Access control and security alarm apparatus and method
First Claim
1. Access control and security alarm apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors activated in response to predetermined conditions;
an alarm indicator;
control means for activating said alarm indicator upon activation of at least one of said sensors; and
a master reset input device for selectively placing said control means into a normal mode wherein said alarm indicator remains activated independent of the condition of said sensors, and into a master reset mode wherein if said alarm indicator has been activated, said control means deactivates said indicator when all of said sensors are deactivated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Access control and security alarm apparatus protects a building including a plurality of protection zones and an electrically locked door. The electrically locked door can be associated with any of the zones without re-wiring. Each zone can be operated to an autosecure condition wherein the zone, after being switched from a secure mode to an access mode to permit authorized entry, is automatically switched back to the secure mode without further action by the user. The apparatus can also be operated to a master reset mode wherein an alarm signal generated in response to activation of a sensor is immediately reset upon deactivation of the sensor to permit the system including each sensor to be conveniently tested by a single operator.
41 Citations
23 Claims
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1. Access control and security alarm apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors activated in response to predetermined conditions; an alarm indicator; control means for activating said alarm indicator upon activation of at least one of said sensors; and a master reset input device for selectively placing said control means into a normal mode wherein said alarm indicator remains activated independent of the condition of said sensors, and into a master reset mode wherein if said alarm indicator has been activated, said control means deactivates said indicator when all of said sensors are deactivated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Access control and security alarm apparatus responsive to control signals, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of sensors activated in response to predetermined conditions and defining a protective zone; an alarm indicator; control means connected to said sensors and said alarm indicator for responding to said control signals by placing said apparatus in an access mode preventing activation of said alarm indicator upon activation of said sensors or in a secure mode wherein activation of one or more of said sensors will result in activation of said alarm indicator, and for responding to an autosecure control signal by immediately placing said apparatus in said secure mode if one of said sensors are activated or, if one or more of said sensors are activated at the time of receipt of asid autosecure control signal, placing said apparatus in said secure mode, when all sensors become inactive; and a central station outside said protective zone and a communication channel connecting said central station including means for generating and transmitting said autosecure control signal to said control means. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. Access control and security alarm apparatus associated with a remotely operated access control system including an entry authorization device for generating an entry request signal upon operation by a person desiring entry, an electrically locked door selectively operable between a locked condition preventing entry and an unlocked condition permitting entry, and a door position indicator activated upon opening of an associated door, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of sensors activated in response to a predetermined condition, said sensors connected in groups to form protective zones; a plurality of alarm indicators each associated with one of said zones; control means for detecting activation of said sensors and for activating the alarm indicator associated with the zone containing an activated sensor; and means for selectively coupling said remotely operated access control system with any of said zones such that unauthorized opening of an associated door causes said control means to activate the alarm indicator associated with said coupled zone. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for testing access control and security alarm apparatus which includes a plurality of sensors activated in response to predetermined condition and a control device which causes an alarm signal upon activation of the sensors, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating a signal to switch a control device from a normal mode, wherein an alarm signal resulting from activation of a sensor continues until either a predetermined time period expires or a reset signal is generated, to a master reset mode, wherein an alarm signal resulting from activation of a sensor continues only so long as one or more sensors remain activated, activating a first sensor and testing the production of an alarm signal in response thereto, deactivating the first sensor to terminate production of the alarm signal, and repeating the steps of activating and deactivating for each sensor in the system being tested, whereby proper production of an alarm signal in response to activation of each sensor can be verified. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for providing security to a protected area having at least one entry point and protected by an alarm system having a master control device located in proximity to the protected area and a central station remotely located from the master control device and connected thereto over a communication channel, and in which an alarm signal is generated only when the system has been placed in both an arm mode and a secure mode, said method comprising the steps of:
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placing the system in an arm mode and a secure mode; removing the system from the secure mode upon request for an authorized entry to the protected area, whereby an entry to the protected area will not result in generation of an alarm signal; and automatically reestablishing the secure mode after expiration of a predetermined delay period following removal of the system from the secure mode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. Access control and security alarm apparatus responsive to control signals, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of sensors activated in response to predetermined conditions; an alarm indicator; and control means connected to said sensors and said alarm indicator for responding to a first one of said control signals by placing said apparatus in an access mode preventing activation of said alarm indicator upon activation of said sensors, for responding to a second one of said control signals by placing said apparatus in a secure mode wherein activation of one or more of said sensors will result in activation of said alarm indicator, and for responding to a third one of said secure mode if none of said sensors are activated or, if one or more of said sensors are activated at the time of receipt of said third control signals, placing said apparatus in said secure mode when all sensors become inactive, said control means, after receipt of said third control signal and after receipt of said first control signal, placing said apparatus in said secure mode a predetermined time period after receipt of said first control signal if none of said sensors are activated and for placing said apparatus in said secure mode when all of said sensors become deactivated if at least one of said sensors was activated at the expiration of said predetermined time period.
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Specification