Abstract:
A manual override device is disclosed for use with an automatic transponder system. This system has the capability of detecting errors in the operation of the system, and then for allowing for a manual override to initiate operation of a security gate when such is necessary.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/770,827 filed on Jan. 26, 2001 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to identification and access systems. More particularly it relates to vehicle identifications and access systems to allow entry into a secure area.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     There is a general need for vehicle identification systems for a multitude of applications such as controlling vehicular access in and out of parking structures, monitoring vehicular movement from one location to another, collecting tolls such as that found on the California toll road system, and restricting vehicular access to gated communities. Generally, systems such as AMTEK (used on the toll roads) or others are subject to malfunction due to RF noise interference, improperly installed equipment, or other factors that can prevent the vehicular identification transceiver from properly identifying the vehicle tag. The vehicle tag generally is a transponder that responds to a signal from the identification transceiver. Identification occurs when the vehicle is detected within a zone of detection.  
         [0004]     When used to restrict access to a gated community or other limited access area the identification transceiver is located at and controls a gate opening and closing mechanism at an entry point into the restricted access area. The transceiver is connected to a vehicle detection system that, when operating properly, upon sensing the presence of a vehicle within a zone of detection in the area around the gate prompts the transceiver to broadcast a signal. Upon receipt of this broadcast signal by the transponder unit on the vehicle the transponder generates and broadcasts an encoded signal. Upon receipt by the transceiver of the encoded signal and identifying it as a valid code the transceiver authorizes the opening of the gate to allow entry of the vehicle into the restricted access area. However, as noted above these systems can malfunction for a variety of reasons including radio frequency interference, poor installation etc. Thus, many systems have to provide for a backup such as a live guard at the gated entry point to over-ride the system in the event it malfunctions. In the event there is no backup provision, the vehicle is forced to exit the entry point and retry to enter to re-trigger the system in an attempt to force the system to function properly. If this tactic fails the only option left is usually to call for assistance or forego entry if such assistance is not available and a 24 hour guard is not present.  
         [0005]     Consequently, there exists a need for a system that can, provide for error free vehicle identification without relying on either a 24 hour guard system or other cumbersome and costly backup system. An identification and entry system that can be easily integrated into existing systems without the need for undue expense and modification of these systems.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an economical, easily used and effective process and system that will provide for error free vehicle identification and that will include the ability to quickly, easily and economically allow for correction of errors in the operation of the identification system. It is a further object to provide an error corrections system that is easy to manufacture and integrate into existing systems without undue cost and expense.  
         [0007]     The present invention accomplishes these and other objectives by providing a secure area entry system that includes a) a movable barrier; b) an active detection device that controls the opening and closing of said entry barrier; c) a transponder which when detected by said active detection device within a zone of detection opens said barrier to allow access; and d) wherein said transponder has a manual override apparatus which upon activation sends a signal to the active detection device to open said barrier so that when said active detection device fails to detect the presence of said transponder in said zone of detection said barrier can be opened by sending the signal with said manual override apparatus. In another aspect of the system it provides a transponder with a button on it such that when the button is depressed said transponder broadcasts the signal to the active detection device.  
         [0008]     In another aspect of the invention it provides a method for overriding a malfunctioning secure area entry system, that includes the steps of: a) detecting a vehicle at a limited access area entry port; b) generating an interrogation signal; c) generating an identification signal by the vehicle upon receipt of the interrogation signal; d) analyzing the identification signal to determine if it has a code that allows the vehicle to have access to the limited access area; and e) allowing a person in the vehicle to resend the identification signal if the vehicle does not obtain access to thereby reinitiate the step of analyzing the identification signal to determine if it has a code that will allow the vehicle to have access to the limited access area. 
     
    
     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]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one environment in which the present invention will work;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the major components of the system of the present invention in the environment in which they will function;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a transponder that incorporates the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the transponder depicted in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of the major functional components of a transponder incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of the major functional components of the transceiver interrogator detection device and gate opening mechanism; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the operation of the present invention in the context of an automated system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     The present invention works with the typical vehicle detection systems used in gated communities. Such systems are designed to automatically determine when a vehicle at a gated entrance into the community is authorized to enter the restricted access area and open the gate to allow the vehicle to enter.  FIG. 1  provides a prospective view of the major components of the system. A vehicle  21  upon reaching an entrance gate  23  of a gated community moves into the range of detection of a sensor  25 . The sensor  25 , in this case, is embedded in roadway  27 . The sensor  25  connects through appropriate circuitry to a transceiver interrogator unit  29 . Thus, when a vehicle  21  moves into rage of sensor  25  located under the road  27  it generates a signal that activates the transceiver interrogator unit  29  that in turn broadcasts a radio frequency signal  30 . Radio frequency signal  30  is received by a transponder  31  located on vehicle  21 , generally on the windshield  26  of the vehicle. Upon receipt of the signal generated by transceiver interrogator unit  29 , transponder  31  generates its own encoded radio frequency signal  32  that is received by the transceiver interrogator  29 . The transceiver interrogator unit  29  has appropriate circuitry to process the signal  32  received from transponder  31  and determine if the signal  32  from transponder  31  has a code of a vehicle authorized to enter the restricted area. If the transceiver interrogator unit  29  determines that it has received a code of an authorized vehicle it then signals a gate opening mechanism to open the gate  23  and allow the vehicle  21  to enter.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  provides an overhead schematic diagram of the system described above.  FIG. 2  also depicts an alternative detection device, a laser beam generator  35  and receiver  37 . The laser detections system works such that when a vehicle  21  arrives at gate  23  and moves to a position in front of the closed gate it blocks transmission of laser beam  39  from laser  35  to receiver  37  which in turn prompts transceiver  29  to generate its activation signal  30  that in turn is received by transponder  31 . Transponder  31  generates its signal in response and as noted if upon receipt transceiver interrogator unit  29  determines it has received a correct authorization code it initiates opening of the movable portion  38  of the gate  23 . In addition to the vehicle loop detector  25  and optical beam  35  and  37  mentioned above any other proximity sensor capable of detecting a vehicle can be used. The RF signals exchanged between the transceiver and transponder can be simple ‘continuous wave’ (CW) or modulated signals.  
         [0019]     The systems described above have a tendency to malfunction for a variety of reasons. The detection loop systems  25  quite often detect the presence of the vehicle  25  by the changes in the local magnetic field created by the presence of a vehicle directly over it. However, if some other metal structure is in the area or some other cause exists to change the nature of the local magnetic field, detection system  25  may not function properly and thus not properly activate transceiver interrogator unit  29 . Additionally, there may be some type of transient or permanent radio frequency interference in the local area that causes the system to malfunction. Such interference can be with the detection unit or interference with transmissions between the transceiver interrogator and transponder. When the system malfunctions and a vehicle carrying a transponder does not trigger the system properly the driver often has to back up and re-approach the gate in attempt to properly trigger the system. If this does not work then he or she is unable to enter unless there is someone present to open the gate for him. Most gated communities as a solution to this problem usually have a 24 hour guard located at one of the entries into the community who can initiate opening of the gate.  
         [0020]     The present invention overcomes the problems of the current art by providing an override mechanism in the transponder unit that will allow the driver of a vehicle to initiate generation of the coded signal by the transponder. Thus, when the vehicle detection system malfunctions and the transceiver interrogator does not generate a signal to trigger the transponder, the driver can use the over ride system to do it.  FIGS. 3 and 4  provide a side view and a top view respectively of a transponder unit  41  that includes the override mechanism of the present invention. The transponder unit  41  depicted in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  typically has very compact dimensions of approximately three quarters of an inch thick by about three to three and a half inches long and a little over two to two and a third inches wide. The transponder  41  in a preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3  attaches to the windshield of a vehicle with adhesive strips  45 . Generally the transponder is positioned in the lower left or right corner of the windshield or ideally on front windshield behind the review mirror of the vehicle at which position it is out of sight but easily accessible.  
         [0021]     The actual override mechanism consists of a button  47  that upon depression prompts transponder  41  to transmit access signal  32  mentioned above and illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Thus, when a driver of a vehicle arrives at the front gate of a gated community and for some reason the vehicle presence detection system as mentioned above fails to detect the presence of the vehicle and prompt transceiver interrogator unit  29  to generate a signal to interrogate transponder  41  the driver simply has to reach over to transponder  41  depress button  47  whereupon transponder  41  generates and transmits the necessary signal. The signal  32  is then detected by transceiver interrogator unit  29 , which upon identifying the signal as one from an authorized vehicle by confirming it has a valid access code sends a gate open signal to the gate opening mechanism  36  ( FIG. 2 ) to open the movable portion  38  of gate  23  and allow the vehicle to enter.  
         [0022]     Naturally, transponder  41  has appropriate micro-circuitry and related electronic devices to function as described. Among the components as depicted in schematic diagram  FIG. 5  transponder  41  typically would have are its own transceiver unit  49 , a stand alone micro power supply  51 , memory  52  of some kind to store the access code and any other programming the unit may need to function, circuitry  53  to appropriately interconnect the functional parts as well as override button  47 . Naturally, additional components could or may be added and a wide variety of different configurations could be used and the same result achieved.  
         [0023]     At a minimum transceiver interrogator unit  29 , detection unit  25  and the gate opening mechanism will include the functional parts depicted in  FIG. 6 . These consist of a transceiver  62  a CPU with memory  64 , a power supply  66 , a detection unit  68 , the gate operating mechanism  70  and circuitry  72  to appropriately interconnect all of these devices to properly function together. These are only the basic units necessary and any number of different configurations can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0024]     Radio frequency interference can also interfere with the radio signals exchanged between the transceiver interrogator and the transponder. In such situations even though the detector may properly detect the vehicle and send the appropriate activation signal because of radio frequency interference the system still might not determine the vehicle has the appropriate authorization code and admit the vehicle. In these situations the override button will allow the driver of the vehicle to resend the encoded signal and thus successfully open the gate without having to back up and drive forward to trigger the detection mechanism again.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  provides a flow chart of a preferred method or process of the system that incorporates the present invention. If the entry system is functioning properly upon the approach of a vehicle and its entry into the detection area of the detection device the vehicle is detected  81 . Upon detecting the vehicle  82  the detection unit signals the transceiver interrogator to generate an activation signal  83 . The transceiver interrogator then broadcasts an activation signal  84 . The activation signal is received by the transponder on the vehicle  85 . The transponder then broadcasts the encoded signal  86 . The encoded signal is received by the transceiver interrogator and if successfully decoded  87  the vehicle is identified  88 . Finally, the gate opening mechanism once activated by a gate open signal allows the vehicle to have access to the restricted area  89 . As note above sometimes the detection device does not detect the presence of the vehicle  82  and if this is the case the vehicle operator can push the override button  90  on the transponder which in turn prompts the transponder to broadcast the encoded signal  86 . If the encoded signal is successfully received and decoded at step  87  and  88  step  89  follows with the gate opening.  
         [0026]     Additionally, if at step  87  the encoded signal is not received properly, the vehicle operator can push the override button and again initiate the final sequence of steps  86 ,  87 ,  88  and  89 . Also, if the signal is received but the code has some how become scrambled due to radio frequency interference or for some other reason and it is not been properly identified at step  88  then the vehicle operator can push override button  90  to initiate the final steps of  86 ,  87 ,  88  and  89 . Thus, the override button gives the vehicle operator control over the gate opening system to the extent that he or she can easily override the automated system when it fails to operate properly, and without undue effort or frustration assist the system in overcoming the difficulties it is experiencing. These problems as noted above can be from a variety of sources.  
         [0027]     Those of ordinary skill in the art, once they have perused this specification and understand the concepts of the present invention should be able to practice the concepts of the present invention and implement it without undue experimentation. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention discuss use of the invention is a system used to allow entry of motor vehicles, such as cars, trucks etc. the system can easily be extended to other secure area entry systems that rely on a similar system.  
         [0028]     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.