Movable barrier operators status condition transception apparatus and method

1. A movable barrier operator comprising:

a controller having a plurality of potential operational status conditions defined, at least in part, by a plurality of operating states;

a movable barrier interface that is operably coupled to the controller;

a wireless status condition data transmitter that is operably coupled to the controller, wherein the wireless status condition data transmitter transmits a status condition signal that:

corresponds to a present operational status condition defined, at least in part, by at least two operating states from the plurality of operating states; and

comprises an identifier that is at least relatively unique to the movable barrier operator, such that the status condition signal substantially uniquely identifies the movable barrier operator.

2. The movable barrier operator of claim 1 and further comprises at least one condition status sensor that is operably coupled to the controller.

3. The movable barrier operator of claim 2 wherein the wireless status condition data transmitter transmits data that corresponds to the at least one condition status sensor.

4. The movable barrier of claim 1 and further comprising a receiver that is operably coupled to the controller.

5. The movable barrier operator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of operating states includes at least one of:

moving a movable barrier in a first direction;

moving the movable barrier in a second direction;

reversing movement of the movable barrier;

halting movement of the movable barrier;

detecting a likely presence of an obstacle to movement of the movable barrier;

detecting a likely proximal presence of a human;

receiving a wireless remote control signal;

receiving a wireline remote control signal;

receiving a learning mode initiation signal;

a lighting status change;

a vacation mode status change;

detecting a likely proximal presence of a vehicle;

detecting the identification of a proximal vehicle; and

receiving an operating parameter alteration signal.

6. The movable barrier operator of claim 1 wherein the wireless status condition data transmitter comprises a radio frequency carrier-based transmitter.

7. The movable barrier operator of claim 1 wherein the wireless status condition data transmitter comprises an infrared carrier-based transmitter.

8. The movable barrier operator of claim 1 wherein the wireless status condition data transmitter comprises a sonic carrier-based transmitter.

9. The movable barrier operator of claim 1 wherein the controller includes transmitter control means for automatically causing the wireless status condition data transmitter to transmit a data signal.

10. The movable barrier operator of claim 9 wherein the transmitter control means automatically causes the wireless status condition data transmitter to transmit the status condition data signal in response to detecting at least a first predetermined condition.

11. The movable barrier operator of claim 10 wherein the first predetermined condition comprises at least one of the controller:

moving a movable barrier in a first direction;

moving the movable barrier in a second direction;

reversing movement of the movable barrier;

halting movement of the movable barrier;

detecting a likely presence of an obstacle to movement of the movable barrier;

detecting a likely proximal presence of a human;

receiving a wireless remote control signal;

receiving a wireline remote control signal;

receiving a learning mode initiation signal;

receiving an operating parameter alteration signal;

expiration of a predetermined duration of time; and

attainment of a predetermined point in time.

12. The movable barrier operator of claim 4 wherein the controller includes transmitter control means for automatically causing the wireless status condition data transmitter to transmit a status condition data signal in response to the receiver receiving at least a first predetermined signal.

13. The movable barrier operator of claim 12 wherein the wireless data transmitter comprises an infrared carrier-based transmitter and the receiver comprises a radio frequency carrier-based receiver.

14. A method comprising:

at a movable barrier operator:

detecting at least one predetermined condition as corresponds to a present operational status defined, at least in part, by at least two operating states, of the movable barrier operator;

in response to detecting the at least one predetermined condition, automatically wirelessly transmitting a status condition signal that:

represents the present operational status defined, at least in part, by the at least two operating states; and

comprises an identifier that is at least relatively unique to the movable barrier operator, such that the status condition signal substantially uniquely identifies the movable barrier operator.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein detecting at least one predetermined condition includes detecting at least one of:

moving a movable barrier in a first direction;

moving the movable barrier in a second direction;

reversing movement of the movable barrier;

halting movement of the movable barrier;

detecting a likely presence of an obstacle to movement of the movable barrier;

detecting a likely proximal presence of a human;

receiving a wireless remote control signal;

receiving a wireline remote control signal;

receiving a learning mode initiation signal;

a lighting status change;

a vacation mode status change;

detecting a likely proximal presence of a vehicle; and

receiving an operating parameter alteration signal.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein detecting at least one predetermined condition includes:

monitoring a plurality of operational status conditions;

detecting the at least one predetermined condition when any of the plurality of operational status conditions occurs.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein detecting at least one predetermined condition includes at least one of:

receiving sensor information from a sensor that senses the at least one predetermined condition; and

monitoring an operating state of the movable barrier operator.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein automatically wirelessly transmitting a status condition signal includes automatically wirelessly transmitting a status condition signal using at least one of:

a radio frequency carrier;

a sonic carrier; and

an optical carrier.

19. The method of claim 18 and further comprising also using a wireline connection to transmit at least a portion of the status condition signal.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein automatically wirelessly transmitting a status condition signal includes automatically wirelessly transmitting a status condition signal that includes an identifier that corresponds to the movable barrier operator.

21. The method of claim 14 and further comprising: at a remote peripheral apparatus:

receiving the status condition signal;

in response to receiving the status condition signal, effecting a predetermined action that corresponds to the status condition signal.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the predetermined action includes at least one of:

activating a light;

deactivating a light;

activating an audible alarm;

deactivating an audible alarm;

manipulating a locking mechanism;

providing a corresponding information display;

allowing remote modification of configuration variables; and

initiating a timing mechanism.

23. The method of claim 14 wherein detecting at least one predetermined condition includes receiving a wireless signal that includes, at least in part, an inquiry signal.

24. An apparatus comprising:

a movable barrier operator having:

a controller having a plurality of potential operational status conditions defined, at least in part, by a plurality of operating states; and

a wireless status condition transmitter operably coupled to the controller, wherein the wireless status condition data transmitter transmits a status condition signal that:

corresponds to a present operational status condition defined, at least in part, by at least two operating states from the plurality of operating states; and

comprises an identifier that is at least relatively unique to the movable barrier operator, such that the status condition signal substantially uniquely identifies the movable barrier operator;

a remote peripheral having:

a wireless receiver that is communicatively compatible with the wireless transmitter;

a peripheral controller that is operably coupled to the wireless receiver.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the plurality of operating states includes at least one of:

moving a movable barrier in a first direction;

moving the movable barrier in a second direction;

reversing movement of the movable barrier;

halting movement of the movable barrier;

detecting a likely presence of an obstacle to movement of the movable barrier;

detecting a likely proximal presence of a human;

receiving a wireless remote control signal;

receiving a wireline remote control signal;

receiving a learning mode initiation signal;

a lighting status change;

a vacation mode status change;

detecting a likely proximal presence of a vehicle; and

receiving an operating parameter alteration signal.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the remote peripheral comprises at least one of:

an informational display;

a light fixture;

a remote access interface;

a timer apparatus; and

an alarm.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the movable barrier operator further includes a wireless receiver that is operably coupled to the controller.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the remote peripheral further includes a wireless transmitter that is communicatively compatible with the wireless receiver of the movable barrier operator and that is operably coupled to the peripheral controller.

29. The apparatus of claim 24 and further comprising a plurality of the remote peripherals.

30. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the peripheral controller includes reception means for determining when a wireless signal as received from the movable barrier operator includes an identifier that corresponds to the movable barrier operator.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the reception means further provides a first control signal when the wireless signal does include the identifier and does not provide the first control signal when the wireless signal does not include the identifier.