Revolving Door Occupancy Detection Using Optical Pattern Occlusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Revolving doors in safety-relevant facilities face risks of unauthorized entry and theft due to potential manipulation, as existing designs may allow unauthorized persons or goods to be smuggled through by exploiting structural vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

A revolving door with stationary zones and movably arranged sectors, equipped with a detection arrangement that uses an optically detectable pattern and a detection device to reliably determine occupancy status, generating signals for non-occupancy or occupancy to trigger preset functions, thereby enhancing security and user comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a revolving door uses conventional structural design without advanced detection systems, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of security control deteriorates due to potential manipulation and unauthorized entry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity control reliabilityVSAvoiddetection arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An optically detectable pattern is introduced as an intermediary element between the detection device and the objects passing through the revolving door. The pattern serves as a reference that, when occluded by objects, generates occupancy signals without requiring complex direct sensing of the objects themselves. This mediator approach enhances security reliability while keeping the detection system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with an optical detection approach. Instead of using mechanical sensors to directly detect objects, an optical pattern is used where occlusion of the pattern by objects naturally generates detection signals. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving reliability of occupancy detection.

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

2Reliability

If the revolving door implements comprehensive occupancy detection to prevent manipulation, then the reliability of access control improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to potential false positives and stricter control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control reliabilityVSAvoidpassage operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system dynamically evaluates occupancy based on pattern occlusion and generates appropriate control signals. The system adapts its response based on detected occupancy patterns, enabling reliable access control while maintaining smooth operation for legitimate users. The dynamic nature of the detection allows it to distinguish between normal passage and potential manipulation attempts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection arrangement provides feedback signals based on pattern occlusion detection. When the pattern is occluded by objects in a zone or sector, occupancy signals are generated to trigger preset functions. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable access control while allowing ease of operation for authorized users whose passage patterns match normal behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If the detection arrangement uses simple pattern occlusion detection, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the measurement precision of occupancy detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection arrangement manufacturing easeVSAvoidoccupancy detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex sensors to directly detect objects, the system uses an optically detectable pattern as a reference copy or template. By comparing the detected pattern against the predefined pattern, the system achieves precise occupancy detection. This copying approach allows simple, cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining high measurement precision through optical pattern recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

The solution effectively reduces the risk of manipulation and unauthorized access while maintaining high user comfort by accurately detecting occupancy and non-occupancy, allowing for secure and efficient passage control.

Implementation Method 1

The detection arrangement has at least one optically detectable and predefined pattern and at least one detection device for detecting the pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4155495A1Revolving door
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 KEMAS FUR ELEKTRONIK ELEKTROMECHANIK MECHANIK & SYST MBH
  • EP4155495A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4155495A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4155495A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Revolving door, in particular for the separation of persons and/or monitoring and/or control of passages, with a plurality of fixed zones and/or movable sectors and with a detection arrangement for occupancy detection of at least one zone and/or sector, wherein the detection arrangement has an optically detectable and predefined pattern as well as a detection device for detecting the pattern and the detection device is configured to detect a non-obscuration of the pattern and/or an at least partial obscuration of the pattern by an object located in the respective zone and/or sector.