Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: In one aspect, a movable barrier operator system is provided that includes a motor configured to turn a drum to pay out a cable from the drum and permit a door connected to the cable to move from an open position toward a closed position. The system includes a memory configured to store an expected variable of the door, and a sensor configured to detect movement of the door. The system further includes a processor circuit operatively coupled to the motor, the memory, and the sensor. The processor circuit is configured to: use the sensor to estimate an actual variable of the door; determine whether the actual variable is acceptable based at least in part on the expected variable and the processor circuit causing the motor to turn the drum; and change operation of the movable barrier upon the actual variable of the movable barrier being unacceptable.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for a movable barrier system having a rotatable drum and an elongate member that winds up on and pays out from an external surface of the rotatable drum. The sensor apparatus includes a base portion, a sensing portion, and a controller. The sensing portion senses a first spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion and a second spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion. The controller detects a change in the proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion without the elongate member contacting the sensing portion.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for a movable barrier system having a rotatable drum and an elongate member that winds up on and pays out from an external surface of the rotatable drum. The sensor apparatus includes a base portion, a sensing portion, and a controller. The sensing portion senses a first spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion and a second spaced apart proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion. The controller detects a change in the proximity of the elongate member relative to the sensing portion without the elongate member contacting the sensing portion.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: An apparatus having a base portion configured to be secured to a mounting surface and a sensor connected to the base portion that is configured to interface with an elongate member and measure one or more characteristics of the elongate member as the elongate member moves from being wound up on or paid out from a rotatable drive of a movable barrier operator. The one or more characteristics can include, for example, position, velocity, and direction of movement of the elongate member. By measuring the one or more characteristics of the elongate member, corresponding properties of a movable barrier connected to the elongate member can be accurately determined. The apparatus may be also used to supplement an estimate of the properties of the movable barrier obtained from measurement of the rotatable drive and provide a more accurate estimate of the movable barrier properties.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus is provided having a base portion configured to be secured to a mounting surface and a sensor connected to the base portion that is configured to interface with an elongate member and measure one or more characteristics of the elongate member as the elongate member moves y from being wound up on or paid out from a rotatable drive of a movable barrier operator. The one or more characteristics can include, for example, position, velocity, and direction of movement of the elongate member. By measuring the one or more characteristics of the elongate member, corresponding properties of a movable barrier connected to the elongate member can be accurately determined. The apparatus may be also used to supplement an estimate of the properties of the movable barrier obtained from measurement of the rotatable drive and provide a more accurate estimate of the movable barrier properties.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator system operational component includes an integral display comprising at least one of a numeric display, an alphanumeric display, and a graphics display. The display can comprise an active display or an active interactive display and can further operate in conjunction with adjacent user-input interface opportunities. So configured, numerous user interface events can be highly leveraged to contribute to ease of installation and ease and reliability of use.

Abstract: A barrier operator comprises a current limit portion and a barrier operator portion. The current limit portion is coupled to a mains supply and the barrier operator position is coupled to the mains supply and the current limit portion. The barrier operator portion actuates a movable barrier. The current limit portion regulates electrical current to at least one additional device.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator controls movement of a movable barrier. The barrier movement operator includes a head unit, including a chassis, for commanding the movable barrier to perform movable barrier functions. A plurality of closely mounted light emitting elements are fixedly mounted onto the head unit. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the set of light emitting elements and with the chassis of the barrier movement operator to dissipate thermal energy from the set of light emitting elements. A controller is utilized for controlling the head unit to provide power to the set of light emitting elements.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator system operational component includes an integral display comprising at least one of a numeric display, an alphanumeric display, and a graphics display. The display can comprise an active display or an active interactive display and can further operate in conjunction with adjacent user-input interface opportunities. So configured, numerous user interface events can be highly leveraged to contribute to ease of installation and ease and reliability of use.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator system operational component includes an integral display comprising at least one of a numeric display, an alphanumeric display, and a graphics display. The display can comprise an active display or an active interactive display and can further operate in conjunction with adjacent user-input interface opportunities. So configured, numerous user interface events can be highly leveraged to contribute to ease of installation and ease and reliability of use.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator controls movement of a movable barrier. The barrier movement operator includes a head unit, including a chassis, for commanding the movable barrier to perform movable barrier functions. A plurality of closely mounted light emitting elements are fixedly mounted onto the head unit. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the set of light emitting elements and with the chassis of the barrier movement operator to dissipate thermal energy from the set of light emitting elements. A controller is utilized for controlling the head unit to provide power to the set of light emitting elements.

Abstract: A moveable barrier operator includes a motor for moving a moveable barrier and a housing is disposed around the motor. The moveable barrier operator also includes a plurality of light sources and the plurality of light source are coupled to the housing along a periphery of the housing and being individually directable so as to illuminate at least one predetermined area outside the housing. The at least one predetermined area is proximal to a moveable barrier operator. A controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the motor. The controller is arranged and configured to automatically selectively actuate the motor to move the moveable barrier according to received user instructions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for quick mounting of a barrier operator on a ground surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mounting frame positioned on the ground and mounting structure extending into the ground surface. Concrete may then be poured into the mounting frame to form an operator support on which the barrier operator is mounted. The mounting structure may be a mounting post received in an excavated portion of the ground, and the mounting post and excavated portion may then be filled with concrete. The concrete in the frame, mounting post, and mounting frame may communicate as to form a unitary mass with the mounting frame and mounting post. The mounting structure may be mounting rods secured directly with the ground. The mounting rods have a spiral flute for driving into and securing with the ground.