Building Security Assessment via Camera and RFID Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing the security situation in buildings with access authorization areas are limited in simultaneously detecting physical presence and identification, often requiring continuous monitoring and separate access barriers, which can be inefficient and invasive.
Innovation Solution
A method using cameras with image processing and RFID readers distributed in ceiling and wall areas to automatically determine the number of physically present people and identified individuals, generating an indicator for the security situation, allowing for simultaneous detection and tracking of unauthorized individuals without the need for continuous monitoring or separate access barriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate access barriers such as turnstiles and locks are used for access authorization, then access control reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the access barrier function with the monitoring system by integrating RFID readers and cameras into existing door frames and walls. The access authorization is performed through the monitoring system itself, eliminating the need for separate physical barriers like turnstiles and locks, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining access control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system performs multiple functions: it monitors presence for security assessment and simultaneously performs access authorization by detecting RFID identifiers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated access control devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable access control
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring and tracking of persons is implemented, then security situation assessment is improved, but loss of time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs monitoring and assessment periodically rather than continuously. The security situation is evaluated at specific intervals by counting persons and identifiers at that moment, which reduces time loss and energy consumption while still providing reliable security assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial monitoring by only counting persons and identifiers at specific moments rather than tracking their complete movements continuously. This partial action is sufficient for security assessment purposes and significantly reduces the time and energy required compared to continuous tracking
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution cameras are used for person identification, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information (privacy) and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses different imaging qualities for different purposes: low-resolution imaging for presence detection and counting (protecting privacy) and high-resolution imaging only when needed for identification purposes. This local differentiation of quality meets identification precision requirements only where necessary while preserving privacy in routine monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the resolution parameter of camera imaging based on the task at hand. For routine presence monitoring, low resolution is used to protect privacy; for identification tasks, high resolution is activated. This dynamic parameter adjustment balances measurement precision with privacy protection
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
This approach enables effective detection and tracking of unauthorized individuals, prioritizing security responses and optimizing resource allocation, while maintaining privacy through non-invasive means, such as low-resolution imaging and non-identifying presence counting.
Implementation Method 1
A current number of physically present people is automatically determined using cameras with downstream image processing
Implementation Method 2
A current number of identifiers is determined in each case, which are read by means of RFID readers from RFID transponders
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a corresponding system for evaluating the security situation in a building (100), the building (100) having location areas with access authorisation for authorised persons (IP). In each case, only the current number (CP) of persons (P) who are physically present is determined automatically by means of cameras (1) with image processing that is activated downstream, the cameras (1) being arranged in a distributed manner in the ceiling and/or wall region of the location areas. The respective current number (CID) of identifiers (ID), which are read by RFID reading devices (2) of RFID transponders (4), is determined, the identifiers (ID) being carried by authorised persons (IP) in compliance with regulations. The RFID reading devices (2) are arranged in a distributed manner in the ceiling and/or wall region of the location areas. Finally, an indicator for evaluating the current security situation in the building (100) is determined and output on the basis of each of the two numbers (CP, CID).