Access Control Terminals with Proximity-Gated Bluetooth Credentialing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control systems using smartphones for credentials face inefficiencies due to Bluetooth communication range issues and false readouts, leading to delayed passenger flow and throughput problems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a physical proximity sensor, such as an infrared sensor, to detect the presence of a patron at the entry area, followed by enabling Bluetooth communication only after the patron is in position, ensuring valid RSSI values and preventing false communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Bluetooth communication is used for access control with smartphones, then contactless access is enabled, but false readouts occur due to large communication range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an infrared proximity sensor as an intermediary device that mediates between the smartphone's Bluetooth communication and the access control system. The sensor detects the patron's physical presence at the entry area and triggers Bluetooth communication only when appropriate, preventing false readouts from distant smartphones while maintaining contactless access convenience
2Productivity
If Bluetooth communication is enabled continuously for access control, then data exchange is always possible, but passenger flow is delayed due to false communications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the infrared proximity sensor to identify when a patron is approaching the entry area. This preliminary action triggers the enabling of Bluetooth communication only at the appropriate moment, preventing false communications and delays while maintaining efficient passenger flow
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly improves passenger flow by reducing misreadings and ensuring efficient data exchange only when the patron is correctly positioned, enhancing system reliability and throughput.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a physical proximity sensor, such as an infrared sensor, to detect the presence of a patron at the entry area
Data Source
AI summary
An access control terminal includes guidance members to establish an access lane having a signal- or blocking element and a multi-beam phased antenna array. An electronic gate controller is connected to the multi-beam phased antenna array to communicate via Bluetooth protocol with mobile Bluetooth communication devices. A proximity sensor is arranged within the access lane to detect a patron approaching an entry area of the access lane, and the gate controller is configured to enable data input supplied by the Bluetooth protocol via the multi beam phased antenna array after the proximity sensor indicates the presence of a patron to request transmission of the access credentials from the smartphone. The gate controller is configured to command the signal- or blocking element to move to the open state if the access credentials are validated and the field strength indicator (RSSI) values are within predefined limits.