Automatic sensing of safe-operation sensor apparatus and method
AssigneeThe Chamberlain Group, Inc.
InventorsRobert Study, Eric Robb, William Gioia, David Stafford
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A movable barrier operator having a microprocessor (10) or other programmable platform will automatically work in a safe and appropriate manner both with and without safe-operation sensors (13). Once a safe-operation sensor is detected, the operator will thereafter function in a fashion that requires the continued presence of such sensor. In one embodiment, the operator state can be purposely reset to the initial operating state.
Claims34
A method for use with a movable barrier operator, comprising:
- during at least one normal operating mode of the movable barrier operator:
- automatically detecting at least one safe-operation sensor;
- upon detecting the at least one safe-operation sensor, thereafter altering at least one normal operating mode of the movable barrier operator whenever the at least one safe-operation sensor is not detected.
A method for use with a movable barrier operator, comprising:
- automatically detecting at least one safe-operation sensor;
- automatically storing at least one indicia that corresponds to the at least one safe-operation sensor;
- automatically detecting absence of the at least one safe-operation sensor;
- altering at least one normal operating mode of the movable barrier operator whenever the at least one safe-operation sensor is not detected.
A method for use with a movable barrier operator, comprising:
- during at least one normal mode of operation and prior to detecting at least one safe-operation sensor:
- operating in an ordinary fashion to selectively move a movable barrier without the at least one safe-operation sensor;
- monitoring for availability of at least one safe-operation sensor;
- automatically detecting at least one safe-operation sensor;
- automatically storing at least one indicia that corresponds to the at least one safe-operation sensor;
- and
- during at least one normal mode of operation and subsequent to storing the at least one indicia:
- operating in an ordinary fashion to selectively move the movable barrier as a function, at least in part, of the at least one safe-operation sensor;
- automatically detecting absence of the at least one safe-operation sensor;
- automatically altering at least one normal operating mode of the movable barrier operator whenever the at least one safe-operation sensor is not detected.
A method for use with a movable barrier operator, comprising:
- providing a first mode of normal operation for use without a safe-operation sensor comprising:
- selectively moving a movable barrier without use of a safe-operation sensor;
- automatically monitoring for availability of a safe-operation sensor;
- automatically storing an indicator corresponding to an available safe-operation sensor;
- providing a second mode of normal operation for use with a safe-operation sensor comprising:
- selectively moving the movable barrier with use of the safe-operation sensor;
- automatically monitoring for availability of the safe-operation sensor;
- automatically modifying the second mode of normal operation when the safe-operation sensor is not detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.