Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling access to or from a parking lot associated with a retail or other sales facility. The parking lot has an automatically operated, normally closed access gate and an optical scanner. Patrons may access the parking lot free of charge by displaying purchased merchandise such that the scanner reads a bar code inscribed upon the merchandise. Data corresponding to the scanned bar code is compared to data entered into the memory of an automated data processing device. If that comparison results in establishing a correlation between data from the scanned merchandise and data entered into memory corresponding to merchandise stocked by the sales facility for vending, then a control signal is generated and transmitted to the access gate. The access gate then opens and allows the vehicle submitting merchandise for scanning to access the parking facility.

Abstract: The casing of a passive proximity transceiver includes a protrusion which extends from the main body of the casing to prevent metal objects from touching the main body, where they would otherwise be close enough to interfere with reception of signals transmitted between the passive proximity transceiver and another electronic device. The casing may be arranged to be mounted on a key ring, with the protrusion being in the form of a collar extending around the main body.

Abstract: Remote starting of an internal combustion engine/electric generator set is obtained by sensing a connected appliance switch closure over the cord connecting the appliance to the generator and starting the combustion engine in response to that closure. After the engine is started the appliance is connected to the generator. After a predetermined time of nonuse of the appliance the combustion engine is stopped.