Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of barrier control systems and in particular relates to barrier control systems, such as a garage door opener, with auxiliary power supply and auxiliary power supply for barrier control systems. A barrier control system, such as a garage door opener, with an auxiliary power supply and an auxiliary power supply for a barrier control system are described. The auxiliary power supply includes a backup battery and a light source that is operable on DC power. The auxiliary power supply includes a sensor to detect whether a DC motor of the barrier control system is powered by the backup battery, and switches on the light source upon detecting the DC motor being powered by the backup battery.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of motorized garage door openers. In particular, the invention relates to wireless safety sensors for garage door openers and garage door opener with a wireless safety sensor. The wireless safety sensor has a wireless communication link with a main control unit of the garage door opener. The wireless safety sensor also has an internal wireless link, i.e., a detection beam link, between a master unit and a slave unit. The wireless safety sensor periodically verifies that the wireless communication link has good signal quality and maintains the quality of the wireless communication link.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of motorized garage door openers. In particular, the invention relates to wireless safety sensors for garage door openers and garage door opener with a wireless safety sensor. The wireless safety sensor has a wireless communication link with a main control unit of the garage door opener. The wireless safety sensor also has an internal wireless link, i.e., a detection beam link, between a master unit and a slave unit. The wireless safety sensor periodically verifies that the wireless communication link has good signal quality and maintains the quality of the wireless communication link.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of barrier control systems and in particular relates to barrier control systems, such as a garage door opener, with auxiliary power supply and auxiliary power supply for barrier control systems. A barrier control system, such as a garage door opener, with an auxiliary power supply and an auxiliary power supply for a barrier control system are described. The auxiliary power supply includes a backup battery and a light source that is operable on DC power. The auxiliary power supply includes a sensor to detect whether a DC motor of the barrier control system is powered by the backup battery, and switches on the light source upon detecting the DC motor being powered by the backup battery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding data for wireless transmission are disclosed in which a data message may be encoded into a transmission code as a first coding format and a second coding format. The first coding format characterized by a first bit representation and the second coding format characterized by a second bit representation different from the first bit representation. The transmission code may be transmitted having the first and second coding formats.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a universal transmitter. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting activation of at least one button of the universal transmitter, by a controller, for a predetermined time, outputting at least one set of signals to a first set of terminals of a switch of the universal transmitter, detecting output on a second set of terminals of the switch and determining position of a switch, by the controller, based, at least in part, on the output detected on the second set of terminals, wherein position of the switch relates to a transmission type. The method can further include detecting activation of a first button to be programmed and programming the first button based on the transmission type.

Abstract: The invention provides a remote control device with password functions. Control function buttons can be used for sending control signals and for password entry. The remote control device is configured such that a user can enable and disable a password mode. When the password mode is enabled, the remote control is configured to require a password being entered using one or more control function buttons before a control signal will be transmitted in response to a control function being pressed or disabling the password mode. A user can also invoke a password programming function to enter, change or erase a password using one or more control function buttons.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of barrier control systems and in particular relates to barrier control systems, such as a garage door opener, with auxiliary power supply and auxiliary power supply for barrier control systems. A barrier control system, such as a garage door opener, with an auxiliary power supply and an auxiliary power supply for a barrier control system are described. The auxiliary power supply includes a backup battery and a light source that is operable on DC power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a control switch. In one embodiment, the control switch includes an input terminal coupled to an alternating current (AC) power supply, a load terminal coupled to a load, a triac circuit coupled to the input terminal and the load terminal, a microcontroller and a power supply. The triac circuit may be configured to receive a triggering voltage and provide an activation pulse to the load based on one or more triggering voltage signals supplied by the microcontroller. In another embodiment, the power supply may be configured to step down AC power received from the input terminal and supply line voltage to the microcontroller.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for triggering an operating device. In one embodiment, a triggering device includes a receiving unit configured to receive one or more wireless control signals. The receiving unit may include a switch and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control the switch for activation of an operating device coupled to a signaling line based, at least in part, on the one or more wireless control signals. According to another embodiment, the triggering device may include a connector configured to electrically couple the receiving unit to the signaling line, the connector having one or more contacts and a housing configured to clasp the signaling line and couple the one or more contacts to the signaling line. Additionally, the signaling line may relate to existing wiring of the operating device.

Abstract: The invention provides a remote control device with password functions. Control function buttons can be used for sending control signals and for password entry. The remote control device is configured such that a user can enable and disable a password mode. When the password mode is enabled, the remote control is configured to require a password being entered using one or more control function buttons before a control signal will be transmitted in response to a control function being pressed or disabling the password mode. A user can also invoke a password programming function to enter, change or erase a password using one or more control function buttons.

Abstract: A transmitter that is programmable to transmit one or more identification or device codes, using one or more transmission formats, at one or more transmission frequencies to control one or more respective devices. In one embodiment, the transmitter includes a controller and memory for storing transmission values and corresponding transmission frequencies, where the transmission values may include multiple device codes and transmission formats. A subset of the transmission values and corresponding transmission frequencies stored in the memory are assigned to or associated with one or more actuation switches upon matching the transmission values in a sampled signal to a set of transmission values stored in memory. In one embodiment, the transmission values may correspond to either a fixed-code transmission format or a rolling-code transmission format.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a universal transmitter. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting activation of at least one button of the universal transmitter, by a controller, for a predetermined time, outputting at least one set of signals to a first set of terminals of a switch of the universal transmitter, detecting output on a second set of terminals of the switch and determining position of a switch, by the controller, based, at least in part, on the output detected on the second set of terminals, wherein position of the switch relates to a transmission type. The method can further include detecting activation of a first button to be programmed and programming the first button based on the transmission type.

Abstract: A receiver is adapted to receive one or more wireless signals, while also being able to provide a barrier actuation signal to a barrier operator over a signaling line. The barrier operator may then be adapted to actuate a barrier in response to receiving the barrier actuation signal. The signaling line is further used to provide power from the barrier operator to the receiver. In one embodiment, the barrier operator is a garage door opener and the signaling line is coupled to the receiver and a garage door wall button. Alternatively, the receiver may replace the garage door wall button of the barrier operator.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for triggering an operating device. In one embodiment, a triggering device includes a receiving unit configured to receive one or more wireless control signals. The receiving unit may include a switch and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control the switch for activation of an operating device coupled to a signaling line based, at least in part, on the one or more wireless control signals. According to another embodiment, the triggering device may include a connector configured to electrically couple the receiving unit to the signaling line, the connector having one or more contacts and a housing configured to clasp the signaling line and couple the one or more contacts to the signaling line. Additionally, the signaling line may relate to existing wiring of the operating device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a control switch. In one embodiment, the control switch includes an input terminal coupled to an alternating current (AC) power supply, a load terminal coupled to a load, a triac circuit coupled to the input terminal and the load terminal, a microcontroller and a power supply. The triac circuit may be configured to receive a triggering voltage and provide an activation pulse to the load based on one or more triggering voltage signals supplied by the microcontroller. In another embodiment, the power supply may be configured to step down AC power received from the input terminal and supply line voltage to the microcontroller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a wall switch module using leakage current. In one embodiment, the wall switch module may be operable using leakage current. The wall switch control module may be provided to include a microcontroller, wireless receiver and triac. The wall switch control module may be configured to control power applied to a load. In another embodiment, one or more signals received by the wireless receiver may be useable to control power applied to a load coupled to the wall switch control module. According to another embodiment, the wall switch control module may be useable for home automated systems.

Abstract: A communication protocol is employed between a movable barrier operator and an associated wall button using the traditional signaling wires connecting them. Implementing the communication protocol using the existing signaling wires also allows backward compatibility with the traditional push wall buttons that have a physical contact switch. In one embodiment, the communication protocol allows bi-directional communication between the moveable barrier operator and the wall button. The bi-directional embodiment of the protocol allows further communications, such as handshaking, signal confirmation and more advanced control between the wall unit and the barrier operator.