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 transmitted 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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

than then 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 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 equals 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.

Claims

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 the 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 setable 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 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.5. An operator for controlling a position of a barrier comprising:

at least one radio frequency transmitter having a non-user changeable code for radio frequency transmitting a radio frequency transmission corresponding to the transmitter

a radio frequency receiver for being adapted to receive the first-mentioned radio frequency transmission from the first-mentioned radio frequency transmitter and being adapted to receive a second radio frequency transmission from a second radio frequency transmitter having a second non-user changeable code, different from said first non-user changeable code;

a program mode designator for designating a program mode;

a memory comprising a plurality of storage locations;

a processor having a processor controlled code location pointer and responsive to a program mode designation by said program mode designator and the reception by said radio frequency receiver of said first-mentioned radio frequency transmission for storing a first stored code corresponding to the first-mentioned radio frequency transmitter in one of said plurality of storage locations derived from the processor controlled code location pointer, the processor responsive to said program mode designation by said program mode designator and the reception by said receiver of said second radio frequency transmission for storing a second stored code corresponding to the second radio frequency transmitter in another of said plurality of storage locations derived from the processor controlled code location pointer, and the processor responsive to an operate mode and the reception of said first-mentioned radio frequency transmission after the storage of said first stored code for moving the barrier and responsive to said operate mode and to the reception of said second radio frequency transmission after the storage of said first and said second stored codes for moving said barrier. 6. An operator for controlling a position of a barrier according to claim 5 wherein said processor controlled code location comprises a software controlled code location pointer. 7. An operator for controlling a position of a barrier according to claim 5 wherein the processor comprises a microprocessor. 8. A system for controlling a position of a barrier comprising:

a first radio frequency transmitter having a first non-user changeable code and for radio frequency transmitting a first radio frequency transmission corresponding to the first transmitter;

a second radio frequency transmitter having a second non-user changeable code, different from said first non-user changeable code and for radio frequency transmitting a second radio frequency transmission corresponding to the second transmitter; and

an operator for controlling a position of a barrier, said operator comprising:

a radio frequency receiver for receiving said first and said second radio frequency transmissions;

a program mode designator for designating a program mode;

a memory comprising a plurality of storage locations;

a processor having a processor controlled code location pointer and responsive to a program mode designation by said program mode designator and the reception by said radio frequency receiver of said first radio frequency transmission for storing a first stored code corresponding to the first radio frequency transmitter in one of said plurality of storage locations derived from the processor controlled code location pointer, the processor responsive to said program mode designation by said program mode designator and the reception by said receiver of said second radio frequency transmission for storing a second stored code corresponding to the second radio frequency transmitter in another of said plurality of storage locations derived from the processor controlled code location pointer, and the processor responsive to an operate mode and the reception of said first radio frequency transmission after the storage of said first stored code for moving the barrier and responsive to said operate mode and to the reception of said second radio frequency transmission after the storage of said first and said second stored codes for moving said

barrier. 9. A system for controlling a position of a barrier according to claim 8 wherein the processor comprises a microprocessor. 10. A system for controlling a position of a barrier comprising:

a first radio frequency transmitter having a first non-user changeable code and for radio frequency transmitting a first radio frequency transmission corresponding to the first transmitter;

a second radio frequency transmitter having a second non-user changeable code, different from said first non-user changeable code and for radio frequency transmitting a second radio frequency transmission corresponding to the second transmitter; and

an operator for controlling a position of a barrier, said operator comprising:

a radio frequency receiver for receiving said first and said second radio frequency transmissions;

a program mode designator for designating a program mode;

a memory comprising a plurality of storage locations;

a processor having a software controlled code location pointer and responsive to a program mode designation by said program mode designator and the reception by said radio frequency receiver of said first radio frequency transmission for storing a first stored code corresponding to the first radio frequency transmitter in one of said plurality of storage locations derived from the processor controlled code location pointer, the processor responsive to said program mode designation by said program mode designator and the reception by said receiver of said second radio frequency transmission for storing a second stored code corresponding to the second radio frequency transmitter in another of said plurality of storage locations derived from the software controlled code location pointer, and the processor responsive to an operate mode and the reception of said first radio frequency transmission after the storage of said first stored code for moving the barrier and responsive to said operate mode and to the reception of said second radio frequency transmission after the storage of said first and said second stored codes for moving said barrier. 11. A system for controlling a position of a barrier according to claim 10 wherein the processor comprises a microprocessor. 12. 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 operate and program positions connected to said microprocessor to place said microprocessor in the program mode, memory means for storing a plurality of addresses connected to said microprocessor when said switch is in the program position, a memory selector for selecting respective storage addresses in the memory means, a plurality of radio transmitters with different non-user changeable codes, said memory selector pointing to a first storage address 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 in said first address and said memory selector pointing to a second storage address 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 in said second address, and said microprocessor placed in the operate mode when said switch is in the operate position so that either of said first and second radio transmitters when energized cause said microprocessor to energize said garage door operator mechanism. 13. A garage door operator for a garage door according to claim 12, 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 a garage door operate signal if the received transmitted signal and any one of said coded signals stored in said memory

means match. 14. A garage door operator according to claim 12 wherein said memory selector has "n" positions where "n" is an integer an the codes of "n" transmitters can be stored in said memory means when said switch is in the program mode. 15. A garage door opener according to claim 12 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. 16. A garage door operator according to claim 12 wherein the memory selector comprises a software controlled code location pointer identifying a memory address. 17. 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, switch means for selection between operate and program positions connected to said microprocessor to place said microprocessor in the program mode, memory means for storing a plurality of addresses connected to said microprocessor when said switch means is in the program position, memory selection means for selecting respective storage addresses in the memory, a plurality of radio transmitters with different non-user changeable codes, said memory selection means being adapted to select a first storage location 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 in the first location and said memory selection means being adapted to select a second storage location 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 in said second location, and said microprocessor placed in the operate mode when said switch means is in the operate position so that either of said first and second radio transmitters, when energized cause said microprocessor to energize said equipment. 18. An operator according to claim 17 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. 19. An operator according to claim 17 wherein said memory selection means has "n" states where "n" is an integer and the codes of "n" transmitters can be stored in said memory means when said switch means is in the program mode. 20. An operator according to claim 17 wherein the code stored in said memory means can be changed by placing said 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. 21. An operator according to claim 17 wherein the memory selection means comprises a software controlled code location pointer identifying a memory

address. 22. A garage door operator according to claim 21 wherein the microprocessor increments the code location pointer to select the memory addresses to store the respective transmitter codes. 23. 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 plurality of RF transmitters, each of said transmitters having its own different non-user changeable transmitter code and having means for transmitting when energized, an RF signal carrying a code from which the transmitter code can be derived;

a receiver for receiving said coded RF transmissions;

a decoder for deriving a code corresponding to the transmitter code in the energized transmitter;

processor means for providing in its operate mode an operating signal to said garage door operation mechanism to energize it and for providing in its program mode a derived code for storage;

mode selection means connected to said processor means for placing said processor means in its program mode;

memory means having a plurality of addresses for storing a plurality of derived codes under the control of said processor means;

memory selection means controlled by said processor means for identifying respective ones of the memory addresses;

said memory selection means identifying one of the memory addresses so that the processor means, when in its program mode, causes the derived code of one of the transmitters to be stored in said memory means at the one memory address, and said memory selection means identifying a second memory address so that the processor means, when in its program mode, causes the derived code of a second transmitter to be stored in said memory means at the second memory address;

said processor means, when in its operate mode, determining whether the derived code and one of the stored codes correspond, said processor means providing an operating signal to energize said garage door operator mechanism upon correspondence. 24. A garage door operator for a garage door in accordance with claim 23, wherein the processor means determines whether the derived code has been previously stored in any of the memory locations and if the derived code is already stored, the processor means does not cause the derived code to be stored. 25. A garage door operator for a garage door in accordance with claim 23, wherein if a derived code is stored in all the available storage locations, the memory selection means will select one of such storage locations and the processor means causes the derived code to be stored in that location. 26. A garage door operator for a garage door in accordance with claim 23, wherein means are provided to prevent the processor means from energizing the garage door operator mechanism until the processor means determines that the derived code corresponds with the stored code a preset plurality of times. 27. A garage door operator for a garage door in accordance with claim 23, wherein means are provided to prevent the processor means from storing a derived code until the same derived code is received a preset plurality of times. 28. A garage door operator for a garage door according to claim 23 wherein said processor means comprises a microprocessor. 29. A garage door operator comprising:

a garage door operation mechanism with an output shaft connected to said garage door to open and close it;

a plurality of RF transmitters, each of said RF transmitters having its own different, non-user changeable transmitter code and having a transmitter for transmitting when energized, an RF signal carrying a code from which the transmitter code can be derived;

a receiver for receiving said coded RF transmissions;

a decoder for deriving a code corresponding to the transmitter code of the energized transmitter;

a processor for providing in its operate mode an operating signal to said garage door operation mechanism to energize it;

a mode selector connected to said processor for placing said processor in its program mode;

an addressable memory having a plurality of addresses controlled by said processor for storing a plurality of derived codes;

a software controlled memory selector controlled by said processor for identifying respective ones of the memory addresses;

said software controlled memory selector identifying one of the memory addresses so that the processor, when in its program mode, causes the derived code of one of the transmitters to be stored in said addressable memory at the one memory address, and said software controlled memory selector identifying another memory address so that the processor, when in its program mode, causes the code of a second transmitter to be stored in said addressable memory at the memory address;

said processor, when in its operate mode, determining whether the derived code corresponds with at least one of the second codes and when there is correspondence said processor providing an operating signal to energize

said garage door mechanism. 30. A garage door operator according to claim 29 wherein the processor comprises a microprocessor.