Passage Control Device Using 3D Skeletal Image Recognition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passage control systems struggle to ensure that only one person can pass through from an unsecured to a secured area, particularly when individuals stand closely together, potentially allowing unauthorized persons to bypass security checks.

Innovation Solution

A passage control device equipped with barriers, cameras, and a light barrier system that uses image recognition and multiple camera views to verify the number of individuals in the transit area, ensuring that only one person can pass through by automatically controlling the opening and closing of doors based on real-time image analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical safeguarding system (pivoting door) is used to control passage, then the passage can be secured against unauthorized access, but the system cannot reliably detect when multiple people attempt to pass through simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoiddetection of multiple persons
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces purely mechanical detection with an optical detection system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical barriers to prevent and detect multiple persons, the system uses a light barrier (optical sensor) to detect the presence of multiple persons in the passage area, enabling automated response before mechanical barriers are engaged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light barrier acts as an intermediary detection mechanism between the unsecured area and the secured area. It provides real-time optical detection of persons in the passage, triggering alarms or blocking mechanisms before unauthorized access occurs, thus mediating between detection needs and security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a turnstile system is used to allow only one person at a time, then passage control is achieved, but the system cannot reliably prevent manipulation by multiple people standing close together

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassage control efficiencyVSAvoidprevention of manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent supplements the mechanical turnstile system with an optical detection system (light barrier). This combination allows the system to maintain high passage control efficiency while adding reliable detection capability for manipulation attempts, as the optical system can detect multiple persons even when they stand close together and would otherwise bypass the mechanical turnstile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light barrier provides real-time feedback about the number of persons in the passage area to the control system. When multiple persons are detected, the system can immediately respond by blocking the passage or triggering alarms, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that prevents manipulation attempts while maintaining efficient passage control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If camera systems are used to monitor and count persons in the passage area, then the number of people can be detected, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperson counting accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex camera systems and implements it through a simplified light barrier. Instead of using full camera systems with image processing, the system uses a basic optical sensor that can detect the presence and approximate number of persons, achieving sufficient measurement precision for security control with minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple, inexpensive light barrier system rather than expensive camera systems. This approach uses basic optical components that are cost-effective and easier to implement, achieving the necessary person detection capability without the complexity and high cost of full camera-based monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Effectively prevents unauthorized access by accurately counting and isolating individuals, reducing the risk of multiple persons entering the secured area simultaneously, thereby enhancing security without the need for additional personnel.

Implementation Method 1

a light barrier (not shown) which, as soon as it has recognized in this way that the respective person has entered the access control device (1), triggers a signal to the door control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight barrier detection: Light

Implementation Method 2

the passage area (3) is equipped with at least two cameras (2, 2') in such a way that one of the two cameras (2) is arranged in the area of the exit from the passage control device (1), while the other camera (2') is in the area of the entrance to the passage control device (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage recognition: Photography

Data Source

PatentEP4105902A1Passage control device
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 CAMBAUM GMBH
  • EP4105902A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4105902A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4105902A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Passage control device (1) for ensuring the isolation of persons moving from an unsecured area to a secured area, using one or more cameras (2, 2', 2", 2""), preferably 3D cameras, which enable the recording of a three-dimensional spatial image, for example by using stereo systems, in order to enable, for example, distances between persons passing through a passage area (3) by means of a 3D representation, wherein by means of a downstream image evaluation, which is capable of recognizing various, predetermined body parts of the human body, so that on the basis of this information a skeletal image of each person passing through the passage control device (1) is generated, so that the number of persons passing through the passage control device (1) corresponds to the number of recognized skeletal images.