Dock door access apparatus

A warehouse dock door control system comprising:

• a system controller;
• an interior side unit;
• and
• an exterior side unit comprising a token detector configured to detect and identify a token, the token having unique identification data associated therewith;
• wherein:
• the token detector includes a plurality of token receiving slots configured to detect the token and read the identification data associated therewith, once the token is inserted into one of the plurality of token receiving slots, wherein one of the plurality of token receiving slots is a slot position indicating a live load operation is to be performed, and another of the plurality of token receiving slots is a slot position indicating a drop load operation is to be performed;
• and
• the system controller is configured to:
• use the identification data to determine whether the token is an authorized token upon being inserted into one of the plurality of token receiving slots;
• in response to the inserted token being authorized, send a signal to the interior side unit to authorise opening of the dock door;
• and,
• receive a signal confirming that unloading and/or loading is complete and that the dock door is closed, and, in response, communicate with the exterior side unit to authorise movement of the trailer away from the dock door;
• wherein the system has:
• a first, ‘live load’ mode operation, wherein the token is associated with a vehicle tractor unit, when the token has been inserted into the slot position indicating a live load operation is to be performed;
• and
• a second, ‘drop load’ mode operation, wherein the token is associated with one or more of:
• an authorized user;
• a lock or other device configured to inhibit removal of a trailer from the bay;
• and
• a transmitter connected to a device configured to determine whether a trailer is connected to a tractor unit,
• when the token has been inserted into the slot position indicating a drop load operation is to be performed.