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  Method and apparatus to facilitate transmission of ternary movable barrier operator informationUSPTO Application #: 20060164267Title: Method and apparatus to facilitate transmission of ternary movable barrier operator information Abstract: Ternary data as corresponds to a movable barrier operator is provided (21) and converted (22) into corresponding binary information. In a preferred approach this comprises converting each ternary trit into a corresponding binary pair. Pursuant to a preferred approach binary bits as correspond to, for example, fixed and/or non-fixed information (32 and 33) are provided (31) and then converted (34) into the aforementioned ternary data. (end of abstract)
Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery - Chicago, IL, US Inventors: James J. Fitzgibbon, Eric Gregori USPTO Applicaton #: 20060164267 - Class: 341051000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060164267. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates generally to movable barrier operators and more particularly to the transmission of movable barrier operator information. BACKGROUND [0002] Movable barrier operators of various kinds are known in the art. These include operators that effect the selective control and movement of single panel and segmented garage doors, pivoting, rolling, and swinging gates, guard arms, rolling shutters, and various other movable barriers. In general, such movable barrier operators typically operate (at least in part) by responding to a remotely sourced control signal. For example, an individual in a vehicle can manipulate a corresponding wireless remote control device to transmit an OPEN command to a given movable barrier operator to thereby cause the latter to move a corresponding movable barrier towards an opened position. It is also known to effect communications between a movable barrier operator and various other elements such as, but not limited to, tethered and un-tethered control interfaces, displays, lighting modules, alarm systems, obstacle detectors, and so forth. [0003] One known approach to supporting such communications makes use of ternary data. Whereas many data communications rely upon binary data, ternary data has been used for at least some movable barrier operator communications. It is not always readily convenient, however, to facilitate the transmission and reception of true ternary data (i.e., data that can have any of three different states). Such problems can arise, for example, when interfacing a movable barrier operator with a peripheral element that only communicates using standard serial hardware that relies upon binary signaling. [0004] It is also known that encryption can be used to secure a given data transmission. Unfortunately, many encryption techniques are relatively expensive to deploy. This can be prohibitive when considering the use of encryption in a highly price sensitive context such as movable barrier operators and their peripherals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the method and apparatus to facilitate transmission of ternary movable barrier operator information described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: [0006] FIG. 1 comprises a depiction of prior art ternary encoding; FIG. 2 comprises a flow diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; FIG. 3 comprises a flow diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0007] FIG. 4 comprises a mapping table as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0008] FIG. 5 comprises a schematic view of a data frame as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0009] FIG. 6 comprises a comprises a data frame flow diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0010] FIG. 7 comprises a data frame flow diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0011] FIG. 8 comprises a data frame flow diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and [0012] FIG. 9 comprises a block diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. [0013] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning 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 or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments, ternary data as corresponds to a movable barrier operator is provided and converted into a binary format. The binary information is then transmitted to or from a movable barrier operator. As will be shown below in more detail, this process can achieve an encryption effect while also serving to ensure compatible use of binary peripheral platforms. [0015] In a preferred approach, converting the ternary data to a binary format comprises mapping each trit of the ternary data to a corresponding pair of binary bits. A pair of binary bits can represent 4 discrete information elements and in a preferred approach, three of these discrete information elements each correspond to one of the three trit states/levels and the fourth discrete information element (which otherwise comprises an illegal value) serves a synchronization function. [0016] So configured, different encoded ternary values in a given field can represent a particular corresponding size of bearer content as is being exchanged between a movable barrier operator and a given peripheral and/or the updating of rolling code information. The bearer content can comprise, for example, non-fixed information that corresponds in some way to the movable barrier operator. It is also possible, and actually preferred, to combine such non-fixed information with fixed information (such as, but not limited to, fixed information such as identifying information for the movable barrier operator and/or the peripheral platform). [0017] It is also possible to combine one or more of the above data elements with rolling code bits (wherein the rolling code itself comprises the same rolling code as is otherwise used by the movable barrier operator to authenticate incoming communications and/or communication sources). In fact, and as will be disclosed below in more detail, the incorporation of rolling code information can serve an encryption function as well. [0018] These and other benefits may become clearer upon making a thorough review and study of the following detailed description. Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, it may be helpful to first describe in more detail a typical ternary data protocol as one finds often deployed in conjunction with many movable barrier operators. Pursuant to the illustrated approach, pulses of similar amplitude have one of three different durations. For example, a first pulse 10, having a shortest duration, can represent the data element "0." A second pulse 11, having a medium length duration, can represent the data element or state "1." And a third pulse 12, having a longest duration, can represent the data element or state "2." Such a data mapping protocol serves well to effect a base three-based data exchange. As will be disclosed below in more detail, these teachings utilize and leverage a ternary approach to effect relatively secure and compatible communications between a movable barrier operators and corresponding peripheral components of choice. In general, however, these teachings eschew the specific ternary approach just described. [0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, in general, these teachings provide a process 20 that itself provides 21 ternary data as corresponds to a movable barrier operator and then converts 22 that ternary data to a binary format to provide resultant binary information. This binary information is then transmitted 23 from one platform to another. As will be shown below, this ternary-to-binary conversion process serves, at least in part, as a kind of encryption process which in turn aids in ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of the information being transmitted. [0020] The ternary data itself can comprise, at least in part, bearer data. More particularly, and referring momentarily to FIG. 3, pursuant to a preferred (though optional) approach, provision of ternary data can comprise prior provision 31 of binary bits comprising information that corresponds to the movable barrier operator (for example, information sourced by, or intended for, a movable barrier operator). Such information can optionally comprise, for example, movable barrier operator fixed information 32 such as identifying information for a particular movable barrier operator, a particular peripheral component, or the like. Such information can also optionally comprise (in addition to or in lieu of fixed information 32) non-fixed information 33 as again corresponds to the movable barrier operator. This non-fixed information 33 can comprise bearer data/information (such as, but not limited to, platform status information, commands, acknowledgments, and so forth). As will be shown below, this non-fixed information 33 can also comprise varying quantities of data if desired. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and apparatus to facilitate transmission of ternary movable barrier operator information Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus to facilitate transmission of ternary movable barrier operator information patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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