Wireless barrier-edge monitor device and method

A method for use with a movable barrier having an obstacle sensor affixed thereto and a movable barrier operator operably coupled to the movable barrier, comprising:

• at a first location:
• substantially continuously monitoring the obstacle sensor to determine both that the obstacle sensor is operable and when an obstacle has been detected by the obstacle sensor;
• substantially continuously repeatedly wirelessly transmitting short burst messages, at least some of which messages include information regarding whether an obstacle has been encountered by the movable barrier and whether the obstacle sensor is operable;
• at a second location, which second location is remote from the first location:
• receiving the short burst messages and extracting the information regarding whether an obstacle has been detected by the obstacle sensor and whether the obstacle sensor is operable;
• notifying the movable barrier operator whenever either the obstacle sensor detects an obstacle and when the obstacle sensor is not operable.

A barrier-edge monitor for use with a movable barrier having an obstacle sensor affixed to a barrier-edge thereof and a movable barrier operator operably coupled to the movable barrier, comprising:

• a barrier-mounted remote unit comprising:
• sensor input means for operably coupling to the obstacle sensor for detecting when the barrier-edge of the movable barrier encounters an obstacle and for detecting operability of the obstacle sensor, wherein the sensor input means detects operability of the obstacle sensor;
• message means operably coupled to the sensor input means for forming a message indicating operability status of the obstacle sensor and whether the barrier-edge is then presently encountering an obstacle;
• wireless transmitter means operably coupled to the message means for wirelessly transmitting the message, such that a message indicating at least operability status of the obstacle sensor is broadcast at least once every two seconds;
• an interface unit comprising:
• wireless receiver means for receiving the message as transmitted by the wireless transmitter means;
• output means operably coupled to the wireless receiver means for providing an indication to the movable barrier operator when either:
• the sensor input means senses an obstacle;
• and
• the sensor input means senses that the obstacle sensor is at least partially non-operable.