AU2011100176A4 - Door Operator and Method - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant (s) Smart Openers Pty Ltd Invention Title: Door Operator and Method The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 DOOR OPERATOR AND METHOD The invention relates to an operator for a door, gate or barrier, and to a method, and relates particularly but 5 not exclusively to such for use with roll-up curtain doors, sectional doors, tilt-up doors, sliding doors, and the like barriers. Hitherto, it has been known to provide an operator of io the above type and we have a large number of Australian patents and patent applications directed generally to this technology. Reference should be made to our prior patent and patent applications by conducting a name index search of the IP Australia records. The contents of those 15 aforementioned patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. For domestic type roll-up doors, sectional doors or tilt doors, it has been previously proposed to provide a 20 display associated with the operator so that when service is required, the owner of the operator can make contact with the service entity. Simple systems involve the application of a sticker or business card to the operator at the time when the operator is installed. Other systems 25 require the use of an intelligent computer device such as a laptop to download information into a memory resident within the operator so that at the appropriate service interval, a display can be provided to the owner of the operator that service is needed. 30 A number of problems exist with those known operators. In particular, for an installer person where the primary activity is the installation of operators, that person must ensure that the sticker or business card 35 is securely attached to the operator. Unfortunately, providing a secure attachment has been generally unsatisfactory as the sticker image or printing 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 -3 deteriorates with time, or becomes detached from the operator and is lost. In the case where an intelligent computer device such as a portable laptop computer is required to download contact particulars into the 5 operator, it requires firstly that the installer has such laptop device and that the laptop device is, in fact, operative. In some instances the batteries in the laptops have been found to be discharged. In that event, the installer is unable to transfer the necessary contact 10 information into the operator device. It is theoretically possible for the supplier/seller of operators who supplies operators to the installers to physically install details of the service entity into the 15 operator so that it can be displayed on the display when service is required. However, this is quite a burden for the seller of the operator devices as it requires unpacking of each pre-packaged operator device and the subsequent interconnection of a cable to appropriate ports 20 on the operator device to enable downloading and transfer of the necessary contact particulars. An improved solution is desirable. Therefore, according to a first broad aspect of the 25 present invention there is provided an operator for a door, gate or barrier, said operator having an electric motor for driving the door, gate or barrier between open and closed conditions, 30 an electric control circuit for coupling with said motor for controlling operation of said motor, a user interface in said circuit for permitting a user to input operating instruction to effect driving of said motor to cause said opening and closing conditions to be achieved, 35 an output interface in said circuit, a microprocessor in said circuit for controlling operation of said circuit, and 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 4 wherein said microprocessor has a data uploading routine to initiate and to search for and to permit uploading of data details of name and contact particulars of at least a service entity and to then permit storing of 5 those data details and particulars in a memory resident with said operator, said microprocessor also having an operator routine to permit control of said operator to cause said opening and closing conditions to be achieved and to monitor a 10 usage parameter of said operator, so that when said usage parameter reaches a level where said operator requires service, the details and contact particulars of the service entity will be retrieved from said memory and will output a notice about 15 said operator via the output interface. In an embodiment said circuit has an input port and wherein said routine is able to scan said input port for any connected memory device to automatically upload said 20 details and contact particulars therefrom. In an embodiment, the operator further comprises a wireless communication interface wherein the routine will scan said input port and if no connected memory device is 25 present, it will automatically invoke a wireless communication mode to search for a neighbourhood wireless device and attempt to upload said details and contact particulars from said device. 30 In an embodiment, the wireless communication interface is a component of the output interface and the notice about said operator is transmitted to a user device via the wireless interface. 35 In an alternative embodiment, a wireless communication interface is connectable to a port of the operator and said routine is adapted to automatically 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02111 - 5 invoke a wireless communication mode to search for a neighbourhood compatible wireless device and to attempt an upload of said details and contact particulars from said device. 5 According to another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of permitting a door, gate or barrier operator, to be seeded with service personnel name and contact particulars for output to a 10 user via an output interface of said operator when service is required for said operator, said operator comprising an electric motor for drive a door, gate or barrier between open and closed conditions, 15 an electric control circuit for coupling with said motor for controlling operation of said motor, a user interface in said circuit for permitting a user to input operating instruction to effect driving of said motor to cause said open and closed conditions to be 20 achieved, a microprocessor in said circuit for controlling operation of said circuit, said circuit also containing a memory for storing details and contact particulars of at least a service 25 entity, said method comprising inputting details of a service entity and contact particulars to a memory device, non resident with said circuit, activating a routine in said microprocessor to 30 initiate and the search for and to permit uploading of those details and contact particulars from the non resident memory and to store those details in said memory, so when a service of the operator or door or gate or barrier is required a routine in said microprocessor will 35 retrieve said details and control particulars from said memory and output those details and particulars to the user via the output interface. 25626901 (GHMatters) 10102/11 - 6 In an example, said non resident memory is a stand alone non-intelligent memory device, and wherein said circuit has an input port for said non-intelligent memory, 5 and wherein the method comprises plugging said non resident memory into said memory port, invoking said routine and extracting therefrom said details and contact particulars, and then storing the extracted details and contact particulars in said memory. 10 In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained, an example of an embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 15 Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram of a typical operator, Figure 2 is a functional flow diagram of software 20 processes in the operator, Figure 3 is a functional flow diagram of processes involved in selling operator devices to installers and subsequently installing data details into a circuit of 25 said operator, and Figure 4 is a functional overview diagram showing particular types of operator monitoring invoked. 30 Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown an operator 1 for a door, gate or barrier. The door, gate or barrier has not been shown but may be anyone of known types of door, gate or barrier such as roller type doors, tilt-up doors, sectional doors, sliding doors or gates or 35 other barriers. The door, gate or barrier is driven by an electric motor 3 which is typically a D.C. electric motor where the direction of rotation can be changed by 25626901 (GHMatters) 10102/11 -7 reversing the polarity of the applied D.C. voltage. The operator 1 has an electric control circuit 5 that carries a microprocessor 7, a switch 9, a user interface 11 that includes a user input panel 13, and a remote receiver 5 device 15. The receiver device 15 may be a Simplex type device or a Duplex type device. In the case of a Simplex device, it will act as a receiver. In the case of a Duplex device, it will act as both a receiver and a transmitter. The user interface 11 allows a user to input 10 operating instructions to effect driving of the motor 3 to cause the opening and closing conditions of the connected door, gate or barrier to be achieved. The interface panel 13 shows a number of user operatable buttons 17 that permit the user to either open and/or close the door, gate 15 or barrier, or to set up operating parameters such as end stop positions for the door, gate or barrier. All of these functions are well known in the door, gate or barrier operator arts and need not be discussed further herein. The control circuit 5 can also include a display 20 19 that may be separate to the user interface 11 or may be integral therewith. Display 19 can be used whilst the interface panel 13 is accessed via the buttons 17 to display various setting conditions for the operator as is well known. The control circuit 5 can also include an 25 input port 21 and a communication device 23 in the form of a Bluetooth communication device. Power is supplied to the control circuit 5 from mains power via a power supply unit 25. 30 The microprocessor 7 contains resident program routines for enabling operation of the motor 3 to open and close the door, gate or barrier as is well known in this art. The microprocessor 7 has resident memory 27 which may be internally within the microprocessor 7 or external 35 and mounted with the control circuit 5. The resident memory 27 can carry data representing end stop positions for the motor 3 for controlling the end stop positions of 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 8 the door, gate or barrier in a known manner. The resident memory 27 may contain other data such as the type of environment in which the operator 5 is to operate i.e. whether it is for a roll-up type door, a tilt or sectional 5 door, a sliding gate or other barrier, and/or if the operator is for use in a single door, gate or barrier environment or multiple door, gate or barrier environments where there may be multiple operators. Other features known in the art such as use of local illumination lamps 10 to provide local illumination in the immediate area of the door, gate or barrier can be utilised. In other variations, the microprocessor 7 may include a timer which commences on operation of the door, gate or barrier and which is for a set time, to cause the motor 3 to commence 15 a reverse operation such as a door, gate or barrier closing operation. This is particularly useful to enable automatic closing of a door, gate or barrier, for example, once a vehicle or pedestrian has passed through the door, gate or barrier commensurate with opening of operation of 20 the operator 5 to open the door, gate or barrier. Such a feature avoids the necessity of the person then actually instructing the operator to physically close the door, gate or barrier. 25 The receiver device 15 is typically operated by a remote control transmitter 28 in any known manner. Thus, operation of a particular operation button on the transmitter 28 will transmit a radio signal to the receiver device 15 which will then, in turn, cause the 30 circuit 5 to operate to open and/or close the door, gate or barrier in a known manner. The circuit described above in basic component form is generally known as prior art. In the example of the 35 invention described herein, the microprocessor has an inbuilt routine depicted in Figure 2 which can be invoked from the user interface 11. This may be directly from the 25626901 (GHMatters) 10102/11 -9 interface panel 13 or via the receiver device 15 (via remote control transmitter 28). The routine involves an automatic process generated from the microprocessor 7 itself to search for any memory accessible by the 5 operator, for example a memory device 22 connected to the port 21 or via a wireless interface, and to interrogate the accessible memory to determine if it has data details and contact particulars of a service entity. This is to be contrasted with known prior art where service contact 10 particulars may have been downloaded from an intelligent device such as a laptop computer. In the known instances, all functions are initiated for transferring service contact data to the operator directly from the external intelligent device such as the laptop computer. In the 15 present example, the microprocessor 7 has a routine to generate the searching, retrieving and storing of the service related data itself. Referring specifically to Figure 2, it can be seen 20 that at step 29, the process starts. At step 31, there is a search for connected memory to port 21. At step 33, a decision process is invoked to determine if the connected memory has data details of service entity and contact particulars. If the answer is "Yes", then that data and 25 contact particulars are uploaded at step 35 and stored in the resident memory 27 via step 37. The process then ends at step 39. If at step 33, the answer is "No", then the microprocessor 7 routine invokes a communication mode via the communication device 23. In this case, the 30 communication may be Bluetooth, but other forms of communication are not excluded. Thus, if the communication mode is commenced at step 41 then any neighbouring communication devices are located and communication connection is established at step 43. A 35 decision process is then invoked to determine if any connected device has memory with data details of service entity and contact particulars at step 45. If the 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02111 - 10 decision is "Yes", then the data details and contact particulars are uploaded at step 47 and then stored in the resident memory at step 49. The process then ends at step 51. If the answer at step 47 is "NO" then the process 5 ends at step 53. The memory that connects with the port 21 is desirably non-intelligent memory such as a USB memory stick or similar. This does not exclude the memory being 10 intelligent but the routine within the microprocessor 7 is such that it will address the memory via port 21 without the need for invoking any routines within the memory itself i.e. in a laptop. When the communication mode is invoked such as via a Bluetooth communication from a 15 communication device 23, any neighbourhood Bluetooth devices are found and located. These may be any convenient device including mobile telephones. In the case of a mobile telephone, the data details of the service entity and contact particulars can be preloaded 20 and in this case, the routine in the microprocessor 7 will extract those data details and particulars and download them for storing in the resident memory 27. A communication mode via the communication device 23 may be by any type of communication and Bluetooth is not the only 25 type envisaged. For example, Wi-Fi communication modes are well known and are equally applicable. Other forms of communication are also equally applicable, as would be apparent to a person skilled in communication arts. 30 In an embodiment an adapter device can be connected to the port 21 to enable an otherwise incompatible memory device or communication device to be connected to the operator for data communication. For example, the port 21 may be an RS232 port and the memory device is a USB memory 35 stick or memory card, such as an SD card. An adapter device can be provided into which the memory device can be inserted and the adapter connected to the port 21. The 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 11 routine can then simply read the data from the memory via the port 21. Alternatively, an adapter device may be a Bluetooth 5 device with a connector compatible with the port 21, for example RS232 r USB connector. The adapter device may enable data receive via the Bluetooth device to be read by the routine of the operator as if reading from a connected memory device. Alternatively, the routine may place the 10 operator in a Bluetooth mode for communication via the connected Bluetooth adapter device for operation as described above. By providing a external wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth device or wireless 3G modem, which can be connected and disconnected is from the operator, it is not necessary to manufacture the operator with this wireless communication functionality which can reduce manufacturing costs. However, by a service person connecting the adapter device, wireless communication functionality can be utilised during 20 installation and servicing. It should be appreciated, that the ability to utilise removable wireless communication functionality during servicing can improve the service time and reduce service costs, without increasing hardware costs for the operator. 25 Some operator embodiments may include permanently installed communication functionality, for example Bluetooth, wi-fi or 3G interfaces, in particular as the hardware and service provider costs for such functionality 30 reduces. In such embodiments this interface can be used for loading service entity data into operator memory and also for subsequently providing service alert messages to users. For example, service alert messages may be sent to a user via e-mail or message to a user's e-mail address or 35 communication device such as a mobile phone. The user data for service alert messages/e-mails can be loaded into memory via the communication interface at the time of 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 12 loading service entity data. For example, a smart phone application used by a service person to load service entity data and other information into operator memory may prompt the service person to enter user data for sending 5 alert messages, such as a mobile phone number or e-mail address. A service alert message can also be sent by e mail or message to the service entity to enable the service entity to contact the user, if the user delays contacting the service entity to arrange a service call. 10 In some embodiments, if user data is not stored in the operator, the service alert may be sent by the operator directly to the service entity and the service entity may send an e-mail or message to the user using contact details from a service entity database. Users may also be is alerted to the need for servicing via the remote transmitter devices 28 and/or a message or other indicator displayed on the operator itself. For example, the operator display may show a message such as "service required" and the service entity contact details. The 20 operator may also give an indication each time the door is opened or closed to remind the user that a service alters is still pending, for example flashing the operator courtesy lights a given number of times. 25 In the case where the remote control device 28 is a Duplex device that both receives and transmits data, the remote control device 28 may have a display (not shown) to permit data about operation of the operator 1 to be provided at the remote control 28. This will be further 30 described in due course. Referring now to Figure 3 there is shown an example of a functional process of selling operator devices from a distributor/seller type person to an installer person. In 35 this case, the distributor/seller may be at sales outlet for the manufacturer of the operator devices. An installer may be a person who has a local suburban 25626901 (GHMatters) 10102/11 - 13 business and installs operators in the immediate suburban vicinity. In such case, the installer may, for example, purchase twenty operators at a time from the supplier outlet. Figure 3 shows that at step 55, there is a sale 5 of multiple operators to an installer. Step 57 shows the use of software to embed data details of name of service entity and contact particulars into a portable memory. Such embedding may take place at the sales distribution outlet by use of a dedicated computer device for that 10 purpose. In other words, a PC or other computer device may have a suitable program routine to embed the data details of the name of the service entity and contact particulars into a portable memory such as a USB memory stick or similar. Service entity programmable parameters is may also be programmed at this stage using the computer program. Data other than service entity data may also be stored. For example, operator installer details may be stored if the installer is different from the service entity, preference information for how information is to 20 be displayed or output permanently or in response to a service indication can also be stored. In embodiments where the operator is adapted with a wireless communication interface enabling service indications to be sent directly to user devices, for example by text message 25 or e-mail, user details such as email addresses and telephone numbers may also be stored on the portable memory. The purchaser of the operators being the installer, then takes the purchased operators and the memory stick with the embedded data details and contact 30 particulars so that when the installer installs an operator at step 59, the installer can then use the portable memory device such as the USB stick to plug into the port 21 and to initiate the routine from within the microprocessor 7 in the operator to retrieve and store the 35 data details and particulars in the resident memory 27. This occurs at step 61. 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 14 In a variation of the above, the distributor of the operators may provide a program to the purchaser/installer of the operators so that that person can invoke that software on a PC or laptop to enter data details and 5 contact particulars of the service entity along with any other desired data or preference information into either some non-intelligent device such as a portable memory, or an intelligent device such as a laptop, PC, mobile phone or the like so that when an operator is installed, the 10 data and contact particulars can be provided. If there is no memory connected with the port 21, then the communication mode can be invoked so that the data details and contact particulars can be uploaded from the intelligent device into the resident memory 27. In some 15 instances, the intelligent device may be directly connected with the port 21. In all cases, there is a resident routine within microprocessor 7 to look for the memory and to automatically download the data details and contact particulars into the resident memory 27. This is 20 in contrast to known systems where the external device initiates the obtaining of the data details and contact particulars and the control and the storing of those details and particulars in the resident memory. 25 The advantage achieved by the present invention is significant because the portable memory is inexpensive and an installer may have multiple portable memory devices all of which can contain the necessary data details and contact particulars. The installer person then does not 30 require the use of expensive communication devices such as laptop computers or the like to permit the downloading of the data details and contact particulars. It also provides for a relatively clean transaction service from the distributor of the operator devices because the 35 distributor does not need to individually load the data details and contact particulars into each operator device that is sold as this can now be undertaken by the 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 15 installer person at the time of installation of the operator. If the installer organisation has multiple installer persons then each person can carry the portable memory to enable the data details and contact particulars 5 to be stored with the operator resident memory. This avoids the need for the installer organisation to supply individual laptops or other intelligent devices to each of the installer persons. In embodiments where the operator can be user installed, without requiring the services of a 1o skilled installer, the operator may be sold with a removable memory on which service entity and optional parameter values for service alerts. This data can be loaded to the operator by the user during installation. Alternatively the service entity data and any parameter is value settings for service alerts may be downloaded to a user's mobile phone or similar device for uploading to the operator via a wireless interface. This embodiment may be desirable where the operators are purchased on-line and shipped to the user by mail for installation. Based on 20 the user's post code or other address information a local service entity can be selected and data from the service entity provided on a memory device shipped with the operator or directly to the user via their computer or mobile phone. 25 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing types of functions that can be monitored for the operation of the operator 1 and for setting or determining usage parameters so that when a usage parameter reaches a particular level 30 where service is required, a service notification can be provided on the display by displaying the details of the service entity and the contact particulars. The microprocessor 7 has a routine to monitor each of those functions and to record those functions within the 35 operator 1 so it can assess when service may be required. The examples of monitoring given are not exhaustive and there may be other variations or combinations. Typically 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 16 however, after a particular number of count operation cycles 63, the microprocessor will signal the display 19 to alert an owner of the operator 1 that service is required. Typically, the display 19 is an LCD display and 5 the data details and contact particulars are displayed on the screen thereof. In a variation, an illuminated light of particular colour, such as Red, may be brightly displayed to draw attention to the fact that the operator 1 needs service. The display 19 will also display the 10 data details and contact particulars. The display may be supplemented with an audible announcement controlled from the microprocessor 7. This may be a beep type signal or it may be, in fact, a voice type signal generated from digital to analogue processes performed within the 15 microprocessor 7 or by the control circuit 5 to announce in words the data details and contact particulars to be announced. The audible display may replace a visual display if required. 20 Figure 4 shows a number of functions that are monitored. These are not exhaustive functions but in the case of Figure 4, each one of the functions can be monitored and recorded and an internal process with routine information to balance the results of each 2S monitoring process to determine when service is needed. For example, the count of operation cycles 63 will monitor the number of times the operator has been used. The torque load 65 during each movement can be monitored to see if there is a sudden or gradual change which may 30 justify the need for a service. Normally, a service will be triggered on the operator reaching a predetermined number of operation cycles 63, but that condition may be overridden if the torque load 65 has significantly changed or crept to an excessive value. The temperature 67 of 35 operation during each movement is monitored to determine if the reason for increased torque 65 is due to a temperature condition 67. The monitor for "day since last 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 17 installation" 69 is a historical record and can be used following service to reset count values and monitor values. The "monitor day since last service" 71 can be similarly used. The "record history of service type" 73 5 can be an entry made by the service personnel using a computer interface to record the type of service performed i.e. adjust spring tensions on door operator mechanism, reset datums for end stop positions, or recalibrate a torque/speed curve for the door, gate or barrier. The 10 particular software routine for this can be determined by the manufacturer of the operator device to take into account conditions that the manufacturer perceives to be important for long life of the operator. Other conditions such as failure of an accessory product, for example a 15 beam protection system, can also cause a service to be triggered. Data details and contact particulars stored on the accessible memory can include service entity name and 20 contact data as well as programmable parameters, for example, notification message wording, settings for service alert triggers such time between servicing, number of operating cycles between servicing, torque measurement tolerance, temperature tolerance, fault conditions to 25 trigger automatic service alert etc. The programmable parameters can be given a default value by the manufacturer of the operator which may be varied by the service entity before storing in memory device for uploading to an operator. For example, the programmable 30 parameters may be set using a computer program which is also used to store the data details and service entity contact particulars to memory devices, such as USB sticks or SD cards, or devices such as smart phones for the service entity's installers to use when installing door 35 operators. The program may display the default parameter values on a screen for the service person to review and adjust, if necessary. Alternatively a number of questions 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 18 may be asked of the service entity and parameter values adjusted in accordance with the answers given. For example, a question may be "what is the desired servicing frequency for the operator? Input number of cycles and/or 5 months". Alternatively, a service person may be asked to input or select from one or more pick lists, for example environmental data options such as ambient operating temperature ranges, typical humidity and precipitation conditions etc, which are then translated by the program 10 into values for service parameters such as service frequency and expected operating temperature ranges and tolerance. Other data that can be set can relate to how data is to be presented to the user, for example: "is the dealer signature to appear on the operator LCD display at 15 all times?"; "Are the operator lights to flash when a service is due? If yes, how many times?"; "Are service alerts to be sent to the customer by e-mail or phone message?" etc. 20 In addition to name and contact data for a service entity, data for the installer may also be stored, for example if the installer is different from the service entity. This can enable a service person to retrieve installer data, if necessary, from the device. Alternatively, the installer 25 may, using programmable parameters, set the operator to permanently display the installer's name or logo on a display. Contact data may also be stored for one or more users, for example email address or telephone number to be used when sending service alerts information to the user. 30 This ability for service entities or installers to program service parameters can enable customisation of service parameters based on local operating conditions and service entity preference. For example, in a coastal area having 35 high humidity and salt content in the air door operators and the operated door assembly may require more regular servicing to minimise corrosion damage than those 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 19 installed in a dry inland area. Environmental factors individual to an operator installation, such as chemical or high dust exposure for an industrial door operator may also make it desirable to tailor service entity parameters 5 for the particular installation. This tailoring of service entity programmable parameters may be performed at a service entity office using a computer program or on site, for example, using a smart phone application where the service entity data is read from phone memory. The io ability to perform such tailoring on site enables an experienced installer to set the service parameters based on observation of site conditions and in consultation with the site operator. 15 It can also be possible to update service entity data, including service parameters after initial installation. For example, a service entity's contact details may change and this can be updated by triggering the routine in the operator to read the updated service 20 entity data from a connected memory device. Alternatively, during a service visit a service person may recognise that the service visit was overdue and if this is due to the service entity parameter settings stored in the operator then a service person may be able to adjust 25 these parameter settings using a software program on a smart phone and trigger the routine on the operator to download the new setting data. Where user data is stored this may also be updated. 30 The remote control 28 may have a display thereon (not shown) in the form of a light or in the form of a LCD screen, or in the form of an audible means, or any combinations thereof, so that when service is required, there can be transmission of the service notification to 35 the remote control 28 via the receiver transmitter device 15 (in Duplex mode) from the user interface 11. 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 20 It should be appreciated that modifications may be made to the invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art of operator devices and/or communication processes. 5 It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia 10 or any other country. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary is implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 20 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11

Claims (5)

1. An operator for a door, gate or barrier, said operator having an electric motor for driving 5 the door, gate or barrier between open and closed conditions, an electric control circuit for coupling with said motor for controlling operation of said motor, a user interface in said circuit for permitting a user to input 10 operating instruction to effect driving of said motor to cause said opening and closing conditions to be achieved, an output interface in said circuit, a microprocessor in said circuit for controlling operation of said circuit, and 15 wherein said microprocessor has a data uploading routine to initiate and to search for and to permit uploading of data details of name and contact particulars of at least a service entity and to then permit storing of those data details and particulars in a memory resident 20 with said operator, said microprocessor also having an operator routine to permit control of said operator to cause said opening and closing conditions to be achieved and to monitor a useage parameter of said operator, 25 so that when said useage parameter reaches a level where said operator requires service, the details and contact particulars of the service entity will be retrieved from said memory and output a notice about said operator via the output interface. 30

2. An operator for a door, gate or barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said circuit has an input port and wherein said routine is able to scan said input port for any connected memory device to automatically upload said 35 details and contact particulars therefrom. 25626901 (GHMalters) 10/02/11 - 22

3. An operator for a door, gate or barrier as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a wireless communication interface wherein said routine will scan said input port and if no connected memory device is present, it will s automatically invoke a wireless communication mode to search for a neighbourhood compatible wireless device and to attempt an upload of said details and contact particulars from said device. 10

4. A method of permitting a door, gate or barrier operator, to be seeded with service personnel name and contact particulars for output to a user via an output interface of said operator when service is required for said operator, 15 said operator comprising an electric motor for drive a door, gate or barrier between open and closed conditions, an electric control circuit for coupling with said motor for controlling operation of said motor, 20 a user interface in said circuit for permitting a user to input operating instruction to effect driving of said motor to cause said open and closed conditions to be achieved, a microprocessor in said circuit for controlling 25 operation of said circuit, said circuit also containing a memory for storing details and contact particulars of at least a service entity, said method comprising inputting details and contact 30 particulars of at least a service entity to a memory device, non resident with said circuit, activating a routine in said microprocessor to initiate and the search for and to permit uploading of those details and contact particulars from the non 35 resident memory and to store those details in said memory, so when a service of the operator or door or gate or barrier is required a routine in said microprocessor will 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02/11 - 23 retrieve said details and control particulars from said memory and output those details and particulars to the user via the output interface. s

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said non resident memory is a stand alone non intelligent memory device, and wherein said circuit has an input port for said non intelligent memory, said method further comprising plugging said non 10 resident memory into said memory port, invoking said routine and extracting therefrom said details and contact particulars, and then storing the extracted details and contact particulars in said memory. 25626901 (GHMatters) 10/02111