Access control system with barrier-free access
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023731251
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-30
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-07
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM WITH BARRIER-FREE ACCESS
[0002] Description
[0003] The technology described here generally relates to an access control system that grants an authorized user access to a restricted area in a building or premises. Examples of implementations of the technology specifically relate to an access control system with a barrier-free access control system and a method for operating such an access control system.
[0004] Access control systems can be designed in a variety of ways to control access to a restricted area, e.g., in a building or on a site. The designs can, for example, relate to the way in which people have to identify themselves as authorized to access, e.g., with a key, a magnetic, chip, or RFID card, or a mobile electronic device (e.g., mobile phone). WO 2010 / 112586 A1 describes an access control system in which a person has to hold an optical code displayed by a mobile phone in front of a camera. If the code is valid, the person is granted access. The designs can, for example, also relate to the way in which people are granted or denied access to the building or interior spaces at an (access control) gate; doors, revolving doors, or barriers are examples of barriers that are blocked or released (i.e.,for example, unlocked or unlocked) and can be used in such a lock.
[0005] US 2014 / 0015978 A1 describes an access control system that does not require such a barrier and is therefore referred to as a barrier-free gate. The passage is open and barrier-free, so that a person can, in principle, pass freely through the gate without delay or obstruction. To control the passage, a detection device for checking proof of authorization (in particular, payment of a fare) is arranged at the gate. In addition, an image capture device is provided that captures at least part of a face of each person approaching the detection device. From the combination of information from the proof of authorization and image information, a person who has not paid the fare can be determined and identified by an inspector. The image information is displayed to the inspector on their mobile device.Such an accessible checkpoint reduces the risk of delays or congestion at a checkpoint during high traffic volumes. However, people who may inadvertently fail to present their credentials may find it disruptive to be publicly checked by the checkpoint inspector. Therefore, there is a need for technology that offers the benefits of an accessible checkpoint while still being user-friendly.
[0006] One aspect of such technology relates to a method for operating a system for controlling access to a restricted-access zone in a building or on a site. The system comprises an access control device and a barrier-free gate at an entrance to the restricted-access zone. The gate is communicatively connected to the access control device and comprises a display device, a detection device, and an image capture device. The method comprises controlling the display device to display image data of a person generated by the image capture device as a real-time image visible to the person. The image capture device generates the image data when the person is present at the gate in order to enter the restricted-access zone.The access control device checks whether the registration device has detected a valid credential and whether the credential detected by the registration device is valid. If a valid credential from the person is detected, the access control device generates an enable signal, and the screen device is controlled to display access authorization in addition to the real-time image. If the person's valid credential is not detected, the access control device generates an alarm message, and the screen device is controlled to display the alarm message in addition to the real-time image.
[0007] Another aspect of the technology relates to a system for controlling access to a restricted-access zone in a building or on a site. The system has an access control device and a barrier-free gate at an entrance to the restricted-access zone. The gate is communicatively connected to the access control device and includes a screen device, a detection device, and an image capture device. The screen device is configured to display image data of a person generated by the image capture device as a real-time image visible to the person. The detection device is configured to capture the person's credentials. The image capture device is configured to generate the image data when the person is present at the gate to enter the restricted-access zone.The access control device is designed to check whether the detection device has detected a credential and whether the credential detected by the detection device is valid. If the person's credential is valid, the access control device generates an enable signal and controls the screen device to display access authorization in addition to the real-time image. If the person's credential is not valid, the access control device generates an alarm message and controls the screen device to display the alarm message in addition to the real-time image.
[0008] The technology described here enables user-friendly control of access to a restricted-access zone while ensuring a high level of security. The gate is barrier-free, reducing the risk of delays or congestion during periods of high volume. In addition, a real-time image of the person, particularly the face of the person seeking access to the restricted-access zone, is displayed at the gate. Displaying one's own face in the real-time image prompts or reminds the person to present proof of authorization. The real-time recording allows the person to feel personally addressed, reducing the likelihood of them inadvertently passing through the gate without authenticating themselves.This can prevent a person with access authorization from triggering an alarm and being checked by a security guard when they simply forgot to present their credentials. However, a person attempting to enter the restricted zone without authorization may be deterred or prevented from doing so by seeing their own face, for example, because they assume the image is being stored for evidential and identification purposes.
[0009] According to the technology described here, the real-time image is displayed for the aforementioned purposes. The person's face is detected and displayed centrally in the real-time image. Known image processing methods perform such facial detection in an extremely short time, enabling a high throughput of people at the checkpoint. A facial recognition method for authentication purposes, which uses stored facial templates and potentially time-consuming comparison algorithms, is not used in conjunction with the real-time image display.
[0010] In one embodiment, the gate can be configured to detect the presence of the person at the gate and to control the display device to generate an audible and / or visible indication for the person to identify themselves. The audible indication can comprise a voice message, and a visible indication can comprise a display of the voice message as text and / or a visual effect in conjunction with the real-time image. The voice message alone or in conjunction with the visual effect can further reduce the likelihood that the person will inadvertently pass through the gate without authenticating themselves. This also assists a person with impaired vision.
[0011] In one embodiment, which may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the person's face is detected in the generated image data of the person, in particular by the image capture device; the generated real-time image essentially comprises the person's face. The image display, with the focus on the face, contributes in particular to the aforementioned advantages of personal addressing and deterrence.
[0012] In an embodiment that can be used in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the aforementioned prompt or reminder function can be enhanced by the screen device being configured, when appropriately controlled, to display a full or partial boundary that essentially comprises an image area around the person's face. The screen device can display the full or partial boundary according to one of several predefined optical effects. A first optical effect can prompt the person to identify themselves, a second optical effect can indicate access authorization, and a third optical effect can display the alarm message. The type of optical effect can be selected for the building, for example, with regard to color and / or temporal progression (e.g., continuous light, flashing, or rising and falling).
[0013] In one embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the real-time image can be stored in a memory device when the alarm message is received by the access control device. This allows the person to be recognized more easily and unambiguously, for example, by a security guard. The person can be better identified by the security guard, for example, to be checked or tracked in the restricted-access zone. In particular, the person can be tracked.
[0014] In one embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, a camera system can be present that is communicatively connected to the access control device and is arranged, in particular, in the restricted-access zone. The camera system is designed to be activated upon an alarm. This allows a person to be tracked in the restricted-access zone; in particular, they can be better identified for subsequent monitoring, for example.
[0015] In one embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the access control device can be configured to generate an alarm signal upon the presence of the alarm message and to send it to an elevator system. The elevator system is configured to block an elevator service departing from the restricted-access zone in response to the alarm signal. In the event of a security breach on the floor of the airlock, this can, for example, prevent an unauthorized person from using an elevator to reach another floor. In conjunction with the aforementioned camera system, it can be detected in one embodiment which of several elevators this person is boarding or intends to board; this elevator and / or a neighboring elevator can then be controlled accordingly, e.g., preventing the elevator doors from closing.
[0016] In one embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the detection device can be configured to detect an optical code, a biometric feature, and / or a radio signal. The credential can be detectable as an optical code, a biometric feature, or a radio signal. The interlock can be configured to recognize one or more types of credentials. Therefore, one or more types of credentials can be provided for use in a building.
[0017] Various aspects of the improved technology are explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures. In the figures, like elements have like reference numerals. They show:
[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an application example of an access control system as part of a building system in a building;
[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an interaction of the access control system with an authorized person;
[0020] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an interaction of the access control system with a person not authorized to access the system; and Fig. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating the access control system.
[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an application example of an access control system 1 as part of a building system in a building. For illustrative purposes, only a few walls, rooms 4, and zones 8, 12 of the building are shown, as they may be present in an exemplary situation on a floor of the building. The rooms 4 can be, for example, offices, apartments, halls, and / or elevator cars of an elevator system. In the exemplary embodiments described here, the building system comprises the access control system 1, which includes at least one airlock 10, and an elevator system 3. The rooms 4 shown can belong to a group of elevators, which includes, for example, four elevators (AD). Instead of the four elevators shown, the elevator system 3 can have a larger or smaller number of elevators. An elevator control device ECS controls the elevator system 3, and an access control device ACS controls the access control system 1. In Fig.For illustrative purposes, these controls are combined in a control system 8, which is communicatively connected to the airlock 10 and the elevators (AD) and their equipment via a communications network 22. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the access control device ACS and the elevator control ECS can be arranged separately from each other in the building.
[0022] In the application of the access control system 1 shown in Fig. 1, a person 2 carrying an authorization credential 6 is located on the floor in zone 8. In this example, zone 8 is not subject to any access restrictions and is also referred to below as public zone 8. Public zone 8 can be an area inside or outside the building. The interlock 10 separates public zone 8 from zone 12, which is subject to access restrictions and borders rooms 4. Zone 12 can also be referred to below as non-public or restricted-access zone 8. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the access control system 1 is not limited to applications within a building, but can also be used analogously to control access to a restricted-access zone on a site. The term "building" in this description includes, for example,This includes residential buildings, commercial buildings, sports arenas, and shopping centers. The technology described here can also be used on or in conjunction with a ship.
[0023] The access control system 1 is designed to monitor access to the restricted-access zone 12 so that only authorized persons 2 can enter zone 12. According to the technology described here, access is via the lock 10, which is designed as a barrier-free lock 10. In Fig. 1, the lock 10 is represented by two structures 10a, 10b standing on the ground, with a passageway between the structures 10a, 10b through which the person 2 must go in the direction of the arrow if they wish to go from zone 8 to zone 12. The person skilled in the art will recognize that the lock 10 shown is exemplary. Depending on the building and / or expected traffic volume, the lock 10 can consist of several individual locks, each with passageways between two adjacent structures. The person skilled in the art will also recognize that the lock 10 can be designed in a different way, for example, instead of the structure shown in Fig.1 with only one structure; a passage can then exist, for example, between this structure and a building wall. The structure or at least one of its components described below can also be arranged on a building wall, in which case the passage then exists in the area in front of the building wall or the components.
[0024] In Fig. 1, the following components of the lock 10 are shown by way of example: a screen device 14 (e.g., comprising an LED or LCD display device), a detection device 16 for detecting an authorization credential 6, and an image detection device 18 (e.g., a camera). These components (14, 16, 18) are arranged, by way of example, on or in the (right-hand) structure 10a, but are not limited to this arrangement. For illustration, the components (14, 16, 18) are shown on a front side of the structure 10a; those skilled in the art will recognize that at least one of the components (14, 16, 18) can be arranged on another side of the structure 10a, in particular on a top side.
[0025] In one embodiment, a sensor device 24 is arranged on or near the lock 10. In Fig. 1, the sensor device 24 is arranged, for example, on the (left) structure 10b, but is not limited to this arrangement. The sensor device 24 is designed and arranged to detect a passage of the person 2 through the lock 10. The sensor device 24 can comprise a camera (2D or 3D camera), a 3D sensor (e.g., a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor), a light barrier, or another sensor suitable for person or object detection.
[0026] The image capture device 18 is designed and arranged accordingly on the lock 10 to capture a defined field of view in the region of the lock 10. The image capture device 18 generates a camera image of at least part of the person 2 located at the lock 10, in particular of the face or a part thereof, and transmits the camera image to the screen device 14. Methods and devices for detecting a face in an image or in image data, i.e. for recognizing the location of the face in the image, are known to those skilled in the art, e.g., from Rein-Lien Hsu et al., "Face detection in color images," IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, Vol. 24, No. 5, May 2002, pp. 696 - 706. The screen device 14 displays the recorded part, for example the (entire) face, visible to the person 2, for example substantially within a full or partial boundary 30.The screen device 14 is accordingly arranged at the lock 10. This display function of the screen device 14 is illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, each in the left part of the figure, wherein the full or partial boundary 30 is shown as a rectangular frame that essentially encompasses an image area around the face of the person 2. The screen device 14 can control the display of the full or partial boundary 30 according to a first optical effect that prompts the person 2 to identify themselves, a second optical effect that indicates access authorization, and a third optical effect that indicates an alarm message.
[0027] Depending on the design of the lock 10, a signaling device 20 may be present, which is arranged at least in or on one of the two structures 10a, 10b; in Fig. 1, both structures 10a, 10b are equipped with the signaling device 20, wherein the signaling device 20 is provided, for example, along a vertical edge of the structure 10a, 10b. In one embodiment, the signaling device 20 is designed and arranged accordingly on the lock 10 to generate light of different colors (e.g., red and green) and / or an acoustic signal (e.g., an alarm signal), wherein the light and / or the acoustic signal are each perceptible to the person 2. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the signaling device 20 can be designed in a different way, as long as it or its signaling is perceptible to the person 2.
[0028] The access control system 1 shown in Fig. 1 can comprise one or more camera systems 26, which are arranged in the area of the airlock 10, in particular in the access-restricted zone 12. In one exemplary embodiment, such a camera system 26 is designed, alone or in conjunction with the sensor device 24, to detect the person 2 and to track their movement within the zone 12. The person skilled in the art recognizes that the number of camera systems 26 and their spatial arrangements can be adapted to the building and / or the size of the zone 12. The person skilled in the art also recognizes that the camera system(s) 26 are optional, for example, if no tracking is provided. Such a camera system 26 is known to the person skilled in the art; it can, for example, comprise a 2D or 3D video camera, each with an associated image processing device. For example, EP 1 345 445 A1 discloses a 3D camera ora sensor device for detecting three dimensions in order to detect the positions of persons or other objects, the distances between them and their movements and directions of movement.
[0029] The recognition device 16 can be configured in various ways; in particular, it can be configured for one or more types of authorization credentials 6. An authorization credential 6 is typically assigned to a person 2 or group of persons in the building system (e.g., in a database for user profiles), which must be consciously presented by the person 2 at the entrance to the restricted-access zone 12. The authorization credential 6 can be stored as a password (code) on an information carrier (e.g., in a chip of a chip card or a magnetic stripe of a magnetic stripe card) or represented (e.g., as an optical code in the form of a QR code, a barcode, or a color code). In one embodiment, the authorization credential 6 can be a biometric feature, e.g., a facial, voice, fingerprint, or eye pattern of the person 2.
[0030] The recognition device 16 is adapted to the authorization credential(s) 6 to be used in the building. In one embodiment, the recognition device 16 can have an optical reading device (e.g., a digital camera) to capture, for example, an optical code from an information carrier. The information carrier can be configured, for example, in the form of a credit card-shaped employee ID card or the like; in another embodiment, a mobile phone (or a similar electronic device) of the person 2, which displays the optical code on a screen, serves as the information carrier. The digital camera of the optical reading device (or an additional digital camera) can be used in one embodiment to capture a biometric authorization credential 6.The captured biometric credential 6 can then be used in conjunction with a recognition device and stored biometric data of persons 2 registered in the building to determine access authorization, e.g., using facial recognition. Additionally or alternatively, a radio-based reading device can be present that reads the credential 6, for example, from a chip of an RFID transponder. An employee ID card or similar device or a mobile phone can serve as the RFID transponder. In one embodiment, the radio-based reading device can be configured for communication with the mobile phone or similar device using near-field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth technology.
[0031] In the embodiments disclosed in this description, the credential 6 must be presented. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the credential 6 represents the information used to verify access authorization, regardless of the type of information (code or biometric feature) and the design of any information carrier. The figures show, for example, a card-shaped information carrier on which the credential 6 is stored or displayed; the information carrier is therefore also referred to as the credential 6.
[0032] In the situation in the building shown in Fig. 1, the technology described here can be advantageously applied; further details on configurations of the access system 1 and the elevator system 3 can be found elsewhere in this description. Based on the situation shown in Fig. 1 and with an understanding of the components described above and their functionalities in the access control system 1, a description of an exemplary access control method is given below in conjunction with Fig. 4. The description is made with reference to person 2, who, coming from zone 8 at the lock 10, wishes to enter the restricted-access zone 12, for example, to use an elevator (AD). Person 2 carries an authorization credential 6, which here, for example—as shown in Fig. 1—is designed as a credit card-shaped employee ID card.The authorization credential 6 must be presented at the gate 10 to enter the restricted-access zone 12. The access control system 1 is activated. The method begins in a step S1 and ends in a step S6. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the division into these steps is exemplary, that additional steps may be present, and that one or more of these steps may be divided into one or more sub-steps, or that several of the steps may be combined into a single step.
[0033] If person 2 moves in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1 to reach the restricted-access zone 12 on the floor, they enter the field of view of the image capture device 18 at or in the area of the airlock 10. With the resulting presence of person 2 at the airlock 10, the image capture device 18 generates image data. In a step S2, the screen device 14 is controlled to display image data of person 2 generated by the image capture device 18 as a real-time image visible to the person 2. An exemplary real-time image with the face of person 2 is shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 (each on the left).
[0034] In one embodiment, upon detection of the presence of person 2 at the gate 10, the display device 14 is controlled to generate an audible and / or visible indication for person 2 to identify themselves. The audible indication may include a voice message, and the visible indication may include a display of the voice message and / or a visual effect in conjunction with the real-time image.
[0035] In a step S3, the access control device ACS checks whether a valid authorization credential 6 of person 2 is recognized. As mentioned above, person 2 must identify themselves at the barrier-free lock 10, in particular by presenting the authorization credential 6 to the recognition device 16. If person 2 is aware of this requirement, they will identify themselves; they will also be asked to identify themselves and, if necessary, reminded of this. In one embodiment, this occurs, or is at least supported, by the screen device 14 displaying the real-time image of the face of person 2, so that person 2 can see the displayed image when they are at the lock 10. The real-time image can display a request for identification and / or it can be accompanied by a corresponding voice message. In addition, the full or partial boundary 30 (frame) can be visually (e.g.in color and / or with a lighting effect (e.g. flashing or rising and falling). If person 2 has identified themselves, e.g. by presenting a valid authorization credential 6, the method proceeds along the yes branch to step S4. In step S4, if the authorization credentials are valid, an approval signal is generated by the access control device ACS and the screen device 14 is controlled to display an access approval in addition to the real-time image. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the screen device 14 displays the granted access, e.g. by means of a symbol 32 and / or by means of an optical highlighting of the full or partial boundary 30, e.g. it can be shown glowing green (constantly or flashing). In addition, the signaling device 20 can be activated and, for example, light up green.This makes it visible to person 2 and any control person present that they are granted access; the process ends in step S6.
[0036] If, however, no valid authorization credential 6 of person 2 is recognized because the person does not present any or no valid authorization credential 6, the method proceeds along the "No" branch to step S5. In step S5, an alarm message is generated by the access control device ACS, and the screen device 14 is controlled to display the alarm message in addition to the real-time image. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the screen device 14 displays the person's face analogously to Fig. 2, but the symbol 32 and / or the color highlighting of the full or partial boundary 30 (e.g., it can light up red) now represent a warning or an alarm. Depending on the configuration, a text, a word, and / or an alarm symbol can be displayed in a display area 34. In addition, the signaling device 20 can be activated and, for example, light up red.This makes it clear to person 2 and any security guard present that they may not be granted access.
[0037] If person 2 has forgotten to present their credential 6, they can do so in response to the warning without being prompted to do so by a security guard. Person 2 can, for example, go back and present their credential 6. Since person 2 is authorized to enter in such a case, this procedure can be more pleasant for person 2 in public than a check. If, on the other hand, person 2 is not authorized to enter and still attempts to pass through the lock 10, the security guard can identify them using the displayed face and, for example, check them and / or initiate another measure. For this purpose, the real-time image can be stored for a specified period of time, e.g., in the storage device 36. The method ends in step S6.
[0038] If person 2 moves in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1 and presents their valid credential 6 to the detection device 16, this means, in the situation shown, that person 2 wishes to be transported to a desired destination floor by one of the elevators (AD). The destination floor can be stored in a user profile created for person 2 in a building management system of the building system. The elevator control ECS can, for example, be designed as a group control with destination call control technology. Upon recognition of person 2, a destination call is initiated, for example, which specifies the destination floor stored in the user profile of person 2 and the floor on which the interlock 10 is located as the boarding floor.For example, if access control occurs in an entrance hall of the building, which persons 2 must pass through to reach the elevators AD, a destination call can be initiated each time access is granted to the person 2 in question. The elevator control system ECS determines an elevator to serve the destination call and communicates the determined elevator to person 2, for example, via the screen device 14 at the interlock 10. If there are multiple interlocks 10, such a screen device 14 can be provided at each interlock 10. The access control system 1 detects which interlock 10 the person 2 is located at and controls the screen device 14 arranged there to display the assigned elevator in the display area 34 (e.g., "B", Fig. 2). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the screen device 14 can be configured to generate a corresponding voice message.
[0039] In conjunction with the elevator system 3, the alarm message generated in step S5 can be transmitted as an alarm signal to the elevator control system ECS. The elevator control system ECS is configured to initiate one or more specified measures in response to a security breach indicated by the alarm signal. According to a specified measure, the elevator control system ECS can, for example, block an elevator service departing from the restricted-access zone 12, so that, for example, no elevators AD depart or stop, or no elevator doors open or close, on the floor of the restricted-access zone 12. Depending on the building, the elevator system 3, and the circumstances of the security breach, only one of several elevators or the entire elevator system 3 can be taken out of service. An initiated measure can remain in effect until the security breach is under control. The aforementioned storage of the real-time image can also be limited to this period.
[0040] In one embodiment, the camera system 26 can be used in the event of a security breach to track person 2. In the situation shown in Fig. 1, the camera 24 detects that person 2 is passing through the lock 10, and the camera system 24 determines the path of person 2. From the path determination, it can be determined in which direction and / or to which elevator AD person 2 is walking or which elevator AD person 2 is boarding. The initiated measure can, for example, block the elevator that person 2 is approaching or has already boarded.
[0041] A user profile is created for each person 2 registered in the building system, i.e., it is stored as a data record in a database. In one embodiment, the database is configured in a storage device 36 of the building system. In Fig. 1, the storage device 36 is coupled to the communications network 22; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that it or its storage function can be implemented in a different way. The storage device 36 can, for example, be implemented in the airlock 10, the elevator control device ECS, or the access control device ACS.
[0042] The user profile includes personal data of person 2 (e.g., name, reason for authorization (resident, employee, external service provider, visitor)), access authorizations (e.g., specific rooms 4 and floors), and possibly time-based access restrictions (e.g., access from Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.). Alternatively to creating the user profile in the building system, the user profile can be created in a database of a remote building management system, whereby the access control system 1 can access this database via the Internet and / or cloud computing technology. As shown in Fig. 1, the airlock 10 comprises the image capture device 18, which generates an image of person 2 (in particular, the face) located within the detection range of the image capture device 18 when the person 2 wishes to enter the access-restricted zone 12.In one embodiment, the image capture device 18 comprises a digital camera with selectable and / or adjustable properties; in this embodiment, camera recordings are thus present as digital data sets (digital camera recordings (also referred to as digital images)). The properties of the digital camera, for example, resolution (e.g., specified in megapixels), exposure, and focal length, are selected or adjusted such that a camera recording (digital image) can be evaluated and the face of the person 2 can be recognized in the digital image with recognizable quality. The digital image is present, for example, in a JPEG format, but it can also be present in another format, such as BMP or JPEG2000 format.
[0043] In one exemplary embodiment, the screen device 14 displays the digital image for a specified period, for example, for the duration of Person 2's presence at the lock 10. During this period, Person 2 can present the credential 6 (possibly after a request as described above), whereupon the access authorization can be verified, and the control officer can identify Person 2 and take action if necessary. After this period, the digital image display is deleted without saving the digital image in the building system or assigning it to Person 2. This allows any existing statutory data protection requirements to be met.
[0044] The image capture device 18 can be equipped with a sensor module or connected to a separate sensor module that activates the image capture device 18 when it detects the presence of a person 2 in the detection area. The sensor module can, for example, comprise a proximity sensor, which can be configured as an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or an optical sensor (e.g., a light barrier, brightness sensor). Alternatively, in one embodiment, the presence of a person 2 in the detection area of the image capture device 18 can be detected by detecting changes in the detection area. If, for example, the person 2 enters the detection area and the image capture device 18 is continuously in an active state, the image capture device 18 records changes against a substantially static background; these changes are interpreted as presence.
Claims
Patent claims 1. A method for operating a system (1) for controlling access to a restricted-access zone (12) in a building or on a site, the system (1) having an access control device (ACS) and a barrier-free gate (10) at an entrance to the restricted-access zone (12), the gate (10) being communicatively connected to the access control device (ACS) and comprising a screen device (14), a detection device (16) and an image detection device (18), the method comprising: Controlling the screen device (14) to display image data of a person (2) generated by the image capture device (18) as a real-time image visible to the person (2), wherein the image capture device (18) generates the image data when the person (2) is present at the lock (10) in order to enter the access-restricted zone (12); Checking by the access control device (ACS) whether an authorization credential (6) is detected by the detection device (16) and whether the authorization credential (6) detected by the detection device (16) is valid; if a valid authorization credential (6) of the person (2) is detected, generating an enable signal by the access control device (ACS) and controlling the screen device (14) to display an access enable signal in addition to the real-time image; if no valid authorization credential of the person (2) is detected, generating an alarm message by the access control device (ACS) and controlling the screen device (14) to display the alarm message in addition to the real-time image.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting the presence of the person (2) at the lock (10) and controlling the screen device (14) to generate an audible and / or visible indication for the person (2) to identify themselves, wherein an audible indication comprises a voice message and wherein a visible indication comprises a display of the voice message as text and / or a visual effect in conjunction with the real-time image.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising detecting the face of the person (2) in the generated image data of the person (2) and generating the real-time image substantially comprising the face of the person (2).
4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising controlling the screen device (14) to display a full or partial boundary (30) which essentially comprises an image area around the face of the person (2).
5. Method according to claim 4, wherein for the display of the full or partial boundary (30) by the screen device (14) a first optical effect which requests the person (2) to identify himself, a second optical effect which indicates the access authorization and a third optical effect which indicates the alarm message are defined.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising storing the real-time image in a storage device (36) by the access control device (ACS) in the presence of an alarm message.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising activating a camera system (26) by the access control device (ACS) in the presence of the alarm message in order to track the person (2) in the access-restricted zone (12).
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising generating an alarm signal by the access control device (ACS) when the alarm message is present and sending the alarm signal to an elevator system (3) to block an elevator service leaving the restricted access zone (12).
9. System (1) for controlling access to a restricted access zone (12) in a building or on a site, the system (1) comprising: an access control device (ACS); and a barrier-free lock (10) at an entrance to the restricted access zone (12), the lock (10) being connected to the access control device (ACS) is communicatively connected and comprises a screen device (14), a detection device (16), and an image detection device (18); wherein the screen device (14) is designed to display image data of a person (2) generated by the image detection device (18) as a real-time image visible to the person (2), wherein the detection device (16) is designed to detect a credential (6) of the person (2), wherein the image detection device (18) is designed to generate the image data when the person (2) is present at the lock (10) in order to enter the access-restricted zone (12); and wherein the access control device (ACS) is designed to check whether the detection device (16) detects a credential (6) and whether the credential (6) detected by the detection device (16) is valid;If the person (2) has valid authorization, generate an enable signal and control the screen device (14) to display access authorization in addition to the real-time image; and if the person (2) has no valid authorization, generate an alarm message and control the screen device (14) to display the alarm message in addition to the real-time image.
10. System (1) according to claim 9, wherein the detection device (16) is designed to detect an optical code, a biometric feature and / or a radio signal, wherein the authorization proof (6) can be detected as an optical code, a biometric feature or a radio signal.
11. System (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the screen device (14) is designed to generate an audible and / or visible indication for the person (2) to identify themselves, wherein an audible indication comprises a voice message and wherein a visible indication comprises a display of the voice message and / or a visual effect in connection with the real-time image.
12. System (1) according to one of claims 9 - 11, wherein the image capture device (18) is designed to detect the face of the person (2) in the generated image data of the person (2), and wherein the screen device (14) is designed to display the image data as a real-time image which substantially comprises the face of the person (2).
13. System (1) according to claim 12, wherein the screen device (14) is designed to display a full or partial boundary (30) which essentially comprises an image area around the face of the person (2).
14. System (1) according to claim 13, wherein the screen device (14) is designed to activate, for the display of the full or partial boundary (30), a first optical effect which requests the person (2) to identify themselves, a second optical effect which indicates the access authorization, and a third optical effect which indicates the alarm message.
15. System (1) according to one of claims 9 - 14, further comprising a camera system (24, 26) which is communicatively connected to the access control device (ACS), wherein the camera system (24, 26) is designed to be activated upon the alarm message in order to track the person (2) in the access-restricted zone (12).