Apparatus for controlling access rights

Abstract

The device for controlling access permissions in the access area includes a guiding device for forming an access channel for separating people or objects, in which a blocking mechanism and / or a signaling mechanism defines an access threshold. A door controller with a Bluetooth radio interface is capable of reading access permissions from a mobile data carrier, releasing the blocking mechanism and / or signaling mechanism upon successful verification of access permissions, thus enabling separation through the access threshold. Here, the access channel is configured with a multi-phase antenna group whose transmitting / receiving antennas are controlled by a Bluetooth transceiver module via an antenna feed network, forming at least two antenna lobes at different distances from the access threshold when viewed along the access direction. During no-load operation, the door controller (9) continuously transmits short signals (broadcast events) via the antenna lobe (6) at a greater distance from the access threshold (3) when viewed along the access direction and activates the Bluetooth radio interface of any nearby mobile data carrier (1). Each data carrier (1) with access permissions is configured with a unique access identifier (UID or access ID) that can be read by ticket application software activated via the Bluetooth interface. The door controller (9) reads the access identifier via an antenna lobe (5) located at a short distance from the access threshold (3) and measures the received field strength (RSSI) of the signal transmitted by the data carrier (1) on the antenna lobe (5). When the RSSI assessment is positive and the access (UID) verification is positive, the access controller (9) generates a release signal for the blocking mechanism and / or signaling mechanism (12, 13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Ticketing systems are known in various applications, distinguishing between those with access control (gated areas) and those without (inside / outside, Be in / Be out). A combination of these two approaches is also possible.

[0002] Access permissions that enable specific services and / or locations are also known as tickets. Access can be specific in time, location, or value, and can be personal (non-transferable) or transferable. Tickets can typically be stored on media and / or as permissions in a database.

[0003] This invention relates to applications requiring at least partial access control, such as, but not limited to, ski lifts. For ski lifts, the entrance is typically organized into one or more access channels by a mechanical guidance system, wherein a ticket reader is provided in each access channel. The ticket reader detects the ticket of the person entering, checks access rights, and, upon confirmation, outputs a release signal to a barrier located in the access channel. The barrier may be a rotary door, a pivot door, an optical signal, etc. Background Technology

[0004] In the first generation of this ski pass system, barcode tickets or magnetic cards were used as the ticket medium, and the corresponding reading device was an insert-type reader for barcode or magnetic stripe cards.

[0005] To eliminate the maintenance requirements of mechanical reading devices, these devices were subsequently replaced by contactless RFID transponders, in which LF (125kHz) and HF (13.56MHz) are known as RFID technologies, and UHF (900MHz) is also known as an RFID technology in the latest systems.

[0006] A general drawback of ticketing systems with physical ticket media is that they still require both the ticket media and a suitable ticket printer to organize ticket sales. Since the vast majority of customers / accessible individuals now own smartphones, using smartphones as the ticket medium is advantageous. This is already used for airport check-in, where boarding passes are stored in the form of barcodes on smartphones.

[0007] However, this method is unsuitable for applications requiring multiple passes through the entrance (such as on a ski lift). To enter, one must retrieve a smartphone from their pocket, obtain a ticket, and present it to an optical reader. Clearly, the described ski suit operation and the multiple uses of the entrance are overly complex.

[0008] It has also been proposed to use wireless technologies available in smartphones, such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth, for ticket purchases. NFC's range of a few centimeters is too short and therefore inconvenient.

[0009] Bluetooth is a standardized technology for data transmission within the 2.4 GHz ISM band and has been developed to network devices in environments up to 10 meters wide. Bluetooth is particularly used for transmitting audio data. In the first versions of Bluetooth, power consumption was very high, but this was improved with further development starting with version 4 (Bluetooth Low Energy). Recently, newer versions of Bluetooth below 5.x that also offer location functionality have become available. However, the location functionality is both immature and included only in a very limited number of smartphone models. Bluetooth as a communication channel between mobile data carriers (tickets) and reading devices in access channels has not yet been fully realized. One reason for this is that a higher range cannot guarantee that the correct person's (smartphone's) data will be read and processed.

[0010] US PS 10,163,178 describes a system for using a mobile data carrier (smartphone) comprising reading devices for each access channel, wherein each reading device includes a Bluetooth antenna array. A common Bluetooth location transmitter with a large effective range is positioned in front of the reading devices for each access channel. If the mobile data carrier approaches the access control location, it receives a signal from the location transmitter and should transmit its ticket data (registration process) after connection coupling. If the mobile data carrier subsequently arrives at the access door, the Bluetooth antenna array positioned there should determine the carrier's location. For this purpose, the Bluetooth antenna array uses directional antenna lobes and measures the received field strength (RSSI). If the validity check by the location transmitter and the location check by the antenna array in the access door are both positive, the entry is released. The system described herein using Bluetooth in access control has shown in practice to have: insufficient registration capability, excessively long passage times, and serious disruption to the process by personnel who cannot immediately enter upon arrival at the access door. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to enable access control in gated areas using a smartphone or similar mobile medium with simple operation.

[0012] Therefore, the present invention starts with an apparatus for controlling access permissions in an access area, the apparatus having a guiding device for forming an access channel for separating people or objects and a gate controller with a Bluetooth radio interface. A blocking mechanism and / or a signaling mechanism define an access threshold in the access channel. The gate controller reads access permissions from mobile data carriers, wherein, upon successful verification of access permissions, the access controller releases the blocking mechanism and / or the signaling mechanism, thus enabling separation through the access threshold. The access channel is configured with a multi-phase antenna group, the transmitting / receiving antennas of which are controlled by a Bluetooth transceiver module via an antenna feed network, such that at least two antenna lobes are formed at different distances from the access threshold when viewed along the access direction. According to the invention, the gate controller continuously transmits short signals (broadcast events) via the antenna lobes at larger distances from the access threshold when viewed along the access direction during no-load operation, thus activating the Bluetooth radio interface of nearby mobile data carriers. Each data carrier with access permissions is configured with a single-meaning access identifier (or permission), which can be read via ticket application software that can be activated via Bluetooth service. The door controller determines the UID of the ticket application software via an antenna lobe located at a short distance from the entry threshold and measures the received field strength of the signal transmitted by the data carrier. When the received field strength assessment is positive and the authorization verification is positive, the entry controller generates a release signal for the blocking mechanism and / or signaling mechanism.

[0013] This invention is based on the understanding that, in order to achieve optimal system operation, not only is precise location determination of the data carrier being read necessary, but also, first and foremost, the time flow within the system must be coordinated with the expected behavior of the personnel entering. If the entry door is not immediately released upon arrival, this leads to extreme process disruptions, even complete confusion.

[0014] External intervention in Bluetooth communication is extremely limited, and the timeframe for initiating communication steps is largely predetermined by the operating system. The device and process according to the invention ensure practical functionality corresponding to the desired behavior of the person entering. In other words, the door opens before the person to be controlled reaches the entry threshold.

[0015] Alternatively, the Bluetooth transmitter and receiver determine the release conditions from location information derived from an evaluation of the triangulation values ​​of the antenna array.

[0016] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the Bluetooth antenna array includes at least two, and preferably four, antenna modules arranged at a distance of λ / 2 wavelength from each other when viewed in the approach direction, wherein directional antenna lobes can be generated between the input of the antenna feed network and the antenna modules by means of a switching device and a phase shifter.

[0017] The Bluetooth transceiver controls the switching switches and phase shifters in a multiplexed manner and applies an interrogation signal with a single identifier to the antenna lobes.

[0018] Advantageously, the guiding device defines an entrance channel with a width of less than one meter, preferably 60 cm, and on at least one side of the entrance channel, a Bluetooth antenna group is positioned directly in front of the entrance threshold, preferably within one meter in front of the entrance threshold. The antenna group consists of at least two, preferably four, antenna elements, which are spaced at a center distance of λ / 2 of the wavelength of the Bluetooth frequency when viewed in the entrance direction. An antenna feeding network for powering the antenna elements generates two directional antenna lobes within one meter in front of the entrance threshold, wherein the first antenna lobe is closer to the entrance threshold, while the second antenna lobe is at a greater distance from the entrance threshold when viewed in the entrance direction. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 An angled view shows the access passage used to control access permissions on the ski lift. Figure 2 A schematic top view showing the design scheme for the access passage is provided. Figure 3 Showing the front view from the direction of entry. Figure 4 A block diagram showing important circuit elements is provided, and Figure 5 A block diagram of the antenna feed network is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The general characteristics of Bluetooth technology are described, for example, in "https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Bluetooth_Low_Energy". Bluetooth is a standardized radio transmission method in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, which enables networking of devices within an environment of up to 10 meters. The following description assumes that the communication process of the standard Bluetooth method is known, but is not limited to methods known under this terminology. This invention can also be applied to similar radio communication methods.

[0021] Each mobile data carrier 1 is equipped with a ticket application software (program module) that can be activated via Bluetooth and a permission ID that can be read through it. The permission ID can be a unique number in the system that references actual permission data, such as valid location, valid time period, valid permission value, or valid personnel data. The permission ID can also directly contain some or all of this permission data.

[0022] exist Figure 1The entry passage is shown in a perspective view, with arrow 7 indicating the direction of entry. The entry passage is limited to a width of approximately 60 cm on each side by equipment supports 10 and 11, allowing only one person to enter at a time. The electrically pivotable blocking arms 12 and 13 are in the closed position (see also...). Figure 2 An entry threshold 3 is formed. The space in front of the entry threshold 3 is a waiting or inspection area, and the space behind the threshold should only be accessible with valid entry permissions. Other details regarding this structure are described, for example, in EP1990777. In the configuration shown here, skier 20 is positioned directly in front of the entry threshold 3, and their entry permissions are stored in a smartphone 1 with a Bluetooth interface. This arrangement should ensure separate entry, meaning that data of a second person in the queue should not be used to replace the data of skier 20 who is directly in front of the entry threshold 3.

[0023] As will be explained below, smartphone 1 connects to transmit / receive antenna 2 in the entry channel via its Bluetooth interface. Entry permission is checked, and upon successful verification, blocking arms 12 and 13 pivot in the entry direction and release the entry channel. Skier 20 passes through entry threshold 3, with blocking arms 12 and 13 following closely behind. Closure is triggered by a light grid (not shown) in the entry channel.

[0024] exist Figure 2 The diagram shows a top view of an access passage for personnel. The passage is 60 cm wide and is supported by mechanical guides on both sides, specifically a support column 10 on the left and a support column 11 on the right. Support columns 10 and 11 respectively carry drive mechanisms for blocking arms 12 and 13 (not shown in detail here), which form an entry threshold 3 in the closed state shown. Looking along the entry direction 7, the area in front of the entry threshold 3 is a waiting area for checking and verifying entry permissions. If permission is verified as valid, the blocking arms 12 and 13 pivot along the entry direction; this movement is indicated by dashed arrows in the diagram.

[0025] The equipment support 10 on the left has an antenna carrier plate 14 with a Bluetooth multiphase antenna group 2, which is arranged in front of the entrance threshold 3 at a distance of up to one meter. The Bluetooth multiphase antenna group 2 generates two directional antenna lobes, with the first antenna lobe 5 directly in front of the entrance threshold 3. The second antenna lobe 6 is at a greater distance from the entrance threshold 3 when viewed along the entrance direction.

[0026] Figure 3 The device is shown in a front view along the entrance direction. The equipment supports 12 and 13 are not suspended but fixed to the ground. Furthermore, in Figure 3A variant is shown in which the right-hand device support 11 also has a Bluetooth multiphase antenna array 2. This mirrored design can be advantageous in order to make it easier to detect a smartphone 1 carried on the right side of the user 20's body.

[0027] User 20 (in accordance with) Figure 1 In the example, a skier has a smartphone 1 that can be comfortably carried in a pocket on their body. A ticket application (program application) is installed on smartphone 1, uniquely identifiable via a UUID (Universal Unique Identifier). This UUID is configured with access permissions (tickets). The parameters of the access permissions (i.e., temporal, location-based, personal, and value-based restrictions) can be stored directly in the application, or these parameters can be configured to a UUID in a database and retrieved from there for verification.

[0028] Figure 4 A block diagram of the circuit elements important to this invention is shown. The entry control function is monitored and controlled by an entry controller 9. The entry controller 9 is connected to a Bluetooth transceiver 8, which includes transmit and receive amplifiers for Bluetooth communication. Important for this function is the evaluation of the field strength of the radio signal, i.e., RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). This signal is an indicator of the distance of the smartphone 1 relative to the entry threshold 3.

[0029] The Bluetooth transceiver 8 controls the antenna assembly 2 via the antenna feed network 4. The antenna feed network 4 and the antenna assembly 2 are configured to generate at least two directional antenna lobes 5 and 6. The first antenna lobe 5 is shown in the area directly in front of the entrance threshold 3 when viewed in the entry direction. The second antenna lobe 6 is oriented such that it has a greater distance in front of the entrance threshold 3 when viewed in the entry direction compared to the first antenna lobe 5.

[0030] In the waiting position, the blocking / signaling mechanism 21 is deactivated. The Bluetooth transceiver 8 continuously generates so-called broadcast events and transmits the broadcast events via antenna lobe 6, which is at a considerable distance from the entry threshold 3. If a person now moves into the waiting position, i.e., moves toward the entry threshold 3, their smartphone 1 receives the radio signal via the Bluetooth interface (22) and activates communication readiness.

[0031] If the person (20) continues to move toward the entrance threshold 3, the smartphone 1 reaches the receiving area of ​​the antenna lobe 5 and the door controller 9 retrieves valid data by transmitting the access permission ID via the smartphone 1's ticket application. If the valid data corresponds to the predetermined criteria for entry, the access permission is considered valid.

[0032] Additionally, the door controller 9 evaluates the field strength (RSSI) of the signal sent by the smartphone 1 and received via the antenna lobe 5, thereby forming a criterion for the direct approach of personnel (20) and data carrier (1) to the access threshold (3).

[0033] The smartphone 1 or its user 20 is now directly in front of the access threshold 3. If both checks are positive, access permission is verified as positive and location is verified as positive, the access controller 9 sends a release signal to the control device 20 of the signal mechanism or blocking mechanism 21, and waits for the next inquiry until the person 20 has passed the access threshold 3.

[0034] In principle, logical operations can be freely configured for circuit elements. For example, verification can be performed by querying the system's database, in which case the validity data is stored, for example, in the host computer. However, the check can also be performed locally by transmitting validity parameters via Bluetooth through an application installed on a smartphone, or the application can perform autonomous and internal checks by determining whether its entry parameters are valid for the location of the entry point (entry number).

[0035] Figure 5 An antenna feed network 4 is shown, connected to the elements of the Bluetooth antenna array 2. Antenna array 2 uses four circular patch antennas 30, 30', 30”, and 30'”, which are spaced λ / 2 of the wavelength of the Bluetooth frequency when viewed in the approach direction. Patch antenna 30 is controlled via a 90° mixer 32 terminated with a 50-ohm resistor 34. External patch antennas 30 and 30'” are connected to 6dB damping elements 33 and 33'”, respectively, to suppress sidelobes. A triple converter 37 with outputs a, b, and c forms the input of the antenna feed network 4. Output 37a is connected to a double converter 35a, output 37c is connected to a double converter 35b, and output 37b is connected to a power divider 36.

[0036] The power divider 36 has four output terminals a, b, c, and d, and two states. In the first state, the phases at output terminals a through d are offset by +90°, and in the second state, they are offset by -90°. Output terminal 36a controls patch antenna 30, and output terminal 36d controls patch antenna 30'". Output terminals 36b and 36c can be connected to the internal patch antennas 30' and 30" via changeover switches 35a and 35b.

[0037] The antenna feed network shown here can emit circularly polarized electromagnetic waves to establish a coupling independent of the smartphone's location.

[0038] By switching the power divider 36 from its first state to its second state, two directional antenna lobes 5 and 6 are generated. Internal patch antennas 30' and 30" can be additionally connected directly to the switch 37 via switches 35a and 35b. Therefore, the antenna feed network is able to determine the location not only using the directional antenna lobes 5 and 6, but also taking into account the phase difference of the signal at the antenna.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling access permissions in an access area, the apparatus having a guiding device for forming an access channel for separating persons or objects and a door controller with a Bluetooth radio interface, wherein a blocking mechanism and / or a signaling mechanism define an access threshold in the access channel, the door controller being used to read access permissions from a mobile data carrier, wherein, When the access permission is verified as valid, the access controller releases the blocking mechanism and / or signaling mechanism, thus enabling separate passage through the access threshold. The entry channel is equipped with a multi-phase antenna group. The transmitting / receiving antennas of the multi-phase antenna group are controlled by a Bluetooth transceiver module via an antenna feed network, thereby forming at least two antenna lobes. These at least two antenna lobes are located at different distances from the entry threshold when viewed along the entry direction. Its features are, During no-load operation, the gate controller (9) continuously transmits short signals via an antenna lobe that is a considerable distance from the entry threshold (3) when viewed from the entry direction, thereby activating the Bluetooth radio interface of the nearby mobile data carrier (1). Each data carrier (1) with access permissions is configured with a unique access identifier (UID) that can be read via a ticket application software that can be activated via a Bluetooth interface. The gate controller (9) queries the access ID (UID) of the ticket application software via an antenna lobe that is a short distance from the entry threshold (3) and measures the received field strength (RSSI) of the signal transmitted by the data carrier (1) on the antenna lobe. Furthermore, when the assessment of the received field strength (RSSI) is positive and the verification of the authorization identifier is positive, the entry controller (9) generates a release signal for the blocking mechanism and / or the signaling mechanism (21).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Bluetooth transceiver (8) generates a release signal by combining verification information and position information from the evaluation of the triangulation (AoA) values ​​of the multiphase antenna group (2).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The multiphase antenna group (2) includes at least two antenna modules arranged at a distance of λ / 2 wavelength from each other when viewed along the approach direction, wherein antenna lobes oriented between the input of the antenna feed network (4) and the antenna modules can be generated by means of switching switches (35, 37) and phase shifters (36).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The multiphase antenna group (2) includes four antenna modules.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The guiding devices (10, 11) define an entry channel with a width of less than one meter. A Bluetooth antenna group is provided on at least one side of the entry channel directly in front of the entry threshold (3). The antenna group (2) consists of at least two antenna elements (30, 30', 30”, 30'"). The antenna elements are centered at a distance of λ / 2 of the wavelength of the Bluetooth frequency when viewed from the entry direction. An antenna feeding network (4) for feeding the antenna elements (30, 30', 30”, 30'") generates two directional antenna lobes within one meter in front of the entry threshold (3). The first antenna lobe is closer to the entry threshold (3), while the second antenna lobe is at a greater distance from the entry threshold (3) when viewed from the entry direction (7).

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guiding devices (10, 11) define an entry channel with a width of 60cm.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The Bluetooth antenna group is set within one meter in front of the entrance threshold (3).

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The antenna group (2) consists of at least four antenna elements (30, 30', 30”, 30'”).

Images