Delay-based access control apparatus and method

摘要

An access control mechanism such as a movable barrier operator ( 70 ) has a first time window unit ( 72 ) that is responsive to one or more triggers ( 71 ) (such as a delayed-closure button). An event detector ( 73 ) then monitors for one or more events of interest during a corresponding first time window. For example, the event detector can monitor for evidence that a vehicle is moving towards a garage exit or has effected an exit from the garage. A second time window unit ( 74 ) responsive at least to the event detector and optionally as well to the first time window unit then responds with a second time window. Upon conclusion of the second time window, a movable barrier closer ( 75 ) initiates movement of the corresponding movable barrier towards a closed position (or other position of interest).