Building access control system with display device

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 configured to wirelessly and encryptedly transmit signals (S) for authentication and authorization of the mobile unit (10) 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 unit (20) comprises a display device (23) and / or an interface for communication with a display device (23) as well as a control device (22) which is configured to repeatedly determine a position of the mobile unit (10) relative to the stationary unit (20) from the signals (S) transmitted by the mobile transceiver (11) to the stationary transceiver (21) and to grant access to a loitering area (40) depending on a triggering condition which is determined by the position and / or a movement pattern formed by a series of positions and / or a control command transmitted by the mobile unit (10), wherein the control device (22) is further configured to detect the entry and exit of the accommodation area (40) by the mobile unit (10) and to control the display device (23) to indicate the presence of the mobile unit (10) within the accommodation area (40).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an access control system for buildings with a display device, wherein entering and leaving a room, e.g. a room, is recorded and the presence in the room is indicated by the display device.

[0002] An access control system within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a system comprising a stationary or fixed unit and a mobile unit that can be carried by a user. These units communicate wirelessly with each other to authenticate and authorize the mobile unit, and thus the user, vis-à-vis the stationary unit. Based on this authentication and authorization, the stationary unit controls various functions, and in particular, releases, i.e., unlocks, the associated access point, for example, a door or gate. Beyond most conventional access systems, the access system according to the invention also provides position determination, as will be explained in more detail below.

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

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

[0005] It has been observed that current building access control systems generally do not allow for the sufficiently reliable verification that an authorized person has actually entered a protected area, such as a hotel room or meeting room, after opening a door. In practice, this leads to the problem that users must manually affix a "Do Not Disturb" or "Occupied" sign to the outside of the door after entering a room to ensure their privacy or undisturbed use of the space. This procedure is not only cumbersome and prone to errors, but also unreliable, as affixing or removing such notices can easily be forgotten or deliberately omitted. Particularly in environments with frequent user turnover, such as hotels or office buildings, this can lead to disruptions and a reduction in user comfort.

[0006] Conventional wireless access control systems are mostly limited to authenticating and authorizing a mobile user device against a stationary unit and controlling access. However, they do not offer a reliable way to automatically detect a person's actual presence in a protected area and display this status externally or centrally. These systems can therefore be optimized to not only control access but also enable automated, secure, and user-friendly recording and display of the presence status within the respective area.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing an access control system with simultaneously improved security and increased comfort.

[0008] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, an access control system for buildings, or a building access control system, is proposed, which accordingly comprises a stationary unit (i.e., fixed in place and preferably permanently connected to the building) and a mobile unit (i.e., not fixed in place and portable or carryable by a user). The mobile unit is essentially an electronic key, which can, for example, be in the form of a smart fob or a smartphone. For clarification, it should be noted that the access control system can comprise a plurality of mobile units, each distinguishable by a unique identifier specific to the mobile unit. Further information, such as authorization, access rights, or the name of a user assigned to the mobile unit, can be stored for each mobile unit or identifier.The stationary unit can, for example, be a unit that can be attached to a door lock or replaces one. Fundamentally, both the stationary and mobile units each have a transceiver, which is understood to be a transmit-receive unit. The transceiver of the mobile unit, referred to as the mobile transceiver, preferably has at least one antenna and electronics for transmitting signals via that antenna and for processing the signals received via that antenna. The transceiver of the stationary unit, referred to as the stationary transceiver, preferably has at least two antennas and electronics for transmitting signals via at least one of the two antennas and for processing the signals received via both antennas.The mobile transceiver is designed to wirelessly transmit encrypted signals, particularly via radio, for authentication and authorization of the mobile unit to the stationary unit, and optionally for control of the stationary unit by the mobile unit to the transceiver of the stationary unit, referred to as the stationary transceiver.

[0010] Fundamentally, authentication and authorization of the mobile unit are understood as the verification of whether the mobile unit, or rather its identity, is known to the stationary unit, in particular whether a unique identifier of the mobile unit is stored in the stationary unit, and 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.

[0011] Furthermore, the mobile transceiver may be configured to include a first mobile module for communication via a first radio standard, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and a second mobile module for communication via a second radio standard, in particular Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB). Similarly, the stationary transceiver may be configured to include a first stationary module for communication via the first radio standard and a second stationary module for communication via the second radio standard. The aforementioned electronics of the transceiver, as well as the antennas, may be provided for each module individually or jointly for each pair of modules. Communication or signal transmission via the first radio standard (BLE) may be used for authentication and authorization, whereas communication or...The transmission of signals using the second radio standard (UWB) can be used to determine the position.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if, after successful authentication and authorization via BLE, UWB communication is established between the mobile and stationary units, enabling the stationary unit to locate the mobile unit with high accuracy. Position determination can be based on polar coordinates, especially those adjacent to the boundary of the access area. The mobile unit is preferably located throughout the entire access process, so that even after the access point has been unlocked and the door opened, it can be tracked whether the mobile unit has actually crossed the boundary of the access area and is thus inside it. This allows for a highly reliable distinction between an access request and an actual entry into the access area.

[0013] The plan is for the signals transmitted wirelessly and encrypted from the mobile unit to the stationary unit to serve as an authentication factor for the mobile unit's authentication and authorization to the stationary unit. The stationary unit has a control device configured to repeatedly determine the mobile unit's position relative to the stationary unit from the signals transmitted by the mobile transceiver to the stationary transceiver and to control a function based on a trigger condition. Specifically, it is proposed that the function be to grant access to a predetermined area, the coordinates of which can be stored in the control device, based on the trigger condition, for example, by means of an actuator. The area could, for example, correspond to a room (hotel room or conference room).The triggering condition is determined by the position and / or a movement pattern (also called a movement path) formed by a series of positions and / or a control command transmitted by the mobile unit. For example, access controlled by the access control system can be unlocked or granted for the purpose of activating a function when the triggering conditions detect an access request. Such a request occurs when the mobile unit or a user carrying the mobile unit moves towards the access point following a predetermined movement pattern and / or the detected position lies within a predetermined access area.

[0014] A key aspect of the invention is that the stationary unit further comprises a display device and / or an interface for communication with a display device, for example provided in a monitoring center, wherein the control device is configured to detect the mobile unit entering and leaving the area of ​​use, and to control the display device to indicate the mobile unit's presence within the area of ​​use.

[0015] To detect entry and exit, or more generally the presence of the mobile unit and thus the user, a sensor can be used, for example, to detect the opening and / or closing of an access point or the crossing of a light barrier after the trigger condition is met. However, it is particularly advantageous to compare the position determined by the stationary unit with the area of ​​occupancy or its boundaries, and to register entry into the area when the boundaries are crossed, and exit from the area when the boundaries are crossed.

[0016] In addition, a sensor, for example a closing contact, can be provided which can detect when the access is closed, so that, for example, the recording and evaluation of the position of the mobile unit by the stationary unit can be made dependent on whether the access was opened after being released and, if necessary, closed again.

[0017] Continuous monitoring of the mobile unit's position within the area is not required.

[0018] It may also be provided, for example, that not the entire area of ​​presence, but only its boundaries or sections thereof, are stored in or retrievable from the control device, which is particularly advantageous because the area of ​​presence may be at least partially outside the range of the stationary transceiver, so that the position of the mobile unit cannot be determined in the entire area of ​​presence.

[0019] However, if the entire area or multiple access points to the area are to be monitored or controlled, the stationary unit can have several stationary transceivers. For example, the stationary unit can have a primary unit (master) and several secondary units (slaves), each equipped for communication with the mobile unit to enable position determination. Both the primary unit and the secondary units can be arranged so that their transceivers, with respect to their range, each cover at least one access point, and together they can, but do not necessarily have to, cover the entire area.

[0020] An advantageous further development provides that the control device has a counter and is designed in such a way that the counter is increased when the mobile unit enters the area and decreased when the mobile unit leaves the area, so that a number of mobile units in the area can be recorded in a data-saving manner.

[0021] The technical benefit of this design is that the number of mobile units in the area can be reliably recorded. This allows for precise control of access numbers and can be particularly advantageous for security-relevant or capacity-limited areas.

[0022] Although the number is preferably made available exclusively to the display device, it may additionally be provided that it is transmitted to a system connected to the stationary unit.

[0023] Another variant provides that the display device is designed as an optical display, for example as a screen, and the control device is designed to reproduce a number of mobile units located in the area of ​​occupancy and / or information assigned to the mobile units and / or a predefined message determined by the number of mobile units in the area of ​​occupancy.

[0024] For example, the visual display of a lounge area (hotel room) can show "Please do not disturb" if at least one mobile unit is located within the lounge area, or the visual display of a lounge area (conference room) can show "Meeting".

[0025] Especially in meeting areas, a name assigned to the mobile units can also be displayed, so that it is possible to see who is present.

[0026] In a simple case, the visual display can also be limited to a light source that illuminates or highlights a sign displaying information.

[0027] Although the display device is preferably located at the entrance outside the area of ​​occupancy, i.e., “outside”, it may alternatively be provided that the display device – for example, in conference rooms – is located within the area of ​​occupancy or at a distance from the area of ​​occupancy, for example, a reception area, a lobby or a monitoring center.

[0028] Optionally, the access control system can be designed so that the display device is also connected via wireless interfaces, for example to mobile devices or smart home systems, so that the status of stay can also be digitally processed or displayed, for example in a hotel app or a building management system.

[0029] This training improves the communication of information to users or staff. For example, the visual display can show current attendance figures, specific information about individual mobile units, or context-sensitive messages, thus increasing the system's user-friendliness and clarity.

[0030] According to a further optional embodiment, the control device is designed to block access to the area when the mobile unit enters the area and / or to release access to the area when the mobile unit leaves the area.

[0031] This allows a door (access) to a hotel room to be automatically locked as soon as the user enters the room.

[0032] For example, in conference rooms, access can be locked after the last mobile unit has left.

[0033] This measure helps to control access to sensitive areas. Automatically locking or unlocking access depending on the mobile unit's location further enhances security and prevents unauthorized use of the area.

[0034] Furthermore, the stationary unit can comprise two modules. A first module includes at least the control device and the stationary transceiver, while a second module, located apart from the first module and connected to it via a signal connection, includes the display device. This signal connection can be implemented via an interface. Although a wired signal connection is advantageous, the signal connection can also be established wirelessly. This allows, for example, the first module to be located near the access point, and the second module to be located further away, perhaps in the aforementioned monitoring center or similar location.

[0035] The features disclosed above can be combined in any way, provided that this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

[0036] Reference is also made to earlier German utility model applications, published as DE 20 2025 102 409 U1, DE 20 2025 102 410 U1, DE 202025102413 U1, DE 20 2025 102 412 U1, DE 20 2025 102 414 U1, DE 202025102415 U1, DE 20 2025 102 416 U1, DE 20 2025 102 417 U1 and DE 20 2025 102 418 U1, which also further develop an access control system according to the invention. Reference is hereby made to the aforementioned disclosures, so that their content is incorporated into the disclosure and teaching of the present application.

[0037] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1. an access control system; Fig. 2 an access control system analogous to Fig. 1; Fig. 3. A flowchart for displaying information on the display device.

[0038] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the essential components of an access control system 1 at a building 2 according to the invention.

[0040] Such an access control system 1 basically comprises a stationary unit 20 and a mobile unit 10, wherein the stationary unit 20 is fixed in place or connected to the building 2 and is designed to control the access point 3, for example, a door, of the building 2 and, in particular, to lock or unlock the access point 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 its position and to authenticate and authorize it. The mobile unit 10 has a mobile transceiver 11, which has a first mobile module for communication via a first radio standard, specifically a BLE module for communication via BLE, and a second mobile module for communication via a second radio standard, specifically a UWB module for communication via UWB.This enables the mobile transceiver 11 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 transceiver 21 of the stationary unit 20.

[0041] The stationary transceiver 21 has a first stationary module for communication via the first radio standard, specifically a BLE module for communication via BLE, and a second stationary module for communication via the second radio standard, specifically a UWB module for communication via UWB.

[0042] In general, identification or authentication, especially regarding an authentication factor, preferably takes place via BLE, whereas localization or position determination preferably takes place via cryptographically secured communication over UWB.

[0043] It should be noted that the control of the stationary unit 20 should not, or preferably at least not exclusively, be based on control commands received from the mobile unit 10, but rather on the evaluation of the position of the mobile unit 10 relative to the stationary unit 20 or a movement pattern derived from a successive sequence of positions recorded over time. Regarding the position, an access request can be assumed as a trigger condition, for example, if the position of the mobile unit is within a predetermined access area 30. The sequence of successively recorded positions corresponds to a movement pattern from which an access request can also be determined as a trigger condition if the movement pattern corresponds, for example, to a straight-line approach of the mobile unit 10 to access point 3 or to the stationary unit 20.

[0044] The stationary unit 20 has a control device 22 which can be configured to determine the access request from the position, to determine a position of the mobile unit 10 relative to the stationary unit 20 from the signals S transmitted by the mobile transceiver 11 to the stationary transceiver 21, and to automatically control a function when the position of the mobile unit 10 is within a predetermined access area 30.

[0045] If the mobile unit 10 is within the (radio) range 21B of the stationary transceiver 21 or its second module, the control device 22 can determine, from the signals S transmitted by the mobile transceiver 11 to the stationary transceiver 21, an angle Φ from which the signals S were received and 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 origin of this two-dimensional polar coordinate system.

[0046] In Fig. 2 is an access control system 1 according to Fig. 1 is shown, wherein the floor plan of room 2 corresponds to a living area 40 and the presence of the mobile unit 10 within the living area 40 and thus of a user carrying the mobile unit 10 is to be indicated by a display device 23 of the stationary unit 20.

[0047] As shown, the (radio) range 21B of the stationary transceiver 21 or its second module does not cover the entire area 40, which is not necessary, however, since the area boundary 41 adjacent to the access point 3 is covered.

[0048] If the control device 22, by means of recurring position determination or a movement path detected thereby, determines that the mobile unit 10, or any mobile unit 10, crosses the occupancy zone boundary 41 from outside the occupancy zone 40 to inside the occupancy zone 40, a counter is incremented. Similarly, the counter is decremented if the control device 22, by means of recurring position determination, determines that the mobile unit 10, or any mobile unit 10, crosses the occupancy zone boundary 41 from inside the occupancy zone 40 to outside the occupancy zone 40.

[0049] If the counter is greater than 0, the control device 22 activates the display device 23 to reproduce the information “Please do not disturb”.

[0050] According to the procedure based on a flowchart Fig.3. The access control system 1 is particularly suitable or designed by means of the control device 22 and the display device 23 for carrying out the following procedural steps: Step A The mobile unit 10 communicates with the stationary unit 20 via signals S, which authenticates and, if necessary, authorizes the mobile unit 10 through the signals S or the data transmitted via the signals S. Step B The stationary unit 20 repeatedly determines the position of the mobile unit 10 and checks the position or a movement pattern determined thereby for a trigger condition. Step C: If the trigger condition has been detected, access to a waiting area 40 is granted, i.e., for example, a door is unlocked and / or opened. Step D: Did the control device 22 detect, either through position detection or a sensor, that someone entered the waiting area 40 within a predetermined time? If no, proceed to step F. If yes, proceed to step E. Step E The control device 22 increments a counter representing the number of people in the waiting area 40 and optionally transmits a message indicating entry to a connected system. Step F The control device 22 optionally transmits a message to the connected system that no entry has taken place. Step G The control device 22 uses a sensor to check whether access 3 (door) has been closed again. Step H: Has access point 3 been closed again? If no, proceed to step J. If yes, proceed to step K. Step J The control device 22 controls the display device 23 to display the information “Please close door”. Step K: Was entry into waiting area 40 recorded? If no, proceed to step L. If yes, proceed to step M. Step L The control device 22 locks (blocks) access 3 again. Step M The control device 22 controls the display device 23 to display the information “Please do not disturb”. Reference symbol list: 1 Access control system 2 buildings 3 Access / Door 10 mobile units 11 mobile transceivers 20 stationary units 21 stationary transceivers 21B Range of the stationary transceiver 22 Control device 23 Display device 30 Access area 40 Lounge area 41. Limit of the area where people are staying S Signal(s) r distance Φ angle (polar coordinates) QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] WO 2023 / 222462 A1

[0003] DE 10 2020 114 403 A1

[0003] DE 20 2025 102 409 U1

[0036] DE 20 2025 102 410 U1

[0036] DE 202025102413 U1

[0036] DE 20 2025 102 412 U1

[0036] DE 20 2025 102 414 U1

[0036] DE 202025102415 U1

[0036] DE 20 2025 102 416 U1

[0036] DE 20 2025 102 417 U1

[0036] DE 20 2025 102 418 U1

[0036]

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 configured to wirelessly and encryptedly transmit signals (S) for authentication and authorization of the mobile unit (10) 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 unit (20) comprises a display device (23) and / or an interface for communication with a display device (23) as well as a control device (22) which is configured to repeatedly determine a position of the mobile unit (10) relative to the stationary unit (20) from the signals (S) transmitted by the mobile transceiver (11) to the stationary transceiver (21) and to grant access to a loitering area (40) depending on a triggering condition which is determined by the position and / or a movement pattern formed by a series of positions and / or a control command transmitted by the mobile unit (10), wherein the control device (22) is further configured to detect the entry and exit of the accommodation area (40) by the mobile unit (10) and to control the display device (23) to indicate the presence of the mobile unit (10) within the accommodation area (40). [2] Access control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device (22) has a counter and is configured to increase the counter when the mobile unit (10) enters the waiting area (40) and to decrease it when the mobile unit (10) leaves the waiting area (40). [3] Access control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display device (23) is an optical display and the control device (22) is configured to reproduce a number of mobile units (10) located in the area (40) and / or information associated with the mobile units (10) and / or a predefined message determined by the number of mobile units (10) in the area (40). [4] Access control system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (22) is designed, to block access to the waiting area (40) when the mobile unit (10) enters the waiting area (40) and / or to release access to the waiting area (40) when the mobile unit (10) leaves the waiting area (40). [5] Access control system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stationary unit (20) comprises a first module comprising at least the control device (22) and the stationary transceiver (21) and a second module which is spaced apart from the first module and connected to it in terms of signaling, and which includes the display device (23).

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