Movable barrier operator configured for remote actuation

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for operating a movable barrier, comprising:
 a mobile device;   a movable barrier;   a local wireless network; and   a movable barrier operator comprising an electromagnetic locking mechanism to lock or unlock the movable barrier, the movable barrier operator connected to the local wireless network and configured to control the movable barrier, the movable barrier operator 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 including:
 instructions for detecting the mobile device whenever the mobile device is within a programmable proximity of the movable barrier; 
 instructions for sending an invitation for the mobile device to join the local wireless network; 
 instructions for receiving an access request accepting the invitation to join the local wireless network from the mobile device; 
 instructions for authorizing the mobile device and establishing communication between the mobile device and the local wireless network; and 
 instructions for generating a movable barrier command in response to the mobile device joining the local wireless network. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device includes instructions for determining a predefined distance of the mobile device to the movable barrier using received signal strength indication (RSSI), and wherein the mobile device sends the access request at the predefined distance from the movable barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs of the movable barrier operator further include instructions for using received signal strength indication (RSSI) to determine the proximity of the mobile device to the movable barrier. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the local wireless network is a wireless personal area network (WPAN), and the WPAN utilizes the ZIGBEE protocol, the BLUETOOTH protocol, or the WI-FI protocol to communicate with the mobile device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs of the movable barrier operator further include instructions for storing and fetching historical data associated with the mobile device every time the mobile device joins the local wireless network. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a database accessible to the controller of the movable barrier operator, wherein the database includes one or more unique identifiers associated with mobile device, and wherein the access request includes the one or more unique identifiers. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the database accessible to the controller of the movable barrier operator further includes one or more sets of temporary user identification codes associated with one or more mobile devices with a temporary authorization to access the movable barrier. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a server in communication with the movable barrier operator, the server configured for managing the database. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the server includes a user interface for controlling user permissions concerning the one or more unique identifiers associated with mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the user interface further includes a means to provide access to historical data concerning times during which the mobile device has accessed the movable barrier. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the invitation for the mobile device to join the local wireless network includes instructions for automatically launching a graphical user interface (GUI) on the mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the GUI on the mobile device includes an output requesting a user input for authenticating the mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the GUI on the mobile device includes an output for displaying historical data concerning times during which the mobile device has accessed the movable barrier. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the GUI on the mobile device provides access to settings concerning management of the database. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the GUI on the mobile device includes an output requesting a user input for opening the movable barrier. 
     
     
         16 . A system for operating a movable barrier, comprising:
 a lockable barrier;   a local wireless network; and   a movable barrier operator, including:
 a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock the lockable barrier; 
 a network interface connecting the movable barrier operator to the local wireless network, wherein the network interface implements received signal strength indication (RSSI) to determine the proximity of the mobile device to the movable barrier; and 
   a controller in communication with the network interface and the motor, the controller including a processor, a memory, and one or more programs stored in the memory, the one or more programs for:
 detecting a mobile device whenever the mobile device is within a programmable distance of the movable barrier; 
 sending an invitation for the mobile device to join the local wireless network; 
 receiving an access request accepting the invitation to join the local wireless network from the mobile device; and 
 generating a movable barrier command in response to the mobile device joining the local wireless network. 
   
     
     
         17 . A movable barrier operator, comprising:
 a wireless network interface for communicating with a local wireless network;   a motor configured to control a movable barrier;   a controller configured to operate the motor and communicate with the wireless network interface, 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 including:
 instructions for detecting a mobile device whenever the mobile device is within a programmable proximity of the movable barrier; 
 instructions for sending an invitation for the mobile device to join the local wireless network; 
 instructions for receiving an access request accepting the invitation to join the local wireless network from the mobile device; and 
 instructions for generating a movable barrier command in response to the mobile phone joining the local wireless network. 
   
     
     
         18 . The operator of  claim 17 , wherein the motor of the operator controls a locking mechanism of the movable barrier, the movable barrier comprising a doorway. 
     
     
         19 . The operator of  claim 18 , further comprising a database accessible to the controller, wherein the database includes one or more unique identifiers associated with the mobile device, and wherein the access request includes the one or more unique identifiers. 
     
     
         20 . The operator of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for using received signal strength indication (RSSI) to determine the proximity of the mobile device to the movable barrier.