Abstract:
A gate control and communication system of the invention including a base unit located within a premises, a gate receiver unit positioned next to a remotely located gate, and a gate control unit located next to the gate. The base unit provides for voice communications with an individual at the gate and for issuing of commands to control the gate. The gate receiver unit includes a switching device which, in response to commands directs the opening and closing of the gate. The gate control unit includes a call button for initiating voice communication with the base unit and a keypad for entering an identification code or password.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/767,285, filed Mar. 15, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to control of access to secured locations, as when a door or gate is positioned to block entry to a residential or business premises and is opened or released in response to a coded input, in association with a system providing communication between the vicinity of the gate and the premises.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Physical access to many residential and commercial premises is controlled by placing a movable barrier such as a gate or door in a fence or wall and installing a control system to unlock and/or physically move the barrier to an open position, permitting access to the secured premises, in response to an electrical signal. This input signal may be generated in response to a coded input entered on a keypad adjacent the barrier for those authorized users who are provided with the code, or in response to an input, e.g., entering the code or simply pressing a push-button, at the premises by a person wishing to provide access to a visitor at the barrier who has been identified through a communication system linking the barrier and the premises. The barrier may be tens or hundreds of feet from the premises. For purposes of the present discussion, it will be assumed that the movable barrier is a gate, although it will be understood that such term is to include doors and other such barriers.  
         [0006]     The gate is moved between open and closed positions by an electric motor. A keypad, or other such input device, is installed on or near the gate and also requires electrical power, as does the system providing communication between the gate and premises. Although some access control systems employ solar power, this may not always be reliable and the usual practice is to connect the gate motor controller, keypad and communication system to a power source at the premises, often requiring expensive trenching over relatively long distances. Also, the communications system requires connection between the gate and the telephone system of the premises to allow visitors to call from the gate area. A separate telephone line may be required for the communication system to operate properly. If the phone line connecting the gate and premises is subject to being used at the premises for calls other than those from the gate, provision must be made for interrupting the use at the premises in order to ensure that the call from the gate is acknowledged promptly.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a gate control and communication system which is wire-free.  
         [0008]     Another object is to provide a gate control and communications system for use in access control devices which has extremely low power requirements, permitting practical operation with standard or solar rechargeable batteries.  
         [0009]     A further object is to provide an access control system including a gate control unit and communications system which offers a full range of functionality, is extremely reliable and, at the same time, lower in cost than comparable prior art systems.  
         [0010]     Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.  
         [0011]     In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a three-part system, namely, a base unit, a gate receiver unit and a gate control unit, the latter being hereinafter referred to as a GCU. The base unit is located at or within the premises and comprises a transceiver designed to interface with the other two parts. That is, the base unit permits an individual at the premises to respond to a call from the GCU, provides two-way voice communication between the premises and the GCU, and permits command signals to be communicated from the premises to the GCU to open the gate.  
         [0012]     The gate receiver unit comprises an output switching device such as a relay or a similar semiconductor device that will command the gate operator to open the gate when a valid signal and command is received from the GCU or base unit. The GCU is located in the gate area and features an ultra low power microprocessor which controls the functionality of the system. Additional components of the GCU are a transceiver section with high efficiency and low power consumption, but with enough power output to reach the premises (base unit) reliably, a battery power system comprised of standard, non-rechargeable batteries or rechargeable batteries with a solar charger, a microphone, a speaker, means for converting audio signals from the microphone to RF signals for transmission to the base unit, means for converting incoming RF signals to signals which provide audible output on the speaker, and means for compressing the sampled audio data stream to a much smaller than standard audio spectrum and limited to speech quality sound. The transceiver unit transmits and receives signal at very high speed, whereby the time required for playback of signals in real time is much longer than the time required for transmission and reception of the data stream. Additionally, a low duty cycle allows the microprocessor to turn the transceiver off except when actually operating to send or receive signals.  
         [0013]     The construction and operation of the invention will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is diagrammatic showing of a gated premises equipped with the control and communication system of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are somewhat diagrammatic illustration of two versions (stationary and portable) of one of the units making up the system of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of the individual components of the unit of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing the sequence of operation of the unit of  FIGS. 2A, 2B  and  3 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of a second of the units making up the system of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of the components of the unit of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the sequence of operation of the unit of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of the third of the units making up the system of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of the components of the unit of  FIG. 8 ; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing the sequence of operation of the unit of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in  FIG. 1 a  residential or commercial building  10 , herein referred to as a premises, surrounded entirely or partially by a fence or wall  12  at some distance from premises  10 . A movable barrier, such as gate  14 , is movable between unblocking and blocking (open and closed, respectively) positions with respect to an opening in wall  12 . Boxes  16 ,  18  and  20  indicate three units making up the system of the invention, namely a base unit  16 , a gate receiver unit  18  and a gate control unit  20 , respectively, each separately described in some detail hereinafter. Box  21  represents a gate operating device, such as an electric motor, for physically moving gate  14  between its open and closed positions.  
         [0026]     Base unit  16  is shown in  FIG. 2A  as it might appear in a stationary mounting at premises  10 . Plastic or metal face plate  22  is flush mounted to a wall of premises  10  and includes a plurality of openings  24  positioned in front of a speaker (described later). Volume control knob  26  and command button  28  are also positioned on the forward side of plate  22 . The same components are present in the portable device  16 ′ of  FIG. 2B , namely face plate or housing  22 ′, speaker openings  24 ′, volume control knob  26 ′ and command button  28 ′. Also seen in  FIG. 2B  is antenna  30 ′; antenna  30  of base unit  16  is seen in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0027]     The individual components of base unit  16  are shown schematically in  FIG. 3 . Microprocessor  32  is a conventional component chosen for ultra low power consumption and ability to provide the required functions in controlling the functionality of base unit  16 . Appropriate pins of microprocessor  32  are connected to volume control  26 , command button  28 , speaker  34 , microphone  36 , RF transceiver  38  and codec  40 . Power control lines  42  and  44  connect microprocessor  32  to amplifier  46  of the speaker and preamp/filter  48  of the microphone, respectively, while power control lines  50  and  52  connect microprocessor  32  to transceiver  38  and codec  40 , respectively. Data input/output signals pass between microprocessor  32  and codec  40  via line  54 , and the signals are passed from codec  40  to the input amplifiers of speaker  34  and microphone  36  via lines  56  and  58 , respectively. Signals for transmission by RF transceiver  38  are fed from microprocessor  32  via line  60  and signals which have been received by the transceiver are communicated to the microprocessor via line  62 . Codec  40  is a conventional device for compressing and decompressing data, and may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  provides a flow chart of base unit functions. After operation starts, the base unit constantly monitors the on/off condition of all sections, as indicated by box  64 . Power to all sections is normally turned off until initiation of an event which requires power, such as transmission or reception of data by transceiver  38 , whereupon base unit  16  “wakes” the power supply to the various sections of the system and the base unit looks for signals representing an ID code entered at the GCU and for the condition of the gate control button, as indicated by box  66 . If received data does not indicate entry of a correct ID on the GCU keypad (described later), as indicated by box  68 , the system returns to the start condition. If the received signal indicates entry of a proper ID, codec  40 , speaker  34  and microphone  36  are started (powered), and the talk process (interchange of data) is started, as indicated by box  70 . Box  72  indicates the function of monitoring when talk data ends, in which case the system is returned to the start condition, as indicated by box  74 , or when talk data continues, in which case the box  70  functions continue. Box  76  indicates the function of sensing whether the gate open button is or is not pressed; if affirmative, signals are transmitted indicating a proper ID and causing the gate receiver unit to open the gate (box  78 ), whereupon the functions revert to start.  
         [0029]     Gate receiver unit  18  is shown in  FIG. 5  and includes housing  80 , antenna  82 , relay output receptacle  84 , battery compartment  86  and optional plug-in power receptacle  88 . That is, unit  18  may be powered either by batteries or by power from the gate control system. The elements within housing  80 , shown schematically in  FIG. 6 , include RF receiver  90 , microprocessor  92  and an output switching device such as relay  94 , connected to relay output  84 . RF receiver  90  is in the “off” condition, i.e., is consuming no power, except for brief (e.g., 500 ms) intervals to respond and send a signal to microprocessor  92  when a signal is received from base unit  16  or gate control unit  20 . If microprocessor  92  identifies the signal as proper and valid, relay  94  is actuated to command the gate operator to open the gate  14 .  
         [0030]     A flow chart showing the functions of gate receiver unit  8  is shown in  FIG. 7 . After system start, RF receiver  90  remains in “sniff” mode, i.e., the receiver is powered only at brief, spaced intervals to monitor RF signals received from base unit  18  or gate control unit  20 , as indicated by box  96 . Microprocessor  92  checks signals from receiver  90 , as indicated by block  98 , for correct ID. When no valid signal is detected, the system reverts to start, and when a signal with correct ID is indicated, relay  94  is actuated, as indicated by box  100  to open gate  14 . Box  102  indicates an optional function, namely, transmitting of a signal acknowledging receipt of the command signal from base unit  16  or gate control unit  20 ; this requires, of course, that receiver  90  also include transmission capability.  
         [0031]     A physical example of gate control unit  20  is shown in  FIG. 8  and includes housing  104 , microphone  106 , speaker outlet  108 , keypad  110 , motion sensor  112 , call button  114 , batteries  116  and antenna  118 . These items are shown schematically in  FIG. 9 , together with other components of the gate control unit. Microprocessor  120  receives signals on lines  122 ,  124  and  126  from keypad  110 , day/night detector  128  (through amplifier  129 ) and motion detector  112 , respectively. Signals for transmission by RF transceiver  130  are communicated from microprocessor  120  via line  132  and signals received by the transceiver are communicated to the microprocessor via line  134 . Power control for transceiver  130  and codec  136  is provided via lines  136  and  138 , respectively, and power control is provided via line  140  to amp/filter  142  of speaker  144 , positioned in housing  104  behind outlets  108 . Line  146  provides a lighting control signal for keypad  110  in accordance with signals provided to microprocessor  120  from day/night detector  128 . Codec  136  receives signals on lines  148  and  150  from amp/filter  142  of speaker  144  and from filter/preamp  152  of microphone  106 , respectively, and performs the same functions with respect to these signals as codec  40  of base unit  16  ( FIG. 3 ). Input/output signals are exchanged between microprocessor  120  and codec  136  via line  154 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart of the functions of gate control unit  20 . At system start, power is provided only for operation of motion detector  112 , as indicated by box  156 . Pressing call button  114  or any key on keypad  110 , or detection of motion by detector  112  activates microprocessor  120  (box  158 ). If activation is due to detected motion, the system determines if the level of motion meets minimum requirements for motion activation ( 160 ). If not, the system returns to start; if so, detector  128  determines light conditions ( 162 ) and, if illumination is required, keypad  110  is lighted for a predetermined period ( 164 ), following which the motion detection system returns to start.  
         [0033]     If activation is due to a key press, and such key press is of a sequence of keys on keypad  110 , the system determines whether the sequence conforms to a predetermined ID ( 166 ); if so, an RF command is sent to gate receiver unit  18  ( 168 ), gate  14  is opened and the gate control unit returns to start. If activation is due to pressing call button  114 , an RF transmission is initiated ( 170 ) and power is provided for the system to monitor (“sniff”) for a reply, as indicated by box  172 , for a predetermined time. Upon expiration of the time period ( 174 ), i.e., upon counting down to zero with no reply, the system reverts to start. If a reply is received before expiration of the time period, transceiver  130  is pulsed to receive RF signals for 100 milliseconds/sec ( 176 ). The system then checks the reply for correct ID ( 178 ) and, if a correct ID is detected, codec  136  is activated, as indicated by box  180 , to compress and expand the RF signals as the system enters talk mode and, when voice communication is finished, returns to start ( 182 ). If correct ID is not indicated, the system reverts to monitoring for a reply (line  184 ).  
         [0034]     In summary, the gate control and communication system of the invention includes three units, namely, a base unit located within the premises to which access is controlled, a gate receiver unit located in the vicinity of the gate and a gate control unit also located for access by an individual in the vicinity of the gate. The base unit allows an occupant of the premises to carry on 2-way voice communications with an individual at or near the gate and to issue commands to open the gate. The gate receiver unit includes a switching device such as a relay which, in response to a command from the base unit or gate control unit, provides power to the gate operator (motor) to open and close the gate. The gate control unit includes both a call button for initiating voice communication with the base unit and a keypad for entering a coded ID. Each of the three units includes an ultra low-power microprocessor which controls the functionality. The base unit and gate control unit each include a transceiver section with high efficiency and low power consumption, but with enough power output, for example +5, dbm, to reach reliably between premises and gate. The gate receiver unit includes a receiver for reception of RF command signals from either the base unit or the gate control unit, and may also have a transmitter for acknowledging receipt of such signals. In any case, the system of the invention provides for the following: the gate control unit microprocessor controls the transceiver section, disabling all current consumption until needed; all sections of the gate control unit are deactivated (do not consume power), other than the motion detector, until either the call button or a key on the keypad is pressed; when a key press is detected, the gate control unit microprocessor is activated, but the transceiver remains unpowered until it is required; if the key press is that of the call button, the gate control unit microprocessor receives power and sends a digital, coded signal, containing digital ID and power is provided to the transceiver; the signal is sent to the base unit transceiver in the premises; if the key press is of one of the keypad keys, the microprocessor receives power and decodes the ID (sequence of keys) entered; and if the code entered matches one of the stored codes, the transmitter is powered to send a coded signal to a wireless receiver of the gate receiver unit, causing the gate to open with no wires attached.