Systems and methods for controlling access to a secured area

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for controlling access to a secured area are disclosed. A moveable barrier at an entry point to the secured area may include one or more light arrays affixed to a front surface of the barrier to provide information to persons proximate to the bather using one or more illumination patterns. A programmable logic controller in communication with the one or more light arrays may select a pattern of illumination for the one or more light arrays. A rear light array affixed to a rear surface of the barrier may be configured by the programmable logic controller to duplicate illumination patterns selected for the one or more light arrays affixed to the front surface of the barrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of support members positioned in parallel, each support member having a top distal end and a bottom distal end;   a surface foundation comprising a pivot point allowing movement of each of the plurality of support members along a plane parallel to the surface foundation;   a beam positioned perpendicular to an entry point, wherein the top distal end of each of the plurality of support members is joined to the beam;   a plurality of light-emitting diodes affixed to the beam; and   a programmable logic controller in communication with the plurality of light-emitting diodes, wherein the programmable logic controller is configured to cause the plurality of light-emitting diodes to illuminate individually, collectively, or in one or more pre-configured patterns.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light-emitting diodes comprises a first group of independently operable light-emitting diodes and a second group of independently operable light-emitting diodes. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first group of independently operable light-emitting diodes is mounted to a front surface of the beam. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second group of independently operable light-emitting diodes is mounted to a rear surface of the beam. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second group of independently operable light-emitting diodes is configured to illuminate a mirror image pattern of each of the one or more pre-configured patterns. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light-emitting diodes are situated in an array comprising:
 a first channel member comprising:
 a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side situated in parallel; and 
 a longitudinal rear joining the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, thereby creating a first longitudinal space; 
 and 
   a second channel member comprising:
 a top longitudinal side and a lower longitudinal side situated in parallel; and 
 a longitudinal front joining the top longitudinal side and the lower longitudinal side, thereby creating a second longitudinal space, wherein the second channel member is situated inside the first longitudinal space with the longitudinal front facing an opposite direction relative to the longitudinal rear, thereby creating an enclosed longitudinal space. 
   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of independently operable light-emitting diodes are affixed to the longitudinal front of the second channel member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable logic controller is further configured to cause each of the plurality of support members to move along the plane parallel to the surface foundation to a position such that the beam does not obstruct access to the entry point. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable logic controller is further configured to cause each of the plurality of support members to move along the plane to a position such that the beam obstructs access to the entry point. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable logic controller can be operated remotely by a user. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 causing, by a programmable logic controller, a barrier to move into a position that obstructs access to an entry point, wherein the barrier comprises one or more light arrays mounted to the barrier, and wherein each of the one or more light arrays comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes;   determining, based on data received from one or more sensors proximate to the barrier, that an object is approaching the entry point;   selecting, by the programmable logic controller, at least one illumination pattern of a plurality of illumination patterns; and   causing, by the programmable logic controller, the plurality of programmable light-emitting diodes to illuminate according to the selected at least one illumination pattern.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the barrier comprises:
 a plurality of support members, each comprising a top distal end and a bottom distal end;   a surface foundation comprising a pivot point allowing movement of each of the plurality of support members along a plane parallel to the surface foundation, wherein the bottom distal end of each of the plurality of support members is joined to the barrier, wherein the barrier is positioned perpendicular to the entry point.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein causing the barrier to move into the position that obstructs access to the entry point comprises causing each of the plurality of support members to move along the plane parallel to the surface foundation into a position such that the beam obstructs access to the entry point. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising causing the barrier to permit access to the entry point by causing each of the plurality of support members to move along the plane parallel to the surface foundation into a position such that the beam does not obstruct access to the entry point. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the plurality of light emitting diodes are affixed to a rear surface of the barrier, and wherein the programmable logic controller is configured to cause the portion of the plurality of light emitting diodes to illuminate a mirror image of the selected at least one illumination pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sensors are motion detection sensors. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sensors are weight sensors. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sensors are loop induction sensors. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one illumination pattern is selected by a user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one illumination is selected by the programmable logic controller based on a determination that the object approaching the entry point is a vehicle.