Extending barrier arm operator system and method

1. A moveable barrier operator system comprising:

an elongated barrier arm which moves parallel to the ground from a housing which is fixed in relation to the ground, the elongated arm having a longitudinal axis, the elongated barrier arm moving in a telescoping manner along the longitudinal axis only in a direction generally parallel to the ground;

a safety sensor coupled to the elongated barrier arm, the safety sensor configured to detect obstructions generally along the direction of horizontal movement of the elongated barrier arm;

a motor coupled to the telescoping barrier arm for extending the elongated barrier arm from a retracted position to an extended position and retracting the elongated barrier arm from the extended position to the retracted position;

an interface that is configured to receive control signals, the control signals selected from the group consisting of radio frequency (RF) control signals, control signals from a magnetic loop, and control signals received via a hardwired connection; and

a controller coupled to the motor, the safety sensor, and the interface for selectively activating the motor to extend and retract the arm, the controller activating the motor according to the control signals received from the interface.

2. The movable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the elongated barrier arm includes a proximal end and a distal end and the safety sensor is disposed at the distal end of the arm and is configured to sense obstructions located in a generally forward direction of movement of the elongated barrier arm.

3. The moveable barrier operator system of claim 1 comprising a detector for automatically detecting a power outage.

4. The moveable barrier operator system of claim 3 wherein the controller is programmed to actuate the motor upon detection of a power outage and performing an arm function selected from a group comprising retracting the elongated barrier arm, holding the elongated barrier arm in a current position, and extending the elongated barrier arm.

5. The moveable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the controller retracts the elongated barrier arm upon detection of a predetermined condition.

6. The moveable barrier operator of claim 5 wherein the predetermined condition is a detection of a collision with the user.

7. The moveable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the controller operates the elongated barrier arm in a fail-secure mode that excludes users from entering a secure area protected by the operator upon detection of a predetermined condition.

8. The moveable barrier operator system of claim 7 wherein the predetermined condition is a detection of an unauthorized attempt to gain entry to the secure area.

9. The moveable barrier operator system of claim 1 wherein the motor drives the elongated barrier arm with a spring.

10. The moveable barrier operator system of claim 1 comprising a manual override mechanism to manually override actions of the controller.

11. A method of providing entry protection for a secure area comprising:

providing an elongated barrier arm, the elongated arm having a longitudinal axis;

moving the elongated barrier arm parallel to the ground from a housing that is in fixed relation to the ground, the elongated barrier arm moving in a telescoping manner along the longitudinal axis only in a direction generally parallel to the ground;

receiving control signals, the control signals selected from the group consisting of radio frequency (RE) control signals, control signals received from a magnetic loop, and control signals received via a hardwired connection; and

selectively extending and retracting the telescoping arm from a retracted position to an extended position and vice versa using a motor according to the received control signals; and detecting obstructions generally along the direction of movement of the telescoping barrier arm.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the elongated barrier arm includes a proximal end and a distal end and further comprising disposing the safety sensor at the distal end of the arm and sensing obstructions located in a generally forward direction of movement of the elongated barrier arm.

13. The method of claim 11 comprising automatically detecting a power outage.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising actuating the motor upon detection of a power outage and responsively performing an arm function selected from a group comprising retracting the elongated barrier arm, holding the elongated barrier arm in a current position, and extending the elongated barrier arm.

15. The method of claim 11 comprising retracting the elongated barrier arm upon detection of a predetermined condition.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the predetermined condition is a detection of a collision with the user.

17. The method of claim 11 comprising operating the elongated barrier arm in a fail-secure mode that excludes users from entering a secure area protected by the operator upon detection of a predetermined condition.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the predetermined condition is a detection of an unauthorized attempt to gain entry to the secure area.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein extending and retracting the elongated barrier arm comprises driving the elongated barrier arm with a spring.

20. The method of claim 11 comprising providing a manual override mechanism to manually override actions of the system.

21. A moveable barrier operator system comprising:

an elongated barrier arm, the elongated arm having a longitudinal axis, the elongated barrier arm moving in a telescoping manner along the longitudinal axis only in a direction generally parallel to the ground;

a safety sensor coupled to the elongated barrier arm, the safety sensor configured to detect obstructions generally along the direction of horizontal movement of the elongated barrier arms;

a motor coupled to the elongated barrier arm for extending the elongated barrier arm from a retracted position to an extended position and retracting the elongated barrier arm from the extended position to the retracted position; and

a controller coupled to the motor and the secondary safety device for automatically activating the motor to extend and retract the elongated barrier arm when the obstruction is detected by the safety sensor.