Access Control System with Waiting Time Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control methods lead to congestion and frustration as users wait for access to private spaces or services, causing uncontrolled wait times and security issues due to immediate denial of access during peak conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that estimate and inform users of the waiting period before accessing a space or service, taking into account the number of users who have already passed through the access barrier, allowing for delayed access authorization and reducing congestion by providing users with precise or rough estimates of waiting times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If access control is strictly enforced without waiting for space availability, then access authorization is immediate, but congestion forms upstream causing jostling and user frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of access rights and estimates waiting time before the user actually reaches the barrier. This allows the user to be informed in advance about the waiting period, preventing unnecessary accumulation and jostling at the access point while maintaining strict access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users about the estimated waiting time before they reach the barrier. This feedback loop allows users to adjust their behavior and prevents congestion upstream, while the access control itself remains strict and immediate when authorization is granted.
2Reliability
If access is delayed due to congestion inside the space, then overcrowding is prevented, but users wait indefinitely causing frustration and security issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system estimates the waiting time in advance based on the number of users already inside the space and service speed, then communicates this information to users before they reach the barrier. This prevents indefinite waiting and allows users to plan accordingly, while still maintaining overcrowding prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users about the estimated waiting time, transforming the previously uncontrolled indefinite wait into a controlled, informed waiting period. This maintains reliability by preventing overcrowding while reducing user frustration through transparency.
3Productivity
If access control is suspended to reduce waiting lines, then user flow improves, but security problems arise at the access control level
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the waiting time estimation and information provision functions from the access control barrier itself, placing them upstream. This allows the barrier to maintain strict access control while the estimation system handles user flow management separately, preventing the need to suspend security protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for controlling access by a series of users to a space and/or particular service. The method includes the following steps for each of the users: requesting access to the space and/or service by the user, issuing an access authorization or denial; opening of an access to the space or the service, if an access authorization was issued; estimating a waiting period prior to accessing the space and/or service when the opening is delayed; and issuing to the user at least one piece of information representative of the waiting period. The estimation step takes account of a number of users having already passed through the access and still waiting in the space and/or the service.