Abstract: One or more repeaters enable the conveyance of both asynchronous and synchronous transmissions. This can comprise receiving, via a first carrier, a transmission from a message source that is asynchronous with respect to a time slot partitioning of the communication protocol and then, when the asynchronous transmission is received during an asynchronous source transmission portion, buffering a corresponding message until a next available synchronous time slot opportunity during the asynchronous source transmission portion and then transmitting the message via the first carrier to at least attempt to forward the message.

Abstract: A pool of identifiers are individually used by corresponding particular ones of a repeaters. A communications protocol as used by the repeaters provides time slots to be used by these repeaters when making their transmissions. Each of the time slots is associated with individual corresponding ones of the identifiers, though the time slots are allocated unequally amongst the identifiers such that at least one of the identifiers has more time slots allocated to that identifier, over a given beacon cycle, than others of the identifiers.

Abstract: One or more repeaters enable the conveyance of both asynchronous and synchronous transmissions. This can comprise receiving, via a first carrier, a transmission from a message source that is asynchronous with respect to a time slot partitioning of the communication protocol and then, when the asynchronous transmission is received during an asynchronous source transmission portion, buffering a corresponding message until a next available synchronous time slot opportunity during the asynchronous source transmission portion and then transmitting the message via the first carrier to at least attempt to forward the message.

Abstract: A pool of identifiers are individually used by corresponding particular ones of a repeaters. A communications protocol as used by the repeaters provides time slots to be used by these repeaters when making their transmissions. Each of the time slots is associated with individual corresponding ones of the identifiers, though the time slots are allocated unequally amongst the identifiers such that at least one of the identifiers has more time slots allocated to that identifier, over a given beacon cycle, than others of the identifiers.

Abstract: Operating parameters as were previously learned by a first movable barrier operator (18) are transferred to a second movable barrier operator (10) such as, for example, to a replacement movable barrier operator. Pursuant to a preferred approach, such information transfer occurs via a receiver interface (13) that ordinarily serves to couple the movable barrier operator (10) to one or more remote user interfaces (11). Pursuant to one approach this transfer occurs during a learning mode of operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier movement operator having a timer-to-close feature are disclosed. The methods and apparatus include arrangements for conveniently inhibiting and re-activating the timer-to-close feature and for providing a mid-stop position during movement toward the closed position. Additionally, the embodiments include methods and apparatus for reversing barrier operation.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator moves a barrier between open and closed positions. The operator receives a first request to move the barrier. The actual force required to move the barrier is measured. An obstruction to barrier movement is determined by comparing the measured actual force to a first predetermined force threshold. Responsive to the detection of an obstruction, the direction of travel of the barrier is reversed. The operation of the barrier movement operator is modified, by permitting the use of a higher force threshold in future measurements. A second request to move the barrier is received. The actual force required to move the barrier is measured a second time. An obstruction to barrier movement is detected by comparing the measured actual force with the new, higher force threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier movement operator having a timer-to-close feature are disclosed. The methods and apparatus include arrangements for conveniently inhibiting and re-activating the timer-to-close feature and for providing a mid-stop position during movement toward the closed position. Additionally, the embodiments include methods and apparatus for reversing barrier operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier movement operator having a timer-to-close feature are disclosed. The methods and apparatus include arrangements for conveniently inhibiting and re-activating the timer-to-close feature and for providing a mid-stop position during movement toward the closed position. Additionally, the embodiments include methods and apparatus for reversing barrier operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier movement operator having a timer-to-close feature are disclosed. The methods and apparatus include arrangements for conveniently inhibiting and re-activating the timer-to-close feature and for providing a mid-stop position during movement toward the closed position. Additionally, the embodiments include methods and apparatus for reversing barrier operation.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator (11) receives movement sensing signals from a sensor (13) and calculates corresponding speed of movement of a movable barrier. Such speed measurements lead to development of a median speed value over a monitoring window. The median speed value is used in a subsequent monitoring window to facilitate determining when speed of movement for the movable barrier has slowed in a way that likely corresponds to the movable barrier having encountered an obstacle.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator (11) receives movement sensing signals from a sensor (13) and calculates corresponding speed of movement of a movable barrier. Such speed measurements lead to development of a median speed value over a monitoring window. The median speed value is used in a subsequent monitoring window to facilitate determining when speed of movement for the movable barrier has slowed in a way that likely corresponds to the movable barrier having encountered an obstacle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier movement operator having a timer-to-close feature are disclosed. The methods and apparatus include arrangements for conveniently inhibiting and re-activating the timer-to-close feature and for providing a mid-stop position during movement toward the closed position. Additionally, the embodiments include methods and apparatus for reversing barrier operation.