Automatic garage door control
AssigneeUniversal Electronics Inc.
InventorMichael Archbold
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method, apparatus and system is disclosed for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention. A vehicle-mounted mobile transmitter autonomously and continuously transmits a repeating signal pattern when power is applied to the transmitter as a vehicle is started by a user. A movable barrier gateway device receives the signals from the mobile transmitter and compares an identification code contained in each of the signals to an identification code stored in memory. When a match is found, the movable barrier gateway device sends a signal to a movable barrier controller to open the garage door, and keep the door open as long as the movable barrier gateway continues to receive the signals from the mobile transmitter.
Claims18
A method, performed by a movable barrier gateway device in communication with a garage door controller, for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of wireless signals transmitted autonomously from a mobile transmitter located on or within a vehicle when the mobile transmitter is within range of the movable barrier gateway device, each of the wireless signals comprising an identification code identifying the mobile transmitter;
- determining that the identification code in at least one of the wireless signals matches an identification code stored in a memory of the movable barrier gateway device;
- and
- sending a command to the movable barrier controller that causes the movable barrier controller to open the garage door when an identification code in at least one of the wireless signals matches the identification code stored in the memory.
A system for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention, comprising:
- a mobile transmitter installed on or in a vehicle, wherein the mobile transmitter autonomously and repeatedly transmits a wireless signal comprising an identification code identifying the mobile transmitter;
- a movable barrier gateway device coupled to a movable barrier controller inside a garage, the movable barrier gateway device configured to receive at least one of the wireless signals transmitted autonomously and repeatedly from the mobile transmitter when the mobile transmitter is within range of the movable barrier gateway device, determine that the identification code in at least one of the wireless signals matches an identification code stored in a memory of the movable barrier gateway device, and send a command to the movable barrier controller that causes the movable barrier controller to open the garage door when an identification code in at least one of the wireless signals matches the identification code stored in the memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.