Abstract:
An apparatus for activating and reprogramming various features of a security system that relies on a read/write chip that inserts into a socket connected to the control unit of the security system. Depending on the activation codes written onto the chip, when the chip is inserted into its socket, it activates or deactivates various features and parameters of the system. The speed the gate opens and closes at, how long it remains open etc. can be varied. Additionally, the chip can be used to activate advanced features of the system built into the system when originally installed. Thus, if a customer desires to upgrade to advanced features of the system this avoids having to install additional features since they having already been built into the system and are activated by insertion of a chip with the appropriate code.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to security systems for limiting of access to a restricted area. More particularly it relates to a system and method of reprogramming such systems.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Gated security systems typically consist of at least one gate for limited access into a secure area, the operation of which is regulated by a gate controller. In order to enter the secure area protected by the security system an individual typically must enter an access code by means of a keypad attached to the gate controller or by use of an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) transmitter or transceiver that communicates with the gate controller. Once the controller recognizes the access code transmitted by the transmitter or transceiver it will open the gate and allow access to the restricted area. Actual operation of the gate can vary depending on the sophistication of the security system. Very simple systems preset the opening and closing speed of the gate based on the assumption of how fast a typical vehicle might take to move through the open gate and move beyond a point where the closing gate might accidentally hit the vehicle if it closed to soon. More advanced systems include sensors in and around the gate area with which the system can determine the position of the vehicle and only close the gate after the system determines the individual has passed beyond the area of movement of the gate. These systems might also have additional features available such as an anti-tailgating option that provides for a quick closing the gate after passage of the authorized vehicle. In these more sophisticated systems on installation they tend to have variety of different features and capabilities from which the property owner can chose.  
           [0003]    However, currently available security systems tend to be uniquely designed or tailored to the specifications set on installation. Once installed, gate security systems tend to have limited flexibility for upgrading or change of their operational characteristics. Even in gate security systems that are capable of being upgraded, to do so usually requires a trained technician who must go to the location of the gate security system and install the upgraded system. The technician often has to replace circuit boards with ones that have the features specified by the upgrade. Additionally, to change operational parameters, i.e. the timing of the opening and closing of the gate, a technician has to service the gate controller and reset switches or timing devices on the gate controller. Not only does this generate substantial added expense, it also creates a potential security problem in that an unauthorized individual that gains access to the unit can reset the operational parameters of the unit and thereby breach systems security. Even if all a property owner wants to do is change the access codes for those authorized to enter the restricted area, a visit by an appropriately trained technician is necessary to make the changes to the access codes.  
           [0004]    Most gate security systems are located outside and the climatic conditions can vary from the sub arctic with sub zero temperatures to tropical climates with hot and humid conditions. Thus, most gate security systems require a significant degree of ruggedness to function error free over many years.  
           [0005]    Thus, what is needed is an economical and efficient method and system for upgrading a gate security system. What is also needed is a method and system that will also allow for an efficient and economical modification the operational parameters of a gate security system that is also rugged, durable and capable of functioning in a wide variety of climatic conditions.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a system and method with which a security system can be economically, efficiently and quickly upgraded. It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a system and method that will also allow for the efficient, economical and quick changing of the operational parameters of a security system.  
           [0007]    These and other objectives are accomplished by providing a reprogramable security system for limiting access to a protected area, the system including: a) a movable barrier for allowing access to a restricted area; b) a motor operatively attached to said barrier for opening and closing said barrier; c) a control system for controlling operation of said motor; d) a sensing system for sensing factors used by said control system for determining when to open and close said gate by activation of said motor; and e) an activation chip connectable to said control system wherein said chip can activate functions of said control system.  
           [0008]    In a further aspect of the invention it provides a method for varying the operational parameters of a security system that includes the steps of: a)providing power to a security system; b) having the system look for an activation chip; c) reading by the system of codes on the chip; d) matching the code on the chip with a look up table of codes saved in a memory of the system; and e) activating features of the security system associated with the matched code. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The invention will be better understood by an examination of the following description, together with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the major functional components of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is bloc diagram of a version of the preferred embodiment of a gate controller of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a swinging gate system with which the present invention can be used;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a sliding gate system with which the present invention can be used;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a view of a corner of a main circuit board of a gate controller of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a view of an activation chip of the present invention together with a daughter board of the present invention that attaches to the main board, the daughter board having a socket to connect the activation chip to the main board present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the major functional parts of one version of a preferred embodiment of the activation chip of the present invention; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of one preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall functional parts of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. A security gate  23  is operatively connected to a gate motor  25  and in turn operation of the gate motor is controlled by control system  27 . Control system  27 , when an activation chip  29  is inserted, reads an activation code on chip  29  and then compares the code with a series of codes in a look up table  31 . Look up table  31  has various codes each of which are associated with certain functions of the control system. When the control system  27  matches an activation code on look up table  31  with a code on activation chip  29  the particular features associated with that activation code are enabled. Thus, by changing the activation or enabling codes on the activation chip before insertion into the system, preprogrammed features of the system can be activated or deactivated. Additionally, with appropriate software in the system to respond to activation or enablement codes operational parameters of the system can be varied. These aspects will be discussed in more detail below after additional background information on gated security systems is reviewed.  
         [0019]    The system in part makes decisions regarding its operation including the opening and closing of the gate  23  based on information obtained by the control system from sensor loops  28  which are strategically positioned around the gate. In one version of the preferred embodiment, the sensor loops  28  provide relevant information regarding the ambient magnetic field near the gate, which the system uses to determine if a vehicle is present and the vehicle&#39;s location with relation to the gate.  
         [0020]    In one preferred embodiment control system  27  is a gate controller. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one version of a gate controller  30  outlined with dotted lines. In FIG. 2 operation of the gate controller is controlled and coordinated by CPU  33 . Memory  34  typically has the software that the CPU is executing. The memory would also include look up table or code table  34 A. Based on the authorized codes provided by activation chip or key  35  CPU  33  would operate the gate motor control  36  according the parameters of the activation code. Naturally, the system has a power supply  38 .  
         [0021]    Decisions the CPU  33  makes regarding operation of the gate motor control will in part be based on information provided by sensor analyzers  37 . In a swinging gate system the gate sensor analyzers  37  connect to safety sensor loops  39 A,  39 B and  39 C (FIG. 2A). In the standard system loops  39 A,  39 B and  39 C are wire sensors embedded in the ground and which sense changes in the ambient magnetic field above sensor  39 A,  39 B and  39 C. Wall  40  encloses the restricted area  42  and gate  41  when opened allows access. Thus when a motor vehicle passes over one of the loops  39 A,  39 B and  39 C the sensor analyzers detect it is present as a result of the changes in the magnetic fields above each sensor. When a vehicle arrives at the gate and moves over outside safety sensor  39 A the system detects its presence through readings at the sensor analyzer attached to loop  39 A. The person in the vehicle will transmit his or her authorization code by an IR or RF transmission or entering the code on a keypad connected to the system. This will initiate opening of gate  41  moving it from closed position  41 A to open position  41 B. As the vehicle move through the open gate  41 B, center loop detector  39 B senses the presence of the vehicle and in turn inside safety loop  39 C detects the presence of the vehicle as it moves over loop  39 C. Based on information provided by each loop and its associated sensor analyzer the system at all times can determine the precise location of the vehicle and operation of the gate can be precisely controlled.  
         [0022]    The gate security system can be programmed for various operational patterns, such as delayed opening or closing of the gate. Additionally, anti-tailgating features can be incorporated into the system which would provide for a quick closing of the gate after passage of a vehicle with the appropriate authorization code and an unauthorized vehicle attempting to sneak in after passage of the authorized vehicle would be stopped by the quickly closing gate.  
         [0023]    The sliding gate system of FIG. 2B works in a similar fashion to the swing gate system of FIG. 2A. However, there are differences that require programming the system for different operational parameters. In a sliding gate system only an outside safety loop  43 A and an inside safety loop  43 B is necessary. This is because sliding gate  44  slides out of the way and does not swing out over the roadway into the restricted area  42 . Thus, opening and closing parameters and sensor readings vary significantly. With the system of the present invention, the gate controller can be programmed for both the swinging and sliding gate system and the appropriate programming for the swinging or sliding gate system can be enabled merely by inserting an activation chip with the appropriate activation code.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a physical implementation of the concept of the present invention on the circuit boards of a gate controller. FIG. 3 depicts a corner of a main gate controller motherboard  41 . Attached to board  41  is daughter board  50 . Daughter board  50  interconnects activation chip  53  into the system of the present invention. FIG. 4 depicts daughter board  50  removed from main board  41  with activation chip  53  removed from its socket  55 . When activation chip  53  is placed in socket  55  clip  57  holds it in place. As depicted in FIG. 4, chip  53  is a wafer shaped metal clad device of small diameter and thickness. Cup shaped bottom  59  acts as the first electrical contact and circular plate top  61  acts as a second contact. Top  61  and bottom  59  are electrically insulated from each other by nonconductive ring  63 . Thus when chip  53  is placed in socket  55  bottom  59  makes electrical contact with the inside of socket  55  and top  61  makes electrical contact with clip  57  to complete an electrical circuit and thus connect chip  53  into the circuitry of the system. The preceding is only a preferred embodiment of the activation chip of the present invention. Those skilled in the art once they have read and understand the concepts of the present invention as described herein will readily appreciate the fact that the design of the chip and the fashion in which it connects into the system of the gate controller can be significantly varied without departing from the practice of the present invention. This includes placing the functions of the daughter board on the main board etc.  
         [0025]    In FIG. 4 daughter board  50  has indicator lights  62 . In FIG. 3 connectors  63  receive controller modules containing electro-mechanical/electro-magnetic components that are associated with sensor loops  39 A,  39 B and  39 C (FIG. 2A) or  43 A and  43 B (FIG. 2B). Main board  41  also has indicator lights  65  that provide status indication of the operation of the system.  
         [0026]    Chip  53  has its own internal read/write memory typically an erasable programmable memory (EEPROM) that allows for the writing of activation codes to the chip as well as being able to erase codes on the chip and rewrite new ones. The block diagram of FIG. 5 depicts one preferred embodiment off the essential parts of the activation chip which are an electrically erasable programmable read only memory, EEPROM,  67  and the electrical contacts  68  and  69 . The memory of the EEPROM can be programmed by connecting it to a computer with appropriate software and electrical connections to the computer. Those skilled in the art once they have read and understand the concepts of the present invention should have no problem in conceptualizing a system that would include an appropriate EEPROM with which to enable the system of the present invention. A number of different systems that provide EEPROM&#39;s are currently available.  
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the activation chip is a Dallas Semiconductor iButton®. This type of chip is a 16 mm in diameter wafer shaped metal case. A depicted in FIG. 4 the two electrically isolated sides of the case  59  and  61  act as the electrical contacts. The iButton® which the present invention uses would be programmed, i.e. its memory would be programmed with a computer and appropriate software. One of the advantages of using this device as the activation chip is its adaptability to harsh environments. Most gate security systems are installed outdoors and have to be rugged enough to function in a wide variety of climatic conditions. These can vary from subzero environments to hot wet tropical environments.  
         [0028]    The method of the present invention thus entails programming the activation chip with the appropriate code or codes  71  (FIG. 6). Inserting the activation chip into the appropriate socket of the gate security system  72 . The system upon being powered up  73  then looks for the activation chip  74  and upon finding it reads the code or codes on the activation chip  75 . The system then compares the code or codes on the chip with the codes contained in memory  76 . Upon reading and comparing the code or codes from the chip with the code or codes in the memory of the system it then determines what matches exist between those on the chip and in memory  78 . Based on matches of codes on the chip with codes contained in memory of the system, the system determines what features to activate and/or what the operational parameters of the system should be set at.  
         [0029]    One of the advantages of the present system is that only one master gate controller board or system has to be manufactured. This board or system would incorporate all operational variations of the system. Each of the variations would be enabled by the appropriate authorization codes. This thus eliminates the need to manufacture several different systems or boards that enable certain pre-selected features. Additionally, use of the activation chips allows for the selectively setting or resetting of the operational parameters of the gate security system. These will be discussed below in somewhat more detail, include the timing of opening and closing of the gate.  
         [0030]    Another advantage is that security codes used to open the gate can be set and changed with the activation chips. Typically the gate security system requires that a person seeking entry through the gate enter a security code the system recognizes to prompt the system to open the gate and allow access. The code can be entered by a key pad provided adjacent to the gate or by an IR or RF transmitter or transceiver. The system upon keying in of the access code or receipt of transmission of an access code from the IR or RF device upon identifying the access code as an authorized one would open the gate to allow access. The activation chip can be programmed with the appropriate access codes and once inserted into its socket in the system would update the system as to the currently allowed access codes.  
         [0031]    The present invention would also allow one overall board or system to be used with either sliding or swinging security gates. The operational characteristics of a swinging or sliding gate system differ significantly and each system generally requires its own separate system. However, the requirements of each have enough similarity that one overall system or board could be fabricated to work with both systems. The system would have programmed into it all of the parameters and features necessary for the proper operation of each system. Enablement of operation of the system with a swing or sliding gate system would depend on the authorization code written onto the activation chip inserted into the system.  
         [0032]    The system or board could also be fabricated such that it will function with either a one or two gate system. In a one-gate system you generally might only be concerned with the speed at which the gate opens and closes and the time delays between opening and closing of the gate. In a two-gate system you would have to be concerned with opening and closing of each gate in a coordinated fashion to avoid entrapping a vehicle between the gates etc.  
         [0033]    The system would also allow a customer to upgrade the system to a higher level of functionality without the need for replacing portions of the system or require a technician to install upgrade features or reset switches or other features on the boards of the system. All that would be necessary would be insertion of the appropriate activation chip with the appropriate enabling codes. For example the customer might want to enable an anti-tailgating feature of the system. Typically, after a security gate has opened to allow an authorized vehicle in there is a delay before the gate closes to allow the vehicle to pass through. Instead of having to have a technician service the system to change the closing parameters, insertion of the chip would allow for a reprogramming of the system based on the enabling or activation code written onto the chip. The manufacturer upon request of the customer would provide an activation chip with the appropriate code.  
         [0034]    The system of the present invention could also include the option of insertion of an activation chip with a code that would enable a diagnostic mode. This would allow a technician servicing the unit to run diagnostic or other tests on the system to verify the system is operating properly or for trouble shooting system failures that may occur during operation. Use of such codes instead of placing switches on the board to enable a diagnostic or test mode would prevent others from tampering with the system.  
         [0035]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made to it without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.