System and method for operating a barrier with a timer

1. A method of operating a moveable barrier operator comprising:

moving a movable barrier from a closed position to an open position;

storing a pause profile in a memory;

determining an ambient condition selected from the group consisting of time of a day, a day of a week, a month of a year, a day of a year, a temperature, and a measured light intensity;

accessing the pause profile and determining a pause time based upon the measured ambient condition;

measuring traffic patterns at the moveable barrier and adjusting the pause profile based upon a change in traffic patterns; and

causing a moveable barrier to remain in an open position for the pause time, the causing the movement of the movable barrier to remain in an open position comprises pausing the movement of the moveable barrier when the open position is reached, maintaining the barrier in the open position for the pause time, and returning the barrier to a closed position after the pause time has expired.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein storing a pause profile comprises storing a plurality of pause times relating to times of days of a week.

3. A moveable barrier operator comprising:

a memory which stores a pause profile;

a transmitter which transmits signals to actuate a moveable barrier;

a timer having an expiration period;

a sensor which senses traffic patterns, the pause profile being adjusted based upon changes in traffic patterns measured at the barrier by the sensor;

a controller coupled to the memory, the transmitter, and the timer, the controller programmed to receive an ambient condition and access the pause profile in memory and determine a pause time based upon the ambient condition selected from the group consisting of time of a day, a day of a week, a month of a year, a day of a year, a temperature, and a measured light intensity, the controller further programmed to set the expiration period of the timer to the pause time, the controller causing the movable barrier to remain in an open position during the pause time for the expiration period of the timer.

4. The operator of claim 3 wherein the pause profile comprises pause times relating to times of days of a week.

5. The operator of claim 3 wherein the pause profile is fixed at the time of manufacturing of the operator.

6. The operator of claim 3 wherein the pause profile is capable of manual adjustment and overwritten by a human user when the operator is installed.