TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to remote operated barrier operator systems, and more particularly to the use of near field communications (NFC) in connection therewith.

BACKGROUND

Movable barriers, such as upward acting sectional or single panel garage doors, residential and commercial rollup doors, and slidable and swingable gates, are used to alternatively allow and restrict entry to building structures and property. These barriers are driven between their respective open and closed positions by coupled barrier moving units, known and referred to in the trade as “barrier operators”, and in the specific case of a garage door, known and referred to as “garage door operators.”

For example, a typical garage door operator for driving an upward acting sectional garage door between its open and closed positions includes, as a central control unit, a door control module or “head” unit including a microcontroller for (i) processing incoming user actuated door instructions and (ii) generating output control signals corresponding to these instructions; a motor controller for receiving and transmitting these control signals to a motor; and a DC or AC motor drivingly coupled to the garage door. The user actuated door instructions are in the form of wired or wireless signals typically transmitted to the microcontroller from wall consoles mounted at the interior and exterior of the garage, hereinafter referred to as “access panels”, or from hand held or vehicle mounted RF transmitters.

Activation of a barrier operator so as to cause a barrier to be driven between the open and closed positions via an exterior access panel can be particularly convenient for users. For example, the barrier may be opened without the need for the user to carry an RF transmitter. These exterior access panels typically utilize a keypad into which a user must enter a personal identification code in order for the barrier operator to be enabled to cause the barrier to be driven between the open and closed positions.

While such exterior access panels are m wide use and add convenience for users, additional functionality is still desirable. For example, a user may have forgotten their personal identification code and not have their RF transmitter in their immediate possession. Consequently, further developments in exterior access panels for activating a barrier operator, such as a garage door opener, to accommodate those and other situations are desirable. For example, other ways of causing exterior access panels to enable the barrier operator are desirable.

As known to those of skill in the art, near field communications (NFC) is a form of short-range wireless communication in which an NFC antenna is used. An NFC antenna is much smaller than the wavelength of the carrier signal, thus preventing a standing wave from developing within the antenna. In the near-field, typically considered to be one quarter of a wavelength or less, the antenna can produce either an electric field, or a magnetic field, but not an electromagnetic field. Thus, near field communications are either by way of a modulated electric field, or a modulated magnetic field, but not by a modulated electromagnetic wave.

The NFC technology has recently expanded to smartphones, smartphones typically using electric field NFC, operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, corresponding to a wavelength of 22.11 m, for secure communications. Therefore, NFC technology is particularly useful for smartphone communication because the very short range of NFC makes it difficult for eavesdroping. In operation, the NFC antenna sets up the near-field around itself, with length, width and depth of the field being roughly the same as the dimensions of the NFC antenna. Thus, the NFC antenna produces a stationary electric field pulsating at 13.56 MHz. If another similarly small NFC antenna comes into this electric field, it will induce an electric potential into it, alternating at the same frequency. By modulating the signal in the NFC antenna, a signal is thus transmitted to the passive, receiving NFC antenna.

It is therefore the principal object of this invention to utilize the benefits of near field communication technology to improve the ability to obtain remote access to a garage or other building structure.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is an access control apparatus for a barrier movement system that moves a barrier. The access control apparatus includes a near field communications (NFC) module, a radiofrequency (RF) module, and a controller coupled to the NFC module and RF module. The controller is configured to read an NFC signal from an authenticated external device, via the NFC module. In response to reading the NFC signal, the controller transmits a command signal, via the RF module, that commands the barrier movement system to move the barrier.

Another aspect is directed to electronic device for communication with an access control apparatus for a barrier movement system that moves a barrier. The access control apparatus includes a near field communications (NFC) module, a radiofrequency (RF) module, and a controller coupled to the NFC module and RF module. The controller is configured to read an NFC signal, via the NFC module, and in response to reading the NFC signal and receiving a user command, transmit a command signal, via the RF module, that commands the barrier movement system to move the barrier. The electronic device includes a near field communications (NFC) module, a wireless data module, and a controller coupled to the NFC module and the wireless data module. The controller is configured to activate the NFC module to transmit the NFC signal to the access control apparatus, and send the user command to the access control apparatus, using the wireless data module.

A method aspect is directed to a method of moving a barrier that includes bringing an authenticated near field communications (NFC) device within communications distance of an access control apparatus that reads a NFC signal emitted from the authenticated NFC device, and in response to the NFC signal, transmits a command signal that commands a barrier movement system to move the barrier.

Another method aspect is directed to a method of operating an access control apparatus for a barrier movement system that moves a barrier including reading a near field communications (NFC) signal from an authenticated external device, using a NFC module. A command signal that commands the barrier movement system to move the barrier is transmitted, using a radiofrequency (RF) module.

