Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling physical access to a location include an entry system including at least one barrier at the physical location, with the barrier configured to selectively permit access into and/or from and/or within the physical location upon proper credentials and/or authorization. A cellular device is connected to or integrated with the entry system and is configured to transmit and receive voice and/or data information to the entry system that includes the credentials and/or authorization. The cellular device can be a retrofit to prior art/installed systems, can be external to an otherwise operational system, and/or can be integrated natively into the entry system. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine the power status and network link state of the cellular device and/or to establish communication through/to same, as well as for the cellular device to be connected to and control a plurality of entry systems and/or barriers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling physical access to a location include an entry system including at least one barrier at the physical location, with the barrier configured to selectively permit access into and/or from and/or within the physical location upon proper credentials and/or authorization. A cellular device is connected to or integrated with the entry system and is configured to transmit and receive voice and/or data information to the entry system that includes the credentials and/or authorization. The cellular device can be a retrofit to prior art/installed systems, can be external to an otherwise operational system, and/or can be integrated natively into the entry system. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine the power status and network link state of the cellular device and/or to establish communication through/to same, as well as for the cellular device to be connected to and control a plurality of entry systems and/or barriers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simplifying and improving the reliability of communication between end users and access control systems such as those that include door and/or gate controllers, tenant access to buildings, and the like. In certain embodiments using an analog modem at the controller end of the system, the corresponding remote analog modem (which communicates with that analog modem at the controller end) is not within the direct control of the end user, and the end user's communicates instead via the user's standard hardware/software for communicating generally, such as via the Internet. Depending on the application, the control data can be maintained and/or synched at any selected combination or sub-combination of several locations: (1) the user's local system; (2) an intermediate server system; and/or (3) the controller end system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for helping to prevent vehicular barrier gate arms from lowering in certain situations (such as if an obstruction such as a person is present), while not impacting the primary operation and function of the barrier arm (which is to lower the arm to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering/exiting an area).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simplifying and improving the reliability of communication between end users and access control systems such as those that include door and/or gate controllers, tenant access to buildings, and the like. In certain embodiments using an analog modem at the controller end of the system, the corresponding remote analog modem (which communicates with that analog modem at the controller end) is not within the direct control of the end user, and the end user's communicates instead via the user's standard hardware/software for communicating generally, such as via the Internet. Depending on the application, the control data can be maintained and/or synched at any selected combination or sub-combination of several locations: (1) the user's local system; (2) an intermediate server system; and/or (3) the controller end system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention describes a gate closure system having a barrier or gate operator for moving a gate between a gate fully opened position and a gate fully closed position. The gate closure system preferably further includes, among other things, a master control board with input and output points to receive and transmit data associated with movement of the gate, including a panic control override mode circuit input to the master control board that negates all gate movement parameters during any portion of the gate's travel path to open or close the gate at a substantially greater rate of speed than typically used to open or close the gate during normal operation, regardless of the gate's speed, torque, direction of travel (forward or backward), or whether the gate is stationary.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention describes a gate closure system having a barrier or gate operator for moving a gate between a gate fully opened position and a gate fully closed position. The gate closure system preferably further includes, among other things, a master control board with input and output points to receive and transmit data associated with movement of the gate, including a panic control override mode circuit input to the master control board that negates all gate movement parameters during any portion of the gate's travel path to open or close the gate at a substantially greater rate of speed than typically used to open or close the gate during normal operation, regardless of the gate's speed, torque, direction of travel (forward or backward), or whether the gate is stationary.

Abstract: A security system for control access of multiple users to a selected area combines rotating electronic security code or equivalent technology with an automatic self-learning receiver. The first transmitter is “learned” by the receiver manually, but subsequent transmitters are learned without the need for actuating the conventional “manual learn” mode of the receiver. Instead, by simply sending the transmit signal twice within a fixed time period, users of the subsequent transmitters use “self-learning” circuitry (interposed between conventional transmitter and receiver technology) in a way that is relatively transparent to the user. Other aspects of conventional systems are provided, such as separate control via computer or otherwise of an authorized list of uniquely-identified transmitters. In alternative embodiments, even the first transmitter/controller can be programmed into the receiver (such as at the time of manufacturing or installing the system).

Abstract: An operator for an overhead door, such as a garage door, to raise and lower the door. The operator comprises a chain drive which is rotated about upper and lower pulleys and powered by a drive motor. Preferably, a pair of spaced apart drive chains are employed. A carriage is secured to the one or a pair of drive chains and is releasably connected to the drive chains by connecting blocks extending outwardly from the carriage. The garage door is thereupon secured to the carriage for raising and lowering movement thereof. Each drive chain includes one double-pitch link for connecting the ends of the chain to form a continuous loop. Each connecting block is provided with a releasable pin which extends into the double-pitch link for releasably securing the carriage to the drive chains. Removal of the pin for each drive chain will allow manual movement of the carriage and hence, the door.

Abstract: A gate operator with an extensible actuating arm adapted for light to moderate gate passing traffic. The operator comprises a small drive unit, such as an electric motor drive, and a rotatable drive shaft, such as a worm shaft driven through operation of the motor. An extensible shaft or so-called ball race shaft, cooperates with the rotatable shaft and extends inwardly or outwardly in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. A microprocessor operated control circuit is used with or forms part of the operator, and measures a number of counts generated by magnetic elements rotatable with the worm shaft, and which are equivalent to distance units of measurement. In this way, the distance on the opening and closing movement is measured and stored in the microprocessor, so that on subsequent movements, the gate can open and close to precisely the open and closed positions without stopping short of or banging into such end positions.

Abstract: A gate operator for moving a gate between two fixed end positions such as a gate opened position and a gate closed position and minimizing the possibility of impact with a fixed structure at either of these end positions. The operator relies upon measuring the number of electrical pulses or so-called counts representative of a distance between the two fixed end positions. The gate operator includes a controller in which the number of counts are measured between movement from an open position to a closed position, or a closed position to an open position, and the count is automatically readjusted to eliminate any hard contact of the gate at a fixed closed or open position. In one of the important embodiments of the invention, the gate operator utilizes a controlled coasting system.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for moving a gate between a gate closed position which covers an access opening and a gate opened position. The apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the gate between the open position and the closed position. A connecting arrangement connects the electric motor to the gate in order to enable powered movement of the gate between the gate opened and gate closed positions. A control unit in the form of a microprocessor control unit is operatively connected to the electric motor for control of the same and hence control of the movement of the gate. The gate normally remains unlocked at the closed position and is only locked when a force is applied to the gate tending to move same to the open position. In one embodiment, a positive locking mechanism, such as a solenoid lock may be provided and which is automatically locked when an opening force is applied to the gate.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for moving a gate between a gate closed position which covers an access opening and a gate opened position. The apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the gate between the open position and the closed position. A connecting arrangement connects the electric motor to the gate in order to enable powered movement of the gate between the gate opened and gate closed positions. A control unit in the form of a microprocessor control unit is operatively connected to the electric motor for control of the same and hence control of the movement of the gate. The gate normally remains unlocked at the closed position and is only locked when a force is applied to the gate tending to move same to the open position. In one embodiment, a positive locking mechanism, such as a solenoid lock may be provided and which is automatically locked when an opening force is applied to the gate.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for moving a gate between a gate closed position which covers an access opening and a gate opened position. The apparatus comprises an electric motor for driving the gate between the open position and the closed position. A connecting arrangement connects the electric motor to the gate in order to enable powered movement of the gate between the gate opened and gate closed positions. A control unit in the form of a microprocessor control unit is operatively connected to the electric motor for control of the same and hence control of the movement of the gate. The gate normally remains unlocked at the closed position and is only locked when a force is applied to the gate tending to move same to the open position. In one embodiment, a positive locking mechanism, such as a solenoid lock, may be provided and which is automatically locked when an opening force is applied to the gate.

Abstract: A gate opening and closing apparatus for automatically moving a gate between opened and closed positions and where the gate can be unlatched in order to permit manual opening and closing movement and easily re-latched for automatic movement thereof. The apparatus comprises a powered drive unit. The gate is moveable and, preferably rotatable about a vertical hinge axis, between a pair of opposite end positions. A drive arm forms part of the opening and closing apparatus and is driven in an arcuate path between a pair of end positions which represent a gate open position and a gate closed position. A coupling arm is normally engaged with the drive arm and may be moveable therewith between the opposite end positions represented by movement of the drive arm. A latching arm is provided for latching the coupling arm to the drive arm. A connecting mechanism connects the coupling arm to the gate to translate the movement from the drive arm and the coupling arm to the gate.

Abstract: A voice communication system of the so-called "hands-off" type in which a telephone or other speaker-microphone combination in relatively noise free environment, usually an interior environment, can be in voice communication with a so-called "hands-off" speaker-microphone combination located in a relatively noisy environment, usually an exterior environment and where substantial and variable background noise may exist. A microprocessor is used to effectively monitor a telephone link between the two microphone-speaker combinations and will provide microphone control to that microphone located in the relatively noise free environment. Thus, if voice signals are detected on the telephone link, and if those voice signals eminate from the relatively noise free or relatively quiet environment, voice communication control will remain with the party in that environment.