Walk-through Security Gate Console With Hand-held Scanner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airport transit locks with self-service gates are inefficient when airlines prefer manual operation, as staff must be present to handle flight tickets, obstructing passenger flow and requiring personnel to be within the passage area.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held scanner connected to the console allows staff to scan access data from a distance, permanently pivoting blocking elements into passage position for self-boarding, and can be switched back to console operation, enabling flexible transition between self-boarding and supervised modes, with optional emergency exit responsibility queries and seat changes via a touch screen display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If staff are present in the passage to manually scan flight tickets, then personal care for passengers is improved, but passage flow is obstructed and personnel are in the way of passengers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonal care for passengersVSAvoidpassage flow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A portable scanning device is introduced as an intermediary tool that enables staff to scan flight tickets remotely without being physically present in the passage. The device can be positioned outside the guide elements, allowing staff to perform manual scanning operations while maintaining clear passage flow for passengers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning function is separated from the fixed console structure and assigned to a portable device. This segmentation allows the scanning operation to be performed independently at different locations, eliminating the need for staff to occupy space within the passage guide elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If self-service gates are used, then passage flow efficiency is improved, but airlines that prefer personal care cannot operate manually

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassage flow efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility for manual operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to be dynamically switchable between self-service mode and manual service mode. The portable scanning device can be connected or disconnected from the console, allowing the system to adapt its operation mode based on airline preferences and operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The console is designed to accept both automatic scanning from the fixed scanner and manual scanning from the portable device. This multi-functionality allows the same infrastructure to support both self-service and manual service operations, providing versatility for different operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If blocking elements are permanently in passage position for manual operation, then passage flow is maintained, but self-service operation cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassage flow continuityVSAvoidability to switch between operation modes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking elements are designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing them to be in passage position during manual operation and movable to blocked position during self-service operation. The system can switch between these states based on whether the portable scanner is connected and being used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2754135B1Walk-through security gate for use at airports
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 KABA GALLENSCHUTZ
  • EP2754135B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a walk-through security gate (1), in particular for the use at airports for demarcation between a secured zone and an unsecured zone, wherein the gate can be opened in accordance with the checking of access data such as a flight ticket and a blocking element (6) that blocks the gate is pivoted from a blocked position into a walk-through position in said context. Corresponding fully automatic solutions are part of the prior art in said context. For various reasons, however, there is a need for being able to also operate such "self-boarding gates" semi-automatically, i.e. in conjunction with support staff, wherein in said context the problem of the operating personnel obstructing the gate delimited by guide elements (4) arises. According to the invention, said problems is solved in that a console (5) is associated with at least one of the guide elements (4) that delimit the gate, by means of which console (5) the access data can be automatically retrieved. At the same time, said console (5) is additionally provided with a manual scanner (8). When said manual scanner is put into operation, the scanner (7) of the console (5) used for the automatic checking is taken out of operation and thus the checking of the access data is possible in manual operation, and at least one blocking element (6) that blocks the gate is pivoted into a walk-through position only in accordance with the checking of the access data by means of a manual scanner (8).