Method and apparatus for communication with a gate entry controller and providing secure communication

• US 20030112939A1
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Hom, Wayne C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,882,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/160
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0291 Door telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones

Abstract

A security system and method is disclosed for use with a security gate entry system that uses a telephone or other communication system at a security gate for communication by a person seeking entry into the secure area with a residence or other unit in the secure area. When a person seeking entry to a limited access area calls on the voice communication system, provided at a security gate entry system a residence or other unit within the secure complex the party answering the call has the option of disguising or altering the voice characteristics of the person answering the call. The system in a preferred embodiment shifts the audio characteristics of a female or child'"'"'s voice to that of an adult male.

Claims

1. An audio security system for a barrier entry communication system comprising:

a) a movable security barrier that limits access to a restricted area to persons having appropriate authorization to enter the secured area;

b) a barrier security apparatus operable to open said security barrier on activation after appropriate authorization;

c) a first voice communication device located at said security barrier and whereby an individual at said security barrier desiring access to the restricted area can contact a location capable of granting authorization to enter the restricted area through said barrier;

d) a second voice communication device at a location within said restricted access area capable of granting authorization to enter, operatively connected to said first voice communication device; and

e) a voice modification mechanism available to said second voice communication device whereby a person at said second communication device when answering a call from said first voice communication device can modify the audio characteristics of a response for security purposes.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the second communication device is a telephone connected to a public telephone system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said telephone connects into a public telephone system through said security system.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein modification of the audio characteristics with said modification mechanisms involves playing a recorded message on receipt of a call by said second voice communication device from said first voice communication device.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein modification of the audio characteristics with said modification mechanism involves changing the tonal qualities of the person speaking on said second communication device to make it appear that the person speaking is an adult.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein modification of the audio characteristics with said modification mechanism involves changing the tonal qualities of the person speaking on said second communication device to make it appear that the person speaking is an adult male.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said barrier is a door.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein s aid barrier is a gate.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein a video image of a person calling from said first communication device is provided to a person using said second communication device.

10. A method for secure communication by an occupant of a restricted area with a person at a gate entry apparatus of the restricted area, the method of communicating comprising the steps of:

a) establishing a voice communication link between a location of an occupant of the secure area with a gate entry apparatus so that a person at said gate entry apparatus can establish a voice link with the occupant; and

b) responding by the occupant to a call from a person at the gate by selecting one of the responses from the following group;

communicating in the normal voice of the occupant, modifying the voice of the occupant in responding and responding with a recorded message.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of modifying the voice of the occupant responding comprises the step of modifying it so that the voice of a child sounds like an adult to the person arriving at the gate.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of modifying the voice of the occupant responding comprises the step of modifying it so that the voices of a child or female sounds like an adult male to the person arriving at the gate.