Code learning system for a movable barrier operator

Abstract

A movable barrier or garage door operator has a control head controlling an electric motor connected to a movable barrier or garage door to open and close it. The control head has an RF receiver for receiving RF signals from a hand-held transmitter or a fixed keypad transmitter. The receiver operates the electric motor upon matching a received code with a stored code. The stored codes may be updated or loaded either by enabling the learn mode of the receiver from the fixed keypad transmitter or from a wired control unit positioned within the garage.

1 . A barrier operator for moving a barrier, comprising: 
 a microcontroller for receiving commands from an external source;    a barrier actuator system for controlling a position of the barrier by controlling an electric current to a motor;    an input port connected to the microcontroller for receiving an incoming serial data string from the external source; and    an output port connected to the microcontroller for generating a serial data string indicative of the condition of the microcontroller reflecting condition of the barrier operator.