U.S. patent number RE35,364 [Application Number 08/425,724] was granted by the patent office on 1996-10-29 for coding system for multiple transmitters and a single receiver for a garage door opener.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Chamberlain Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Carl Heitschel, Wayne Schindler, Colin Willmott.
United States Patent |
RE35,364 |
Heitschel , et al. |
October 29, 1996 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Coding system for multiple transmitters and a single receiver for a
garage door opener
Abstract
The present invention comprises a system for remote control of
garage doors and other devices wherein an extremely large number of
codes are available for remote transmitters for operating the
garage operator and wherein each transmitter has its own unique and
permanent nonuser changeable code. The receiver at the garage door
operator is capable of storing and remembering a number of
different codes corresponding to different transmitters such that
the receiver can be programmed so as to actuated by more than one
transmitter code thus allowing two or more transmitters to actuate
the same garage door operator and wherein the receiver stores the
valid codes for the different transmitters.
Inventors: |
Heitschel; Carl (Downers Grove,
IL), Willmott; Colin (Buffalo Grove, IL), Schindler;
Wayne (Lisle, IL) |
Assignee: |
The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
(Elmhurst, IL)
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Family
ID: |
27492107 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/425,724 |
Filed: |
April 20, 1995 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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87142 |
Jul 2, 1993 |
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715006 |
Jun 13, 1991 |
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398379 |
Aug 24, 1989 |
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Reissue of: |
792661 |
Oct 29, 1985 |
04750118 |
Jun 7, 1988 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/90; 340/12.5;
340/5.71; 49/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B
19/0425 (20130101); G05B 19/23 (20130101); G07C
9/00182 (20130101); G07C 9/00817 (20130101); E05F
15/41 (20150115); E05F 15/668 (20150115); E05F
15/77 (20150115); E05Y 2900/106 (20130101); G05B
2219/33192 (20130101); G05B 2219/34215 (20130101); G05B
2219/35473 (20130101); G05B 2219/36542 (20130101); G05B
2219/42288 (20130101); G05B 2219/45242 (20130101); G07C
2009/00793 (20130101); G07C 2009/00825 (20130101); G07C
2009/00849 (20130101); G07C 2009/00928 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05F
15/16 (20060101); E05F 15/00 (20060101); G05B
19/042 (20060101); G05B 19/04 (20060101); G07C
9/00 (20060101); G06F 019/00 (); G08C 019/00 ();
E05F 015/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;364/130,400,167.01,825.04,825.3,825.31,825.44,825.56,825.69,825.71,825.72
;49/25,28,31,70,324 ;318/16,262-266,282,466-468 ;361/171,172
;455/186.1,186.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0099762A1 |
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Feb 1984 |
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EP |
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0143309A2 |
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Jun 1985 |
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EP |
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0212050A2 |
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Mar 1987 |
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EP |
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0319781A2 |
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Jun 1989 |
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EP |
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0401673A1 |
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Dec 1990 |
|
EP |
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0561361A1 |
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Sep 1993 |
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EP |
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0563517A1 |
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Oct 1993 |
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EP |
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2746532A1 |
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Apr 1979 |
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DE |
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2856337 |
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Jul 1980 |
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DE |
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2939589A1 |
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Apr 1981 |
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DE |
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2941394A1 |
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Apr 1981 |
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DE |
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55-114771 |
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Apr 1980 |
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JP |
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59-80872 |
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May 1984 |
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JP |
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1423126 |
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Sep 1974 |
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GB |
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Other References
"Garagentorantrieb mit Funkfernsteuerung," by Torsten
Meyer-Staufenbiel, pp. 115-117, dated 1975. .
Alltronik Opposition Brief of Jul. 8, 1990, corresponding to German
Patent No. 36 25 555. .
Dorma Opposition Brief of Aug. 8, 1990 of corresponding German
Patent No. 36 25 555..
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Primary Examiner: Ruggiero; Joseph
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitch, Even, Tabin &
Flannery
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
087,142 filed Jul. 2, 1993, abandoned, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 715,006, filed Jun. 13, 1991, abandoned, which
is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 398,379 filed Aug. 24,
1989 abandoned..Iaddend.
Claims
We claim as our invention:
1. A garage door operator for a garage door comprising, a garage
door operation mechanism with an output shaft connected to said
garage door to open and close it, a radio receiver, a decoder
connected to receive the output of said radio receiver, a
microprocessor connected to receive the output of said decoder and
to said garage door operation mechanism to energize it, a switch
moveable between program and operate positions connected to said
microprocessor to place said microprocessor in the operate or
program mode, a memory means for storing a plurality of addresses
connected to said microprocessor when said switch is in the program
position, a memory selection switch connected to said
microprocessor, a plurality of radio transmitters with different
codes, said memory selection switch setable in a first position at
a time when a first one of said radio transmitters is energized so
that the code of said first transmitter will be stored in said
memory means and said memory selection switch set in a second
position at a time when a second one of said radio transmitters is
energized so that the code of said second transmitter will be
stored in said memory means, and said microprocessor placed in the
operate mode when said switch is in the operate position so that
either or both of said first and second radio transmitters when
energized cause said microprocessor to energize said garage door
operator mechanism.
2. A garage door operator for a garage door according to claim 1
wherein said first and second radio transmitters when energized
radiate coded signals and said microprocessor receives and compares
coded signals from said first and second transmitters with coded
signals from said first and second transmitters with coded signals
stored in said memory means and said microprocessor produces a
garage door operate signal if the received transmitted signal and
any one of said coded signals stored in said memory means
match.
3. A garage door operator according to claim 2 wherein said memory
selection switch has "n" positions where "n" is an integer and the
codes of "n" transmitters can be stored in said memory means when
said switch is in the program mode.
4. A garage door operator according to claim 3 wherein the code
stored in said memory means can be changed by placing said switch
in the program mode and one of said plurality of transmitters is
energized which has a code which differs from the code previously
stored in said memory means. .Iadd.
5. An operator for controlling operation of equipment comprising: a
radio receiver, a decoder connected to receive the output of said
radio receiver, a microprocessor connected to receive the output of
said decoder and to said equipment to energize it, first switch
means for selection between program and operate positions connected
to said microprocessor to place said microprocessor in the operate
or the program mode, a memory means for storing a plurality of
addresses connected to said microprocessor when said first switch
means is in the program position, a memory selection second switch
means connected to said microprocessor, a plurality of radio
transmitters with different codes, said memory selection second
switch means being adapted to select a first position at a time
when a first one of said radio transmitters is energized so that
the code of said first transmitter will be stored in said memory
means and said memory selection second switch means being adapted
to select a second position at a time when a second one of said
radio transmitters is energized so that the code of said second
transmitter will be stored in said memory means, and said
microprocessor placed in the operate mode when said first switch
means is in the operate position so that either or both of said
first and second radio transmitters, when energized cause said
microprocessor to energize said equipment. .Iaddend..Iadd.6. An
operator according to claim 5 wherein said first and second radio
transmitters when energized radiate coded signals and said
microprocessor receives and compares coded signals from said first
and second transmitters with coded signals stored in said memory
means and said microprocessor produces an operate signal if the
received transmitted signal and any one of said coded signals
stored in said memory means match. .Iaddend..Iadd.7. An operator
according to claim 6 wherein said second switch means, has "n"
positions where "n" is an integer and the codes of "n" transmitters
can be stored in said memory means when said first switch means is
in the program mode. .Iaddend..Iadd.8. An operator according to
claim 7 wherein the code stored in said memory means can be changed
by placing said first switch means in the program mode and one of
said plurality of transmitters is energized which has a code which
differs from the code previously stored in said memory means.
.Iaddend.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application comprises an improvement on application Ser. No.
615,339, filed May 30, 1984, U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,433, in which the
inventor is Wayne R. Schindler assigned to the assignee of the
present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to garage door operators and in
particular to a novel garage door operator wherein the receiver can
be energized by two or more transmitted codes which are stored in
the receiver.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Garage door operators of the prior art used transmitters in which
the code can be changed by various methods as, for example, by
moving two position switches to change the code. Such systems have
also used code changing switches in the receiver so that the
receivers can be set to correspond to the selected transmitter
code.
It has also been known to use fixed frequency transmitters and
fixed frequency receivers such that if the transmitted frequency
matches the receiver frequency the receiver will respond.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a plurality of
transmitters wherein each transmitter has its own unique and
permanent non-user changeable code and wherein the receiver can be
placed into a program mode wherein it will receive and store two or
more codes corresponding to two different transmitters. The number
of codes which can be stored in transmitters can be extremely high
as, for example, greater than one million codes. Thus, the
invention makes it possible to eliminate the requirements for code
selection switches in the transmitters.
In the present invention the decoder module in the receiver will be
capable of learning several different transmitted codes which will
eliminate code switches in the receiver and also provides for
multiple transmitters for actuating the garage opener.
The communication link can be various system such as radio
frequency, light, wires, etc.
The invention makes it very easy for the user to operate the system
and more secured code systems are available due to the higher
number of available codes.
An encoded signal will be utilized wherein a pulse and blank time
comprises a sync time base and different link pulses such as 1, 2,
3 or 4 milliseconds can be selected so as to provide different
codings. Each datum can be 1, 2, 3 or 4 times the length of the
sync pulse. The timing is from the rising edge to rising edges of
the pulse and with ten data bits the number of codes can be in
excess of one million codes.
In the invention, each transmitter encoder will contain a chip
which contains a unique code and the receiver will be able to
memorize two or more as, for example, five different transmitter
codes. This eliminates the need to have coding switches in either
the transmitter or receiver. This eliminates the requirement that
the user set the code switches so they match since the code
switches are eliminated.
In the invention, during an operate mode, a receiver code must
match an already programmed code four times in order to operate the
garage door. This match is referred to as a valid code. Each valid
code can be separated by up to two error codes and still have the
output indicated as accurate.
In the program mode a code must be received four times in a row in
order to be permanently stored in the receiver. Any error code will
reset the valid code counter.
The advantage of the coding scheme are:
1. Higher peak power without exceeding the FCC rules which gives
longer transmitter range.
2. Eliminate code switches in the transmitter and receiver making
it easier for a customer to install and operate his garage door
operator.
3. Customers having more than one transmitter will not have to
match codes.
4. More secure codes due to the higher number of combinations which
are available. Other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will be readily apparent from the following description
of certain preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings although variations and modifications may
be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the
novel concepts of the disclosure and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a garage door
operator;
FIG. 2 illustrates in block form the invention;
FIG. 3 comprises a flow diagram;
FIG. 4 is a continuation of the flow diagram; and
FIG. 5 illustrates the coding scheme.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a garage door operator 10 mounted to the ceiling
of a garage and connected to operate a door 17. Garage door
operator 10 has a head unit 11 which is supported from the ceiling
which includes a motor which drives a suitable chain to which a
trolley 13 is attached so that it moves along a rail 12. The
trolley 13 has a release cord 20 and pivotally carries a lever arm
14 which is attached to a bracket 16 mounted to the door so as to
raise and open it by pulling it along conventional rails.
The header unit 11 includes a receiver and operating mechanism and
can be actuated from a control unit 38 which has a operate switch
39.
The garage door operator can also be operated by the transmitters
26 and 28 which have operate transmit buttons 27 and 29,
respectively.
As illustrated in FIG. 2 the garage door operator includes a
receiver 41 which has a suitable antenna 42 for receiving radio
frequency transmissions from the transmitters 26 and 28 and
supplies an input to a decoder 43 which provides an output to a
microprocessor unit 44. The microprocessor unit 44 is connected to
a garage door operator mechanism 46 which includes the motor which
drives the chain 15 to move the door 17 in a conventional manner.
The control 38 is connected to the microprocessor 44. A pair of
switches 22 and 23 are mounted on a switch unit 19 connected to the
unit 11 and also to the microprocessor 44. The switch 22 is a two
position switch that can be moved between the operate and program
positions to establish the "operate" and "program" modes. The
switch 23 can be moved to a number of selected positions indicated
by the 1 through 5 so as to allow the particular code of a number
of different transmitters to be stored in the receiver so that the
receiver will respond to such codes.
In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving unit can respond to up
to five different transmitters which have five different
transmitting codes. FIG. 5 illustrates the code utilized in which
the bit times are nominally 0.5 milliseconds for example. The data
times are nominally 1, 2, 3 or 4 milliseconds.
The sync pulse is a unit measure of time. Each datum is measured
with respect to the sync pulse and each datum can be 1, 2, 3 or 4
times the length of the sync pulse. The timing is from the rising
edge to rising edge of adjacent pulses. Using 10 data bits the
number of codes which is available is in excess of one million
codes.
In the invention, each transmitter such as transmitters 26 and 28
will have a unique code which is determined by the encoder chip
contained in the transmitter. The receiver unit will be able to
memorize and store a number of different codes as, for example,
five different transmitter codes which eliminates the need of
coding switches in either the transmitter or receiver which are
used in the prior art. This also eliminates the requirement that
the user match the transmitter and receiver code switches.
When the garage door operator is initially installed, the switch 22
is moved to the program mode and the energize button 27 of the
first transmitter 26 is depressed so that the unique code of the
transmitter 26 is transmitted. This is received by the receiver 41
and decoded by the decoder 43 and supplied to the microprocessor
unit 44. The switch 23 is placed in the first position, and with
the switch 22 in the program mode the code of the transmitter 26
will be supplied to the memory address storage 47 and stored
therein. Then if the switch 22 is moved to the operate mode and the
transmitter 26 energized by depressing the transmit switch 27, the
receiver 41, decoder and the microprocessor 44 will compare the
received code with the code of the transmitter 26 stored in the
first memory location in the memory address storage 47 and since
the stored memory address for the transmitter 26 coincides with the
transmitted code of the transmitter 26 the microprocessor 44 will
energize the garage door operation mechanism 46 to open or close
the door.
In order to store the code of the second transmitter 28 the switch
22 is moved again to the program mode and the switch 23 to the
second position and the transmitter 28 is energized by depressing
its transmit switch 29. This causes the receiver 41 and decoder 43
to decode the transmitted signal and supply it to the
microprocessor 44 which then supplies the coded signal of the
transmitter 28 to the memory address storage 47 where it is stored
in a second address storage location. Then the switch 22 is moved
to the operate position and when either of the transmitters 26 and
28 are energized, the receiver 41 decoder 43 and microprocessor 44
will energize the garage door operation mechanism 46 to cause the
door to either move up or down depending upon its initial position.
Thus, the codes of the transmitters 26 and 28 are transmitted and
stored in the memory address storage 47 during the program mode
after which the garage door operation mechanism will respond to
either of the transmitters 26 and 28. Any desired number of
transmitters can be programmed to operate the garage door mechanism
as, for example, up to five transmitters can be programmed into the
memory address storage 47 by using the program switch 22 and the
selector switch 23.
This invention eliminates the requirement that binary switches be
set in the transmitter or receiver as is done in systems of the
prior art to establish a code to which the receiver will respond
and the invention also allows a garage door operator to respond to
a number of different transmitters because the specific codes of a
number of the transmitters is stored and retained in the memory
address storage 47 of this unit.
FIGS. 3 and 4 comprise the flow chart which describe both the
operate and program modes of the invention. Basically, in the
operate mode, a received code must match a program which has
already been programmed and for four times so as to operate the
garage door. This match is referred to as a valid code in the flow
chart. Each valid code can be separated by up to two error codes
and still have the output actuate. For example, a code of
valid-error-error-valid-valid-valid would actuate the door. On the
other hand, a code of valid-valid-valid-error-error-error-valid
would not actuate the door.
In the program mode a code must be received four times in a row in
order to be permanently stored. Any error code will reset the valid
code counter.
with reference to the flow diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 4 if it be
assumed initially that the switch 22 is in the operate position an
incoming signal will be supplied to terminal A in FIG. 3 and an
output will be supplied to terminal B which indicates that the
switch 22 is not in the program mode but in the operate mode.
Terminal B is illustrated in FIG. 4 and the microprocessor compares
the incoming code with any codes in the five code locations stored
in the memory address storage 47. If these codes match then the
error counter is cleared and all other valid counters. If the valid
counter receives the code four times than output is supplied to the
terminal C which operates the garage door operator. If the valid
counter for the code equals less than 4, then the valid code
counter is incremented until the valid code counter does not equal
4 which actuates the proper output. Relative to FIG. 4 if the input
code does not match any of the five stored codes, then the error
counter is incremented and when the error counter equal 3 the error
counter is cleared and all valid counters are cleared.
If the switch 22 is in the program mode as shown in FIG. 3 when the
incoming signal from a transmitter is received, the flow diagram is
followed so as to store the new incoming program in the code
location pointed to by the code location pointer 23. It is to be
noted that up to five addresses can be stored in the system of the
invention.
It is seen that the present invention allows a receiving system to
respond to one of a plurality of transmitters which have different
unique codes which can be stored in the receiver during a program
mode. Each time the "program mode switch" 22 is moved to the
program position, a different storage area as determined by the
switch 23 can be connected so that the new transmitter code would
be stored in that address. After all of the address storage
capacity have been used additional codes would erase all old codes
in the memory address storage before storing a new one.
Although the invention has been described with respect to preferred
embodiments, it is not to be so limited as changes and
modifications may be made which are within the full intended scope
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *