Abstract: A diagnostic unit is disclosed that monitors the operational parameters of a security system and upon detection of a variation in the operational parameters beyond preset limits transmits over a wireless communication device a signal warning of a potential failure of the system. Upon receipt of the signal by a remote unit a communication link can be established and the diagnostic unit queried as to the status of various operational parameters to determine if a failure has occurred and the cause of such failure. In one form of the invention two-way wireless pagers are used as the communication devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locking a security gate operating shaft contained in a security gate operating mechanism having a housing from which extends the operating shaft, which may comprise: a locking collar, having at least one engageable protrusion extending radially, mounted on the operating shaft for rotary motion with it; an operating shaft locking mechanism slide mounting assembly attachable to the housing in one of at least two positions; a locking plate slideably mounted in the slide mounting and having an opening in registration with the operating shaft with at least one locking finger extending into the opening and adapted to engage at least one engageable protrusion; an electrically operated sliding unit adapted, when energized to move the slideable plate to one position against gravity, when deenergized to allow the slideable plate to move with gravity to a second position.

Abstract: A security gate operating system, is disclosed which comprises an electrically powered motor; a thermally controlled circuit breaker set to remove power to the motor when the motor reaches a preselected threshold temperature; a cooling fan associated with the motor and selectively powered to provide auxiliary cooling to the motor to prevent the motor from overheating; and a cooling fan motor controller, adapted to selectively supply power to the cooling fan when the motor is approaching the threshold temperature. The apparatus can further comprise the cooling fan controller being a thermo-static switch set to close at a preselected temperature below the threshold temperature, or a programmed microprocessor/microcontroller programmed to provide power to the cooling fan at a preselected temperature below the threshold temperature or when the temperature of the motor is about to reach the preselected temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of security gate operating systems, more specifically a method and apparatus for attaching control module housings to a printed circuit board containing at least a portion of the controller for the security gate operating system. A controller module unit is disclosed with a plurality of controller module connectors of a first type mounted on a printed circuit; a controller module housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of opposing elongated walls and a pair or opposing shorter walls; a module housing second type of connector extending from the bottom wall may comprise an elongated second type connector body having a plurality of second type connector elements; the module housing second type connector body enters into a respective connector bay and enables connection between the first and second type connector elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a security gate is disclosed which may comprise a drive mechanism arm having a first end and a second end, and including a security gate attachment member connected to the first end of the drive mechanism arm; a drive mechanism actuator operatively connected directly or indirectly to the drive mechanism arm and adapted to move the drive mechanism arm along a predefined path in relation to the actuator in response to operation of the actuator; and a release mechanism adapted to release the connection of the security gate attachment member to the first end of the drive mechanism arm in response to the application of a force to the security gate attachment member in a direction other than the force applied to the security gate attachment member by the drive mechanism arm in response to the operation of the actuator to move the security gate drive mechanism arm along the predefined path.

Abstract: An access control apparatus has a visual display, a plurality of input keys, and an encoder, all of which are operably connected to a communication device. The communication device includes a memory and an electronic directory of names and associated codes. The electronic directory may be configured as a sequential data structure. In one embodiment, an encoder is associated with an alphabetical index and can be set to refer to a particular portion of the alphabet. Another embodiment utilizes a portion of the visual display itself to show the alphabet, and uses slew switches to allow movement within the alphabet. On the visual display, the communication device displays one or more entries from the electronic directory corresponding to the portion of the alphabet selected on the encoder or on the alphabet portion of the display. The apparatus may also include a scrolling device that enables a user to scroll through the electronic directory, beginning at the name or names that are displayed on the display.

Abstract: An automatic gate operator includes an electric drive motor coupled by a drive train to a movable gate, and includes provisions for sensing an actual or impending obstruction or blockage of the movement of the gate by a human, object, or animal, for example. In response to such an actual or impending blocking of the gate's movement, the drive motor is shut off and the gate is braked to a stop. Then the gate is reversed to move a short distance away from the actual or impending blockage or obstruction, and is braked again to a stop. Next, the gate is freed from its connection with the drive motor, allowing manual movement of the gate to allow clearance of the actual or impending blockage or obstruction from the path of the gate. This stop-reverse-stop-release sequence of movements for the gate may release any entrapped person or object which may have been contacted by the moving gate. Also, after the gate is released for free movement it can be moved manually.

Abstract: An access control apparatus with an outer housing including a door and a plurality of outer keys, a substantially closed inner housing that is removably mounted within the outer housing, and an electronic communication device within the inner housing which is operably connected to a telephone system and to the outer keys.

Abstract: An automatic gate operator includes an electric drive motor coupled by a drive train to a movable gate, and includes provision for measuring the coasting distance which the gate moves after shut off of the drive motor. This coasting distance varies both with the weight and momentum of the gate in comparison to frictional drag of the gate hardware, and the drag provided by the gate operator with the drive motor shut off, and also varies in response to a great number of other variables many of which are unpredictable. These other variables include such factors as wind, weather, temperature, wear, adequacy of lubrication, time interval since last operation of the gate operator, and off-level installation of the gate, for example. However, the coasting distance is measured and recorded, and is subsequently used as a predictor of gate coast on subsequent operation of the gate operator in order to coast the gate to a stop precisely at a selected limit position.

Abstract: A powered gate operator includes an electric motor coupled by a drive train to a movable gate in order to drive the gate between opened and closed positions. The gate may also be moved manually between these opened and closed positions, or may be moved by powered operation of the gate operator under manual input control of velocity and acceleration of the gate. The gate operator includes a control system with a learning mode allowing a human to move the gate either manually or under powered operation with manual control, and during which the control system learns desired accelerations, deceleration's, pauses, etc., along with start and finish positions for the gate movement in each direction of movement for the gate between opened and closed positions. Thereafter, during powered operation of the gate by the operator the desired movement profile taught by a human to the operator during a learning mode experience is replicated.

Abstract: An access control apparatus with an outer housing including a door and a plurality of outer keys, a substantially closed inner housing that is removably mounted within the outer housing, and an electronic communication device within the inner housing which is operably connected to a telephone system and to the outer keys.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for sensing an object or vehicle in proximity to a sensing zone, wherein the device is exposed to an environment temperature. The object sensing device comprises a sensor, such as an inductive loop having a characteristic, such as the inductance of the inductive loop, responsive to the proximity of the object is to the sensor; a signal generator, such as an oscillator, coupled to the sensor for producing a first periodical signal cycling at a first frequency dependent on the sensor characteristic and the environment temperature.