Access control apparatus for use with buildings, gated properties and the like
First Claim
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1. An access control apparatus for use with a security system that is operably connected to a telephone system, the access control apparatus comprising:
- an outer housing including a door and defining an interior and an exterior, the exterior of the outer housing including a plurality of outer keys arranged in predetermined locations;
a substantially closed inner housing, defining an interior and an exterior, removably mounted within the interior of the outer housing;
an electronic communication device within the interior of the inner housing and adapted to be operably connected to the telephone system and to the outer keys such that the electronic communication device can be operated with the outer keys;
a microphone operably connected to the communication device and associated with at least one of the outer housing and the inner housing;
a speaker operably connected to the communication device and associated with at least one of the outer housing and the inner housing; and
a visual display associated with at least one of the outer housing and the inner housing and adapted to display an indication of the status of an operation performed by the access control apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An access control apparatus with an outer housing including a door and a plurality of outer keys, a substantially closed inner housing that is removably mounted within the outer housing, and an electronic communication device within the inner housing which is operably connected to a telephone system and to the outer keys.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An access control apparatus for use with a security system that is operably connected to a telephone system, the access control apparatus comprising:
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an outer housing including a door and defining an interior and an exterior, the exterior of the outer housing including a plurality of outer keys arranged in predetermined locations; a substantially closed inner housing, defining an interior and an exterior, removably mounted within the interior of the outer housing; an electronic communication device within the interior of the inner housing and adapted to be operably connected to the telephone system and to the outer keys such that the electronic communication device can be operated with the outer keys; a microphone operably connected to the communication device and associated with at least one of the outer housing and the inner housing; a speaker operably connected to the communication device and associated with at least one of the outer housing and the inner housing; and a visual display associated with at least one of the outer housing and the inner housing and adapted to display an indication of the status of an operation performed by the access control apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of operating an access system, comprising the steps of:
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providing an access control apparatus including a housing having a plurality of keys, an electronic communication device within the housing operably connected to a telephone system and to the outer keys, a microphone operably connected to the communication device, and a speaker operably connected to the communication device; providing at least one peripheral device associated with a lockable entrance; operably connecting the access control apparatus to the peripheral device; operably connecting the access control apparatus to a telephone system; establishing contact with the peripheral device from a remote location by way of the access control device; and performing a service operation concerning the peripheral device from the remote location with the access control device; wherein the step of performing a service operation concerning the peripheral device comprises receiving information transmitted by the peripheral device concerning the status of the peripheral device at the remote location by way of the access control apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification