Movable barrier operator configured for remote actuation
AssigneeViking Access Systems, LLC
InventorsAli Tehranchi, Pezhman Karimi, Daniel Perez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is generally a movable barrier operator configured for remote actuation, and more specifically, to a movable barrier operator configured to generate a barrier command in response to an authorized mobile device joining wireless network. The authorization may be established by connecting the mobile device to the operator through a wireless communication means. The wireless communication means may include known protocols such as Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee™, or any other type of wireless communication.
Claims20
A system for operating a movable barrier from a vehicle, comprising:
- an onboard computer on a vehicle including a wireless network interface configured to connect to a local wireless network, the onboard computer including one or more sets of programmable instructions for:
- detecting a message inviting the onboard computer to join the local wireless network whenever the onboard computer is within a programmable proximity of the movable barrier,
- automatically launching an application, in response to the message, requesting a user input associated with actuation of the movable barrier, and
- sending an access request in response to receiving the user input;
- and
- a movable barrier operator including:
- a motor mechanically connected to the movable barrier, and
- a controller situated at the movable barrier operator configured to operate the motor and communicate with the local wireless network, the controller including a processor, a memory, and one or more programs stored in the memory to be executed by the processor, the one or more programs include instructions for:
- sending the message inviting the onboard computer to join the local wireless network;
- receiving the access request from the onboard computer;
- detecting whether the onboard computer has joined the local network;
- and
- automatically generating a movable barrier actuation command in response to the vehicle onboard computer joining the local wireless network.
A method for controlling a movable barrier, comprising:
- transmitting, by a movable barrier operator, an invitation for an onboard computer on a vehicle to join a local wireless network of the movable barrier operator;
- receiving, from the onboard computer, a request to join the local wireless network, wherein the request includes a unique identifier associated with an authorized user;
- launching, by the onboard computer, an application in response to receiving the invitation, the application for requesting a user input associated with actuation of the movable barrier;
- requesting, from the onboard computer, user input comprising user credentials to confirm the identity of the authorized user;
- accessing, by a controller of the movable barrier operator, a database to match the unique identifier and the user credentials to authenticate the onboard computer;
- authorizing the onboard computer and establishing communication between the onboard computer and the local wireless network;
- and
- generating a movable barrier command in response to the onboard computer joining the local wireless network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.