Status signal method and apparatus for movable barrier operator and corresponding wireless remote control

摘要

A movable barrier operator (11) transmits status signals from time to time to reflect its own operational states. A corresponding wireless remote control apparatus (14) receives such status signals and used the informational content of such status signals to effect a variety of automatic and/or user-facilitated control strategies. In one embodiment, the wireless remote control apparatus can use the status signal to determine a distance (or at least an approximate distance) between the movable barrier operator and the wireless remote control apparatus. This distance information, in turn, can also be used to inform and enrich the control strategies and possibilities of the wireless remote control apparatus.