Integrated Access Control System

Abstract

To provide an amusement park access control system.SOLUTION: An amusement park access control system includes an amusement park area having an entrance, wherein an integrated access control device is positioned at the entrance and configured to control visitor access to the amusement park area. The integrated access control device includes a sensor module and an access control module physically connected to each other to form an integrated structure. The sensor module scans the entrance to determine visitor identification data. An access control computer system includes a database communicatively coupled to the integrated access control device and storing visitor registration data and eligibility data associated with the visitor registration data. The integrated access control device identifies credentials associated with the visitor identification data based on a comparison between the visitor identification data, the visitor registration data, and the credential data, and controls access of visitors through the entrance based on the identified credentials.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks, and more particularly to a system for managing access to various sections of an amusement park. [Background technology]

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, these aspects being described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003] Since their inception in the early 20th century, the popularity of amusement parks has grown exponentially. To meet this growing demand, amusement parks have expanded by adding attractions and space. Adding attractions (e.g., rides, restaurants, shops, and shows) generally provides the park with additional capacity to handle more visitors. However, adding attractions can also provide potential visitors with incentives to visit the park. Thus, while a particular amusement park may add capacity, the additional capacity does not necessarily increase visitors' ability to participate in the park's entertainment (e.g., shopping, watching shows, riding rides) or reduce wait times for attractions. This is often due to a corresponding increase in attendance. Furthermore, in order to operate more efficiently, it is often desirable to limit attraction usage during low attendance situations.

[0004] Admission to amusement park attractions and the amusement park itself is often controlled at one or more locations where guests queue for their turn. Indeed, queues at amusement parks may be related to permits to attractions, purchasing entitlements to enter the amusement park and certain portions thereof, verifying guest entitlements, purchasing food and merchandise, and many other things. To provide an overall positive experience for amusement park guests, certain issues related to queues need to be addressed. Indeed, it has been recognized that guests may be deterred from returning to a particular amusement park due to negative experiences associated with queue wait times and multiple queue locations. Thus, improvements to amusement park queuing systems and methods can result in a more enjoyable and positive experience for amusement park customers.

[0005] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout, and in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, one embodiment of an amusement park having an access control system with an integrated access control device that controls admission to various eligibility areas. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an entrance system having multiple integrated access control devices according to one aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary situation in which a guest who is entitled to enter an amusement park proceeds through the entrance system of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary situation in which a guest proceeds through the entrance system of FIG. 2 and is identified by the integrated access control device as ineligible to enter the amusement park, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an integrated access control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for controlling guest access through an entrance by performing target scans, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One or more specific embodiments of the present technology are described below. In the interest of brevity in describing these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described herein. It should be understood that, as in any engineering or design project, development of such an actual implementation will require many implementation-specific decisions to be made in order to achieve developer-specific goals, including compliance with system- and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. It should further be understood that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0008] To access various areas of the theme park, guests may be required to pass through multiple devices and locations, which may include turnstiles, metal detectors, biometric scanners, ticketing, etc. Each device may slow the guest's entry into the theme park and / or sections thereof and increase the guest's frustration levels at various stages of the theme park experience.

[0009] To address these and other shortcomings of conventional approaches, the present embodiments provide an invisible turnstile experience by, among other things, combining and integrating several guest access control devices (e.g., biometrics (face, finger, and iris), ticketing, and metal detection devices) into a single physical device and integrated process. A system of guest access control devices may be referred to as an integrated access control device. According to such embodiments, algorithmic software stored on the device may receive input (e.g., data indicative of body shape, face, finger, and / or iris) from various sensors, personal mobile device signals, access card signals, etc. By continuously evaluating guest identities and entitlements, the integrated access control device functions as an invisible turnstile, i.e., continuously evaluating for unauthorized access to various amusement park locations while allowing guests to obtain appropriate entitlements and a free-flowing, hassle-free entrance experience.

[0010] According to certain embodiments, guests can register with the system at home, online, or on-site (at the park). During registration, the integrated access control device can match and verify the guest via the guest's face, finger, full-body scan, iris, or other characteristics such as personal electronic devices. Thus, the integrated access control device can easily verify whether the guest has the appropriate credentials as the guest passes through security checkpoints. The system also allows guests to register and add new credentials via their personal mobile device or with assistance from a team member at the entrance point of the park or attraction.

[0011] The integrated access control device may have a modular design that allows for rapid transportation and deployment in a variety of environments. The modularity of the design also allows all or part of the access control device to be added or removed as needed. For example, the addition or removal of access control devices may be based on real-time park attendance, scheduled events (e.g., special events), etc. Thus, the integrated access control device can significantly improve guest throughput, reduce guest wait times, and enhance the overall park attendance experience based on the flexibility of installing and removing the integrated access control device.

[0012] The integrated access control devices and systems of the present disclosure can be used in a variety of different settings and locations in and around an amusement park. To aid in illustration, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an amusement park 10 utilizing one embodiment of an integrated access control system 12. As shown, the amusement park 10 includes an access control computer system 14 that coordinates the operation of various integrated access control devices 16 (e.g., 16A and 16B) that control guest access to the amusement park 10 and / or locations within the amusement park 10. More specifically, the access control computer system 14 may include one or more computing devices having processing and memory circuitry for performing various control operations related to access control and for storing various data used during the implementation of the techniques described herein.

[0013] The access control computer system 14 may be implemented as one or more specially configured server computers operating in conjunction with integrated access control devices 16 that may be located at various entrance locations 18 (e.g., 18A and 18B) associated with various sections of the amusement park. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , these different sections of the amusement park 10 are designated as entitlement areas 20 (e.g., 20A and 20B). The illustrated entitlement areas 20 include respective areas of interest, such as attractions (e.g., rides, show areas, game areas) 22 (e.g., 22A, 22B), restaurants 24 (e.g., 24A, 24B), shops, etc. The integrated access control devices 20 located at each entrance 18 to the entitlement areas 20 generally control guest access through the entrance 18 to each area 20.

[0014] Coordination between the integrated access control device 16 and the access control computer system 14 may occur via a network 26. The network 26 may be a wired network including multiple Ethernet connections, or may be a wireless network operating according to any suitable wireless communication protocol (e.g., a WLAN, a wireless wide area network (WWAN), or a near field communication (NFC) network). The network 26 enables communication and coordination between the various components of the integrated access control device 16 and the access control computer system 14. As shown, components of the access control computer system 14 may include a guest information or guest registration database 28, an entitlement database 30, and an access control database 32. Other components not specifically shown, such as workstations local to the access control computer system 14, as well as other databases or computing devices that may facilitate operation of the access control techniques described herein, may be included as part of the access control computer system 14.

[0015] Guest registration database 28 may include guest registration data, such as various identifying information associated with a guest. The identifying information may include, by way of example, one or more photographs of the guest, guest associations with other registered and / or unregistered guests (e.g., family members), biometric data, data associated with the guest's personal electronic device, guest identification number, family identification number, personal electronic device identification number, etc. Guest registration data, in certain embodiments, may be stored in a manner that facilitates association with other types of data described herein.

[0016] One set of such data may be stored by the entitlement database 30, which may include entitlement data associating various guests with various entitlements, tickets, wristbands having entitlement data stored thereon, etc. Storage of entitlement data may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the entitlement data may be associated with guest registration data and / or the guest's name or other information related to the guest (e.g., a number or code associated with a particular guest). Often, a particular guest may be associated with a particular entitlement, such as an entitlement associated with entry to a first entitlement area but not a second entitlement area. Additionally, the entitlement database 30 may associate guest information with non-entitlement areas, as described below. The access control database 32 may include various access control algorithms, dates associated with historical access of entitlement areas, and the like. In certain embodiments, the access control computer system 14 may associate each identifier associated with a guest (e.g., each photograph, each instance of guest registration data, such as a fingerprint, retina or iris scan, or other biometric data) with that particular guest's guest registration data. This allows any one or combination of the sensors described below to obtain identifying guest information that can then be used to grant (or deny) guests access to particular entitlement areas in an efficient manner. In other words, by directly linking guest registration data to guest entitlement (purchase) data, certain embodiments may reduce the number of processes that the access control computer system 14 and / or computing devices associated with the integrated access control device 16 may execute, thereby reducing the amount of memory, storage space, and / or network resources dedicated to granting or denying guest access to entitlement areas.

[0017] The access control database 32 may store algorithms that perform the various access control processes described herein, identification information associated with each integrated access control device 16 (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP) address and / or location within the amusement park 10), sensor information associated with each integrated access control device 16, sensor identification information (e.g., in situations where each sensor is individually addressable), historical data associated with the sensors, maintenance information associated with the sensors, etc.

[0018] 1 , the integrated access control device 16 can include several different components, such as an access control device 34 and a modular sensor device 36. In certain embodiments, the access control device 34 and the modular sensor device 36 can be modularly combined or oriented together to form a unified structure. The unified structure can take various forms, such as a pole, an archway, a doorway, etc. The modular sensor device can be configured to detect or collect information indicative of a guest in proximity to the location (e.g., at the entrance 18).

[0019] The type of information collected by each modular sensor device 36 may depend on the particular type of sensor device. As described in further detail below, for example, modular sensor devices 36 may include biometric sensors, facial recognition cameras and associated identification circuitry, metal detectors, wired communication devices, barcode scanners, etc.

[0020] The modular sensor devices 36 and the access control devices 34 can communicate with each other and, in some cases, with the access control computer system 14, allowing the access control device 34 to coordinate the operation of the various modular sensor devices 36 and, in some circumstances, activate access control based on various control algorithms. The various control algorithms can execute locally on the integrated access control device, remotely on the access control computer system 14, or a combination of both. For example, the access control device 34 can execute an access control action in several ways in response to receiving a particular type of guest identification information from the modular sensor devices 36. As one example, the access control device 34 can execute an access control action by activating a mechanical feature that physically blocks access between different locations (e.g., attractions 22, restaurants 24, or shops). As another example, the access control device 34 can execute an access control action by relaying a signal to a remote device that notifies park personnel that a particular guest should be escorted to an area where the guest can register, and that these registrations will be associated with one or more particular credentials.

[0021] With the above in mind, Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an entrance system that may be associated with entrance 18 to amusement park 10 of Figure 1, eligibility area 20 of Figure 1, or the like. Entrance system 50 of Figure 2 includes various features for screening guest belongings, registering guest information in guest registration database 28, determining and verifying guest identification information, and verifying guest eligibility. The illustrated entrance system 50 also includes locations (e.g., kiosks or instruction desks) where park employees may be stationed to direct guests to various locations within the park based on output generated by a control device of entrance system 50.

[0022] More specifically, the illustrated components of entrance system 50 include a baggage scanner 52, which may be any suitable type of device or system that scans baggage for items not permitted at amusement park 10. By way of example, such a scanner 52 may utilize penetrating electromagnetic radiation to generate a view of baggage and what is contained therein. Entrance system 50 also includes a moving or conveyor belt 54 that moves baggage or other personal items through the baggage scanner.

[0023] The first integrated access control device 16A is positioned adjacent to the baggage scanner 52 and is between the loading portion 5 of the conveyor belt 54 and the retrieval portion of the conveyor belt. The first integrated access control device 16A is shown as an archway through which guests can pass (which may include or be part of the access control device 34 of FIG. 1 ) and, in situations where the entrance system 50 is at the entrance 18 to the amusement park 10, may be referred to as the “registration archway” 16A. The registration archway 16A may take the form of an archway through which guests can pass and includes multiple integrated components that detect information from or relay information to guests, such as a biometric sensor 60, a metal detector 62, and a biometric enrollment feedback indicator 64. The biometric sensor 60 (e.g., including a facial biometric sensor and / or a full-body scanner) and the metal detector 62 may determine or identify information related to the guest, while the biometric enrollment feedback indicator 64 indicates certain aspects or details related to the guest's enrollment. The registration arch 16A may incorporate multiple sensors, including, but not limited to, a biometric sensor 60 and a metal detector 62. Using these sensors, the registration arch 16A may facilitate the execution of guest registration. For example, the registration arch 16A may utilize the biometric sensor 60 to scan the guest and perform the appropriate registration procedure, and once the guest is registered, the feedback indicator 64 may signal accordingly (e.g., by confirming that the guest is registered). Although the first integrated access control device 16A in FIG. 2 is depicted as a registration arch, the integrated access control device 16A (e.g., as described in FIG. 1) may include any suitable structure, shape, geometric configuration, dimensional aspects, etc.

[0024] Feedback regarding guest registration may indicate, for example, the guest's registration status in guest registration database 28, verification of guest eligibility in guest registration database 28, or the like. More specifically, feedback indicator 64 may provide or output a verification indicator corresponding to the guest providing sufficient identifying information, thereby indicating previous registration with the system and no further registration process is necessary. Alternatively, feedback indicator 64 may provide or output an indicator to the guest to wait while the guest is scanned and registered. Additionally or alternatively, feedback indicator 64 may provide visual and / or audible confirmation, upon scanning using biometric sensor 60 or a similar feature, that the guest is registered and can proceed. Furthermore, feedback indicator 64 may provide any other appropriate indication to the guest, such as that the guest requires further registration in order to participate in amusement park activities.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 , the second unified access control device 16B is positioned beyond the registration arch 16A. In certain embodiments, the second unified access control device 16B performs credential verification. The illustrated second unified access control device 16B includes a whole-body biometric sensor 66. The second unified access control device 16B also includes a multi-factor sensor 68, which may include, for example, a sensor capable of collecting information about the guest's hands, eyes, or other physical characteristics. Additionally or alternatively, the multi-factor sensor 68 may identify an electronic device associated with the guest (e.g., a smartphone, a wearable device, or an amusement park admission bracelet embedded with an electronic device or identification tag), a ticket carried by the guest, etc.

[0026] The second integrated access control device 16B also includes an entitlement verification feedback indicator 70. The entitlement verification feedback indicator 70 can also provide an appropriate indication if the guest is properly registered and / or if the guest's registration information corresponds to or matches an entitlement to enter the amusement park. For example, the second integrated access control device 16B can include internal control circuitry that queries the guest registration database 28 and / or the guest entitlement database 30 of the access control computer system 14 to determine whether the guest's identification information is associated with the appropriate entitlements. The control circuitry can then activate one or more visual and / or audible feedback indicators (e.g., of the entitlement verification feedback indicator 70), as appropriate. Accordingly, amusement park personnel located at a correction station 51 disposed near the second integrated access control device 16B can direct the guest to an attraction 22 or entitlement area 20 of the amusement park 10, or to another location in the amusement park 10 where the guest can purchase an entitlement to access a section of the amusement park 10.

[0027] 3 and 4 each illustrate an example of how a guest may proceed through the entrance system 50, undergo registration and credential verification, and proceed through the entrance 18 in a manner dependent on the operation of the various access control devices 16. Specifically, in the example 80 of FIG. 3, in a first step, a guest 84 approaches security at the entrance 18 (e.g., to the amusement park 10) and places their belongings on the loading section 56 of the moving belt 54. While their belongings are scanned by a baggage scanner, the guest 84 then has their face and body scanned as they walk through the registration arch 16A in a second step 88. At this point, the first integrated access control device (registration arch) 16A scans the guest's face and body and registers their biometric profile.

[0028] In a third step, the guest 84 passes through the first integrated access control device 16A, which may include scanning the metal object, and the second integrated access control device 16B performs verification of the guest's eligibility. For example, the whole-body biometric sensor 66 of the second integrated access control device 16B may scan the guest, determine the guest's identification information, and compare the identification information with the stored information registered in the second step and the credentials stored in the credential database 30. The second integrated access control device 16B may also determine that the guest's eligibility has been verified in response to determining that the guest's identification information, as scanned, matches the registration information (e.g., stored in the registration database 28) and / or determining that the registration information is associated with eligibility to enter the amusement park 10. The second integrated access control device 16B may generate a visual indicator that the credentials are valid. For example, the indicator may include outputting a portion of an indicator of the second integrated access control device 16B (e.g., the registration feedback verification indicator 70), such as outputting a green light or displaying a check mark.

[0029] In some circumstances, the visual indicator may be intended for park employees and not for the perception of surrounding guests. Thus, there may be a first park employee (e.g., 92) who monitors the entitlement verification indicator 70 and determines how the guest should proceed (e.g., enter the amusement park 10 or be directed to the correction desk 51). In other embodiments, rather than a human employee, there may be one or more devices that instruct the guest to proceed in a particular manner and / or physically block the guest's progress. For example, there may be text and / or graphical indications instructing the guest to proceed to a particular location. In a fourth step 94, since the enrollment has been verified and the enrollment feedback verification indicator 70 is lit green, the guest 84 collects his / her belongings and proceeds to the entitlement area 20 of the amusement park 10.

[0030] In the example 110 shown in FIG. 4, the first and second steps 82, 88 proceed as described with respect to example 08 of FIG. 3. However, when the guest 84 passes through the registration arch 16A, the second unified access control device 16B determines that the guest's credentials are missing or invalid. In response to this determination, a portion of the second unified access control device 16B (e.g., the registration feedback verification indicator 70) provides an indicator different from the indicator described in the example 80 of FIG. 3. For example, the feedback indicator 70 of the second unified access control device 16B may illuminate red or display an "X," or there may be some other visual or audible indicator provided to amusement park employee (e.g., 92) that the guest 84 should proceed to the instruction desk (e.g., 51), as shown in the fourth step 112. At the instruction desk 51, the amusement park employee 114 may utilize the repair device 116. The repair device 116 may enable park employee 114 to associate the guest's identification with one or more particular entitlements. In some cases, such as when the guest's identification cannot be associated with one or more particular entitlements, the guest 84 may be directed to a ticket issuing location where additional entitlements can be purchased. Once the guest 84 performs these actions, as shown in fifth step 118, the guest 84 may proceed to various entitlement areas 20 of the amusement park 10.

[0031] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a unified access control device 16B. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates various components of the unified access control device 16B and how these components can be physically and communicatively coupled to one another. The illustrated unified access control device 16B includes multiple modular components that generally combine together to form an integrated structure having a particular geometric configuration. As illustrated, the geometric configuration of the unified access control device 16B in FIG. 5 is a pole or a cylinder (which may include or be part of the access control device 34 of FIG. 1). However, in other embodiments, the geometric configuration may be any other shape that can be integrated into a themed entrance area 1 associated with the amusement park 10. In this regard, one aspect of certain embodiments of the unified access control device 16 is that they can be easily integrated into the theme of a particular amusement park attraction 22, which generally can correspond to the camouflage of the access control device 16. This particular aspect of the integrated access control device 16 may be desirable for a more immersive and seamless experience between attractions 22, as opposed to a typical configuration in which the access control devices are immediately visible and separate areas (e.g., 20) from one another. It should be understood that the structure, geometric configuration, shape, dimensional aspects, etc. of the integrated access control device 16 may include or be part of the access control device 34 of FIG. 1. Additionally, although the second integrated access control device 16B of FIGS. 2-5 is depicted as a pole or cylinder, the integrated access control device 16B (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 1) may include any suitable structure, shape, geometric configuration, dimensional aspects, etc.

[0032] Components of the integrated access control device 16B generally include one or more sensor modules 130 (which may include or be part of the modular sensor device 36 of FIG. 1 ) that determine guest identification information, which may correspond to facial recognition information, body shape information, iris information, fingerprint information, or other information related to the guest's anatomy. Additionally or alternatively, the integrated access control device 16B may incorporate sensor modules that scan items that can be associated with guest credentials. Such items may include wristbands with chips that store credentials, tickets with barcodes or quick response (QR) codes encoding credentials, and the like. Additionally, certain sensor modules 130 may incorporate communication devices configured to communicate with the guest's 84 personal electronic devices, such as tablets, smartphones, or similar devices.

[0033] The illustrated component includes a base 132 having a mount 134 for attachment to a surface 136, such as a floor, ceiling, wall, or other structure. In other embodiments, the mount 134 may simply rest on the ground. The mount 134 may also include ports for receiving power and / or data transmission lines. The base 132 may also include a base module or access control module 138 coupled to the mount 134. The access control module 138 may incorporate processing and memory components that enable coordination of the operation of the other modular components (e.g., sensor module 130) of the integrated access control device 16B. For example, the access control module 138 may incorporate a local control system having appropriately configured control circuitry (e.g., in the form of one or more processors and one or more memory devices) that controls the operation of the integrated access control device 16B (e.g., by causing one or more processors to execute machine-readable instructions stored in one or more memory devices). The local control system may also include communication circuitry for communicating with the access control system 14. Thus, a local control system located in the access control module 138 (or an alternative component of the integrated access control device 16B) may perform write data queries to the guest registration database 28 and / or the entitlement database 30, and / or execute algorithms and update data in the access control database 32, or the like. In alternative or additional embodiments, the access control module 138 may be separate from the base module 11 and thus located as a separate module in any suitable location relative to the modules of the integrated access control device 16B, such as between the sensor modules 130 (e.g., 130A, 130B, and 130C) or near the top of the integrated access control device (e.g., adjacent the cap module 140). Thus, in such embodiments, the base module 138 may not include the processing and memory components or local control system of the access control module.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the base module 138 is positioned at a first end of the integrated access control device 16B opposite the cap module 140. The cap module 140 may generally enclose the internal components of the integrated access control device 16B. In certain embodiments, the cap module 140 may incorporate various components such as an antenna, a wireless communication device, or other similar features.

[0035] The sensor modules 130 of the integrated access control device 16B shown in Figure 5 include a first sensor module 130A, a second sensor module 130B, and a third sensor module 130C disposed between a base module 138 and a cap module 140. These various modules 130 can be combined in a variety of ways. However, in the illustrated embodiment, each modular component (including the sensor module 130) includes a male connector 142 and a female connector 144. The male connector 142 and the female connector 144 can include complementary physical features to enable secure connection between the various modular components (e.g., via an interference fit or a snap fit).

[0036] Additionally, the modular components 130 may include various features that enable communication and power transmission. As specifically shown in the first sensor module 130A, the physical structure of the sensor modules 130 may include a housing 146, a communication bus 148 extending through the housing 146, and a power bus 150 extending through the housing 146. The communication bus 148 and / or the power bus 150 may be integrated within the housing 146 of the various modular components 130 or may be exposed. However, according to certain embodiments, the communication bus 148 and the power bus 150 of each modular component 130 may be exposed at least at the respective male connector 142 and female connector 144 to allow for easy connection between different modular components 130. Embodiments of the present invention provide efficient assembly, disassembly, maintenance, and customization of the integrated access control device 16B. The linear arrangement of modules (e.g., modular components 130), vertical stacking, simple communication interfaces, and the like provide these efficiency advantages over conventional approaches.

[0037] By way of non-limiting example, the first sensor module 130A can include a first sensor 152, which can include any one or combination of various communication devices, such as a near field communication device. In an exemplary implementation, the first sensor 152 can communicate with a guest's 84 personal electronic device and / or wearable feature incorporating stored credentials, such as a wristband.

[0038] The second sensor module 130B may include a different type of sensor than the one or more sensors 152 of the first sensor module 130A. Indeed, according to this embodiment, the sensor components (e.g., 152) of the integrated access control device 16B may be mixed and matched based on, for example, a particular set of requirements associated with the location where the integrated access control device 16B is deployed. For example, if the entrance system 50, as shown in FIG. 2, incorporates a particular type of detector, the integrated access control device 16B may not necessarily incorporate that type of detector if redundancy is not desired in the controlled access areas of the amusement park 10. If redundancy is desired, multiple sensor modules 130 of the same type may be used in the same integrated access control device 16B.

[0039] By way of example, the second sensor module 130B may include voice recognition technology, such as a microphone and associated voice recognition circuitry, that enables matching between received and stored voice data associated with the guest 84. Additionally or alternatively, the second sensor module 130B may incorporate a series of feedback indicators (e.g., 70), such as lights (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs)), that provide visual feedback in response to various verification procedures performed by the integrated access control device 16B.

[0040] The third sensor module 130C may incorporate a third type or set of sensors different from the first and second sensor modules 130A, 130B. By way of example, the third sensor module 130C may include various biometric sensors, such as a camera and associated facial recognition control circuitry. Any type of biometric sensor or facial recognition system may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure. Thus, as will be appreciated, the integrated access control device 16B incorporates multiple different sensor types in a single integrated structure that is communicatively coupled to the access control module or base module 138 to identify guest information, compare that information to stored guest information, identify entitlements associated with the identified guest 84, and provide feedback indicating whether the guest 84 is authorized to enter a particular area (e.g., 20).

[0041] According to this embodiment, guests 84 at any particular entrance area 18 can be scanned by the integrated access control device 16 associated with that area 18. In certain circumstances, this may result in all guests 84 at a particular entrance area 18 being scanned. Following this scan, the guest information can be compared to stored guest registration and entitlement data. It should be noted, however, that in a particular amusement park, the number of people that may be present at a particular entrance area 18 may be relatively large. That is, there may be a significant number of people to scan and verify credentials. These computer-implemented procedures can be extensively processor-intensive, and therefore, it may be desirable to reduce the amount of resources allocated to guest scanning and entitlement verification by controlling how guests 84 are scanned and their entitlements verified at various locations throughout the amusement park 10.

[0042] It is recognized that it may be desirable for the integrated access control device 16 of the present disclosure to scan guests 84, verify their credentials, and provide meaningful feedback to increase the efficiency with which guest flow can be controlled throughout the amusement park 10. Figure 6 is a process flow diagram of a method 160 for controlling entry to an amusement park area (e.g., 20) using the integrated access control device 16 of the present disclosure. The method 160 may be performed by a combination of the access control computer system 14 and one or more integrated access control devices 16.

[0043] Generally, rather than querying all information associated with every guest identifier for every guest 84 to verify the credential, the method 160 involves comparing the guest identifier of the guest 84 to a set of guest identifiers that are not associated with credentials for a particular area (e.g., 20). In a first operation of the method 160, shown as operation 162, a system such as the access control computer system 14 may receive a list of credentials and guest identifying information (e.g., biometric data, personal electronic device data). Additionally or alternatively, the integrated access control device 16 may receive the list of credentials and guest identifiers.

[0044] In operation 164, the system 14 may identify or determine guest identifiers (e.g., a set of guest identifiers) that are not associated with each entitlement. That is, for a particular entitlement, a list of guest identifiers that are not associated with each entitlement is generated. Thus, each unified access control device 16 associated with a particular entitlement scans only guest identifiers that are not associated with that particular entitlement, rather than querying all information associated with all guest identifiers for all guests 84, regardless of entitlement status, to verify the credential.

[0045] To this end, the method 10 also includes associating multiple unified access control devices 16 with respective entitlements, as shown in operation 166. For example, with reference to the unified access control system 12 shown in FIG. 1 , there is a unified access control device 16A associated with entitlement area 20A, and there is a different unified access control device 16B associated with entitlement area 20B. This positioning may correspond to operation 168, which includes deploying multiple unified access control devices 16 in areas (e.g., 20) corresponding to the unified access control devices' 16 respective entitlements. Alternatively, the unified access control devices 16 may be positioned at specific locations, and their associated entitlements may be updated upon deployment.

[0046] At operation 170, the method 160 includes scanning each area for guest identification data of guests 84 in that area. By way of example, and returning again to FIG. 1 , the integrated access control device 16A associated with entitlement area 20A would scan the guest 84 at that entrance area 18 and receive the guest identifier. Similarly, the integrated access control device 16B associated with entitlement area 20B would scan the guest 84 at that entrance area 18B and receive the guest identifier for the guest.

[0047] At operation 172, the method 160 includes comparing the scanned guest identifier to a list or set of guest identifiers not associated with a respective entitlement. In the example of FIG. 1 , the unified access control device 16A associated with entitlement area 20A may compare the scanned guest identifier to a list of guest identifiers (e.g., as generated in operation 164) not associated with that entitlement in entitlement area 20A. Similarly, the unified access control device 16B associated with entitlement area 20B would compare the scanned guest identifier to a list of guest identifiers not associated with entitlements in entitlement area 20B. Advantageously, the unified access control device 16 can avoid having to compare the scanned guest identifier to an entire list of all guest identifiers, which may be much larger and more extensive than the list of guest identifiers not associated with a respective entitlement. It has been recognized that performing this target scanning method can reduce the processing load associated with controlling access to the various entitlement areas 20 by reducing the amount of information that needs to be processed by the unified access control device 16 and the access control computer system 14.

[0048] 6 also includes outputting an indication in response to identifying or determining a guest 84 not associated with a corresponding entitlement at operation 174. For example, the integrated access control device 16 scans the entrance area 18, identifies a guest 84 who is not entitled to enter the amusement park area (e.g., 20) associated with the entrance area 18, and, in response to identifying such guest 84, provides an indication that the guest 84 is not entitled to enter the amusement park area 20, according to operation 174. The provided indication may be a physical blocking of the identified guest 84's entrance path (e.g., by automatically locking a gate), or may be a more subtle indication that is not perceptible to the guest 84 or surrounding guests, but is provided to amusement park personnel (e.g., via a handheld electronic device such as a tablet) so that the personnel can direct the guest 84 to the appropriate location. Additionally or alternatively, the indication may be a visual and / or audible effect generated at the integrated access control device 16 (e.g., a tone or an illuminated light), or may be the activation of a connected show effect. Thus, while a guest 84 at the amusement park 10 may recognize that the tone, lighting, or show effect may be an integral part of the theme of the attraction 22, an amusement park employee may recognize the indicator as indicating the issuance of a guest credential and take appropriate action accordingly.

[0049] While only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that any of the features shown or described in connection with the figures discussed above may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0050] The technology presented and claimed herein refers to and applies to specific examples of a tangible and practical nature that clearly improve the art of the present invention, and as such is not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, to the extent any claim appended hereto includes one or more elements designated as "means for performing a function" or "steps for performing a function," such elements are intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6. However, for any claim including elements designated in any other manner, such elements shall not be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: Attractions and a control system configured to control access to the attraction; The control system comprises: a first modular sensor device comprising a first sensor configured to determine first guest information; a second modular sensor device comprising a second sensor configured to determine second guest information; the first modular sensor device is communicatively coupled to the second modular sensor device; system.

2. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guest information includes a first guest identification and the second guest information includes a second guest identification.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first guest identification information and the second guest identification information each include anatomical information, biometric data, a guest identification number, a household identification number, a personal electronic device identification number, or any combination thereof.

4. 3. The system of claim 2, comprising a processing circuit configured to grant or deny access to the attraction based at least in part on the first guest identification, the second guest identification, or both.

5. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guest information includes first guest credential information and the second guest information includes second guest credential information.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first guest credential and the second guest credential are associated with access to the attraction.

7. 6. The system of claim 5, comprising processing circuitry configured to grant or deny access to the attraction based at least in part on the first guest credential information, the second guest credential information, or both.

8. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guest information includes first guest identification information and the second guest information includes first guest eligibility information.

9. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first guest identification information comprises anatomical information, biometric data, a guest identification number, a household identification number, a personal electronic device identification number, or any combination thereof.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first guest credential is associated with access to the attraction.

11. 10. The system of claim 8, comprising a processing circuit configured to grant or deny access to the attraction based at least in part on the first guest identification information, the first guest credential information, or both.

12. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise one or more facial recognition sensors, one or more metal detectors, one or more barcode scanners, or any combination thereof.

13. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise one or more multi-factor sensors configured to identify one or more personal electronic devices associated with a guest.

14. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processing circuit, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to receive anatomical feature data, and the processing circuit is configured to determine the first and second guest information based on the anatomical feature data.

15. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise one or more scanners configured to identify the first guest information, the second guest information, or both, by scanning one or more items associated with a guest.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise the same type of sensor.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises a biometric sensor and the second sensor comprises a facial recognition camera.

18. 1. A control system comprising: a first module disposed on a first end of the control system; a second module disposed on a second end of the control system; a third module comprising one or more sensors, wherein the control system is configured to determine a set of guest identifiers from the plurality of guest identifiers. Control system.

19. The control system of claim 18 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a scanner configured to generate scan data associated with an area.

20. 20. The control system of claim 19, wherein the first module comprises control circuitry configured to direct the scanner to scan the area and generate the scan data.

21. 20. The control system of claim 19, wherein the second module comprises processing circuitry configured to determine the set of guest identifiers based at least in part on the scan data.

22. 22. The control system of claim 21, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a microphone configured to receive audio data, and the processing circuitry is configured to determine the set of guest identifiers based at least in part on the audio data.

23. 1. A control system comprising: a first module comprising a first sensor, the first sensor configured to generate first sensor data; a second module comprising a second sensor, the second sensor configured to generate second sensor data; a third module, the third module comprising a processing circuit configured to grant or deny access to the attraction based on the first sensor data, the second sensor data, or both, and based on a list of guest information indicating whether the guest is an eligible guest associated with the attraction; and Equipped with Control system.

24. 24. The control system of claim 23, wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, or both, comprise a scanner configured to generate scan data associated with an area including the attraction, and the first sensor data, the second sensor data, or both, include the scan data.

25. the scan data includes guest information; The processing circuitry granting access to the attraction based on the guest information, including entitlements associated with the attraction; denying access to the attraction based on the guest information not including an entitlement associated with the attraction; It is configured as follows:

25. The control system of claim 24.

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