Garage Door Opener Credential Transfer Beyond Weak Wi-Fi
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-enabled garage door openers face challenges such as the inconvenience of requiring homeowners to provide Wi-Fi passwords for setup, inability to connect in homes without existing networks, and unreliable operation due to poor Wi-Fi signal quality in garages.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows installers to transfer a credential, such as a digital key or passcode, to a movable barrier operator system using a user device, which can be associated with a remote computer and updated through a wide-area network, enabling seamless installation and control transfer between entities without requiring direct homeowner intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Wi-Fi network connection is used for control, then remote control capability is improved, but signal reliability deteriorates in areas with poor Wi-Fi coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular network communication module as an intermediary communication path. When Wi-Fi signal is unavailable or unreliable, the garage door opener automatically switches to cellular network for remote control commands, ensuring continuous operational reliability without compromising ease of operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If Wi-Fi password is required for setup, then network security is improved, but installation convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-provisioning the garage door opener with multiple communication capabilities (Wi-Fi and cellular) and automatic network selection algorithms during manufacturing. This allows the device to autonomously establish secure connections without requiring installers or homeowners to manually input Wi-Fi passwords, maintaining security while dramatically improving installation convenience.
3Device complexity
If direct network connection is required, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when no network exists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating multiple communication functions (Wi-Fi and cellular network capabilities) into a single garage door opener system. The device automatically detects available networks and switches between them, providing universal adaptability to various network environments while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through automated network management.
4Measurement precision
If manual network configuration is required, then network control precision is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated network detection, selection, and connection establishment. The garage door opener autonomously configures network parameters and establishes connections without requiring manual intervention for network control precision, reducing setup time while maintaining proper network configuration through intelligent self-configuration algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for managing and controlling movable barrier operator systems are described herein. A method for controlling a movable barrier operator system comprises receiving a credential associated with a first user account from a first user device, storing the credential in a memory of the movable barrier operator system, communicating the credential and an identifier of the movable barrier operator system to a remote computer to register the movable barrier operator system with the remote computer, and configuring the movable barrier operator system to change a state of a movable barrier in response to the movable barrier operator system receiving a state change request from a second user device associated with a second user account, the state change request from the second user device including the credential or a derivative of the credential received from the first user device.