Access control device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an access control device having at least one turnstile which has at least one barrier element that forms a turnstile arm and can be moved into a blocking position in which it blocks the access and into an access position in which it opens the access, an illumination device for illuminating the barrier element being provided. According to the invention, the barrier element forms an at least approximately planar illuminating panel that is made of a transparent material at least in sections and is fastened to a turnstile post at one end section and otherwise projects out freely. In particular an on-screen display element can be integrated into the barrier element and/or can form the barrier element, wherein said on-screen display element can be made of electronic paper with an image-storing function for the changeable display of information.

Claims

1. An access control device comprising: at least one turnstile (3), wherein each of the at least one turnstile (3) comprises a turnstile post (21) defining a vertical axis and a plurality of barrier elements (5), each of said plurality of barrier elements (5) extending fixedly relative to the axis movable between a blocking position and an unblocking access position; each of said plurality of barrier elements (5) comprising an illumination device (7) comprising a light emitting panel (6) that is transparently or translucently formed and having illumination visible beyond the device; and controllers that vary the illumination in at least one of color or intensity as a function of rotation around the axis of the turnstile (3).

2. The access control device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device (7) comprises at least one display element which is integrated in the light-emitting panel (6) or forms the light-emitting panel (6).

3. The access control device according to claim 2, wherein the display element comprises a display module of electronic paper having an image storage function for variable representation of information, wherein the electronic paper is connected to the light-emitting panel (6) or forms a layer of the light-emitting panel (6).

4. The access control device according to claim 2, wherein the display element consists of a flat screen in the form of an LCD or an LED tablet display.

5. The access control device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device (7) is attached to the light-emitting panel (6) in such a way that one of said plurality of barrier elements (5) can be illuminated from inside or can be shone through such that at least a front side of the light-emitting panel (6) can be illuminated in a planar manner by the illumination device (7).

6. The access control device according to claim 5, wherein the illumination device (7) further comprises at least one light source (8) in the form of an LED lighting strip (12), which is arranged on a narrow side of the light-emitting panel (6) and irradiates light to said narrow side, such that on said narrow side of the light-emitting panel (6) light from the illumination device (7) propagates in the light-emitting panel (6) and is radiated through the front side thereof.

7. The access control device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device (7) contains different colored light sources (8), which are arranged and distributed along a periphery of the light-emitting panel (6).

8. The access control device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting panel (6) is formed at least in some sections in a reflective or light-scattering manner, and wherein the illumination device (7) further comprises at least one light source (8) arranged on an edge of the light-emitting panel (6), where the at least one light source (8) illuminates the front side of the light-emitting panel (6).

9. The access control device according to claim 1, wherein the turnstile (3) forms an access turnstile (3) and in addition to the access turnstile (3) at least one emergency exit barrier (4) is provided wherein the emergency exit barrier (4) comprises at least one illuminable barrier element.

10. The access control device according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of barrier elements are illuminated differently whether the turnstile (3) is revolving or whether the turnstile (3) is stationary.

11. The access control device according to claim 1, further comprising detection sensors (13) for detecting an access seeker or an authorization of the access seeker and controlling the illumination in dependence of a signal of the sensors (13).

12. The access control device according to claim 1, wherein the turnstile (3) is mounted on a barrier carrier, which further comprises a ground contact (23) that is designed in a detached manner for setting up said plurality of barrier elements (5) on a floor without anchors and with variable positioning.

13. The access control device according to claim 12, wherein the barrier carrier further comprises a base plate (22), on which the turnstile post (21) is supported, wherein an underside of the base plate (22) forms said ground contact (23) or wherein the base plate (22) is connected to said ground contact (23).

14. The access control device according to claim 13, wherein said base plate (22) connects the turnstile post (21) with a side limit which surrounds the access device in the form of a portal post (2a).

15. The access control device according to claim 14, wherein the turnstile post (21) is pivotally supported at a lower end via the base plate (22) on the floor and by an upper end that is hinged to a portal cross member (2b), which is connected to said portal post (2a).

16. The access control device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more side barriers (24) extending from at least one side of the access control device, the one or more side barriers (24) having a modular design and can be composed of a plurality of side parts (25), where said plurality of side parts (25) are variably joinable in different angular positions and which together form the one or more side barriers (24).

17. The access control device according to claim 16, wherein one side part (25) of said plurality of side parts (25) is connected to an other side part (25) of the plurality of side parts in an articulated manner by a coupling (27) and can be positioned in various angular positions to each other or wherein adjacent side parts (25) of the plurality of side parts (25) are connected to each other by an upright hinge axis (26).

18. The access control device according to claim 16, wherein said one or more side barriers (24) can be connected in an articulated manner to the access control device with a coupling (27) in the form of a portal post (2a), and said one or more side barriers (24) can be brought into various angular positions with respect to said access control device.

19. The access control device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor installation (29) for monitoring a spatial region above or below or on a set of sides of one of said plurality of barrier elements (5).

20. The access control device according to claim 19, wherein the at least one sensor installation (29) is controllable depending on an operating state of the one of said plurality of barrier elements (5) such that an alarm signal upon detection of an object in the monitored spatial region is suppressed when the one of said plurality of barrier elements (5) is in the access position.

21. The access control device according to claim 1 where said plurality of barrier elements (5) are vertically displaced from one another and forming a plurality of locking arms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in detail below using a preferred embodiment and associated drawings. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1: a schematic, perspective view of an access control device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which comprises, in addition to a turnstile having a plurality of locking arms, an exit gate having barrier elements that can be swung back and forth,

(3) FIG. 2: a front view of the access control device from FIG. 1 that shows the access turnstile and the exit gate in a blocked position,

(4) FIG. 3: a side view of the access control device of the preceding figures,

(5) FIG. 4: a plan view of the access control device from the preceding figures,

(6) FIG. 5: a partial illustration of one of the barrier elements of the turnstile, showing the mounting of the light-emitting element to the turnstile and showing the LED lighting strip arranged on a narrow side of the transparent and light-guiding light-emitting element,

(7) FIG. 6: a schematic circuit diagram for controlling the LED strips on the barrier elements,

(8) FIG. 7: a schematic, perspective view of an access control device similar to FIG. 1, in which the turnstile is mounted on a related portal bottom plate and on the portal, a modularly constructed, several side-stranded side barrier is connected, and

(9) FIG. 8: a top perspective view of the supporting bottom plate of the turnstile of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) As FIGS. 1 to 4 show shows, the access control device (1) can be configured as a person access control that separates an access-controlled room behind the access control device (1) from, for example, an area in front of the access control device (1). The access control device (1) can comprise a portal (2), which comprises two portal posts arranged on either side of an access path, onto which further blocking measures, such as walls, a fence or the like, can be connected. As shown in FIG. 1, said portal (2) can comprise a crossbar, which connects the portal posts with each other at the top, such that the portal (2) is formed overall in the manner of a door frame.

(11) The access through said portal (2) is regulated by a movable barrier that can be designed in the form of a turnstile (3), and that can extend into the passage section enclosed and monitored by the portal (2). In particular, said turnstile (3) can comprise an upright axis (16), along which a central turnstile post (21) extends, which is mounted rotatably at the lower and/or upper end thereof and can be rotationally driven by a drive in a generally known manner, which drive is not shown in more detail here.

(12) Crosswise projection barrier elements (5) are fixed on said turnstile post (21), which can be distributed circumferentially around the turnstile post (21) in a plurality of groups, according to FIG. 3 in three groups, to subdivide the area around the turnstile post (21) into a plurality of sectors.

(13) Advantageously, a plurality of barrier elements (5) are each arranged above one another, which can lie in an upright plane, in particular in a level parallel to the turnstile posts (21) or in a level contained in the turnstile axis of the turnstile, as shown in FIG. 1, but optionally can also have a slight offset to each other, for example, to grant more leg and knee clearance. Advantageously, the barrier elements (5), approximately arranged at one level, extend close enough to the ground to prevent sliding or crawling under the barrier, and on the other hand, extend high enough to prevent climbing over. On the whole, a head-high barrier can be designed, which, as FIG. 1 shows, can consist of a plurality of superposed barrier elements (5). Alternatively, it would also be possible to design a barrier element (5) so high that a corresponding head-high barrier is formed.

(14) The turnstile (3) and the barrier elements (5) sweep over an approximately cylinder-shaped space, which may be surrounded by an approximate drum-shaped arrangement of boundary walls (18). As FIG. 1 shows, said boundary walls (18) can be formed from glass or plastic panels, which are fastened to the boundary posts.

(15) Said turnstile (3) forms, in this respect, an access gate and thereby controls the access. For example, the turnstile (3) can, in principle, be blocked and by means of detection sensors (13) can be released when a person seeking access and/or the authorization of a person seeking access is detected. For example, said detection sensors (13) can comprise an identification reader (19) by means of which an RFID chip, an identity card, or similar access codes, for example, can be read. Optionally, fingerprint readers, iris readers, or simply entrance card readers, for example, are conceivable.

(16) If the turnstile (3) has a rotary drive, the drive can be set in motion by the detection sensors (13) when a person authorized to access is detected, to continue the rotation of the barrier elements (5) at the turnstile (3) and to thereby give access.

(17) As FIG. 1 shows, in addition to the turnstile (3) a further access or exit gate can be provided, which can likewise be blocked by three superposed barrier elements (5) and regularly blocked and released by detection sensors (13) in a similar manner as already described.

(18) The barrier elements (5) of the exit gate (4) can be configured as pivoting flaps or as a flap gate respectively, whereby the horizontally arranged barrier elements (5) may be pivotally mounted at one end around upright pivot axes. The exit gate (4) can in particular serve as an emergency exit.

(19) Similar as described for the turnstile (3), the barrier elements (5) of the exit gate (4) can also form an entire head-high barrier to prevent both climbing over and going under the barrier.

(20) As shown in FIG. 5, the barrier elements (5) each comprise a transparent and illuminable light-emitting element (6), which can be substantially plate-shaped and can consist of a transparent, light-conducting material such as glass or plastic. Said light-emitting elements or light-emitting panels (6) are held at one of the edge sections thereof, for example, by two mounting flanges (20), between which an edge section of the respective light-emitting element (6) can be sandwiched and clamped. Alternatively or additionally, a corresponding slot can be provided in the turnstile post, into which one end of the light-emitting element (6) can be inserted, wherein a fixation foreseen to the turnstile post by means of elastic clamping, adhesive or interlocking means such as a screw can be provided. Such a fixing by means of elastic clamping, glue or positively by means of bolts or rivets or the like, can also be provided independently of a slot in the turnstile post.

(21) The light-emitting elements (6) are each attached to the turnstile post by means of a first end section (6.1) and protrude freely with a second end section (6.2). The respective light-emitting element (6) can be clamped by means of only a narrow edge strip of the first end portion (6.1) of the light-emitting element or can be otherwise secured on the turnstile post, while the remaining, much larger part of the body of the lighting element (6) is cantilevered away from the fixing point in a free and unsupported manner. The light-emitting element can thereby have an elongate, significantly longer than wide outline, for example, in the shape of a sword, and may be clamped only at the narrow end thereof. Said first and second end portions (6.1) and (6.2) can thus form the ends in the longitudinal extension.

(22) Incidentally, the light-emitting elements (6) project freely and, apart from the lateral clamping or fastening, have no other ways for bearing or support.

(23) In order to display to the light-emitting elements (6) information, we can foresee that the lighting elements (6) each has a display element, in particular in the form of so-called electronic paper. The electronic paper of the display element can thereby consist of sheets or films arranged above one another, in a generally known manner, between which sheets or films the micro capsules are arranged having color pigment particles floating in a liquid, which micro capsules can be electronically loaded and aligned. The sheets are provided with appropriate electrodes in order to be able to align the color pigment particles floating in a liquid between the sheets, in the desired pixel-like manner. Such electronic paper is supplied, for example, by Fujitsu under the name substrate-based electronic paper. Alternatively, Xerox provides an electronic paper under the brand Gyricon.

(24) Alternatively or in addition to such electronic paper, screens can be integrated in the light-emitting elements (6) or form said light-emitting elements at least in some sections, in particular in the form of LED or LCD flat screens in the form of tablet displays.

(25) The illumination device (7) for illuminating the light elements (6) of the barrier elements (5) can further comprise LED light-emitting elements (12) which can be arranged on a narrow side of the light-emitting elements (6), and can be glued, for example, to the light-emitting element see FIG. 5. Said LED lighting strips (12) can be also extend along at least one of the long narrow sides of the light-emitting element (6), if necessary, also running around several narrow sides of the light-emitting element (6) or each piecewise on the upper and lower narrow side of the light-emitting element (6).

(26) In particular, the aforementioned LED strips (12) can be arranged between the respective narrow side of the light-emitting element (6) and the frame which surrounds the respective light-emitting element (6) edge. This edging can, for example, be formed by an edge web (10) which has a U-shaped cross-section and the edges of the respective light-emitting element (6) can surround on three sides, such that the LED lighting strip (12) is seated in the bottom of the U-shaped recess of the edge web (10). Through this edge web (10), see FIG. 5, the respective LED lighting strip (12) is protected from external influences.

(27) The light emitted by the LED light strips (12) is initiated and irradiated through said narrow sides into the light-emitting element (6), such that the light can be distributed in the light-emitting panels (6) and then completely illuminates said light-emitting panels. By breaking, the light can emerge through the largest front and rear sides of the respective light-emitting panel (6), such that the light-emitting element (6) is illuminated from the inside over the largest area.

(28) In addition, or possibly as an alternative to such an internal illumination of the light-emitting element (6), these can optionally also be irradiated from the outside, in particular, by an edge section of the light-emitting element (6), such that the light emitted from the illumination device (7) falls, dragging at an acute angle, to the front and/or back side. For this, the illumination device (7) can comprise, for example, more LEDs or other light sources in the area of said mounting flanges (20), see FIG. 5.

(29) The illumination device (7) can advantageously comprise different colored light sources and/or variable light sources in the color temperature, so that the barrier elements (5) can be illuminated in different colors and different lighting effects can be achieved. For example, differently colored LEDs in the form of the previously described LED light strips (12) can be provided. Here, different colored light sources can be provided on the barrier elements (5) and/or light sources having different color temperatures arranged on different barrier elements (5).

(30) Depending on the location and purpose of the access control device (1), the illumination device (7) can be driven in various ways. For example, different lighting effects can be basically achieved when used in a casino or an amusement venue, in the form of changes in light color and/or intensity in the form of changes in the color of the illumination, light pulses by switching on and off or pulsed changes of the light color and/or intensity.

(31) In an advantageous manner, the illumination device (7) can also be driven by controllers (14 and 15) that take into account the movement of the turnstile (3) and the barrier elements (5) respectively and/or signals of the detection sensors (13), see. FIG. 6. For example, the barrier element (5) of the turnstile (3) can be lit in another way, whether the turnstile is revolving or whether the turnstile (3) is stationary. For example, pulsed or flashing lighting of the barrier elements (5) can be provided when the turnstile (3) rotates, while a static or constant illumination can be generated when the turnstile (3) is still.

(32) Alternatively or additionally, the illumination device (7) can be variably controlled in dependence of the detection of a person seeking access or of the authorization of said person. For example, if a valid ticket or a valid entrance card is detected by the ID reader (19), a green lighting of the barrier elements (5) can be provided, while upon detection of an invalid ticket, a red illumination of the barrier elements (5) can be provided.

(33) FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the access control device (1), which basically corresponds to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 6 in many details, in particular regarding the formation of the barrier elements (5) that can be illuminated or is similar to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 6), such that reference is basically made to the above description. Basically, all embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6 also apply to FIGS. 7 and 8. The embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8 have the following further characteristics:

(34) As FIGS. 7 and 8 show, the turnstile (3) can be advantageously braced, in particular the turnstile post (21) thereof, on a base plate (22), which may advantageously be connected to the portal (2) enclosing the access, in particular the portal post (2a) of said portal. Said base plate (22) can be rigidly connected to the portal post (2a) at the lower end of said portal post (2a), for example, be screwed or attached in some other way and can extend to the lower end of the turnstile post (21), which, for example, can be supported via a roller or plain bearing or another pivot bearing on the base plate (22) in a rotatable manner. As a result, no ground anchoring for the turnstile (3) is necessary. In addition, the whole access control device (1) can be set up in a simple manner at different locations, for example, pushed along or relocated on the floor, without the portal (2) having to be adjusted relative to the turnstile (3).

(35) The base plate (22) forms advantageously a free-standing, anchorage-free ground contact means (23) whose position can be variably adjusted for the barrier support of the movable barrier element (5), which barrier carrier can be in the form of the turnstile (3) shown.

(36) Furthermore, as FIG. 7 shows, a side barrier (24) having a modular design can connect to the portal (2) on the side, which side barrier can be composed of a plurality of side panels (25) variably in different configurations.

(37) Said side panels (25) can form, for example, wall elements, for example in the form of at least partially transparent panels made of an at least partially transparent material such as glass or plastic, for example, Plexiglas, whereby, instead of such sheet panel elements, other side panels, for example, in the form of a grid, of a slatted fence, or of similar embodiments can be provided. If the side parts (25) include partially transparent and/or light-guiding panels as mentioned above, the side panels (25) can be basically lit and be provided with an illumination device, as previously described for the barrier elements (5), such that different lighting effects can be brought to the area of the side panels (25). In this respect, the barrier element (5) is subject to the previous description.

(38) The side panels (25) are connected to one another and are releasable, namely advantageously such that the side panels (25) can be set-up to one another in different angular positions in an articulated manner. In particular, between adjacent side panels (25), means of hinging articulation can be provided, that can realize an upright hinge axis such that adjacent side panels (25) can be hinged relative to each other along the side thereof, facing neighboring side edges.

(39) As shown in FIG. 7, connector posts (28) can be provided in between the side panels (25), on which connector posts the side panels (25) may be respectively redirected about a vertical hinge axis (26) in a pivotable manner. The connecting posts (28) can thereby have their own coupling means (27) for each connectable side panel (25), such that the adjacent side elements (25) can pivot about two separate hinge axes. However, it is understood that a common hinge axis (26) may be provided between two adjacent side panels (25).

(40) The side limit (24) is advantageously also hinge-connected to the portal (2), and thus likewise advantageously around an upright hinge axis (26). Here, the portal posts (2a) and/or the side panels (25) can be equipped with the corresponding coupling means (27), see FIG. 7.

(41) To avoid climbing over the turnstile (3) and/or over the neighboring exit gate and/or passing or crawling below the lowest barrier elements (5), a sensor monitoring the space above and below the turnstile (3) or the top and bottom barrier element (5) can be provided. A corresponding sensor installation (29) may be configured for example in the form of a light barrier and/or can comprise radar sensors that monitor said defined area. Advantageously, the sensor installation (29) can be integrated into the portal (2) or be attached thereto. For example, light barrier sensor elements can be mounted on the portal posts (2a), placed opposite each other, such that the light barrier sensor elements communicate with each other above and/or below the upper and lower barrier elements and detect unauthorized passage. See FIG. 7.

(42) Furthermore, as FIG. 7 shows, an acoustic device can be provided, for example attached to the portal (2), such that information and signals can also be transmitted acoustically. For example, an acoustic notification on actions related to the access control such as release, refusing access, activating light barrier, etc. can occur. For example, the message Please pass can communicate to a user that the turnstile (3) is unlocked. Alternatively or additionally, the acoustic device can be connected to the aforementioned sensor installation (29) for signaling unauthorized climbing over the turnstile by means of an alarm. The acoustic device (30) can include a speaker (31), for example, on portal 2, see FIG. 7.