Device for controlling access rights

Abstract

The device for controlling access rights includes an access area and a guidance device for forming an access lane for individualizing a person or object, the access lane being defined by a blocking means and / or a signaling means. A gate controller with a Bluetooth wireless interface reads the access rights of the portable data carrier, and if the access rights are validated, the access controller releases the blocking means and / or the signaling means, thereby allowing the individual to pass through the access barrier. A multi-phase antenna group is associated with the access lane, and its transmitting and receiving antennas are driven and controlled by a Bluetooth transmitting and receiving module via an antenna power supply network, thereby forming at least two antenna lobes with different spacings from the access barrier as viewed in the access direction. The gate controller (9) continuously emits short signals (advertising events) during idle time via the antenna lobe (6) with the larger spacing from the access barrier as viewed in the access direction, activating the Bluetooth wireless interface of approaching portable data carriers (1). Each data carrier (1) granted access authorization is associated with a unique authorization identifier (UID or authorization ID), which can be read via a ticket app that can be activated via a Bluetooth interface. The gate controller (9) reads the authorization identifier via an antenna lobe (5) located at a closer distance to the access barrier (3) and measures the received field strength (RSSI) of the signal transmitted by the data carrier (1) at this antenna lobe (5). If the evaluation of the received field strength (RSSI) is confirmed and the validity of the authorization (UID) is confirmed, the access controller (9) generates an enable signal for the blocking means and / or signaling means (12, 13).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Ticketing systems are known for various applications, and a distinction is made between applications with access control (gated areas) and systems without access control (Be-in / Be-out). The two methods can also be combined. [Background technology]

[0002] A ticket refers to an authorization that allows access to a particular service and / or location, where the access may be time-, location-, or value-specific and may be personal (non-replaceable) or transferable. Tickets are typically storable on a medium and / or stored as authorizations in a database.

[0003] The invention specifically addresses, but is not limited to, applications where access control is required at least in part, for example in ski lifts, where access is typically provided by a mechanical guidance device in one or more access lanes, each of which is provided with a ticket reader, which captures the ticket of the approaching person, checks and validates the access right, and sends an enable signal to a circuit breaker provided in the access lane. The circuit breaker may be a cross-shaped rotating bar, a pivoting door, a light signal, etc.

[0004] The first generation of such ski pass systems used barcode tickets or magnetic cards as the ticket medium and correspondingly used plug-in readers for barcode or magnetic stripe cards.

[0005] To eliminate the need for maintenance of mechanical readers, these were subsequently replaced by contactless RFID transponders; RFID technologies are known as LF (125 kHz), HF (13.56 MHz) and, in the most recent systems, UHF (900 MHz).

[0006] A general drawback of ticketing systems with a ticket medium is precisely that the ticket medium and the appropriate ticket printer must be provided to organize the ticket sale. Nowadays, it is advantageous to use a smartphone as the ticket medium, since the majority of customers / access authorities have a smartphone. This is already used for boarding at airports, where the boarding pass is stored in the form of a barcode on the smartphone.

[0007] However, in applications where access is frequent, such as for example ski lifts, this approach may not be suitable: for access, the smartphone must be taken out of the pocket, the ticket retrieved and presented to an optical reader. With ski clothing and frequent access, the described handling clearly becomes overly complicated.

[0008] It has also already been proposed to use wireless technologies available in smartphones, such as Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth, for ticketing. NFC has too short a range, a few centimetres, and is therefore difficult to handle.

[0009] Bluetooth is a standardized technology for data transmission in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, developed to network devices within a range of up to 10 meters. Bluetooth is used in particular to transmit audio data. The first Bluetooth versions had a very high power consumption, but this was improved when developments from version 4 onwards were introduced (Bluetooth Low Energy). Recently available is the more recent Bluetooth version 5.x, which also offers localization functions. The functions for localization are on the one hand immature and on the other hand only included in very few smartphone models. It has not yet been possible to use Bluetooth as a communication channel between portable data carriers (tickets) and reading devices in access lanes. One of the reasons for this is that (due to the long distances) it is not guaranteed that the data of the correct person (smartphone) is read and processed.

[0010] US 10163178 describes a system for using portable data carriers (smartphones), which includes a reader for each access lane, each of which includes a Bluetooth antenna array. The reader for each access lane is preceded by a common Bluetooth location transmitter with a long range. When the portable data carrier approaches the access control location, it receives a signal from the location transmitter and, after a connection has been made, seeks to transmit its ticket data (check-in process). When the portable data carrier then reaches the access gate, it seeks to determine its location by means of a Bluetooth antenna array arranged there. For this purpose, the Bluetooth antenna array uses a directional antenna lobe and measures the received field strength (RSSI). If the validity check by the location transmitter and the location check by the antenna array at the access gate are confirmed, access is granted. The system described here for using Bluetooth in access control has shown in practice to produce unsatisfactory processing results, with the passage times being too long and the flow being significantly impaired by people who are not given access immediately when they reach the access gate. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to use a smartphone or an equivalent portable medium for access control in a gated area with simple operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To this end, the invention takes as its starting point an apparatus for controlling access rights in an access area, which comprises an access lane for individualizing persons or objects, a guidance device for forming an access lane in which an access barrier is defined by blocking means and / or signaling means, and a gate controller having a Bluetooth wireless interface for reading the access rights of the portable data carrier, wherein if the validity of the access right of the access controller is confirmed, the blocking means and / or signaling means are released, thereby allowing individual passage through the access barrier, and a polyphase antenna group is assigned to the access lane, the transmitting and receiving antennas of which are driven and controlled by a Bluetooth transmitting and receiving module via an antenna power supply network, so that at least two antenna lobes are formed having different distances to the access barrier as viewed in the access direction.

[0013] According to the invention, the gate controller transmits successive short signals (advertising events) during idling via an antenna lobe with a larger distance to the access barrier as seen in the access direction, which activates the Bluetooth radio interface of approaching portable data carriers. A unique authority identifier (UID or Authorization ID) is assigned to each data carrier to which access is granted, which authority identifier is readable via a ticket App activatable by a Bluetooth service. Via an antenna lobe with a smaller distance to the access barrier, the gate controller determines the UID of the ticket App and measures the received field strength (RSSI) of the signal transmitted by the data carrier. If the evaluation of the received field strength (RSSI) is checked and the validity of the authority (UID) is confirmed, the access controller generates an enable signal for the blocking means and / or the signaling means.

[0014] The invention starts from the knowledge that to obtain an optimally functioning system, not only is precise localization of the read data carrier necessary, but also, in particular, the time flow in the system must be adapted to the expected behavior of the approaching person. If the entrance gate is not immediately released upon arrival, this will result in extreme flow disturbances, leading to complete chaos.

[0015] The Bluetooth communication process has very limited external intervention, and the time period for starting the communication step is mainly preset by the operating system. The device according to the invention and its flow ensure a practically useful and corresponding function to the desired behavior of the approaching person. In other words, the gate opens in front of the access barrier when the controlled person arrives.

[0016] Alternatively, the Bluetooth transceiver determines the release condition from location information obtained from evaluating triangulation values ​​of the antenna groups.

[0017] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the Bluetooth antenna array includes at least two, preferably four, antenna modules spaced apart from each other by λ / 2 of the wavelength in the access direction, and by using transfer switches and phase shifters, directional antenna lobes can be generated between the input side of the antenna network and the antenna modules.

[0018] A Bluetooth transceiver drives multiple switches and phase shifters and applies an interrogation signal having a unique identifier to the antenna lobe.

[0019] Advantageously, the guidance device defines an access lane having a width of less than 1 meter, preferably 60 cm, and on at least one side of the access lane a Bluetooth antenna group is arranged immediately in front of the access barrier, preferably within 1 meter, the antenna group being composed of at least two, preferably four antenna elements, which have a centre-to-centre distance of λ / 2 the wavelength of the Bluetooth frequency from each other, as viewed in the access direction, and an antenna feeding network for feeding the antenna elements generates two directional antenna lobes within 1 meter in front of the access barrier, a first antenna lobe of the directional antenna lobe being located closer to the access barrier and a second antenna lobe of the directional antenna lobe having a greater spacing to the access barrier, as viewed in the access direction.

[0020] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of an embodiment and with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an access lane for controlling access rights on a ski lift. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of an access lane. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram with important circuit elements. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram of an antenna power feed network; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The general characteristics of Bluetooth technology are described, for example, in "https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Bluetooth_Low_Energy". Bluetooth is a standardized wireless transmission method in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, which allows multiple devices to be networked in a 10 meter peripheral area. The following description assumes that the communication process of the standardized Bluetooth method is known, but is not limited to the known method under this term. The present invention is also applicable to the corresponding wireless communication method.

[0023] Each portable data carrier 1 is associated with a ticket App (program module) that can be activated under Bluetooth and an authorization ID that can be read via it. The authorization ID can be a unique number in the system, which also references the actual authorization data, e.g. valid location, validity period, valid value of the authorization or valid personal data. The authorization ID can include some or all of these authorization data directly.

[0024] In FIG. 1 the access lane is shown in a perspective view, in which the access direction is symbolically indicated by an arrow 7. The access lane 7 is delimited on both sides by device pillars 10 and 11 with a width of about 60 cm, which allows only one person to enter each. In the closed state (see also FIG. 2) an access barrier 3 is formed by motor-driven pivotable blocking arms 12, 13. The space in front of the access barrier 3 is a waiting or inspection area, the space behind the barrier should only be reachable with a valid access authorization. Further details of such a construction are given, for example, in EP 1990777. In the state shown in the figure, a skier 20 is immediately in front of the access barrier 3, whose access authorization is stored in a smartphone 1 with a Bluetooth interface. The device is intended to guarantee individual access, i.e. the data of the second person in the queue should not be controlled instead of the data of the skier 20 immediately in front of the access barrier 3.

[0025] As will be explained further below, the smartphone 1 connects via its Bluetooth interface to a transmitting / receiving antenna 2 in the access lane 7. The access rights are checked and, if valid, the blocking arms 12, 13 are rotated in the access direction and release the access lane 7. The skier 20 passes the access barrier 3 and the blocking arms 12, 13 are closed immediately after this. This closure is triggered by a light barrier in the access lane 7, not shown in this figure.

[0026] In FIG. 2, a top view of an access lane 7 for persons is shown. The access lane is 60 cm wide and is formed on both sides by mechanical guidance devices, in the illustrated case by a left equipment pillar 10 and a right equipment pillar 11. On the equipment pillars 10 and 11 respectively, drives for the blocking arms 12 and 13, not shown in detail in this figure, are supported, which in the illustrated closed state form the access barrier 3. Viewed in the access direction 7, the area in front of the access barrier 3 is a waiting area for checking and validating the access rights. If the access rights are confirmed as correct, the blocking arms 12, 13 are pivoted in the access direction. In the figure, this movement is symbolically indicated by dotted arrows.

[0027] The left equipment pillar 10 has an antenna support plate 14 with a Bluetooth polyphase antenna group 2, which is arranged in front of the access barrier 3 at a distance of up to one meter. This Bluetooth polyphase antenna group 2 forms two directional antenna lobes, of which a first antenna lobe 5 is shown immediately in front of the access barrier 3. The second antenna lobe 6 has a larger distance to the access barrier 3, seen in the access direction.

[0028] In Fig. 3 the device is shown in a front view in the access direction. The device pillars 10, 11 are not suspended in this view but are fixed to the floor. Fig. 3 also shows a variant in which the right device pillar 11 also has a Bluetooth multi-phase antenna group 2. This mirrored embodiment can be advantageous to make it easier to detect a smartphone 1 carried on the right body side of the user 20.

[0029] A user 20 (a skier in the embodiment according to FIG. 1) has a smartphone 1, which he can carry comfortably in his body pocket. A ticket App (program application) is installed on the smartphone 1, which is uniquely identifiable via a UUID (Universal Unique Identifier). Access rights (tickets) are associated with the UUID. The parameters of the access rights (i.e. restrictions on time, location, personal, value) can be stored directly in the App or these parameters are associated with the UUID in a database and can be called up there for validation.

[0030] In Fig. 4 a block diagram of the circuit elements important for the invention is shown. The access control function is monitored and controlled by an access controller 9. The access controller 9 is connected to a Bluetooth transceiver 8, which contains a transmit and receive amplifier for the Bluetooth communication. Important for the function is the evaluation of the field strength of the radio signal, i.e. the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). This signal is an indication for the distance of the smartphone 1 relative to the access barrier 3.

[0031] The antenna group 2 is driven and controlled by a Bluetooth transceiver 8 via an antenna feeding network 4. The antenna feeding network 4 and the antenna group 2 are arranged to generate at least two directional antenna lobes 5 and 6. The first antenna lobe 5 points to the area immediately in front of the access barrier 3, as seen in the access direction. The second antenna lobe 6 is oriented to have a larger spacing in front of the access barrier 3 than the first antenna lobe 5, as seen in the access direction.

[0032] In the waiting position the blocking / signaling means 21 are closed. The Bluetooth transceiver 8 continuously generates so-called advertising events and sends them out via the antenna lobe 6 which has a larger spacing towards the access barrier 3. When a person moves into the waiting position, i.e. in the direction of the access barrier 3, his / her smartphone 1 receives this radio signal via the Bluetooth interface 22 and activates its communication readiness state.

[0033] When the person 20 moves further towards the access barrier 3, the smartphone 1 reaches the reception area of ​​the antenna lobe 5 and the ticket App of the smartphone 1 transmits an authorization ID, which causes the gate controller 9 to retrieve the validity date. If the validity date corresponds to the predefined criteria of the respective access, the access authorization is considered as confirmed.

[0034] In addition, the gate controller 9 evaluates the field strength (RSSI) of the signal transmitted by the smartphone 1 and received via the antenna lobe 5, from which a criterion for the imminent approach of the person 20, and thus the data carrier 1, to the access barrier 3 is formed.

[0035] The smartphone 1 or its user 20 is now directly in front of the access barrier 3. If the two checks are confirmed, the access right is confirmed and the localization is confirmed as correct, in which case the access controller 9 sends an enable signal to the control of the signaling means or blocking means 21 and waits until the person 20 has passed through the access barrier 3 without making a further inquiry.

[0036] The logic operations can basically be freely assigned to the circuit elements. The validity check can be performed, for example, by a query in a database of the system, where the validity date is stored, for example, in the host. However, the check can also be performed locally by an App installed on the smartphone, whereby the validity parameters are transmitted via the Bluetooth interface, or the App checks autonomously and internally, whereby it determines whether the access parameters are valid for the access location (access number).

[0037] In FIG. 5, an antenna feeding network 4 associated with the elements of the Bluetooth antenna array 2 is shown. The antenna group 2 uses four circular patch antennas 30, 30', 30'', 30'''' spaced apart from each other by λ / 2 of the wavelength of the Bluetooth frequency, as seen in the access direction. The patch antennas 30 are driven via a 90° hybrid voltage divider 32 terminated with a 50 ohm resistor 34. The outermost patch antennas 30 and 30'' are each preceded by a 6 dB attenuator 33 and 33'''' to enable side lobe suppression. The input of the antenna feeding network 4 is formed by a three-way switch 37 with outputs a, b, c. Output 37a is connected to a two-way switch 35a, output 37c is connected to a two-way switch 35b and output 37b is connected to an output divider 36.

[0038] The output divider 36 has four outputs a, b, c, d and two states. In the first state, the phase at the outputs a-d is shifted by +90° each, and in the second state by -90° each. The output 36a drives the patch antenna 30, and the output 36d drives the patch antenna 30'''. The outputs 36b and 36c are connectable via the switches 35a and 35b to the inner patch antennas 30' and 30''.

[0039] The antenna network shown in this figure is capable of radiating circularly polarized electromagnetic waves to form a location-independent coupling with a smartphone.

[0040] By switching the power divider 36 from a first state to its second state, two directional antenna lobes 5 and 6 are generated. Additionally, via switches 35a and 35b, the inner patch antennas 30' and 30'' can be directly connected to switch 37. Thus, the antenna network allows the directional antenna lobes 5, 6 to be used for position determination as well as to take into account the phase difference of the signals at these antennas.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for controlling access rights in an access area, comprising: - a guidance device for forming an access lane for individualizing a person or object, the access lane being defined by a blocking means and / or a signaling means, a gate controller having a Bluetooth® wireless interface for reading the access rights of the portable data carrier; Equipped with if the access rights of the gate controller are validated, the blocking means and / or signalling means are released, thereby allowing individual passage through the access barrier; an access lane is associated with a Bluetooth® polyphase antenna group (2), the transmit and receive antennas of which are controlled by a Bluetooth® transceiver (8) via an antenna feeding network, so that at least two antenna lobes are formed, as viewed in the access direction, with different spacings relative to the access barrier, - the gate controller (9) emits successive short signals (advertising events) during idle time via the antenna lobe (6) which, viewed in the access direction, has a greater distance from the access barrier (3), thereby activating the Bluetooth® radio interface of the approaching portable data carrier (1); - each portable data carrier (1) to which an access right has been granted is associated with a unique authority identifier (UID or Authority ID), said authority identifier being readable via a Ticket App activatable by said Bluetooth® wireless interface, - the gate controller (9) queries the authorization identifier (UID) of the ticket App via the antenna lobe (5) located at a closer distance to the access barrier (3) and measures the received signal strength (RSSI) of the signal transmitted from the portable data carrier (1) at the antenna lobe (5) located at a closer distance to the access barrier (3), - if the evaluation of the received signal strength (RSSI) is verified and the validity of the authorization identifier (UID) is verified, an enable signal is generated by the gate controller (9) for the blocking means and / or the signalling means (12, 13), Device.

2. a Bluetooth transceiver (8) combining the validity information with the location information to generate an enable signal from an evaluation of the triangulation values ​​(AoA) of the Bluetooth multi-phase antenna group (2); 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. the Bluetooth® polyphase antenna group (2) includes at least two antenna elements (30), the antenna elements (30) being arranged at an interval of λ / 2 of a wavelength from each other as viewed in the access direction, and antenna lobes (5, 6) can be generated between an input side of an antenna feeding network (4) and the antenna elements (30) by using a change-over switch (35, 37) and a phase shifter (36); 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The Bluetooth® polyphase antenna group (2) includes four antenna elements (30), the antenna elements (30) being spaced apart from one another at an interval of λ / 2 of a wavelength in the access direction, and antenna lobes (5, 6) can be generated between an input side of an antenna feeding network (4) and the antenna elements (30) by using a change-over switch (35, 37) and a phase shifter (36).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The guiding device (10, 11) defines an access lane (7) with a width of less than 1 meter, and on at least one side of the access lane (7), a Bluetooth® polyphase antenna group (2) is arranged immediately in front of the access barrier (3) in front of the access barrier (3), the Bluetooth® polyphase antenna group (2) is composed of at least two antenna elements (30, 30', 30'', 30'''), the antenna elements (30, 30', 30'', 30''') are mutually opposed to each other when viewed in the access direction. and an antenna feeding network (4) for feeding said antenna elements (30, 30', 30'', 30''') with a centre-to-centre distance of λ / 2 the wavelength of the Bluetooth® frequency, generating two antenna lobes (5, 6) within less than one meter in front of said access barrier (3), a first one of said antenna lobes (5, 6) being located closer to said access barrier (3) and a second one of said antenna lobes (5, 6) being spaced apart more in relation to said access barrier (3) as seen in an access direction (7).

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The guiding device (10, 11) defines an access lane (7) with a width of less than 1 meter, and on at least one side of the access lane (7), a Bluetooth (registered trademark) polyphase antenna group (2) is arranged in front of the access barrier (3) within less than 1 meter of the access barrier (3), the Bluetooth (registered trademark) polyphase antenna group (2) is composed of at least two antenna elements (30, 30', 30'', 30'''), and the antenna elements (30, 30', 30'', 30''') are mutually oriented in an access direction. an antenna feeding network (4) for feeding said antenna elements (30, 30', 30'', 30''') having a centre-to-centre distance of λ / 2 the wavelength of the Bluetooth® frequency, said antenna feeding network (4) generating two antenna lobes (5, 6) within less than one meter in front of said access barrier (3), a first one of said antenna lobes (5, 6) being located closer to said access barrier (3) and a second one of said antenna lobes (5, 6) being spaced apart more in relation to said access barrier (3) as viewed in an access direction (7); 5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The guiding device (10, 11) defines an access lane (7) with a width of 60 cm.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The Bluetooth® polyphase antenna group (2) is composed of at least four antenna elements (30, 30', 30'', 30''').

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The antenna element (30, 30', 30'', 30''') is a circular patch antenna (30).

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. The patch antenna (30) is controllable via a 90° hybrid voltage divider (32).

10. The apparatus of claim 9.

11. The 90° hybrid voltage divider (32) is terminated with a 50 ohm resistor (34).

11. The apparatus of claim 10.

12. The patch antennas (30 and 30''') located on the outside are each preceded by a 6 dB attenuator (33 and 33''').

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. An input side of an antenna feeding network (4) is formed by a three-way switch (37) having outputs a, b, c, the output side a of the three-way switch (37) being connected to a two-way switch (35a), the output side c of the three-way switch (37) being connected to another two-way switch (35b), and the output side b of the three-way switch (37) being connected to an output divider (36).

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

14. The output divider (36) has four outputs a, b, c, d and two states, the phases of the outputs a-d are shifted by +90° in the first state and by -90° in the second state, the patch antenna (30) located on the outside is controllable by the output a of the output divider (36), the patch antenna (30''') located on the outside is controllable by the output d of the output divider (36), the outputs b and c of the output divider (36) are connected to the patch antennas (30' and 30'') located on the inside via the two-way switches (35a and 35b), 14. The apparatus of claim 13.

15. The unique authorization identifier (UID or authorization ID) is a unique number that includes and / or references authorization data, the authorization data including some or all of a valid location, a valid period, a valid value of an authorization, or valid personal data.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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