Access control apparatus for use with buildings, gated properties and the like

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of Invention 
The present invention relates generally to access control apparatus and, 
more particularly, to access control apparatus which are connected to 
remote locations by a telephone system. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Apartment buildings, office buildings, condominium complexes, gated 
residential communities, industrial parks and other secured locations 
often include a locked entrance and a security system for establishing 
communication between visitors who wish to enter the secured location and 
persons who are capable of unlocking the entrance from a remote location. 
One type of security system uses existing telephone systems to establish 
such communication. In such a system, an access control apparatus, or call 
box, is provided at the entrance. The call box, which includes a keypad 
and an auto-dialer, is connected to a telephone line and to the entrance 
lock. A numbered directory of persons, businesses or other parties capable 
of unlocking the entrance is provided by the call box itself or on a sign 
located adjacent to the call box. When the visitor enters a code number 
into the call box keypad, the call box automatically dials the telephone 
number corresponding to the code number. Once the identity of the person 
who wishes to gain access is established, the called party can unlock the 
entrance by pressing a predetermined number into the keypad of the called 
telephone. 
Prior access control apparatus, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
5,027,111 to Davis et al., consist of a rigid metallic case having various 
electronic elements permanently housed therein. Access to the interior of 
the case is provided by a door. The electronic elements typically consist 
of a printed circuit board that includes a microprocessor, an EEPROM-type 
permanent memory, a volatile memory, a modem and a bus. Various input and 
output ports are also provided. These ports allow the electronic elements 
to be connected to telephone lines, computers, keyboards and handheld 
programmers. Necessary data, such as code numbers, telephone numbers and 
names, may be entered into the permanent memory from a remote location via 
the telephone line and modem, or locally through the use of a computer 
keyboard or handheld programmer that is plugged into one of the ports. The 
exterior of the box includes the aforementioned keypad as well as a 
speaker and a microphone. The speaker and microphone may be provided in 
the form of a telephone handset or mounted directly onto the metallic box. 
The keypad, microphone and speaker are connected to the printed circuit 
board by ribbon cables and other wiring. 
Although generally useful for regulating entry into a secured location, 
there are a number of disadvantages associated with existing access 
control apparatus. The primary disadvantage is associated with programming 
the electronic elements and entering information into the permanent 
memory. Programming and data entry via a modem has proven to be quite 
complicated. In addition, existing modem based systems are difficult to 
use. The use of keyboards and handheld programmers is also problematic 
because the technician must stand next to the access control apparatus 
while entering data. As the vast majority of these units are located 
outdoors, technicians are often subjected the extreme heat in the summer 
and cold in the winter. Rain and snow present additional difficulties. It 
is also uncomfortable for the technician to stand next to the unit being 
serviced, hold a keyboard or handheld programmer with one hand, and type 
with the other. 
Other shortcomings are associated with repair and maintenance. The metallic 
cases are often damaged or destroyed by vandals and thieves. In addition 
to being susceptible to this type of damage, the electronic elements are 
also prone to damage from extreme temperatures and power surges. The 
microphones are often damaged by moisture from rain or fog. The visual 
displays which are provided on the exterior of some existing call boxes 
are also easy targets for vandals. Existing keypads, which typically 
consist of a key and membrane switch arrangement that is mounted on the 
door of the metallic case, are also easily damaged when struck with a 
heavy object such as a baseball bat. Repairing a prior access control 
apparatus is a very expensive proposition. Because the speaker, microphone 
and printed circuit board containing the electronic elements are 
permanently mounted within the metallic case, it is difficult to remove 
them for repair or for substitution into a new case when the existing case 
is damaged. Also, if the memory fails, all of the data concerning names, 
code numbers, and telephone numbers will have to be re-entered, usually by 
hand by a technician forced to stand next to the unit. 
Accordingly, a need exists for an access control apparatus that is easier 
to maintain, less susceptible to damage, and easier to repair than 
existing apparatus. 
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A general object of the present invention is to provide an access control 
apparatus that is superior to those presently known in the art. In 
particular, one object of the present invention is to provide an access 
control apparatus that is easier and less expensive to service than 
existing apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide 
an access control apparatus which is less susceptible to damage than 
existing apparatus. Still another object of the present invention is to 
provide an access control apparatus which is easier to repair than 
existing apparatus. 
These and other objectives are accomplished by providing an access control 
apparatus comprising 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 the telephone system and 
to the outer keys. This novel configuration is far easier to service than 
existing apparatus. Should the electronic communication device require 
service, reprogramming or data entry, the inner housing may be easily 
removed and, if so desired, replaced on the spot by a similar unit. Once 
removed, the requisite service may be easily performed. If serviced 
locally, the inner housing may be taken into the associated building or to 
the technician's vehicle where the technician may comfortably sit and 
perform the requisite service. 
In accordance one embodiment of the present invention, the inner housing is 
provided with a non-volatile memory module and a memory module port 
adapted to receive the memory module. The memory module may be used to 
store data such as code numbers, telephone numbers, names and settings 
that are dictated by the time of the day and day of the week. If the inner 
housing needs to be removed for service or replacement, the memory module 
may be placed into the replacement inner housing. As a result, the arduous 
task of entering the data and settings into a replacement unit is 
eliminated. In addition, data stored in the non-volatile memory module 
will not be lost in the event of a prolonged power failure. 
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a 
microphone is associated with the inner housing and the outer housing 
includes at least one microphone aperture that is aligned with the 
microphone. A hollow conduit connecting the microphone and aperture may 
also be provided. This novel configuration substantially prevents the 
moisture (i.e. rain or fog) caused microphone damage associated with prior 
apparatus which, as noted above, include a microphone mounted directly 
onto the metallic case. The inner housing may also include a speaker which 
is useful whether or not a particular unit is in use. When the unit is 
mounted within an outer housing, the speaker will provide audible sound 
that is transmitted through apertures in the outer housing. Alternatively, 
the outer housing will be provided with its own speaker which is connected 
to the inner housing and which performs the speaker function for the 
overall system. The speaker associated with the inner housing is also 
useful when an inner housing is being serviced. The speaker allows the 
technician to make calls and perform other tests to insure that the unit 
is working correctly. 
In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the 
inner housing includes a visual display and a plurality of keys which 
respectively correspond to the letters A-Z and to the numbers 0-9. A 
plurality of function keys may also be provided. So configured, data may 
be entered directly into the inner housing by the technician. The need for 
separate keyboards, handheld programmers and modems associated with prior 
access control apparatus is, therefore, eliminated. 
Many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will 
become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to 
the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following is a detailed description of the best presently known mode of 
carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a 
limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the 
general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined 
solely by the appended claims. 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, one example of the present access control 
apparatus includes an outer housing 100 and an inner housing 200 which may 
be removably mounted within the outer housing. Within the inner housing 
200 is an electronic communication device 202 (shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b 
and discussed in detail below) that may be connected to a telephone 
system. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the inner housing 200 
may also include a microphone 204 and a speaker 206. 
The front panel 102 of the exemplary outer housing 100 is shown in FIG. 2. 
The front panel 102 includes a plurality of depressible outer keys 104, 
microphone apertures 106 and speaker apertures 108. A window 110 for 
providing visual access to the inner housing 200 may also be provided. In 
those instances where the front panel 102 also serves as a door, as in the 
exemplary embodiment, a lock 112 may be mounted thereon. For durability 
and appearance, the front panel 102 is preferably 16 gauge stainless 
steel. The remaining portion of the outer housing 100 may be formed from 
the same material or from gold/zinc plated, powder coated 16 gauge metal. 
As shown by way of example in FIGS. 3-5, the outer housing 100 includes 
mounting pins 114 that are received by mounting apertures 208 in the inner 
housing 200. The mounting pins 114 may be mounted on a shelf 116 which 
vertically supports the inner housing 200. A locking device 118, which 
includes a pivotable locking tab 120, cooperates with a locking recess 210 
that is formed in the inner housing. After the inner housing mounting 
apertures 208 have been placed over the mounting pins 114, the locking tab 
120 may be pivoted to the locked orientation shown in FIGS. 3-5. One the 
inner housing 100 is in place and the outer housing 200 is closed, a 
gasket 144 and abutment 146 seal the outer housing and prevent moisture 
from entering the outer housing. 
A visual display 212, which may be provided on the inner housing 200, is 
aligned with the window 110. The visual display 212 is preferably a 
multi-line LCD display that is backlit for evening use. However, displays 
such as vacuum fluorescent displays, plasma displays, light emitting diode 
displays and cathode ray tube displays may also be used. The window 110 is 
preferably a thick (approximately 3/4 of an inch) protective lens. 
Suitable lens materials include materials which are capable of 
withstanding significant blows such as acrylic. 
The inner housing 200 may also include a plurality of inner keys 214 which 
correspond to the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-Z. Additional keys, such 
as scroll keys and space keys, can also be provided for other functions. 
The inner and outer keys are respectively arranged such that, at a 
minimum, the like numbered inner keys are aligned with the like numbered 
outer keys. Other function keys may also be aligned. The outer keys 104 
each include a longitudinally extending element 122 which will actuate a 
corresponding inner key 214 when an outer key is depressed. A speaker 124, 
which may be connected to the inner housing 200, is provided within the 
exemplary outer housing 100. The speaker 124 is connected to the inner 
housing 200 by a connector 126. 
The outer housing 100 may also include a hollow conduit 128 which extends 
from microphone apertures 106 to the microphone 204. The conduit 128 
improves the transmission of sound from the exterior of the outer housing 
100 to the microphone 204 on the inner housing 200. In addition, as shown 
in FIGS. 10a and 10b, the inner surface of the conduit 128 may be slanted 
toward the exterior of the housing so that moisture within the conduit 
will be driven by gravity toward the exterior of the housing and away from 
the microphone. For example, the inner surface of conduit 128' is in the 
form of a cone (FIG. 10a) and the inner surface of conduit 128" is in the 
form of a slanted cylinder (FIG. 10b). 
In order to prevent damage to the inner keys 214 and to the inner housing 
200 itself which could be caused when an excessive force is applied to the 
outer keys 104, the exemplary outer housing 100 further includes a 
blocking arrangement 130. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the blocking 
arrangement 130 includes a bracket 132 having a series of apertures 134 
that respectively allow passage of the longitudinally extending elements 
122. A radially extending element 136, the diameter of which is too large 
to pass through the corresponding aperture 134, is secured to each of the 
longitudinally extending elements 122. As an outer key 104 is depressed, 
the radially extending element 136 will strike the bracket 132 and prevent 
the longitudinally extending element 122 from moving beyond a 
predetermined point. The predetermined point corresponds to the location 
necessary to actuate the corresponding inner key 214. Springs 138 are used 
to outwardly bias the outer keys 104 and an o-ring type seal 140 may be 
used to prevent dirt, moisture and other contaminants from entering the 
interior of the outer housing 100 through the space between the keys 104 
and key apertures 142. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the inner housing 200 may be provided 
with one or more non-volatile RAM memory modules 216, such as PCMCIA 
memory cards. The memory modules 216 may be used to store data such as 
code numbers, names, telephone numbers, and settings that are dictated by 
the time of day and day of the week. One end of the inner housing 200 
includes a pair of memory module ports 218 and 220 which are adapted to 
receive the memory modules. The ports 218 and 220 are connected to the 
communication device 202 and include eject buttons 222 and 224. A power 
on/off 226 switch is also provided on the inner housing. The other end of 
the exemplary inner housing 200 includes a parallel printer port 228, an 
additional port 230 which may be used to connect the inner housing to a 
card reader, radio receiver or other device, a connector 232 which 
receives the connector 126 associated with the speaker 124, and a 
telephone line jack 234. 
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the interior of the inner 
housing 200 is not readily accessible because the electronic devices 
housed therein will not normally be repaired by field technicians. As 
noted above, the inner housing 200 is normally replaced by the field 
technician with a like unit if it has sustained damage. Thus, the inner 
housing 200 may be closed with screws or other semi-permanent mechanical 
fasteners. 
As illustrated for example in FIGS. 9a and 9b, the communication device 202 
includes a microcontroller 236 (although other suitable devices such as a 
microprocessor may also be used) as well as a EPROM memory 238, telephone 
circuitry 240, a non-volatile real time clock/calendar 242, and an eight 
(8) hour back-up battery 244 are also provided. The connection of the 
communication device 202 to other aspects of the exemplary inner housing 
200 is also shown. In addition, should radio contact with the access 
control apparatus be desired, a radio receiver 246 and the associated 
circuitry 248 may also be provided. In order to produce a record of all 
persons who use the access control apparatus, a video camera (and 
recorder) may be appropriately positioned nearby and the microprocessor 
236 may be programmed so as to produce a "video record" signal for a 
predetermined period each time the keys 104 are touched. Note VCR output 
250.! 
A modem interface/facsimile circuit 252 may also be provided which allows 
the present access control apparatus to transmit information regarding the 
status of various hardware settings such as, for example, volume settings 
and contrast settings. Through the use of so-called digital 
potentiometers, these hardware settings may then be adjusted from a remote 
location. Such adjustment may be accomplished by transmitting specific 
DTMF codes with a touch-tone phone or by modem-to-modem communication with 
a personal computer or with another access control apparatus. The 
exemplary embodiment also includes a communication terminal 254, such as a 
RS45, RS232 or other current loop communication device, that may be used 
to communicate with remote devices such as gate operators. Data and 
command sequences may be transferred between the access control apparatus 
and one or more gate operators. As such, the access control apparatus may 
be used to determine the current status of the gate operators and their 
various accessories and then fax or modem this information to a service 
center. Similarly, a service center may modem or fax the access control 
apparatus to request a report or to reprogram or control the gate 
operators. 
Another advantageous feature of the present invention is a "panic alarm" 
which allows the control apparatus to be used to call the security company 
associated with the location. More specifically, either single multi-digit 
panic code for use by all persons associated with the location or 
individual panic codes for each person or tenant may be assigned. When the 
panic code is input into the keypad, the control apparatus will call the 
security company and establish voice communication with the security 
company so that the situation may be assessed and handled in the 
appropriate manner. In those instances where a video camera is employed, 
video images may also be transmitted to the security company. 
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred 
embodiment above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the 
above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one 
skilled in the art. By way of example, but not limitation, the round 
speaker apertures 108 may be replaced with a plurality of louvers, i.e. 
horizontal slots having an overhanging ledges associated therewith. Such 
louvers are useful for directing sound. However, when louvers are used, a 
plate with small holes should be secured behind the louvers on the inside 
of the door. This will prevent vandals from damaging the speaker by 
sliding a thin object through the louvers. It is intended that the scope 
of the present invention extends to all such modifications and/or 
additions and that the scope of the present invention is limited solely by 
the claims set forth below.