Patent Application
20060290489
The field of the invention relates to moveable barrier operators and, more specifically, to securely operating barrier actuating devices in these systems.
Different types of moveable barrier operators have been sold over the years and these systems have been used to actuate various types of moveable barriers. For example, garage door operators have been used to move garage doors and gate operators have been used to open and close gates.
Such barrier movement operators may include a wall control unit, which is connected to send signals to a head unit thereby causing the head unit to open and close the barrier. In addition, these operators often include a receiver unit at the head unit to receive wireless transmissions from a hand-held code transmitter or from a keypad transmitter, which may be affixed to the outside of the area closed by the barrier or other structure.
Barrier actuating devices are often employed in these systems to actuate moveable barrier operators that move barriers. For instance, a user may utilize a garage door opener from their vehicle to open and close a garage door or use a gate operator to open and close a gate.
Security problems occur in these systems when unauthorized users obtain a barrier actuating device of an authorized user in order to obtain entry into a secure area. For example, a portable transmitter can be stolen from its owner and used by the unauthorized user to open the garage door and gain entry into the home of the owner of the transmitter.
Previous systems sometimes manually enabled the operation of portable transmitters to prevent unauthorized use. However, these systems were cumbersome to use because they were not automatic in operation. Other systems used beacons to enable transmitter operation. However, the beacons enabled all transmitters no matter the identity of the person actuating the transmitter. Consequently, unauthorized users could still use the transmitters to gain entry into secure areas.
A system and method are provided that securely operate a barrier actuating device. The approaches described herein allow a barrier actuating device to be automatically enabled when it is in close proximity to an authorization device. Conveniently, the authorization device may be an item uniquely identified or carried by the owner of the barrier actuating device such as a fob or an RFID device positioned within the vehicle of the owner. Consequently, the actuating device will not operate until enabled and unauthorized users will be prevented from using the barrier actuating device to improperly gain entry into a secure or prohibited area.
In accordance with the principles described herein a barrier actuating device is placed in close proximity to an authorization device. Electromagnetic enabling information that has been automatically sent from the authorization device is detected. The electromagnetic enabling information may comprise a number of forms such as a wireless signal, a Radio Frequency (RF) signal, a visible light signal, or a sonic signal. Responsive to the detecting of the electromagnetic enabling information, an operation of the barrier actuating device is enabled so that the actuating device is operable to transmit a signal. The signal may be transmitted to actuate a variety of devices such as a moveable barrier operator, a light control device, or an alarm. Conversely, the operation of the actuating device is disabled in the absence of the enabling information.
The barrier actuating device may be a portable transmitter that is placed in close proximity to a personally carried authorization device. In one example, the personally carried authorization device is a fob. In another example, the barrier actuating device may be a portable transmitter that is placed in close proximity to an RFID signal source. The RFID signal source carried by a person or placed within an authorized vehicle.
Thus, approaches are described that provide for the secure operation of barrier actuating devices. The barrier actuating devices are enabled by being positioned in close proximity to an authorization device thereby preventing unauthorized use of the actuating device to actuate moveable barriers.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for ease of understanding and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of the various embodiments of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings and especially
The description contained herein assumes that the operator 114 is a garage door operator. However, it will be understood that the operator 114 may be any type of entry control device or system such as a security system, entry system, sliding door operator, or swinging door operator. Further, although the barrier 112 is described as being a garage door, it will be understood that the barrier 112 may be any type of barrier such as a sliding gate, swinging gate, or shutters. Other examples of operators and barriers are possible.
Authorization devices 105 and 107 are positioned so as to emit electromagnetic authorization information that enables the operation of the barrier actuating devices 102, 104, and 106. The barrier actuating devices 102, 104, and 106 are placed in proximity to the authorization devices 105 or 107 so that the electromagnetic authorization information can be received. For instance, the authentication device 107 may have a range limited to the vehicle 110 and the barrier actuating device must be positioned within this range in order to operate. In another example, the authentication device 105 may be limited to the immediate vicinity of the person 108.
In addition, the authorization devices 105, and 107 may be any type of device that is capable of sending electromagnetic enabling information. For example, the devices 105 and 107 may be fobs or RFID signal sources. In the particular example of
In one example of the operation of the system of
A signal may be transmitted from the barrier actuating devices to actuate a variety of other devices or systems such as a moveable barrier operator, a light control device, or an alarm. The electromagnetic enabling information may include a number of forms such as a wireless signal, a Radio Frequency (RF) signal, a visible light signal, or a sonic signal.
Referring now to
At step 204, the actuating device is placed in close proximity to an authorization device so as to be within the operating range of the authorizing device. In one example, an authorized user may be carrying an RFID signal source. In another example, the authorization device may be attached to a fob such as a key chain carried by an authorized user. At step 204, the actuating device senses electromagnetic enabling information that may be transmitted from an authorization device. At step 206, it is determined if the information is present. If the answer is negative, at step 208, the actuating device is placed (or continues operation) in the disabled state. If the answer is affirmative, then at step 210, the operation of the actuating device is enabled. In this state, the actuating device can transmit signals to the moveable barrier operator. The moveable barrier operator can then actuate a barrier, for example, opening a garage door. Execution then continues at step 204 as described above.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Thus, approaches are described herein that provide for the enhanced security when operating barrier actuating devices. The actuating devices are enabled by being placed in close proximity to an authorization device thereby preventing unauthorized use of the actuating device to actuate moveable barriers.
While there has been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications which fall within the true scope of the present invention.
