Automatic barrier operator system

A method for operating a barrier, such as a gate or garage door, to move between open and closed positions, said barrier being operably connected to an operator system including a controller comprising a base control circuit, a base transmitter and a base receiver and a plurality of remote control units operable to communicate with said base control circuit, said remote control units each including a remote transmitter and a remote receiver, said method comprising the steps of:

• causing said base transmitter to transmit a signal to any of said remote receivers;
• causing at least one remote receiver to effect operation of at least one remote transmitter to generate a remote signal when said remote receiver receives a signal from said base transmitter;
• causing said control circuit to effect at least one of opening or closing said barrier depending on whether or not said base receiver receives a signal from said at least one remote transmitter;
• causing said operator system to open said barrier solely in response to said base receiver receiving said signal transmitted by said at least one remote transmitter;
• in response to opening said barrier solely in response to receiving said signal transmitted by said at least one remote transmitter, sending an additional signal from said base transmitter to said at least one remote receiver to cause said at least one remote receiver to cease responding to said signal from said base transmitter;
• and
• causing said base transmitter to continue to transmit a signal to an additional remote receiver that has not responded to the base transmitter to search for said additional remote receiver.

An operator for moving a barrier of a garage between an open position and a closed position, the barrier operator comprising:

• an operator system including a controller comprising a base control circuit, a base transmitter and a base receiver to enable the barrier to open when a vehicle is proximate to the barrier to enable ingress of a vehicle into the garage;
• a plurality of remote control units operable to communicate with said base control circuit, said remote control units each including a remote transmitter and a remote receiver;
• wherein said base transmitter is adapted to transmit a signal to any of said remote receivers, wherein at least one remote receiver effects operation of at least one remote transmitter to generate a remote signal when said remote receiver receives a signal from said base transmitter;
• wherein said control circuit is adapted to effect at least one of opening or closing said barrier depending on whether or not said base receiver receives a signal from said at least one remote transmitter;
• wherein said operator system is configured to open said barrier solely in response to said base receiver receiving said signal transmitted by said at least one remote transmitter;
• a switch disposed on a wall such that when the switch is actuated, a signal is received by said operator system to cause said barrier to close and cause said operator system to send an additional signal from said base transmitter to said at least one remote receiver to cause said at least one remote receiver to cease responding to said signal from said base transmitter and cause said base transmitter to continue to transmit a search signal to an additional remote receiver that has not responded to the base transmitter to search for said additional remote receiver;
• and
• wherein said operator system is adapted to cause said control circuit to effect opening of said barrier in response to said base receiver receiving a signal transmitted by said additional remote transmitter that has moved into range of said base transmitter search signal to receive such transmitter search signal.