Access Control System with Camera for Identity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unauthorized transfer of non-transferable access authorization data carriers, such as ski lift passes, results in significant financial losses for operators due to the time-consuming and costly process of verifying user identities, especially for higher-value passes.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating access control devices with a reading device and a camera that captures and stores user photographs upon access, linked to a central database for comparison with initial purchase photos, using wireless communication for efficient data transfer and storage, focusing on higher-value passes to minimize data and optimize control effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If identification photos are processed and affixed to passes to prevent unauthorized transfer, then pass misuse prevention is improved, but processing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures and stores the purchaser's photograph at the moment of pass issuance, before the pass is used. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming photo processing later, as the photograph is automatically integrated into the pass data structure during the initial transaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical process of physically affixing photos to passes with an electronic/digital system. The photograph is stored as digital data associated with the pass identifier, and verification is performed through electronic database queries rather than physical photo comparison.
2Reliability
If a database with digitized purchaser pictures is used for verification, then pass misuse prevention is improved, but verification time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the purchaser's photograph and stores it in the database associated with the pass identifier. This digital copy enables rapid electronic retrieval and comparison during verification, replacing time-consuming manual photo handling with instant database queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification system immediately queries the database using the pass identifier and retrieves the stored photograph for comparison. This feedback loop provides real-time verification results, allowing officials to quickly determine whether the passholder matches the registered purchaser without delays.
3Reliability
If photo verification is implemented for all passes, then pass misuse prevention is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different verification strategies based on the specific characteristics of each pass type and situation. High-value passes receive more rigorous verification with photograph comparison, while lower-value passes may use simpler verification methods, optimizing resource allocation across different pass categories.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the verification parameter from manual photo affixing and physical comparison to electronic data retrieval and digital image matching. This parameter change reduces operational costs by eliminating labor-intensive processes while maintaining or improving verification effectiveness through automated systems.
Data Source
AI summary
At an access control device (1) with a reading device (4) for data carriers (8), on which access authorization and identification details are stored, a camera (7) is envisaged that takes digitized photographs of the users of the access control device (1), which are then stored in a database (9) together with the identification details read from the data carrier (8) by the reading device (4). An official (15) operates a terminal with a screen (12) that communicates with the database (9), through which the identification details on the data carrier (8) are verified, and to which the stored photograph of the user of the data carrier (8), taken by the camera (7) during access to the access control device (1) by the user, is transmissible for visual comparison with the user being checked (16).