CONTROL OF ACCESS SYSTEMS

Abstract

The present invention relates to the operation of an access system in line with requirements. If a normal operating mode is sensed, the following is carried out: measuring preconfigurable sensor data in order to determine a requirement parameter set of the access system, at least one dynamized setpoint value for controlling the access system being calculated from the determined requirement parameter set, and controlling the pivot arm element by means of the dynamized setpoint value such that operation of the access system in line with requirements is continuously ensured. If a special operating mode is sensed, the following is carried out: reading in a special operation configuration parameter set and controlling the pivot arm element by means of the special operation configuration parameter set which has been read in.

Claims

1. A method for control of an access system with a pivot arm element for access control for persons, wherein the access system can be operated in two operating modes, in a normal operating mode and in a special operating mode, the method comprising: sensing a current operating mode; if the normal operating mode is sensed: measuring preconfigurable sensor data to ascertain a requirement parameter set (bps) of the access system, wherein at least one dynamized setpoint value for controlling the access system is calculated from the ascertained requirement parameter set (bps), and control of the pivot arm element with the at least one dynamized setpoint value, so that operation of the access system that is continuously in line with requirements is ensured; and/or if the special operating mode is sensed: reading a special operating configuration parameter set (kps), and control of the pivot arm element with the special operating configuration parameter set (kps) that has been read in.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, the measured preconfigurable sensor data comprise different sensor data types and comprise a volume, a speed and/or a movement direction of the persons before the persons passed through the access system.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, the access system is caused to close immediately if a movement direction of a person in a downstream area of the access system that does not correspond to a normal operating direction is recognized.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, a function, is applied to the measured preconfigurable sensor data of a consistent sensor data type in order to calculate the at least one dynamized setpoint value from that.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, a function, is applied to the measured preconfigurable sensor data of a different sensor data type in order to calculate the at least one dynamized setpoint value from that.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, the requirement parameter set (bps) that has been ascertained comprises a volume and/or a number of persons that is used to control an opening angle of the pivot arm element.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, the requirement parameter set (bps) that has been ascertained comprises a volume and/or a number of persons that is used to control an opening time point and/or opening duration of the pivot arm element.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, the ascertained requirement parameter set (bps) comprises a speed of the persons that is used to control an opening speed of the pivot arm element and/or an opening time point for an output of a control signal to the pivot arm element.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, a position of the pivot arm element is sensed continuously, and is fed back to a setpoint determiner and/or to a normal operating controller and/or to a special operating controller for calculating the at least one dynamized setpoint value.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which, when the normal operating mode is sensed, a position of the pivot arm element is sensed continuously, and the requirement parameter set (bps) is ascertained dynamically.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the current operating mode is sensed continuously using at least one angle sensor that senses an angular setting and/or position of the pivot arm element.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, in which the special operating mode is only deemed to have been sensed when a signal of at least one angle sensor is validated with a further signal.

13. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the special operating configuration parameter set (kps) comprises a setpoint value for a braking force that is applied to the pivot arm element when said element moves against the normal operating direction.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the special operating configuration parameter set (kps) comprises a time interval during which a setpoint value for a braking force should be applied to the pivot arm element.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the special operating configuration parameter set (kps) causes a special operating controller to hold the pivot arm element in an open special operating position for an adjustable period of time.

16. A computer program with computer program code for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1 when the computer program is executed on an electronic computing unit, a special operating controller and/or a normal operating controller of the access system.

17. A special operating controller for an access system, in which a sensed special operating mode is designed to read in a special operating configuration parameter set (kps) via a configuration interface, and to control a pivot arm element of the access system with the special operating configuration parameter set (kps) that has been read in.

18. The special operating controller as claimed in claim 17, in which the special operating configuration parameter set (kps) is read in via the configuration interface from an external electronic instance.

19. The special operating controller as claimed in claim 17, in which sensors are arranged in a downstream area of the access system and are designed for object detection, distance measurement and/or speed measurement, and are based for this purpose on a flight time behavior of emitted light pulses, a measurement of phase angle, or triangulation principle.

20. A normal operating controller (NBS) for an access system that is designed, when a normal operating mode is sensed, to operate sensors in order to measure preconfigurable sensor data, and from these to ascertain a requirement parameter set (bps), wherein at least one dynamized setpoint value for controlling the access system is calculated from the ascertained requirement parameter set (bps), and wherein the normal operating controller is designed for controlling a pivot arm element with the at least one dynamized setpoint value, so that operation of the access system that is continuously in line with requirements is ensured.

21. An electronic computing unit for operating the access system with the pivot arm element for access control for persons, wherein the access system can be operated in two operating modes, in the normal operating mode and in a special operating mode, the electronic computing unit comprising: a switch for sensing a current operating mode; and the normal operating controller as claimed in claim 20.

22. The access system with the electronic computing unit according to claim 21.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0055] In the following detailed description of the figures, exemplary embodiments that are not to be deemed as restrictive, together with their features and further advantages, are discussed with reference to the drawing.

[0056] FIG. 1 shows, as an overview, a schematic illustration of an access system that is designed with a normal operating controller and/or a special operating controller.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an access system that is constructed with a computing unit.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for the operation of an access system in two different modes according to one preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a normal operating controller with further details.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment with a separate computing unit, and

[0061] FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a special operating controller with further details in the form of a block diagram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective illustration of an access system ZA, as can be installed in sales houses or access-controlled buildings. It can comprise a vertical support element T to which a pivot arm element SA mounted pivotably or, in particular, rotatably about a vertical axis of rotation. In this exemplary embodiment, the pivot arm element SA has one link. Other pivot arm elements (for example with two links) accordingly require a further support T; they are sufficiently well-known to the expert in the field, and therefore do not need to be explained in more detail. The support T can be integrated into lateral cheeks. The area outside the access system ZA and, in particular, outside the cheeks can be provided with access barriers in order to be able to guide the flow of persons and to limit or control access to the area “behind” the access system ZA. The term “behind” here refers to a normal operating direction.

[0063] The pivot arm element is located in an idle state in a closed position in order to close off the access but can, however—according to the requirements—be pivoted into an open position. This is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1. The pivot arm element SA can thus, for example, be pivoted into an area of the cheeks in order to be pivoted through almost 90° in order to fully open the access. It can also be driven to other angular positions.

[0064] The access system ZA according to the invention is, inter alia, now characterized in that its operation can be controlled depending on the current requirements of the persons that are to enter. For this purpose, setpoint values are calculated continuously and dynamically, depending on the current usage behavior of the accessing persons. The calculation of the setpoint value is based on measured sensor data. Sensors S, simplified in FIG. 1, are provided for this purpose in the lower area of the lateral cheeks. Only two sensors are illustrated in FIG. 1 for reasons of simplicity. Multiple sensors of different types are usually designed. It will be clear to the expert in the field that the position of the sensors can also be arranged at a different position of the access system ZA, depending on the type. The sensors S sense different sensor signals, such as a speed of the accessing person, a number of persons in the upstream area of the access system ZA and/or an access situation and, in particular, whether the person is approaching the access system ZA with the mobile object (shopping trolley or service cart) with or without the accompaniment of other persons (e.g. children). In the latter case it can, for example, be assumed that access should be provided to a group of persons simultaneously. This has the consequence that the pivot arm element SA is driven specifically and, in particular, differently from when a single person wants access. A setpoint value can be ascertained for this purpose as a specification for the opening angle of the pivot arm element SA, and a further setpoint value as a specification for an opening duration. Both setpoint values are then used to control the pivot arm element SA.

[0065] As suggested by the dotted line in FIG. 1, a normal operating controller NBS and/or a special operating controller SBS can be integrated into a computing unit R. This is, however, optional, and therefore shown in FIG. 1 by a dotted line. Alternatively, the normal operating controller NBS and/or a special operating controller SBS, can also be designed directly (in particular in a controller). The controller is preferably located in the support T.

[0066] If a person wants to leave the access system ZA in an unauthorized manner, against the normal operating direction, this is blocked—the pivot arm element SA is located in the closed position, or is held there in a fixed position with a predefinable braking force. The angular position, or the position, of the pivot arm element SA is sensed by an angle sensor W, illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. It can, for example, be designed as a Hall sensor and/or comprise a counterpart (not illustrated in FIG. 1) that can, for example, be arranged in the support T. Other physical principles can equally well be employed to sense the angular position of the pivot arm element SA.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows the access system ZA with the requirements-dependent controller in the form of an electronic computing unit R, shown as a block diagram. An electronic computing unit R is designed at the access system ZA, preferably in the support T. It comprises an input interface ES to acquire sensor data 10, a requirement parameter set bps and/or a special operating configuration parameter set kps. In one variant, a requirement parameter set bps can already be calculated from the acquired sensor data 10 on a different unit, and is then read in by the computing unit R via the input interface ES. The computing unit R can preferably comprise a switch Sw whose purpose is to sense the current operating mode (normal operating mode or special operating mode). The switch Sw can also be designed as an interface to an external unit (e.g. a central alarm unit), via which it receives the operating mode. Otherwise, the operating mode can be ascertained locally on the switch Sw using the sensed or measured sensor signals, namely, in particular, using an angular position of the pivot arm element SA. The sensor data preferably also comprise the sensor data that are acquired by means of the angle sensor W. If, namely, the angle sensor W is used to sense that the pivot arm element SA has been pivoted out of the idle position (closed position) in opposition to the normal operating direction and against the braking force, the switch Sw can autonomously, and without further sensor signals, recognize a special operating mode.

[0068] The normal operating controller NBS and the special operating controller SBS serve to calculate control signals for driving the pivot arm element SA, and to transmit these via the output interface AS to the pivot arm element SA for the purpose of control.

[0069] The flow of the method will be described below in connection with FIG. 3. As already explained above, the operating state can be ascertained by means of the switch Sw. Depending on the ascertained operating state, two control measures can now be introduced, and these can be seen in the two vertical flows shown in FIG. 3.

[0070] In the case of the normal operating mode, the sensor data 10 are acquired in step S1, representing the current requirements for the access system ZA, therefore including the number and speed of the approaching persons. The sensors S in the upstream area of the system are preferably used for this. In step S2, a requirement parameter set bps is ascertained from the acquired sensor data 10. Centrally stored rules (e.g. for prioritization of the selected sensor data of a specific type) can be employed for this purpose. In addition, an averaging function can optionally be applied in step S21 and/or an evaluation function in step S22. Since these process steps are optional, they are shown with a dashed line in FIG. 3. These computing steps are carried out automatically, in particular in accordance with an algorithm, by means of software. The steps can, for example, be carried out on the computing unit R. In step S3, a setpoint value is calculated from the ascertained requirement parameter set, in order to control the access system ZA with it in step S4. The method can then end, or can be carried out iteratively, in that the current operating state is sensed continuously.

[0071] In the case of the special operating mode, the special operating configuration parameter set kps is read in in step S5. The special operating configuration parameter set kps can be preset and/or can be entered via a user interface UI at a central computing unit such as a server for the central control of the access system, and transmitted over a wireless or wired interface to the special operating controller SBS, which thereupon controls the pivot arm element SA using the special operating configuration parameter set in step S6. The special operating configuration parameter set KPS can thus define different control measures for the pivot arm element SA or for other units of the access system ZA. The special operating configuration parameter set kps can, for example, specify that it should remain in the special position (opened in opposition to the normal operating direction) for a predefined period of time, and should not be moved into the ideal position immediately or only after a specific time interval. Alarm signals (optical, acoustic), and/or the output of alarm messages, can, furthermore, be triggered. The method can then end, or can branch again to sensing the operating mode.

[0072] FIG. 4 describes the normal operating control NBS in detail. In one exemplary embodiment, the access system ZA can be designed with only a normal operating controller NBS (without a special operating controller SBS). Different sensors S1, S2, Si serve to sense sensor signals 10 such as, for example, a speed of a person, a number of persons, a volume of persons and/or further parameters from which the requirement for the access can be derived. These data are aggregated, and can be stored locally and then supplied to a setpoint value determiner that is designed to calculate a dynamized setpoint value. In this context, “dynamized” means that the setpoint value does not have a fixed definition, but is ascertained newly each time, and continuously, depending on the current requirements. The setpoint value is variable over time. When the setpoint value is discussed in this application, this is always intended to be in the dynamized form, and is treated as such. The dynamized setpoint value ascertained in this way is then transmitted to the normal operating controller NB S which thereupon calculates control signals for driving the pivot arm element SA and transmits them to the pivot arm element SA for the purpose of control. Alternatively, the angle sensed by the angle sensor W can also be used for controlling the pivot arm operation. This is illustrated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 4. The sensed angle can be transmitted for the purposes of control to the setpoint value determiner or to the normal operating controller (which acts in this case as a regulator). The setpoint value determiner can be designed—and is preferably designed—to calculate a set of setpoint values in order to drive different aspects of the access system ZA such as, for example, a setpoint value for the opening angle, a setpoint value for the opening duration and/or a setpoint value for the pivoting speed and so forth. The setpoint value that should be taken into consideration or defined here can preferably be configured during a preparation phase.

[0073] FIG. 5 describes the development of the invention explained above, in which the normal operating controller NBS and/or the special operating controller SBS can be designed as a control loop. The current angle, and with that the position of the pivot arm element SA, are sensed by the angle sensor W for this purpose, and are fed back to the normal operating controller NBS and/or the special operating controller SBS (closed-loop control). This can prove to be advantageous, in particular in highly safety-critical access monitoring, for example where the entry of an unauthorized person in opposition to the normal operating direction due to excessively long opening times of the pivot arm element SA must be securely avoided. The normal operating controller NBS and/or the special operating controller SBS are regulators in this case. In the case of special operation (for example in the presence of an alarm), it can thus be ensured that monitoring whether the pivot arm element SA is located in the defined setpoint position is continuous.

[0074] FIG. 6 describes an exemplary embodiment in which the access system ZA is constructed with only a special operating controller SBS (without a normal operating controller NBS). The special operating configuration parameter set kps can, for example, be entered via a user interface UI to a central server or control computer (for example in the context of the building administration) and transmitted to the special operating controller SBS. The special operating controller SBS can here also be operated as a regulator, namely if the angular position of the pivot arm element SA is monitored and sensed continuously, in order to continuously perform a continuous comparison of a setpoint value and an actual value of the angle. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that both modules, both the normal operating controller NBS as well as the special operating controller SBS, are implemented in the access system ZA, but are or are not enabled depending on the presence of a license (the license key is ready in and monitored for this purpose). This has the advantage that only one variant of the access system needs to be delivered, and that different functionalities can nevertheless be enabled.

[0075] It should in conclusion be noted that the description of the invention and the exemplary embodiments are fundamentally not to be understood as restrictive in terms of a specific physical realization of the invention. All of the features explained and indicated in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the object according to the invention, in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0076] The protective scope of the present invention is given by the claims, and is not restricted by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

[0077] It is, in particular, obvious to the expert in the field that the invention can not only be applied to entry systems and turnstiles, but also for other types of access systems that should be operated in line with requirements. The realization of the components of the computing unit R can, furthermore, be distributed over a plurality of physical products.