Elevator Access Control via Door Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control systems for buildings face challenges in restricting access to upper floors without using restrictive barriers or a large number of security officers, as current methods are either ineffective or costly.
Innovation Solution
An access control system that utilizes existing passageways, such as elevators, in conjunction with an access monitoring device to detect unauthorized individuals and initiate a security alert phase, preventing their access through the controlled passageways by holding elevator doors open during the alert phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If restrictive barriers are used to prevent unauthorized access to elevators, then security is improved, but foot traffic is hindered and the building appearance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the security function from physical barriers and relocates it to the elevator control system itself. The access control system monitors unauthorized individuals in the secure area and controls elevator door operations to prevent their escape, thereby achieving security without restrictive barriers that impede foot traffic
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary control system that acts between unauthorized individuals and the elevator doors. The access control system serves as a mediator by monitoring the secure area and controlling door operations based on detected threats, preventing direct access without requiring physical barriers
2Ease of operation
If small barriers such as short turnstiles are used to limit access, then foot traffic is less hindered, but the effectiveness of access restriction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical barrier systems with an electronic control system. The access control system uses sensors to detect unauthorized individuals and electronically controls elevator door operations, substituting physical mechanical barriers with an intelligent control mechanism that achieves superior access restriction
3Reliability
If a team of security officers is deployed to maintain security, then access control effectiveness is improved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a self-service security system where the access control system autonomously monitors the secure area, detects unauthorized individuals, and controls elevator operations without human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically initiating security alert phases and preventing unauthorized access, eliminating the need for expensive security officer teams
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical system of human security officers with an electronic automated control system. The access control system performs monitoring, detection, and control functions that previously required human security personnel, thereby achieving the same effectiveness at lower operational cost
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensors are placed at each elevator car opening to detect unauthorized users, then detection capability is improved, but the system cannot prevent unknown unauthorized persons without identification tags
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional detection approach by not requiring unauthorized individuals to carry identification tags. Instead, the system actively monitors the secure area for the presence of any unauthorized individuals and uses this information to control elevator operations, reversing the burden from the detected object to the detection system
Data Source
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AI summary
An elevator access control system monitors a secure area (12) including an elevator landing (6) and controls an elevator system with at least one elevator car (4) that is accessible from the elevator landing (6). Each elevator car (4) of the elevator system has a door (26) at the landing (6) that provides access between the elevator car (4) and the landing (6). The system includes an access monitoring device (14) that detects the presence of non-authorized individuals within the secure area (12) and produces a breach signal upon detecting one or more non-authorized individuals within or entering the secure area (12). Upon receiving the breach signal, an access system controller (22) in communication with the access monitoring device (14) initiates a security alert phase. For each elevator car(4) with an open door status during the security alert phase, the system prevents user control of the elevator car (4) and holds the respective doors (26) open for a remainder of the security alert phase.