Access control system, in particular barrier system, gate system or turnstile system

Abstract

The invention relates to a singulation system, in particular a barrier system, gate system or turnstile system, for controlling access to a restricted area, comprising a base body, a motion sensor and a locking element as well as a monitoring sensor for monitoring a monitoring area in the vicinity of the singulation system, wherein the base body is enclosed by a housing, the housing forms an interior space and the locking element is movably mounted on the motion sensor on the base body between a closed position to stop access to the restricted area and an open position to allow access to the restricted area, wherein the monitoring sensor is arranged within the interior space of the housing, wherein the housing has a viewing area that is penetrable by the monitoring sensor.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a singulation system, in particular a barrier system, a gate system or a turnstile system, for controlling access to a restricted area, comprising a base body, a motion sensor and a locking element as well as a monitoring sensor for monitoring a monitoring area in the vicinity of the singulation system, wherein the base body is enclosed by a housing, the housing forms an interior space and the locking element is movably mounted on the base body at the motion sensor between a closed position to stop access to the restricted area and an open position to allow access to the restricted area.

[0002] Known access control systems, especially barrier systems such as those used to regulate access to a parking lot, must be equipped with sensors to monitor access and, in particular, for safety reasons. This prevents, for example, personal injury caused by the barrier arm striking a person when it lowers into the monitored area. It is also often desirable to control access and, for example, to count entering vehicles. For this purpose, monitoring sensors are known, which are, for example, mounted in a column-shaped housing in front of the actual barrier system, so that the monitoring area can be covered and monitored by the sensor.

[0003] It is also known to embed so-called detection loops in the ground, whereby a corresponding presence signal can be derived through magnetic influence on the detection loop. However, the installation is very complex, as asphalt, for example, has to be milled out to install such detection loops. If, for example, the floor of a parking garage is made of concrete, such work to install a barrier system is complex and also sometimes structurally relevant, meaning that such a barrier system could only be installed with considerable effort.

[0004] The purpose of the invention is to improve the state of the art.

[0005] The problem is solved by a singulation system, in particular a barrier system, a gate system or a turnstile system, for controlling access to a restricted area, comprising a base body, a motion sensor and a locking element as well as a monitoring sensor for monitoring a monitoring area in the vicinity of the singulation system, wherein the base body is enclosed by a housing, the housing forms an interior space and the locking element is movably mounted on the base body at the motion sensor between a closed position to stop access to the restricted area and an open position to allow access to the restricted area, wherein the monitoring sensor is arranged inside the interior space of the housing, wherein the housing has a viewing area that is penetrable by the monitoring sensor.

[0006] This arrangement allows the monitoring sensor to be installed and configured within the housing of the access control system during assembly, thus eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments at the installation site. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the monitoring sensor is protected from the environment within the housing, preventing, for example, damage or destruction of the sensor during installation. Similarly, placing the monitoring sensor within the housing effectively prevents vandalism, such as kicking or knocking off the sensor, which could impair or even disable the access control system's safety function.

[0007] The following terms should be explained in this context:

[0008] A "separation system" is a technical device used to control access to individuals, vehicles, or specific motor vehicles, for example, to regulate individual access to an event area or individual vehicle access to a parking lot. Such separation systems are particularly well-known in a specific configuration as "barrier systems," where a barrier arm, usually mounted on a column or base, can be swung from an open to a closed position and back again. Similarly, a "gate system" can be used as a separation system, for example, by opening or closing a gate or gate element analogously to a barrier arm, but in this case, by a sliding or horizontal pivoting motion.A "turnstile system" describes, as an alternative, a technical device specifically designed for the individual control of persons, in which a turnstile—that is, a bipedal or tripod structure consisting of several barrier arms—is mounted on a rotating platform. As the turnstile system rotates, individuals can be separated and thus allowed to pass through the spaces between the barrier arms. Blocking the turnstile stops the flow of people and the individual control process.

[0009] In this context, "controlling access" refers in particular to the controlled allowing or preventing of access by persons or vehicles to a "restricted area", i.e. an area whose access is to be controlled.

[0010] A "base body" refers to an assembly or component of the singulation system, which is typically bolted to a substrate or, for example, attached to a wall. This base body absorbs corresponding forces and forms the basic structure of the singulation system. A "movement mount," which can be designed as a pivot mount, a rotary mount, or a linear mount, serves to movably mount a "locking element" on the base body. The locking element is, for example, the barrier arm or barrier boom of a barrier system, a gate or gate element of a gate system, or the turnstile of a turnstile system. Other designs of elements that block the flow of people or vehicles are also included here for other configurations of the singulation system.It should be noted that the terms "barrier system" for a complete security system and the shortened term "barrier" for such a security system are often used synonymously. In a technical context, the term "barrier" refers to the direct technical device for blocking, for example, a column with a rotating mechanism and attached barrier arm, as well as any control technology within the column.

[0011] A "monitoring sensor" is used to monitor a specific area around the access control system, namely a "monitoring zone," for example, to detect the presence of people or vehicles within this zone. The monitoring zone can encompass an area in the immediate vicinity of the access control system or, for example, the mechanical influence zone of the barrier element, but it can also extend further. "Monitoring" can refer specifically to the acquisition and evaluation of a corresponding sensor signal, which, for example, positively detects the presence of a person under the barrier arm of a barrier system. In this case, a control device prevents the barrier arm from lowering to avoid injury to the person until, for example, the person has left the monitoring zone.

[0012] The "surrounding area" of the access control system refers to the area surrounding the access control system, and this surrounding area can be larger than the monitored area. For example, in the case of a barrier system, such a surrounding area would be the entrance or driveway of a parking garage.

[0013] The basic body is enclosed by a "housing," which can be, for example, a closed sheet metal or plastic housing and forms an "interior," that is, a closed geometric space around the basic body. The interior can be seen, in particular, as the enclosing volume of the basic body, enclosed and bounded by the housing. It should be noted that the housing need not be rectangular or cubic; it can also consist of free-form elements or be shaped freely according to design specifications, in which case the interior refers to any volume element enclosed by the housing in the corresponding areas.

[0014] The "closed position" of the barrier element refers to a position in which access to the restricted area is prevented. Using a barrier system as an example, this is the lower position of the barrier arm, horizontal to the ground. In contrast, the "open position" is a position in which access to the restricted area is permitted; in the barrier system example, this would be a vertical position of the barrier arm relative to the ground, allowing, for instance, a vehicle to enter the restricted area through a corresponding monitoring zone.

[0015] The monitoring sensor is arranged "inside" the interior of the housing, meaning that the monitoring sensor, and in particular all components of the monitoring sensor necessary for monitoring, are located within the interior, i.e., within the housing's enclosing volume as explained above. The housing has a "transparency area," which is specifically permeable to the monitoring sensor, so that despite its arrangement inside the housing, the monitoring sensor effectively fulfills its monitoring function "through the housing."It should be noted that the monitoring sensor can utilize various monitoring technologies. "Sensorily penetrable" in this context means that the housing has a low or negligible influence on the monitoring result at the relevant point within the detection range, and therefore does not interfere with the sensor's function. A "detection range" refers specifically to an area delimited from the rest of the housing's surface, for example, a small area compared to the total surface area of ​​the housing, where, for instance, technical modifications to the housing enable sensory penetration.It should be noted that the transparent area need not be visible or recognizable from outside the housing. For example, a subsequently painted or powder-coated housing can render the transparent area invisible to the human eye. This provides a further advantage against, for example, deliberate vandalism of the access control system. If the monitoring sensor operates on electromagnetic principles, an electromagnetically penetrable area can be created within the housing, which then forms the transparent area. This can be achieved, for instance, by selecting an appropriate material for the transparent area.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the monitoring sensor has a first sensor element, a second sensor element, a third sensor element and / or a further sensor element, wherein an enlarged monitoring area is realized through the sensorily penetrable viewing area by aligning the respective sensor elements in different sensor axes.

[0017] This allows, for example, multiple sensor elements to achieve a coverage of up to 110°, up to 180° or even up to 270° or more, by covering, for example, overlapping or adjacent monitoring areas or sub-areas with corresponding sensor elements, so that an overall larger monitoring area is achieved.

[0018] A "sensor element" is, for example, a single element of the monitoring sensor, which fulfills the function of the monitoring sensor in a specific sector or in a specific geometric area, so that, for example, a monitoring sensor with an electromagnetic operating principle can be designed with several sensor elements, namely several antennas or transmitters, whereby this example applies analogously to other operating principles.

[0019] The "alignment" refers, for example, to adjusting or aligning the sensor element along a respective sensor axis or in the direction of a respective sensor viewing area, so that, for example, an adjustment or alignment in corresponding angular positions or detent positions along an angular adjustment may also be possible.

[0020] It can be advantageous for the housing to have a bulge, either inherent in the design or concealed within the design, in the area of ​​the view-through. This allows the monitoring sensor, and especially its individual sensor elements, to protrude locally from the housing's enclosing geometry, even though the housing still encloses and covers them. This enables, for example, a monitoring range of up to 180°, even though the monitoring sensor and its individual sensor elements are embedded within a macroscopically flat and planar area of ​​the housing.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sensor-penetrable viewing area is formed by means of an opening in the housing, wherein the opening in the housing is designed to be closable, in particular by means of a cover that is sensor-penetrable for the monitoring sensor, and in particular removable and / or replaceable.

[0022] This allows, for example, a physical opening in the housing to be created for areas not directly affected by vandalism or for areas additionally guarded by personnel. Here, a "opening" refers to a material cutout in the housing. In particular, a cover, such as a cap or lid-shaped device, can then be used to create the sensory-penetrable surface or area through which the monitoring sensor can transmit signals. The cover can be made of a suitable sensory-penetrable material, thus simplifying or reducing the cost of manufacturing the housing with a separate cover.

[0023] In particular, the monitoring sensor is arranged to pass through the opening, wherein the cover is designed to protrude in particular from a surrounding contour of the housing and in particular has an inner cover volume corresponding to a sensor volume, whereby an extended field of view for the monitoring sensor is enabled by at least partially arranging the monitoring sensor in the inner cover volume of the cover.

[0024] Analogous to the above example of a convex housing, the cover can create a suitable geometry for the monitoring sensor, enabling, for example, a complete 180° view from within an otherwise flat housing design. Angle specifications refer to a full 360° angle.

[0025] The "inner volume of the cover" is, for example, semicircular or elliptical, particularly when viewed from above. The "extended field of view" is formed, for example, by a single-piece monitoring sensor or by multiple sensor elements of the monitoring sensor.

[0026] In another, particularly alternative, embodiment, the monitoring sensor is arranged entirely within the housing. Thus, for example, if a flat housing is desired in the area of ​​the monitoring sensor, the sensor can be completely recessed into the interior, allowing for 90°, 120°, or even 135° viewing angles through appropriate geometric selection of the viewing area. The monitoring sensor is then completely vandal-proof and located within the housing.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the monitoring sensor is designed in multiple parts, wherein the respective sensor element and an evaluation unit set up for evaluating the respective sensor element or sensor elements are arranged separately from each other, wherein the evaluation unit is arranged in particular away from the monitoring sensor within the base body.

[0028] Thus, for example, a corresponding evaluation unit, such as the control technology or control electronics of the monitoring sensor, can be securely arranged within the main body, while the monitoring sensor itself, with its sensor elements, is positioned within the visible area. This allows for a space-saving arrangement of the typically smaller sensor elements, enabling, for instance, a significantly smaller and therefore more aesthetically pleasing cover.

[0029] To enable reliable observation and monitoring, the monitoring sensor features a laser scanner, a lidar sensor, an infrared sensor and / or a radar sensor.

[0030] Thus, for example, monitoring can be carried out using light, infrared light or radar beams, with each of the corresponding technologies offering advantages, for example in the detection of people or vehicles.

[0031] A "laser scanner" refers specifically to an optical device that uses a laser light or laser beam to scan the monitored area. This allows for reliable person detection, for example, by detecting reflections and capturing reflected laser light of a specific wavelength. A "Lidar sensor" is used for optical distance and speed measurement. It is a form of three-dimensional laser scanning. An "infrared sensor" is particularly suitable for person detection because it can detect heat radiation, allowing it to function similarly to a motion detector. A "radar sensor" uses electromagnetic waves to detect their reflections off people or objects, enabling, for example, the detection of a vehicle.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the housing is made of sheet metal, in particular sheet steel or aluminum sheet, wherein the viewing area, in particular the cover, is made of plastic, in particular a translucent plastic. In particular, the translucent plastic can make the viewing area sufficiently transparent for optical detection methods, such as the use of a laser scanner or a lidar sensor, as well as for an infrared sensor.

[0033] In order to be able to carry out appropriate maintenance steps or a technical inspection or check on, for example, the technology of the singulation system or the monitoring sensor, the housing has a door for opening an access into the housing, wherein the door has the sensor-penetrable viewing area, in particular the opening and in particular the removable and / or replaceable cover, which enables the opening, manipulation and / or adjustment of the door with a reduced or avoided mechanical and / or geometric influence on the monitoring sensor.

[0034] In particular, this allows the door to be opened or removed, with the sensor-penetrable viewing area moving with the door, without having to move or manipulate a corresponding monitoring sensor within the housing. This ensures that after the door is closed, the geometric or other setting of the monitoring sensor is retained, eliminating the need for readjustment, especially after maintenance work. It should be noted that the door itself also forms the sensor-penetrable viewing area, for example, by being made entirely or substantially of a sensor-penetrable material.

[0035] In this context, a "door" generally refers to a cover that can be opened as needed. In the case of a door, it is hinged and can be swung open. Alternatively, the term can also refer to lids or other covers, such as maintenance access panels or access panels. For example, a maintenance access panel is fixed at specific points using quick-release fasteners or screws. The term "door" here is intended to be synonymous with all types of removable or opening covers.

[0036] In various embodiments of the invention, the base body is a column with a barrier system, a gate system and / or a turnstile system, wherein the monitoring sensor is arranged in the column, in particular in an orientation in the column facing the locking element.

[0037] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. These will show... Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a barrier system with a closed maintenance door for controlling access to a parking lot in an isometric view, Fig. 2a a schematic representation of the barrier system of the Fig. 1 with open maintenance door, Fig. 2b a detail of the Fig. 2a with a detailed illustration of a radar sensor, Fig. 3 a monitoring area with the barrier system of the Fig. 1, Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b in a schematic top view, Fig. 4 an alternative monitoring area with the barrier system of the Fig. 1, Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b in a schematic top view, as well as Fig. 5 another monitoring area with an adapted barrier system of the Fig. 1, Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b in a schematic top view.

[0038] A barrier system 101 serves to demarcate, for example, a parking lot, and the barrier system 101 comprises a column 102 with a housing 103. The housing 103 completely encloses and encases the column 102, a support structure 104, and, in particular, the technical components located within the column (not shown in detail). The support structure 104 within the column 102 serves as a force-conducting structure and thus contributes to the stability of the column 101. The housing 103 is formed from corner profiles 105 and housing sheet 107 and has a cover 109 on its upper side. The housing 103 thus provides weather protection, access control, and serves as a design element for the column 102 and is mounted on the support structure 104. The column 102 and the housing 103 form a cuboid shape, with one side of the cuboid accessible via a housing door 121 in the housing 103. The housing door 121 has a lock 123.After opening the lock 123, the housing door 121 can be removed or opened, thus providing access to an interior 111. For example, with the housing door 121 open, maintenance or adjustment work can be carried out in the column 102.

[0039] Column 102 serves to mount a barrier arm 141 on a swivel mount 143, whereby the barrier arm 141 can be moved into a horizontal closed position and a vertical open position (not shown in detail). The barrier arm is mounted on the support structure 104 of column 102 via the swivel mount 143. Functionally, this is a standard barrier system for, for example, the closure and demarcation of parking spaces.

[0040] Inside the housing door 121, a plastic cover cap 125 is arranged in an opening 124, while the other described components of the housing 103 are made of sheet metal, for example, sheet steel or aluminum. Behind the cover cap 125, within the interior 111 of the column 102, a radar antenna 133 is arranged on a sensor holder 131, which can be movably adjusted about a pivot axis 135. The sensor holder 131 is also mounted and attached to the support structure 104. The radar antenna 133 serves to detect, for example, persons in the area of ​​the barrier system 101 for safety purposes through the opening 124.It should be mentioned that, for example, the risk of a person being trapped or struck below the barrier arm 141 must be prevented, for example by technically restricting the movement of the barrier arm 141 if a person is in a correspondingly critical area.

[0041] For this purpose, a surveillance area 301 can be monitored using the radar antenna 133, whereby a security area 303 must be monitored with regard to the person described above. The security area 303 is located in the top view (see here). Fig.3) below the barrier arm 141. For example, a safety zone 303 with a width of 1 m and a length of 3 m can be defined here. For this purpose, a monitoring angle 305 within a monitoring radius 307 is checked using the radar antenna 133 by detecting, for example, a person or a vehicle using radar beams. If a person or a vehicle is located within the safety zone 303, the barrier arm 141 cannot close. Furthermore, the detection of, for example, vehicles in front of the barrier arm is also possible with a corresponding setting of the monitoring angle 305, so that access to a parking space 309 can be monitored.

[0042] Similarly, a monitoring area 401 can be monitored with a security area 403 analogously to the previous example by sweeping a monitoring angle 405 within a monitoring radius 407 to check access to a parking space 409. In addition to monitoring the security area 403, an presence zone 411 located in front of the security area (in the direction of vehicle entry to the parking space 409) and a presence zone 421 located further in front of this presence zone 411 can be monitored, for example, if a corresponding monitoring radius 407 is chosen to be large enough.In addition to the security function explained above, presence monitoring can also be carried out for vehicles located in, for example, presence zone 411 or presence zone 421 within security area 503. This allows, for instance, a preventative count of available parking spaces in parking lot 409. It should be noted that with an alternatively configured monitoring sensor or, for example, a surveillance camera supplementing radar antenna 133 in presence zone 411 and presence zone 421, license plates can be recorded and compared with those of vehicles stored as authorized, thus ensuring that only authorized persons have access to parking lot 409.

[0043] Slightly different from the two previous examples, the corresponding barrier system 101 is equipped with an additional radar antenna 134 besides the radar antenna 133, so that a monitoring area 501 can be monitored along with a security area 503 (functioning analogously to the previous examples). The radar antenna 133 is aligned along a sensor axis 181 and covers a monitoring angle 505 along a monitoring radius 507, while the radar antenna 134 is aligned along a different sensor axis 183 and covers a monitoring angle 506 shifted relative to the monitoring angle 505 with a monitoring radius 508, so that a total extended monitoring angle 541 of 180° can be covered.For example, in a presence zone 521 located in front of the barrier arm 141 in the direction of the entrance, vehicle access can be monitored, while on the opposite side of the barrier arm 141, in a presence zone 511 in the direction of an exit, the exit of a vehicle from a parking space 509 can be detected and, in particular, controlled. It should be noted that the radar antenna 133, like the radar antenna 143, can be adjustable independently of the other design of the respective barrier system, for example, by adjusting a horizontal angle, in order to take into account the specific local conditions and to cover safety-relevant areas by adjusting the orientation of the respective radar antenna and the respective monitoring angle. An adjustment increment of, for example, 5° can also be provided for the respective radar antenna.Similarly, a fixed setting may be technically required, for example, if a fixed monitoring area of ​​180° in total is to be covered and must be defined for safety reasons. Reference symbol list 101 barrier system 102nd column 103 cases 104 Supporting structure 105 Corner profile 107 Housing sheet 109 lids 111 Interior 121 Case door 123 Castle 124 Opening 125 Cover cap 127 Seal 131 Sensor holders 133 Radar antenna 134 Radar antenna 135 Swivel axis 141 Barrier 143 Rotation shot 181 Sensor axis 183 Sensor axis 301 Surveillance area 303 Security Area 305° viewing angle 307 surveillance radius 309 Parking space 401 Surveillance area 403 Security Area 405° viewing angle 407 surveillance radius 409 Parking space 411 Presence Zone 421 Presence zone 501 Surveillance area 503 Security Area 505° viewing angle 506 monitoring angles 507 surveillance radius 508 surveillance radius 509 Parking space 511 Presence zone 521 Presence zone 541 monitoring angle

Claims

[1] A turnstile (101), in particular a barrier (101), gate or turnstile system, for controlling access to a restricted area (309, 409, 509), comprising a base body (102, 104), a motion sensor (143) and a locking element (141) as well as a monitoring sensor (133, 134) for monitoring a monitoring area (303, 403, 503) in the vicinity (301, 401, 501) of the turnstile, wherein the base body (102, 104) is enclosed by a housing (103), the housing (103) forms an interior (111) and the locking element (141) on the motion sensor (143) is positioned between a closed position to stop access to the restricted area (309, 409, 509) and an open position to allow access to the restricted area (309, 409, 509) is movably mounted on the base body (102, 104), characterized by, that the monitoring sensor (133) is arranged inside the interior (111) of the housing (103), wherein the housing (103) has a sensory-penetrable viewing area (124) for the monitoring sensor (133, 134). [2] Singulation system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the monitoring sensor (133, 134) has a first sensor element (133), a second sensor element (134), a third sensor element and / or a further sensor element, wherein an enlarged monitoring area is realized by aligning the respective sensor elements (133, 134) in different sensor axes (181, 183) through the sensorily penetrable viewing area (124). [3] Singulation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the sensorially penetrable viewing area (124) is formed by means of an opening (124) in the housing (103), wherein the opening (124) in the housing (103) is designed to be closable, in particular by means of a cover (125) that is sensorially penetrable for the monitoring sensor (133, 134), and in particular removable and / or replaceable. [4] Singulation system according to claim 3, characterized by , that the monitoring sensor (133, 134) is arranged to pass through the opening (124), wherein the cover (125) is designed to project in particular towards a covering contour of the housing (103) surrounding the opening (124) and in particular has an inner cover volume corresponding to a sensor volume, whereby an extended field of view for the monitoring sensor (133, 134) is enabled by at least partially arranging the monitoring sensor (133, 134) in the inner cover volume of the cover (125). [5] Singulation system according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the monitoring sensor (133, 134) is arranged entirely within the interior (111) of the housing (103). [6] Singling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the monitoring sensor (133, 134) is designed in multiple parts, wherein the respective sensor element (133, 134) and an evaluation unit set up for evaluating the respective sensor element (133, 134) or the respective sensor elements (133, 134) are arranged separately from each other, wherein the evaluation unit is arranged in particular away from the monitoring sensor (133, 134) within the base body (102). [7] Singling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the monitoring sensor (133, 134) includes a laser scanner, a lidar sensor, an infrared sensor and / or a radar sensor. [8] Singling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the housing (103) is made of sheet metal, in particular sheet steel or aluminum sheet, wherein the viewing area (124), in particular the cover (125), is made of plastic, in particular of a translucent plastic. [9] Singling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the housing (103) has a door (121) for opening an access into the housing (103), wherein the door (121) has the sensorially penetrable viewing area (124), in particular the opening (124) and in particular the cover (125) which is particularly removable and / or replaceable, thereby enabling the opening, manipulation and / or adjustment of the door (121) with a reduced or avoided mechanical and / or geometric influence on the monitoring sensor (133, 134). [10] Singling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the base body (102, 104) is a column (102) of a barrier system, a gate system and / or a turnstile system, wherein the monitoring sensor (133, 134) is arranged in the column (102), in particular in an orientation in the column (102) facing the locking element (141).

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