Automatic garage door control
AssigneeEcolink Intelligent Technology, 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.
Claims20
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A movable barrier gateway device for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention, comprising:
- a communication interface for receiving wireless signals transmitted autonomously and repeatedly by a mobile transmitter installed in or to a vehicle, when the vehicle is in proximity to the garage door;
- an output signal port for providing control signals to a legacy movable barrier controller to cause the legacy movable barrier controller to open and close the garage door;
- a memory for storing processor-executable instructions and an authorized identification code of an authorized mobile transmitter;
- and
- a processor, coupled to the communication interface, the output signal port and the memory, for executing the processor-executable instructions that cause the movable barrier gateway device to:
- receive one or more signals transmitted autonomously and repeatedly by the mobile transmitter when the vehicle is in proximity to the garage door;
- determine that an identification code of at least one of the one or more signals matches the authorized identification code stored;
- and
- in response to determining that an identification code of at least one of the one or more signals matches the authorized identification code stored, send a signal to the movable barrier controller for the movable barrier controller to open the garage door.
A system for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention, comprising:
- a mobile transmitter installed on or in a vehicle and coupled to a vehicle power source that is energized only when the vehicle's ignition system is turned on, wherein the mobile transmitter begins autonomously and repeatedly transmitting one or more signals, each comprising an identification code identifying the mobile transmitter, when the vehicle's ignition system is turned on;
- a movable barrier gateway device configured to receive the one or more signals transmitted 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 or more of the received signals matches an authorized identification code stored in a memory, and send a second signal to a legacy movable barrier controller to open the garage door when one or more of the received signals matches the authorized identification code.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.