Other

Doorking, Inc.

Yu Jennifer Cheng

Patrick S Kochie

Thomas R Richmond

Suzanne Richmond

Nadejda V Gueorguieva

Eitan T Bear

Emmanuel G Ceballos

Apparatus and methods for controlling physical access to a location include an entry system including at least one barrier at the physical location, with the barrier configured to selectively permit access into and/or from and/or within the physical location upon proper credentials and/or authorization. A cellular device is connected to or integrated with the entry system and is configured to transmit and receive voice and/or data information to the entry system that includes the credentials and/or authorization. The cellular device can be a retrofit to prior art/installed systems, can be external to an otherwise operational system, and/or can be integrated natively into the entry system. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine the power status and network link state of the cellular device and/or to establish communication through/to same, as well as for the cellular device to be connected to and control a plurality of entry systems and/or barriers. A plurality of entry systems and/or barriers can be controlled by one or more cellular devices, and the usage (and associated billing charges from cellular service providers) on any/all of those cellular devices monitored and selected to optimize (reduce) the expense of any data or other charges imposed by a cellular carrier associated with the cellular device. Optimization can include allocation to the aforementioned voice and/or data cellular plans related to specific of the plurality of entry systems and/or barriers.

Apparatus and methods for entry control over a cellular network

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simplifying and improving the reliability of communication between end users and access control systems such as those that include door and/or gate controllers, tenant access to buildings, and the like. In certain embodiments using an analog modem at the controller end of the system, the corresponding remote analog modem (which communicates with that analog modem at the controller end) is not within the direct control of the end user, and the end user's communicates instead via the user's standard hardware/software for communicating generally, such as via the Internet. Depending on the application, the control data can be maintained and/or synched at any selected combination or sub-combination of several locations: (1) the user's local system; (2) an intermediate server system; and/or (3) the controller end system. Preferred communication connections between the components provide improved ease of installation and use and reliability, as compared to prior art systems in which an end user's analog modem must be configured to directly communicate with a corresponding analog modem on a selected control device (such as a gate or door controller). Corresponding telephone/voice control preferably is also provided within the system, via POTS, a cellular telephone connection, VOIP, etc.

Apparatus and methods for remote control of access to facilities

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simplifying and improving the reliability of communication between end users and access control systems such as those that include door and/or gate controllers, tenant access to buildings, and the like. In certain embodiments using an analog modem at the controller end of the system, the corresponding remote analog modem (which communicates with that analog modem at the controller end) is not within the direct control of the end user, and the end user's communicates instead via the user's standard hardware/software for communicating generally, such as via the Internet. Depending on the application, the control data can be maintained and/or synched at any selected combination or sub-combination of several locations: (1) the user's local system; (2) an intermediate server system; and/or (3) the controller end system. Preferred communication connections between the components provide improved ease of installation and use and reliability, as compared to prior art systems in which an end user's analog modem must be configured to directly communicate with a corresponding analog modem on a selected control device (such as a gate or door controller). Corresponding telephone/voice control preferably is also provided within the system, via POTS, a cellular telephone connection, VoIP, etc.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Monica, CA, United States of America

Yu Jennifer Cheng