COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH PREMISES ACCESS MONITORING

• US 3,814,841 A
• Filed: 10/02/1972
• Issued: 06/04/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward M. Ulicki
• Original Assignee: Edward M. Ulicki
• Inventors: Ulicki, Edward M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hubler, Malcolm F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Buczinski, S. C.
• Application Number:
  US05/294,310
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 178/5.1,DIG.13 325/308 235/61.11E 340/149A,274,258B,149R
• US Class Current: 725/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/186 using light guides, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17363 at or near the user terminal

Abstract

A communication system by which a plurality of substantially simultaneously transmitted different subscription programs may be selectively individually displayed on a common display channel provides premises access monitoring in addition to such display. A multiplexed communication signal containing a plurality of different program information signals and a plurality of command signals is provided to a plurality of display devices which are capable of substantially simultaneously displaying different selected program information displays from the plurality of such signals in response to selected program information signals. Each display device has an associated means for controlling the selection of these programs which is connected to a common condition responsive means, such as a computer. The control means includes means for demultiplexing the communication signal and for generating a given program information selection control signal in response to a uniquely identified command signal which control signal, when mixed with the demultiplexed plurality of subscription program information signals, provides the selected one at the frequency of the common display channel. The computer and common communication signal path thereto are utilized to provide premises access monitoring, in which instance an optical card reader utilizing fiber optics provides input conditions to the computer indicative of both the status of the door to the premises and the authorization of the entrant, a randomly selected insertable card providing the information to the computer through the reader. Such reader may employ a modulated light source, light polarization, or space and/or time diversity in order to increase the security of the reader. In addition, a pair of separate input devices, such as a card reader and a door position sensor may be utilized for such monitoring.

Claims

1. A system for providing secure subscription communication and premises access monitoring wherein said system selectively provides a display of program information from a first multiplexed communication signal containing a plurality of different program information signals and at least one command signal, said system comprising at least a first display means for displaying said selected program information in response to one of said selected program information signals, said display means having a display signal path over which said program information signals are provided, a common display channel having an associated predetermined signal frequency and a common command signal path;

a first control means operatively connected to said first display means via said display signal path; and

a first condition responsive means operatively connected to said first control means via a common communication signal path, said first multiplexed communication signal being provided to said first control means via said commuNication signal path, said first condition responsive means providing said command signal;

said first control means including an associated first signal separation means for separating said first multiplexed communication signal into said plurality of program information signals and said command signal, an associated program information selection control signal generating means operatively connected to said associated first signal separating means for providing a program selection control signal in response to an associated unique command signal from said first condition responsive means, said program selection control signal generating means associated with said first control means generating a first selection control signal in response to said first control means associated unique command signal, and an associated first signal operating means operatively connected to said associated first signal separating means and said program selection control signal generating means for operating on said plurality of program information signals with said associated program selection control signal for providing said selected one of said program information signals to said display means at said associated common display signal frequency via said display signal path, said first selection control signal operating on said plurality of program information signals to provide said selected program information signal to said first display means for providing said selected display, whereby a plurality of substantially simultaneously transmitted different programs may be selectively individually displayed on said common display channel; and

said system further comprises means operatively connected to said first condition responsive means via said communication signal path to provide a first identity code input condition and a second access status input condition thereto, said first condition responsive means providing an alert output signal condition in response to said first and second input conditions when said input conditions are provided thereto and said first input condition does not correspond to a predetermined authorized identity code signal, whereby an alert to unauthorized entry of an access monitored premises may be provided.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said access monitored premises has a means for obtaining physical access to said premises, said input condition providing means comprises an identity code input means operatively connected to said first condition responsive means via said communication signal path to provide said first identity code input condition and an access status monitoring means operatively connected to said first condition responsive means via said communication signal path to provide said second status input condition, said access status monitoring means comprising bistable means having an accessed condition and an unaccessed condition, said access status input condition being provided in said accessed condition, said bistable means being operatively connected to said physical access obtaining means and to said first condition responsive means via said communication signal path for providing said access status input condition thereto, and said identity code input means comprising card reader means, said identity code being contained on a card means insertable in said reader means, said reader means being operatively connected to said first condition responsive means via said communication signal path for providing said first input condition thereto in response to said identity code of an inserted card means, only one identity code corresponding to said predetermined authorized identity code signal.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said input condition providing means comprises card reader means, said card reader means comprising at least a first and a second portion, said reader portions being separate and distinct from each other and spaced apart from one another, said spaced apart portions being optically interconnecteD with each other, said first portion having means therein for receiving an optically readable card means having an identity code contained thereon at a reading position, said identity code being optically readable, said second portion including means for illuminating said optically readable card means at said reading position, said first and second portions being optically aligned, at least one of said portions including means optically aligned with said reading position and responsive to said illuminated card means for providing a signal indicative of said optically readable identity code as said first identity code input condition, said signal providing portion being operatively connected to said first condition responsive means via said communication signal path for providing said first input condition thereto.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second portion includes means for modulating the output of said illuminating means for providing a modulated source of illumination for said card means.

5. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said second portion includes first means for polarizing the output of said illuminating means for providing a first predetermined initial polarization for said modulated source of illumination for said card means.

6. A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said optically readable identity code comprises a plurality of optically readable information bits at said code reading position, each of said bits having a bit reading position, said first portion comprising a first fiber optic array having a fiber optic branch optically aligned with each of said bit reading positions and a fiber optic branch optically aligned with said source of illumination for illuminating each of said bit reading positions.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein at least one of said first fiber optic array branches includes second means for polarizing said initially polarized illumination provided to said branch for providing a second predetermined polarization thereto different from said initially provided polarization.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said first portion further comprises a second fiber optic array having a plurality of fiber optic branches each optically aligned at one end with a corresponding branch of said first fiber optic array at said bit reading positions and spaced therefrom, said card means being insertable between said optically aligned first and second fiber optic arrays, said information bits being provided in response to the appearance gf apertures at said bit reading positions, said optically read information bits being provided through said second fiber optic array.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second portion includes means responsive to said illuminated card means for providing said signal indicative of said optically readable identity code, the opposite ends of said second fiber optic array branches being optically aligned with said responsive means for providing said optically read bits to said responsive means. 10 . A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said responsive means comprises at least one light filter means responsive to only said second predetermined polarization of said illumination, whereby an alert to unauthorized entry of an access monitored premises may be provided.

11. A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said responsive means further comprises at least one other light filter means responsive to only said first predetermined polarization of said illumination.

12. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second portion includes first means for polarizing the output of said illuminating means for providing a first predetermined initial polarization for said modulated source of illumination for said card means.

13. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said optically readable identity code comprises a plurality of optically readable information bits at said code reading position, each of sAid bits having a bit reading position, said first portion comprising a first fiber optic array having a fiber optic branch optically aligned with each of said bit reading positions and a fiber optic branch optically aligned with said source of illumination for illuminating each of said bit reading positions.

14. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein said first portion further comprises a second fiber optic array having a plurality of fiber optic branches each optically aligned at one end with a corresponding branch of said first fiber optic array at said bit reading positions and spaced therefrom, said card means being insertable between said optically aligned first and second fiber optic arrays, said information bits being provided in response to the appearance of apertures at said bit reading positions, said optically read information bits being provided through said second fiber optic array.

15. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said illuminating means comprises first and second illuminating sources for illiminating said card means at said reading position, said optically readable identity code comprising a plurality of optically readable information bits at said code reading position, said first portion comprising a first fiber optic array having a fiber optic branch optically aligned with each of said bit reading positions and a fiber optic branch optically aligned with each of said sources of illumination in a first predetermined orientation for illuminating each of said bit positions;

each illuminating source only illuminating a portion of the total plurality of bit reading positions.

16. A system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said first portion further comprises a second fiber optic array having a plurality of fiber optic branches each optically aligned at one end with a corresponding branch of said first optic array at said bit reading positions and spaced therefrom, said card means being insertable between said optically aligned first and second fiber optic arrays, said information bits being provided in response to the appearance of apertures at said bit reading positions, said optically read information bits being provided through said second fiber optic array;

and said second portion includes means responsive to said illuminated card means for providing said signal indicative of said optically readable identity code, the opposite ends of said second fiber optic array branches being optically aligned with said responsive means in a different predetermined orientation from said first predetermined orientation for providing said optically read bits to said responsive means in accordance with said different orientation whereby space diversity for said information bits may be provided.

17. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said second portion includes means for modulating the output of at least one of said illuminating sources.

18. A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said second portion further includes switch means operatively connected between said modulating means and each of said illuminating sources for alternatively connecting said modulating means to one of said illuminating means for alternatively modulating the output thereof whereby time diversity for said information bits is provided.

19. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said illuminating means comprises a light emitting diode.

20. A premises access monitoring system for providing monitoring information to a condition responsive means via a communication signal path comprising means operatively connected to said condition responsive means via said communication signal path to provide a first identity code input condition and a second status input condition thereto, said condition responsive means enabling access to an access monitored premises while providing an alert output signal condition in response to said first and second input conditions when said input conditions are provided thereto and said first input condition doEs not correspond to a predetermined authorized identity code signal whereby an alert to unauthorized entry of said access monitored premises may be provided, said input condition providing means comprising card reader means, said card reader means comprising at least a first and a second portion, said reader portions being separate and distinct from each other and spaced apart from one another, said spaced apart portions being optically interconnected with each other, said first portion having means therein for receiving an optically readable card means having an identity code contained thereon at a reading position, said identity code being optically readable, said second portion including means for illuminating said optically readable card means at said reading position and means for modulating the output of said illuminating means with a predetermined time varying modulation function for providing a time varying modulated source of illumination for said card means, said first and second portions being optically aligned, at least one of said portions including means optically aligned with said reading position and responsive to said illuminated card means time varying modulation function for providing a signal indicative of said optically readable identity code as said first identity code input condition, said signal providing portion being operatively connected to said condition responsive means via said communication signal path for providing said first input condition thereto.

21. A premises access monitoring system for providing monitoring information to a condition responsive means via a communication signal path comprising means operatively connected to said condition responsive means via said communication signal path to provide a first identity code input condition and a second status input condition thereto, said condition responsive means providing an alert output signal condition in response to said first and second input conditions when said input conditions are provided thereto and said first input condition does not correspond to a predetermined authorized identity code signal whereby an alert to unauthorized entry of an access monitored premises may be provided, said input condition providing means comprising card reader means, said card reader means comprising at least a first and a second portion, said reader portions being separate and distinct from each other and spaced apart from one another. said spaced apart portions being optically interconnected with each other, said first portion having means therein for receiving an optically readable card means having an identity code contained thereon at a reading position, said identity code being optically readable, said second portion including means for illuminating said optically readable card means at said reading position, means for modulating the output of said illuminating means with a predetermined time varying modulation function for providing a time varying modulated source of illumination for said card means and first means for polarizing the output of said illuminating means for providing a first predetermined initial polarization for said modulated source of illumination for said card means, said first and second portions being optically aligned, at least one of said portions including means optically aligned with said reading position and responsive to said illuminated card means time varying function for providing a signal indicative of said optically readable identity code as said first identity code input condition, said signal providing portion being operatively connected to said condition responsive means via said communication signal path for providing said first input condition thereto.

22. A system in accordance with claim 21 wherein said optically readable identity code comprises a plurality of optically readable information bits at said code reading position, each of said bits having a bit reading position, said first portion comprising a first fiber optic array having a Fiber optic branch optically aligned with each of said bit reading positions and a fiber optic branch optically aligned with said source of illumination for illuminating each of said bit reading positions.

23. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein at least one of said first fiber optic array branches includes second means for polarizing said initially polarized illumination provided to said branch for providing a second predetermined polarization thereto different from said initially provided polarization.

24. A system in accordance with claim 23 wherein said first portion further comprises a second fiber optic array having a plurality of fiber optic branches each optically aligned at one end with a corresponding branch of said first fiber optic array at said bit reading positions and spaced therefrom, said card means being insertable between said optically aligned first and second fiber optic arrays, said information bits being provided in response to the appearance of apertures as said bit reading positions, said optically read information bits being provided through said second fiber optic array.

25. A system in accordance with claim 24 wherein said second portion includes means responsive to said illuminated card means for providing said signal indicative of said optically readable identity code, the opposite ends of said second fiber optic array branches being optically aligned with said responsive means for providing said optically read bits to said responsive means.

26. A system in accordance with claim 25 wherein said responsive means comprises at least one light filter means responsive to only said second predetermined polarization of said illumination, whereby an alert to unauthorized entry of an access monitored premises may be provided.

27. A system in accordance with claim 26 wherein said responsive means further comprises at least one other light filter means responsive to only said first predetermined polarization of said illumination.

28. A premises access monitoring system for providing monitoring information to a condition responsive means via a communication signal path comprising means operatively connected to said condition responsive means via said communication signal path to provide a first identity code input condition and a second status input condition thereto, said condition responsive means providing an alert output signal condition in response to said first and second input conditions when said input conditions are provided thereto and said first input condition does not correspond to a predetermined authorized identity code signal whereby an alert to unauthorized entry of an access monitored premises may be provided, said input condition providing means comprising card reader means, said card reader means comprising at least a first and a second portion, said reader portions being separate and distinct from each other and spaced apart from one another, said spaced apart portions being optically interconnected with each other, said first portion having means therein for receiving an optically readable card means having an identity code contained thereon at a reading position, said identity code being optically readable, said second portion including means for illuminating said optically readable card means at said reading position and means for modulating the output of said illuminating means with a predetermined time varying modulation function for providing a time varying modulated source of illumination for said card means, said first and second portions being optically aligned, said optically readable identity code comprising a plurality of optically readable information bits at said code reading position, each of said bits having a bit reading position, said first portion comprising a first fiber optic array having a fiber optic branch optically aligned with each of said bit reading positions and a fiber optic branch optically aligned with said source of illumination for illuminating each of said bit reading positions, at least oNe of said portions including means optically aligned with said first fiber optic array and responsive to said illuminated card means time varying modulation function for providing a signal indicative of said optically readable identity code as said first identity code input condition, said signal providing portion being operatively connected to said condition responsive means via said communication signal path for providing said first input condition thereto.

29. A system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said first portion further comprises a second fiber optic array having a plurality of fiber optic branches each optically aligned at one end with a corresponding branch of said first fiber optic array at said bit reading positions and spaced therefrom, said card means being insertable between said optically aligned first and second fiber optic arrays, said information bits being provided in response to the appearance of apertures at said bit reading positions, said optically read information bits being provided through said second fiber optic array.

30. A premises access monitoring system for providing monitoring information to a condition responsive means via a communication signal path comprising means operatively connected to said condition responsive means via said communication signal path to provide a first identity code input condition and a second status input condition thereto, said condition responsive means providing an alert output signal condition in response to said first and second input conditions when said input conditions are provided thereto and said first input condition does not correspond to a predetermined authorized identity code signal whereby an alert to unauthorized entry of an access monitored premises may be provided, said input condition providing means comprising card reader means, said card reader means comprising at least a first and a second portion, said reader portions being separate and distinct from each other and spaced apart from one another, said spaced apart poritons being optically interconnected with each other, said first portion having means therein for receiving an optically readable card means having an identity code contained thereon at a reading position, said identity code being optically readable, said second portion including means for illuminating said optically readable card means at said reading position and means for modulating the output of said illuminating means with a predetermined time varying modulation function for providing a time varying modulated source of illumination for said card means, said first and second portions being optically aligned said illuminating means comprising first and second illuminating sources for illuminating said card means at said reading position, said optically readable identity code comprising a plurality of optically readable information bits at said code reading position, said first portion comprising a first fiber optic array having a fiber optic branch optically aligned with each of said bit reading positions and a fiber optic branch optically aligned with each of said sources of illumination in a first predetermined orientation for illuminating each of said bit positions, each illuminating source only illuminating a portion of the total plurality of bit reading positions, said modulating means modulating the output of at least one of said illuminating sources, at least one of said portions including means optically aligned with said first fiber optic array and responsive to said illuminated card means time varying modulation function for providing a signal indicative of said optically readable identity code as said first identity code input condition, said signal providing portion being operatively connected to said condition responsive means via said communication signal path for providing said first input condition thereto.

31. A system in accordance with claim 30 wherein said first portion further comprises a second fiber optic array having a plurality of fiber optic brancheS each optically aligned at one end with a corresponding branch of said first optic array at said bit reading positions and spaced therefrom, said card means being insertable between said optically aligned first and second fiber optic arrays, said information bits being provided in response to the appearance of apertures at said bit reading positions, said optically read information bits being provided through said second fiber optic array;

and said second portion includes means responsive to said illuminated card means for providing said signal indicative of said optically readable identity code, the opposite ends of said second fiber optic array branches being optically aligned with said responsive means in a different predetermined orientation from said first predetermined orientation for providing said optically read bits to said responsive means in accordance with said different orientation whereby space diversity for said information bits may be provided.

32. A system in accordance with claim 31 wherein said second portion further includes switch means operatively connected between said modulating means and each of said illuminating sources for alternatively connecting said modulating means to one of said illuminating means for alternatively modulating the output thereof whereby time diversity for said information bits is provided.