Access control system for buildings

Abstract

Access control system (1) for buildings (2) with a stationary unit (20) and a mobile unit (10), wherein the mobile unit (10) has a mobile transceiver (11) which is designed to transmit wirelessly and encrypted signals (S) for authentication and authorization of the mobile unit (10) with respect to the stationary unit (20) and for control of the stationary unit (20) by the mobile unit (10) to a stationary transceiver (21) of the stationary unit (20), wherein the stationary transceiver (21) is designed to transmit radar signals (RS) and to receive radar signals (RS) reflected back to the stationary transceiver (21), and wherein the stationary unit (20) comprises a control device (22) which is designed to detect a movement of an object reflecting the radar signals (RS) back to the stationary transceiver (21) from radar signals (RS) emitted by the stationary transceiver (21) and reflected back to the stationary transceiver (21), to compare the movement with a predetermined movement pattern and, if there is a match, to control a function.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an access control system for buildings.

[0002] An access control system within the meaning of the invention is understood to mean systems that have a stationary or fixed unit and a mobile unit that can be carried by a user, and in which said units communicate wirelessly with each other for the authentication and authorization of the mobile unit, and thus of the user, vis-à-vis the stationary unit. Based on the authentication and authorization, the stationary unit controls various functions and, in particular, the release or locking of an associated access, for example, a door or gate. Going beyond most conventional access systems, the access system according to the invention also provides for position determination, as explained in more detail below.

[0003] Wireless access control systems are state of the art and are known, for example, from the documents WO 2023 / 222462 A1 and DE 10 2020 114 403 A1.

[0004] However, such systems can be further optimized.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing an access control system with improved security and increased convenience.

[0006] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, an access control system for buildings or a building access control system is therefore proposed, which accordingly has a stationary unit, i.e. a fixed unit and preferably a fixed unit connected to the building, and a mobile unit, i.e. a non-stationary unit and in particular a unit that can be carried by a user. The mobile unit is essentially an electronic key, which can be designed, for example, in the form of a smart FOB or a smartphone. Basically, both the stationary unit and the mobile unit have a respective transceiver, wherein a transceiver is to be understood as a transmitting / receiving unit. The transceiver of the mobile unit, referred to as the mobile transceiver, preferably has at least one antenna and an evaluation unit for transmitting signals via the at least one antenna and for evaluating the signals received via the at least one antenna.The transceiver of the stationary unit, referred to as the stationary transceiver, preferably has at least two antennas and an evaluation unit for transmitting signals via at least one of the two antennas and for evaluating the signals received via both antennas. The mobile transceiver of the mobile unit is designed to transmit wirelessly, in particular via radio, and encrypted signals for authentication and authorization of the mobile unit to the stationary unit, as well as optionally for control of the stationary unit by the mobile unit, to the transceiver of the stationary unit, referred to as the stationary transceiver.

[0008] Fundamentally, it should be noted that authentication is understood as the verification of whether the mobile unit or its identity is known to the stationary unit, in particular, whether a unique identification number of the mobile unit is stored in the stationary unit. Authorization, on the other hand, is understood as the verification of whether the authenticated mobile unit has access authorization for the access controlled by the access control system. Authentication and authorization can be performed integrally or separately.

[0009] Essential to the invention is that the stationary transceiver is configured to transmit radar signals and receive radar signals reflected back to the stationary transceiver. The access control system further comprises a control device configured to detect, from radar signals transmitted by the stationary transceiver and reflected back to the stationary transceiver, a movement of an object reflecting the radar signals back to the stationary transceiver. Based on this, the control device is further configured to compare the movement with a predetermined movement pattern and, if there is a match, to control a function.

[0010] A complete match is not necessarily required. Rather, the movement can correspond to the movement pattern within a predetermined tolerance or with a predetermined probability.

[0011] The movement may in particular be a movement performed by an extremity of a user and thus also be described as a gesture.

[0012] The predetermined movement pattern can be stored, changed and / or learned or programmed by the user in the control device by means of detection by means of the radar signals in a learning mode.

[0013] Furthermore, the control device can be designed to determine a position of the mobile unit relative to the stationary unit from the signals transmitted from the mobile transceiver to the stationary transceiver.

[0014] In addition, it can be provided that the control device is designed to trigger or control a function corresponding in particular to a corresponding control command when a control command for triggering the function is transmitted to the stationary unit by a mobile unit authenticated and authorized by the stationary unit and / or the position of the mobile unit is within a predetermined access area which can be learned in particular by a user or an authenticated and further preferably authorized user.

[0015] The access area is understood to be a two-dimensional and horizontally extending area on or around the stationary unit and, accordingly, for example and in abstract terms, an area on a floor in the area of ​​the stationary unit or of an access controllable by the access control system, as could be represented, for example, in a view from above or a plan view.

[0016] The functions that can be controlled by corresponding control commands include, in particular, comfort functions, so that lighting elements, for example, can also be controlled by a corresponding control command.

[0017] However, basic functions of the access control system and thus in particular unlocking and locking of an access controlled by the access control system preferably do not require the transmission of a control command, but are carried out automatically by the control device when an authenticated and authorized mobile unit, i.e. its position, is within the access area and / or the detected movement corresponds to the predetermined movement pattern.

[0018] By repeatedly determining the position, it is also possible to distinguish between entering and leaving the access area and to trigger a corresponding function, e.g. unlocking the access when entering and locking the access when leaving.

[0019] The transceivers are preferably combined Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE for short, and ultra-wideband transceivers, UWB transceivers for short, although other radio methods or radio transceivers can also be used, provided they enable the position to be determined according to the invention.

[0020] It is generally known that position determination is possible using such transceivers.

[0021] In radar operation or location mode, the stationary transceiver transmits radar signals which are reflected when they hit an object and in particular when they hit the body of a person or user and are then received by the stationary transceiver and can be evaluated by the transceiver or the control device by correlating them with the transmitted radar signal with regard to distance, signal level and direction of movement.

[0022] To simplify position determination, it can be provided that the control device is designed to determine an angle from which the signals were received and a distance from which the signals were received from the signals transmitted from the mobile transceiver to the stationary transceiver, so that the position of the mobile unit can be specified as polar coordinates of a polar coordinate system lying in a horizontal plane, in whose coordinate origin the stationary transceiver is arranged.

[0023] Accordingly, the polar coordinate system preferably lies in a horizontal plane relative to the earth or the ground.

[0024] Preferably, the access control system comprises a sensor that is signal-connected to the control device and configured to monitor a user's actuation of an access unlocked by the function. For example, a sensor can monitor the opening and closing of a door serving as an access, so that it can be determined whether the door is actuated by opening. Instead of a door itself, however, the sensor can also monitor an actuating element of the access, such as a handle, a surface, or a doorknob, which serves to actuate the access.

[0025] Based on this, it is preferably provided that the control device is configured to block access after the function has been activated for the first time and if the unlocked access is not activated within a predetermined period of time, i.e., for example, to re-block a previously unlocked door serving as an access point. Furthermore, the control device is configured to re-unblock access by re-activating the function if the movement of the object reflecting the radar signals back to the stationary transceiver matches the predetermined movement pattern.

[0026] If a user authenticated and authorized by means of the mobile unit approaches the access, the access is unlocked, for example by the position of the mobile unit determined in the access area, or a function that unlocks the access is activated.

[0027] To increase security, the access can be monitored using a sensor as shown. If the user does not activate the access within the predetermined time period, the access will be locked again.

[0028] Now, however, it should be possible for the user who is in the vicinity of the access point to simply unlock the access again, which, however, would only be possible in the current state of the art by approaching the access point again or by leaving and re-entering the access area.

[0029] Therefore, in an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that in such a case the function for unlocking the access is activated when the movement corresponds to the movement pattern, i.e. the user performs a predetermined gesture.

[0030] The gesture may also involve bringing the hand closer to the actuator with the palm facing the actuator, as would occur when operating the actuator. However, other gestures are also possible.

[0031] In order to enable communication and location with a stationary transceiver or precisely one stationary transceiver, it is preferably provided that

[0032] Although it has already been explained that preferably the stationary transceiver or the precisely one stationary transceiver is designed to send and receive both the signals for communication and the radar signals, according to an advantageous further development and to simplify this functional combination, it is provided that the stationary transceiver is designed to send signals to the mobile transceiver in a communication mode and to receive signals from the mobile transceiver and to send radar signals and receive reflected radar signals in a locating mode, wherein the stationary transceiver can be operated alternately in the communication mode and the locating mode.

[0033] Furthermore, it can be provided that the stationary transceiver, for example controlled by the control device, can be operated repeatedly in the communication mode at time intervals determined by a first time interval and / or can be operated in the locating mode at time intervals determined by a second time interval.

[0034] Since the signals sent in communication mode can also be used in particular for distance determination, i.e. for localization or ranging, the communication mode can also be referred to as localization mode.

[0035] As already explained, the stationary transceiver is a UWB transceiver, or a transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving UWB signals. Furthermore, it preferably operates within the CCC Digital Key specifications (Car Connectivity Consortium) and / or IEEE 802.15.4z.

[0036] Based on this, the stationary transceiver is preferably designed to transmit both the signals S and the radar signals depending on a ranging mode of the transceiver, wherein the signals S and the radar signals are transmitted at respective regular time intervals determined by ranging slots.

[0037] A ranging slot is a time period in which a UWB measurement takes place to determine the distance (i.e. “ranging”), i.e. between the stationary unit and the mobile unit (smartphone or keyfob).

[0038] A ranging slot comprises several CHAPs, whereby a CHAP (Channel Access Period) is a time period used for the transmission of signals such as ranging (i.e. distance measurement or position determination) or radar.

[0039] Preferably, at least one CHAP is reserved for transmitting signals S in each ranging slot, or in which signals S are transmitted in at least one CHAP, and at least one CHAP is reserved for transmitting radar signals or radar signals are transmitted in every nth ranging slot. The factor n is an integer multiple of 1, but preferably 4.

[0040] Furthermore, the ranging slots are divided into three CHAPs each, with a first CHAP of each ranging slot being reserved for transmitting the signals S and in every fourth ranging slot the third CHAP being reserved for transmitting the radar signals or the respective signals S and radar signals being transmitted.

[0041] The aforementioned factor n, which is preferably four, arises in particular from the need to ensure that a movement in radar mode or by the radar signals is correctly sensed and detected by the control device. Therefore, a radar interval or the determination of n can be determined by: n=λvmax∗4 with λ as a wavelength of the radar signals or a carrier wave of the radar signals (e.g. at 8 GHz for UWB channel 9) v max as a maximum speed of the movement to be recorded (for the gestures to be recorded approx. 2 m / s)

[0042] To ensure coexistence of communication and radar operations at these short radar intervals, the communication and radar signals must be tightly interleaved in time. For example, with a radar interval (second time interval) of 4 ms, a radar signal is transmitted every four ranging slots in the third chap of the ranging slot. With a communication interval of 1 ms, a signal is transmitted in each ranging slot in the first chap of the ranging slot, in accordance with the Car Connectivity Consortium's Digital Key Specification.

[0043] According to a further aspect of the invention, an access control system according to the invention, and in particular the control device, is designed to carry out a method for controlling a function of an access control system for buildings according to the invention. According to the method, a movement of an object reflecting the radar signals back to the stationary transceiver is detected from radar signals emitted by the stationary transceiver and reflected back to the stationary transceiver, the movement is compared with a predetermined movement pattern, and the function is activated if the movement matches the movement pattern.

[0044] What has been said about the access control system also applies directly and analogously to the method proposed according to the invention.

[0045] The features disclosed above can be combined as desired, as long as this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

[0046] Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are presented in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 an access control system; Fig. 2 an access control system with a stationary unit located at the coordinate origin of a polar coordinate system; Fig. 3 Detection of a user’s gesture; Fig. 4 Nesting of localization and radar mode; Fig. 5 a sequence for controlling a function of an access control system according to the invention as a function of a gesture.

[0047] The figures are schematic examples. Like reference numerals in the figures indicate like functional and / or structural features.

[0048] In Fig. 1, the essential components of an access control system 1 on a building 2 according to the invention are shown schematically.

[0049] Such an access control system 1 basically comprises a stationary unit 20 and a mobile unit 10, wherein the stationary unit 20 is stationary or connected to the building 2 and is designed to control the access 3, for example a door, of the building 2 and accordingly, in particular, to lock or unlock the access 3 or the door 3 depending on the position of the mobile unit 10, wherein the stationary unit 20 receives signals S from the mobile unit 10 to determine the position and to authenticate and authorize the mobile unit 10. The mobile unit 10 has a mobile BLE-UWB transceiver 11, which is designed to wirelessly and encryptedly transmit signals S for authentication and authorization of the mobile unit 10 to the stationary unit 20 and, if necessary, for control of the stationary unit 20 by the mobile unit 10 to a stationary BLE-UWB transceiver 21 of the stationary unit 20.

[0050] In general, identification and authentication preferably take place via BLE, whereas localization and positioning, i.e. ranging, preferably takes place via cryptologically secured communication via UWB.

[0051] It is essential that the control of the stationary unit 20 should not be based, or preferably at least not exclusively, on control commands received from the mobile unit 10, but the function and in particular an unlocking of the access 3 should be triggered, for example, when a user 5 carrying the mobile unit 10, as shown in Fig. 3, enters the access area 30. Further or alternative requirements for switching the function can also be taken into account and, for example, a probability with which the user wishes to use access 3 can be determined from the movement path 50.

[0052] The triggering of the function may depend on further boundary conditions. In particular, it may be provided that the function is only triggered if, in addition to a probability exceeding the threshold value, the last determined position lies within a predetermined access area 30.

[0053] Optionally, it may also be necessary for a mobile unit 10 authenticated and authorized by the stationary unit 20 to transmit a control command to trigger the function to the stationary unit 20.

[0054] To determine the position of the mobile unit 10, the control device 22 determines an angle Φ from which the signals S were received from the signals S transmitted by the mobile transceiver 11 to the stationary transceiver 21, and determines a distance r from which the signals S were received, so that the respective position of the mobile unit 10 can be specified as polar coordinates of a polar coordinate system. It follows that the stationary transceiver 21 is located at the coordinate origin of this two-dimensional polar coordinate system.

[0055] In order to simplify and thus accelerate calculations and comparisons, it is provided that the polar coordinate system is divided or segmented by a distance grid 41 and an angle grid 42, so that virtual, i.e. imaginary nodes 43 are formed at the intersection points of the distance grid 41 with the angle grid 42, as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is shown.

[0056] Based on this, the control device 22 is designed to normalize the previously determined position of the mobile unit 10 to the nearest node 43.

[0057] As exemplified in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the predetermined access area can be a delimited area or a delimited region within a polar coordinate system, in the center of which the stationary unit 20 is arranged. However, the predetermined access area 30 can be a predetermined angular range, distance range, a combination of angular and distance range, or the entire area of ​​the stationary unit that can be detected by the polar coordinate system, so that in the latter case, the access area 30 would be determined solely by a maximum transmission or reception power of the two transceivers 11, 21.

[0058] Also with reference to Fig. 2 shows that the access area 30 can be determined, for example, by boundary points 31 normalized to the node points 43.

[0059] In order to determine the position of the user or to verify the position of the user carrying the mobile unit 10, radar signals RS can also be used, which are emitted by the stationary transceiver 21 and reflected by objects in the surrounding area.

[0060] The procedure for determining the position and verifying the position is only an example.

[0061] It is essential that after activating the function, i.e., in particular after unlocking the door 3, the user can cancel his or her previously existing access request, or that no access request existed previously, so that the door or access 3 was unlocked incorrectly. To increase security, it is therefore preferably provided that the access 3 is blocked again by the control device 22 after a predetermined time.

[0062] In order to check whether the user has passed through the access 3 or, for example, opened the door 3, a sensor 6 can be provided which monitors the passing through of the access, the opening of the door 3 or the actuation of an actuating element 4 of the access 3.

[0063] If the door or access 3 has now been locked again, the user should be able to easily trigger the function, ie unlocking access 3, again without having to leave the access area 30 and then re-enter it.

[0064] Therefore, it is essential to the invention that the stationary transceiver 21 is designed to transmit radar signals RS and to receive radar signals RS reflected back to the stationary transceiver 21, as described in Fig. 3. The control device 22 of the stationary unit 20 detects or determines, from radar signals RS transmitted by the stationary transceiver 21 and reflected back to the stationary transceiver 21, a movement of an object reflecting the radar signals RS back to the stationary transceiver 21 and compares the detected movement with a predetermined movement pattern. If the detected movement matches the movement pattern within a predetermined tolerance or probability and, preferably, the mobile unit 10 is additionally detected in the access area 30, the function is activated or reactivated and, for example, access 3 is unlocked again.

[0065] Thus, by means of the radar signals RS, a gesture performed by the user 5 with one hand can be detected as a movement and the gesture can be compared with the predetermined movement pattern, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown schematically.

[0066] As a predetermined movement pattern, for example, a gesture can be stored in the control device 22 which corresponds to the hand reaching for an actuating element 4 of the access 3.

[0067] An example of a control process based on gesture detection is shown in Fig. 5, so reference is made to this.

[0068] Since the stationary unit 20 preferably has exactly one transceiver 21, the communication or localization mode and the radar mode must be nested, which is achieved in Fig. 4 is shown.

[0069] In addition, it must be ensured that the movements of a hand or an arm and thus the gesture in radar mode must be recognizable by the transmitted and reflected radar signals RS, for which purpose a suitable radar interval must be selected as the second time interval T2.

[0070] If a wavelength of approximately 8 GHz is assumed for the radar signal RS, this leads to a second time interval T2 or a radar interval T2 of approximately 4 ms.

[0071] To ensure coexistence of localization or communication mode and radar mode at these short radar intervals, the signals and radar signals must be closely interleaved in time. With a radar interval T2 of 4 ms, a radar signal RS is transmitted in the third CHAP 63 of the ranging slot every four ranging slots 60, each of which is divided into three CHAPs 61, 62, 63. With a localization interval or first time interval T1 of 1 ms, a localization signal or signal S is transmitted in the first CHAP 61 of the ranging slot 60 in each ranging slot 60, in accordance with the Car Connectivity Consortium's Digital Key Specification.

[0072] The procedure according to Fig.5 for control based on gesture recognition is exemplary and merely based on a flowchart. Consequently, the control device 22 is suitable or configured to carry out the following method steps: Step A: The position of the mobile unit 10 is periodically determined, and a movement path 50 of a user 5 carrying the mobile unit 10 is determined. From the position and / or the movement path 50, a probability is determined with which the user 5 wishes to use or unlock the access 3. Step B If the probability corresponds to at least one threshold value or exceeds it, the control device 22 generates a control signal to unlock access 3. Step C: Sensor 6 detects whether access 3 has been used and, for example, whether door 3 has been opened as access 3. If the unlocked access 3 has been used, proceed to step D. If the unlocked access 3 has not been used within a predetermined time, proceed to step E. Step D The control device 22 registers that the access was used, ie the door 3 was opened as access 3 and closed again. Step E The control device 22 generates a control signal to lock the access 3 or the access 3 is locked again. Step F The position of the mobile unit 10 continues to be determined periodically. Step G: Is mobile unit 10 still in access area 30? If no, return to step F. If yes, continue to step H. Step H The stationary transceiver 21 switches periodically between its radar mode and its communication or localization mode, so that signals S and radar signals RS are alternately transmitted and received. Step J In the localization or communication mode, signals S are sent and a distance determination (ranging) of the mobile unit 10 to the stationary unit 20 is carried out. Step K In radar mode, radar signals RS are sent and the movements are recorded. Step L: Does a detected movement correspond within a predetermined tolerance or with a sufficiently high probability to a movement pattern stored in the control device 22 or retrievable by the control device 22? If no, return to step H. If yes, continue to step M. Step M Is mobile unit 10 still in access area 30? If no, proceed to step O. If yes, proceed to step N. Step N The control device 22 generates (again) a control signal to unlock access 3. Step O: Is the mobile unit 10 still within the reception range of the stationary unit 20, or is a position determination or ranging of the mobile unit 10 still possible by the stationary unit 20? If no, continue to step P. If yes, continue to step H. Step P sequence is terminated and in particular the control device 22 is switched from the alternating radar and communication modes to a standby mode. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2023 / 222462 A1

[0003] DE 10 2020 114 403 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Access control system (1) for buildings (2) with a stationary unit (20) and a mobile unit (10), wherein the mobile unit (10) has a mobile transceiver (11) which is designed to transmit wirelessly and encrypted signals (S) for authentication and authorization of the mobile unit (10) with respect to the stationary unit (20) and for control of the stationary unit (20) by the mobile unit (10) to a stationary transceiver (21) of the stationary unit (20), wherein the stationary transceiver (21) is designed to transmit radar signals (RS) and to receive radar signals (RS) reflected back to the stationary transceiver (21), and wherein the stationary unit (20) comprises a control device (22) which is designed to detect a movement of an object reflecting the radar signals (RS) back to the stationary transceiver (21) from radar signals (RS) emitted by the stationary transceiver (21) and reflected back to the stationary transceiver (21), to compare the movement with a predetermined movement pattern and, if there is a match, to control a function. [2] Access control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device (22) is designed to determine a position of the mobile unit (10) relative to the stationary unit (20) from the signals (S) transmitted from the mobile transceiver (11) to the stationary transceiver (21). [3] Access control system according to claim 2, wherein the control device (22) is designed in particular, to control the function exclusively when, in addition to the match, a control command for triggering the function is transmitted to the stationary unit (20) by a mobile unit (10) authenticated and authorized by the stationary unit (20) and / or the position of the mobile unit (10), in addition to the match, is within a predetermined access area (30) that can be changed by a user. [4] Access control system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a sensor (6) connected to the control device (22) for signaling purposes, which sensor is designed to monitor an actuation of an access unlocked by the function by a user. [5] Access control system according to claim 4, wherein the control device (22) is designed to block access after the function has been activated for the first time and if the unlocked access has not been activated within a predetermined period of time and to unlock access again by reactivating the function if the movement of the object reflecting the radar signals (RS) back to the stationary transceiver (21) corresponds to the predetermined movement pattern. [6] Access control system according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the stationary transceiver (21) is designed to transmit signals (S) to the mobile transceiver (11) in a communication mode and to receive signals (S) from the mobile transceiver (11) and to transmit radar signals (RS) and to receive reflected radar signals (RS) in a locating mode, wherein the stationary transceiver (21) is operable alternately in the communication mode and the locating mode and / or is operable recurrently in the communication mode at time intervals determined by a first time interval (T1) and / or is operable in the locating mode at time intervals determined by a second time interval (T2). [7] Access control system according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the stationary transceiver (21) is designed to transmit both the signals (S) and the radar signals (RS) depending on a ranging mode of the stationary transceiver (21), and to transmit the signals (S) and the radar signals (RS) at respective regular time intervals determined by ranging slots (60). [8] Access control system according to the preceding claim, wherein the ranging slots (60) are divided into CHAPs and at least one CHAP (61) is reserved for transmitting the signals (S) in each ranging slot and at least one CHAP (63) is reserved for transmitting the radar signals (RS) in each n-th ranging slot (60). [9] Access control system according to the preceding claim, where the ranging slots (60) are each divided into three CHAPs (61 - 63), a first CHAP (61) of each ranging slot (60) is reserved for transmitting the signals (S) and in every fourth ranging slot (60) the third CHAP (63) is reserved for transmitting the radar signals (RS).

Images