a portion of the light signal reflected back from an object. The obstacle detection system includes a second light emitter configured to emit a test signal toward the first light detector, and a second light detector configured to detect the light signal emitted by the first light emitter. The obstacle detection system includes a processor to determine, based on the light signal, whether an obstruction is detected and whether, by use of the second light emitter and the second light detector, the first light emitter and the first light detector are operable.

Abstract: A motion detector camera is configured to differentiate between an object or objects passing through the field of view of the camera and an object or objects approaching the sensor. In one example, motion is detected with a camera configured to identify and selectively filter specific directions of motion. The motion detector compares pixel changes, corresponding to the basic area or size of the object, from frame to frame, and detects the amount of increase in change or decrease in change. An increasing change in the area or size of an object indicates that an object is approaching, and a decreasing change in the area or size of an object indicates that an object that is receding.

Abstract: The systems and methods provided herein use a rolling voice identifier in a multi-factor authentication system to avoid the security problems present in prior voice activated control systems. By implementing a rolling voice identifier in an access control platform, users may no longer need to be concerned with being overheard or recorded when providing voice authentication commands to an access control platform because the rolling voice identifier that the user will be prompted to speak will be specific to the particular instance of control of an access control platform. An access control platform is a platform that controls operation of a movable barrier by, for example, controlling the state of a movable barrier using a remote control. An access control platform may cause a movable barrier to become opened, closed, locked, or unlocked to permit or prevent access to a physical space by a physical object.

Abstract: A motion detector camera is configured to differentiate between an object or objects passing through the field of view of the camera and an object or objects approaching the sensor. In one example, motion is detected with a camera configured to identify and selectively filter specific directions of motion. The motion detector compares pixel changes, corresponding to the basic area or size of the object, from frame to frame, and detects the amount of increase in change or decrease in change. An increasing change in the area or size of an object indicates that an object is approaching, and a decreasing change in the area or size of an object indicates that an object that is receding.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a communication interface configured to receive commands that cause the motor to move the movable barrier. The movable barrier operator further includes a processing circuit configured to cause the motor to automatically move the movable barrier from a first open position toward a closed position and then from the closed position toward a second open position different from the first open position in response to receipt of an intermediate open command by the communication interface. The processing circuit can also cause the motor of the movable barrier operator to move the movable barrier toward the first open position in response to the processing circuit determining that the movable barrier had been obstructed while moving from the first open position toward the closed position.

Abstract: Electronic systems are provided for secure actuation of a remote device such as a moveable barrier operator. The systems address the “man in the middle” problem of persons intercepting and duplicating radio frequency signals from a control device by introducing timing parameters into a bidirectional communication sequence between at least two devices.

Abstract: A motion detector camera is configured to differentiate between an object or objects passing through the field of view of the camera and an object or objects approaching the sensor. In one example, motion is detected with a camera configured to identify and selectively filter specific directions of motion. The motion detector compares pixel changes, corresponding to the basic area or size of the object, from frame to frame, and detects the amount of increase in change or decrease in change. An increasing change in the area or size of an object indicates that an object is approaching, and a decreasing change in the area or size of an object indicates that an object that is receding.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for charging a movable barrier operator transmitter in a vehicle. The method includes connecting a transmitter and a component of the vehicle, transmitting an initiation signal from the transmitter to the component, and transmitting an inquiry signal from the component to the transmitter. The inquiry signal may include charging information. The method includes transmitting an answer signal from the transmitter to the component that includes information responsive to the charging information. The method further includes energizing a charging coil of the component to create an electromagnetic field and charge a battery of the transmitter.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an auxiliary device for commanding a movable barrier operator, the apparatus having a first communication interface, a processor device, and a second communication interface. The first communication interface being configured to receive a status change request from the auxiliary device. The processor device runs a movable barrier controller application and is configured to generate a control signal for the movable barrier operator in response to receiving the status change request. The second communication interface is configured to send the control signal to the movable barrier operator through a network.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for charging a movable barrier operator transmitter in a vehicle. The method includes connecting a transmitter and a component of the vehicle, transmitting an initiation signal from the transmitter to the component, and transmitting an inquiry signal from the component to the transmitter. The inquiry signal may include charging information. The method includes transmitting an answer signal from the transmitter to the component that includes information responsive to the charging information. The method further includes energizing a charging coil of the component to create an electromagnetic field and charge a battery of the transmitter.

Abstract: A packaged apparatus includes a wireless communication device capable of communicating via a variety of different communication protocols. The communication device can be adapted to communicate according to one particular communication protocol from within the package and without physical access to the device. Accordingly, the configuration of the communication device can take place after packaging and either before, during, of after shipment of the product. The packaged apparatus communicates with an external device, reads, or receives information from the external device and then configures the communication device based on the read or received information. The external device can be an identification tag read by a reading device within the package, or it can be a transmitter that transmits signals that can be read by a communication device internal to the package.