HK40046688A - Access control system with sliding door with a gesture control function - Google Patents

Description

Access monitoring system of sliding door with gesture control function

Technical Field

The technology presented herein is generally directed to an access monitoring system for a building. Embodiments of the technology relate, inter alia, to an access-monitoring system with a building sliding door and a method for operating such an access-monitoring system.

Background

The access monitoring system may be designed in a number of ways to allow or deny people access to restricted access areas. The design may for example relate to the way in which a person (user) has to identify himself as being authorized for access, for example with a key, a magnetic card, a chip card or an RFID card or a mobile electronic device (for example a mobile phone). WO 2010/112586 a1 describes an access monitoring system in which a user authorized to access is subjected to an access code displayed on a display screen on a mobile telephone carried on his person. If the user presents the handset to the camera so that the displayed access code can be detected, the access monitoring system will grant the user access if the access code is valid.

The design of the access monitoring system may also relate to the way in which personnel are allowed or denied access, e.g. through doors, gates or obstacles. For example, it is known to arrange an electronic lock on the door, on which an access code must be entered in order to make it possible for the door to be unlocked and opened. In addition to having such an unlocking function on the door, it is also known to monitor the passage through the door. For example, WO 2018/069341 a1 describes an apparatus that uses sensors to monitor whether and which users are moving through a door. For user monitoring by means of infrared image recording and infrared pulse illumination, the device has a stereo user recognition device consisting of a radiation source and an image recording device, which is fixed in a non-active manner in the vicinity of a wall or a door frame. The user identification means determine the geometry of the user (person, car) in order to determine how wide the door is to be opened for the user to pass. Thereby, the comfort and safety of the passing user, for example, a person walking or driving, may be ensured while passing through the door.

The system relates to different requirements of access monitoring and related construction of the access monitoring system. In addition to these known requirements, there are other requirements, such as due to changes in habits or living conditions (e.g., intensive housing of apartments in cities), including the need to improve the safety and automation of buildings. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for an access monitoring system that meets these requirements, where access monitoring must specifically take into account the need for security without negatively impacting user comfort.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of such technology relates to a system for monitoring access to a restricted-access area in a building. The system has a sliding door system, a control device and an identification device. The sliding door system has a door frame and a sliding door movable in the door frame between a closed position and an open position by a drive unit operated by a control device. The door frame has a pass-through region and a wall housing region that at least partially receives the sliding door in the open position. The sliding door has an end face which, in the open position, points in the direction of the passage region. The control device has a processor unit and a sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is arranged on an end side of the sliding door and the processor unit is arranged in the interior space of the sliding door and is electrically connected to the sensor unit and the drive unit. An identification device is arranged on or in the vicinity of the sliding door system, said identification device being connected in communication with the control device, wherein the identification device is designed to detect and verify an authorization document presented by the user. The control device is designed to: in the event that an authorization document valid for the user is present in the storage device, a data set of the authorization document corresponding to a stored opening width of the sliding door is detected in order to facilitate a movement of the sliding door depending on the stored opening width. The control device is also designed to recognize a gesture of the user and to cause the sliding door to move as a function of the gesture or according to the gesture deviating from the stored opening width.

Another aspect of the technology relates to a method for operating a system for monitoring access to a restricted area of access in a building. The system includes a sliding door system and a control for the sliding door system. According to the method, an authorization credential provided by a user is captured and validated by an identification device. When the authorization document is valid for the user, a data set is determined by the identification device, in which data set the authorization document corresponds to the stored opening width of the sliding door system. The drive unit of the sliding door system is operated by a control device in order to move the sliding door from a substantially closed position into an open position depending on the opening width, a part of the sliding door being pushed into the wall shell region of the door frame. The sliding door has an end face which, in the open position, points in the direction of the passage region. The sensor unit arranged on the end side is activated by a processor unit of the control device. The sensor unit is designed to recognize a gesture of the user and to cause the sliding door to be manipulated as a function of the gesture deviating from the stored opening width.

The technology described here proposes an access monitoring system that opens a sliding door for an authorized user according to an opening width stored for the user. In an embodiment, the opening width is selected and stored in such a way that the user can comfortably pass through the door without feeling restricted or narrow. Although the stored opening width is suitable for many everyday situations, there may be situations where a user needs a larger opening width, for example when he carries one or more larger objects (e.g. a package, a suitcase) or when he temporarily uses an aid for forward travel (e.g. a wheelchair). In this case, the technology described herein provides the user with the possibility of modifying the opening width, particularly increasing the opening width, as necessary. The user may express such a need, for example, by a pointing movement of an arm, hand, leg, or foot (e.g., left, right, up, down). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of gestures may also be specified, such as one or more symbols (e.g., hand and/or finger symbols) or a series of such symbols.

In another embodiment of the technology, the opening width is selected and stored in such a way that the sliding door initially opens only the width of one slot. Here, the opening width (slot width) is selected in such a way that a user located in front of the sliding door is in the detection area of the sensor unit and the sensor unit can detect a gesture of the user. If the user then performs the determined gesture, the sliding door is opened according to the determined opening width. The gestures may be personalized to the user or may be uniform for a group of users (e.g., family members or employees of a company). In this embodiment, the gesture serves as an additional factor in order to actually gain access, in addition to the authorization credential that enables the sliding door to initially open a gap. Also in this embodiment, one of the mentioned types of gestures may be selected as a gesture.

In an embodiment, a height of a user implementing a confidence check is determined. This means that it is checked not only whether the user is authorized to enter (which results in the sliding door being opened), but also whether the determined height also matches the user who is passing through the passage area. Thereby, the effectiveness of access monitoring may be improved.

In one embodiment, the technique uses an identification device disposed on or near the sliding door system and communicatively coupled to the control device. The identification means are designed to capture and verify the authorization credentials presented by the user. It is advantageous here that the type of authorization document can be selected according to requirements in the building and the identification means can be selected accordingly for this. The identification means may be, for example, transmission and reception means for radio signals, detection devices for biometrics, detection devices for visual coding, readers for magnetic stripe cards or chip cards, or keyboards or touch screens for manual entry of passwords, or mechanical or electronic door locks.

The authorization credential enables verification of access authorization for the user. In one embodiment, the processor unit determines, in the case of a valid authorization credential for the user, a data set in the storage device containing a range of opening widths and heights of the sliding door corresponding to the authorization credential. The data set may be managed by a person (tenant, owner, building manager, etc.) responsible for the restricted access area.

In one embodiment, the sliding door system has an interface device disposed on the sliding door and configured to transmit data to and/or receive data from a building management system. The building management system may be disposed in a building or may be spaced apart from the building.

In an embodiment, the drive unit is arranged on the sliding door. This means that not only the processor unit and the sensor unit are arranged on the sliding door, but also the drive unit. Maintenance and/or repair work can thereby be carried out with relatively little effort, for example the sliding door can be removed wholly or partly from the door frame in order to gain access to the components arranged on the sliding door. This also makes it possible to replace a defective sliding door with a new sliding door or a temporary replacement sliding door when the defective sliding door is repaired in the workshop.

Another advantage of the techniques described herein is that their use is not limited to certain types of sliding door systems. In an embodiment, the sliding door may comprise an actuator designed to position the door leaf in the closed state of the sliding door in a first position with a first door leaf spacing and in a second position with a second door leaf spacing. The first door leaf spacing is greater than the second door leaf spacing.

In accordance with the techniques described herein, the access monitoring system may be equipped with other functionality to reduce the feasibility of manipulating and/or bypassing access monitoring. In one embodiment, the control means may determine the dwell time of the user in the pass-through zone and compare it to a specified dwell time. The specified dwell time may also be stored in the user's data set. If the specified dwell time is exceeded, an alarm signal is also generated in this case. In another embodiment, the control means may determine the height of the user in the pass-through region (in the y-direction) and compare this with a defined, stored range of user heights. The determined height range of the user may also be stored in the data set of the user. If the determined height range of the user is exceeded, an alarm signal can also be generated in this case.

Drawings

Various aspects of the improved techniques are described in more detail below using embodiments in conjunction with the following figures. Like elements in the drawings have like reference numerals. Wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example scenario in a building having an access monitoring system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A shows a schematic view of an example sliding door system with a closed sliding door;

FIG. 2B shows a schematic view of the sliding door system of FIG. 2A with the sliding door in an intermediate position;

FIG. 2C shows a schematic view of the sliding door system of FIG. 2A with the sliding door in an open position;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a control device for the access monitoring system shown in FIG. 1; and

fig. 4 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for operating an access monitoring system.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example situation in a building with an access monitoring system 1, which access monitoring system 1 comprises a sliding door system 5 and control means 8, 10. The sliding door system 5 is embedded in a building wall and appears to form a physical barrier between the public area 21 and the access restricted area 22. Referring to the x-y-z coordinate system depicted in fig. 1, the building wall extends in a plane spanned by the x-axis and the y-axis. The restricted access area 22 may be, for example, an apartment, a commercial space, or other space in a building. The sliding door system 5 may be embedded in an interior wall of a building (for access monitoring to the interior of the building, e.g. access to an apartment) or in an exterior wall of the building (for access monitoring to a building). As explained in more detail elsewhere in this specification, the sliding door system 5 opens the sliding door 4 to an authorized user 20, while it remains closed to an unauthorized user 20. In the present description, the term "building" is to be understood as meaning, for example, residential and/or commercial buildings, sports grounds, airports, ships.

In the case shown in fig. 1, the technique described here can be used in an advantageous manner in order to operate the access monitoring system 1 with as high a security as possible, but still ensure comfortable access to the restricted access area 22 for the user 20. Briefly and by way of example, according to one embodiment, the operation of the access monitoring system 1 proceeds as follows: the technique recognizes the user 20 as authorized and opens the sliding door 4 for the user 20 in the x-axis direction. However, the sliding door 4 is only opened to the extent defined in the user profile for the user 20. If the user 20 wants to change the opening width W, the techniques presented herein are designed to detect gestures performed by the user 20. Since user 20 requires a greater opening width, it may be desirable to change the opening width. For example if he is carrying one or more large objects (e.g. a bag, suitcase), or he is temporarily using an aid for forward travel (e.g. a wheelchair). The technique described here offers the user 20 the possibility of varying the opening width, in particular increasing it, if necessary. In another embodiment of the technique, the opening width is selected and stored in such a way that the sliding door 4 initially opens only the slit. If the user 20 then performs the determined gesture, the sliding door 4 is opened according to the determined opening width, and the user 20 can pass through. Embodiments of this technique are described in more detail below.

The sliding door system 5 shown in fig. 1 comprises a door frame 2 (also referred to as door frame) and a sliding door 4. The door frame 2 has a passage area 24 and a wall housing area 18, which is designed to accommodate the sliding door 4 at least in part. The walled housing region 18 has for this purpose a structure which forms a cavity which is dimensioned to accommodate the sliding door 4. The pass-through area 24 is an area in the building wall that enables access from one area (21, 22) to another area (21, 22) in the y-direction; this area exists between the vertical frame part 2a (door post) and the opposite wall housing area 18. Depending on the configuration, the wall housing region 18 can be accommodated in a cavity of a building wall, or the wall housing region 18 can be regarded as a part of a building wall after decoration if necessary.

The sliding door 4 is movable in the door frame 2 between a closed position shown in fig. 2A and an open position shown in fig. 2C. The sliding door 4 moves along the x-axis with reference to the x-y-z coordinate system depicted in fig. 1. In the open position, the sliding door 4 in one embodiment is located substantially within the walled housing region 18. Between the maximum positions, the sliding door 4 can assume an intermediate position shown in fig. 1, in which the sliding door 4 (and correspondingly also the passage region 24) is opened to a greater or lesser extent, i.e. the end side 30 of the sliding door 4 has a variable distance from the frame part 2 a. In fig. 2B, this variable spacing is plotted as the opening width W.

The sliding door 4 has two substantially parallel door leaves 26 (inside and outside the sliding door 4, respectively). The door leaves 26 are spaced apart from one another (in the y direction) such that an interior space exists between the door leaves 26, in which interior space system components as well as insulation material for sound and fire protection can be arranged. As shown in fig. 2A, the door leaves 26 are connected to one another in the region of the end sides 30. Each door leaf 26 extends parallel to the x-z plane. Further details of the sliding door 4 are disclosed elsewhere in this specification.

Fig. 1 also shows control means 8, 10, recognition means 14, interface means 7 and drive unit 6(M), which in one embodiment are components of the sliding door system 5. In one embodiment, the sliding door system 5 is connected to a building management system 12 (BM); in the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the connection is made via a communication network 28, the building management system 12 and the interface device 7 being coupled to the communication network 28. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the building management system 12 may be outsourced, in whole or in part, to an IT infrastructure for so-called Cloud computing (colloquially referred to as "Cloud"). This includes, for example, storing data in a remote data center, and executing programs that are not installed locally, but remotely. Depending on the configuration, certain functions can be provided, for example, in the control device 8, 10 or by "Cloud". For this purpose, the software application or program parts thereof may be executed, for example, in "Cloud". The control means 8, 10 then access the infrastructure via the interface means 7 as required in order to execute the software application.

The communication network 28 may comprise an electronic bus system in an implementation system. In an embodiment, the electrical connection of the sliding door system 5, including the power supply thereto, is achieved by means of an interface device 7. It is known to those skilled in the art that there may be multiple sliding door systems 5 in a building and that each of these sliding door systems 5 is coupled to the communication network 28 to communicate with the building management system 12, for example in combination with a mechanism to determine and verify access privileges, where the process of determining and verifying access privileges is centrally implemented by the building management system 12.

The control device 8, 10 comprises a processor unit 8(DC) and a sensor unit 10, which is connected to the processor unit 8 by an electrical connection 32. The processor unit 8 is also connected to the drive unit 6 and the interface device 7. The electrical connections 32, 34 are designed for the transmission of signals and/or energy and may for this purpose each comprise a separate electrical line or an electrical bus system.

The processor unit 8 is also connected to identification means 14. The identification means 14 are designed to detect authorization credentials from the user 20, on the basis of which the access monitoring system 1 can determine the authorization of access to the object 20. The authorization credential may be, for example, a physical key, a manually entered password (e.g., a PIN code), a biometric feature (e.g., a fingerprint, iris pattern, voice/voice feature), or an access code detected by one of a magnetic card, chip card, or RFID card or an electronic device (based on NFC, bluetooth, or cellular networks). If the user wishes to access the restricted access area 22, the user 20 presents authorization credentials.

Depending on the form that the authorization document may have, the authorization document may be presented in different ways, for example by conscious manual operation (e.g. entering a PIN code or taking an RFID card out) or by stepping into a door within radio range of the identification means 14 (e.g. in order to establish a bluetooth connection). The identification means 14 may be arranged on or near the sliding door 4. The identification means may for example be arranged on the outside of the sliding door 4, so that the identification means can detect the credentials when the user 20 is in the public area 21.

The identification means 14 are designed in accordance with the authorization credentials provided in the access monitoring system 1. That is to say, the identification device 14 has, for example, a door cylinder (T ü rzylinder), an identification device for a biometric feature, an identification device for a visual coding, a reader for a magnetic stripe card or chip card, a keyboard or touch screen for manual input of a password, a transmitting and receiving device for radio signals. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in one embodiment, the sliding door system 5 may have more than one identification device 14, each for a different type of authorization credential, or one identification device 14 designed for several types of authorization credentials.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the identification means 14 detect an authorization credential transmitted as a radio signal by the radio device 21 of the user 20 or by the radio device 21 carried by the user 20. The radio signal may be transmitted according to known standards for radio communication (e.g. RFID, WLAN/WiFi, NFC, bluetooth). Accordingly, the identification means 14 are designed to receive such radio signals. For this purpose, a transmitting/receiving device 16 and an antenna connected thereto are shown in fig. 1.

The transmitting/receiving means 16, alone or in combination with the processor unit 8, determine an authorization credential from the received radio signal, which authorization credential is then used to determine the access authorization. If the authorization credential is valid, the user 20 is granted access; in this case, the processor unit 8 operates the drive unit 6, which moves the sliding door 4 in the direction of the open position. If the authorization credential is not valid, the sliding door 4 remains closed and latched.

The sensor unit 10 is arranged on the end side 30 of the sliding door 4, for example in the region of the upper (corner) edge of the sliding door 4. From this raised area, the sensor unit 10 has an optimized detection zone 11 pointing in the direction of the passage area 24 and the floor. Exemplary detection zones 11 are shown in fig. 1 (vertical) and 2B (horizontal). In addition, the sensor unit 10 is better protected from contamination and damage (e.g., violent damage) in this area.

According to the technique described herein, a gesture is detected by means of the sensor unit 10, which gesture the user 20 will perform when the user 20 wants to change the opening width W. Since the user 20 needs a larger opening width, the change is needed, for example, when he carries one or more larger objects (e.g. a package, a suitcase), or he temporarily uses an auxiliary tool for advancing (e.g. a wheelchair). The technique described here offers the user 20 the possibility of varying the opening width, in particular increasing it, if necessary. In another embodiment of the technology, the opening width is selected and stored in such a way that: the sliding door 4 is initially opened only by one slit. The gap is so narrow that the user 20 cannot pass through it. The opening width (slot width) is also selected in such a way that the user 20 located in front of the sliding door 4 is located in the detection zone 11 of the sensor unit 10 and the sensor unit 10 can detect a gesture of the user 20. Then, when the user 20 performs the determined gesture, the sliding door 4 is opened according to the determined opening width, and the user 20 can pass through.

A gesture may include, for example, movement of a body and/or body part, such as movement of a head, arms, hands, legs, or feet. The movement may be directed, for example, to the left, to the right, up, down, or a combination including the above. It is known to the person skilled in the art that another type of gesture may also be determined, such as one or more symbols (e.g. hand and/or finger symbols) or a sequence of such symbols. The gestures may be defined individually for the user 20 or may be defined collectively for a group of users (e.g., family members or employees of a company).

In an embodiment, by means of the sensor unit 10, the (vertical) height of the user 20 may also be determined. In this description, the term "height" is used for the extension of the user 20 in the z-axis direction, although it will generally indicate the size of a person. The height of the user 20 represents the spacing between the floor and the highest point or area of the user 20. When the determination is made (measurement time point), the user 20 is substantially located on the floor in the pass-through area 24. The sensor unit 10 has a fixed and known spacing from the ground (ground spacing). In this case, according to an embodiment, the user separation between the sensor unit 10 and the user 20 is determined. The height H of the user 20 is derived from the difference between the floor spacing and the user spacing.

In an embodiment, the sensor unit 10 comprises a 3D camera. A camera based on the Time of Flight measurement principle ("Time of Flight", TOF sensor) can be used as a 3D camera. The 3D camera comprises a light emitting diode or laser diode unit, which for example emits light in the infrared range, which is emitted in short pulses (e.g. tens of nanoseconds). The 3D camera also includes a sensor assembly composed of a number of light sensing elements. The sensor assembly is connected to a processing chip (e.g., a CMOS sensor chip) that determines the time of flight of the emitted light. The processing chip can measure the distance to a plurality of target points in space in a few milliseconds in real time.

The 3D camera may also be based on a measurement principle in which the time of flight of the emitted light is detected by the phase of the light. The phases of the transmitted light and the received light are compared and the elapsed time or distance to the reflected user is determined therefrom. For this reason, it is preferable to emit a modulated optical signal rather than a short optical pulse.

More detailed information on the measurement principle is given, for example, in the following publications: "fast imaging by CMOS sensor array by multiple double short-time integration (MDSI)", p. mengel et al, siemens inc, technical division of munich, ACMOS photosensor array for 3D imaging using pulsed laser ", r. jeremias et al, 2001IEEE international conference on solid state circuits, page 252. The Martin Haker based paper of recognizing gestures using a 3D camera is known: "interaction with Time-of-flight camera based on gestures", Lvbek university, ("Fast Range Imaging by CMOS Sensor array through Multiple Double Short Time Integration (MDSI)", P.Mengel et al, Siemens AG, corporation technology department,Mfünchen，Deutschland，″ACMOS Photosensor Array for 3D Imaging Using PulsedLaser″，R.Jeremias et al.，2001IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference，Seite 252.Die Verwendung einer 3D-Kamera zur Erkennung von Gesten ist aus der Dissertation von Martin Haker，″Gesture-Based Interaction with Time-of-Flight Cameras″，Lübeck，2010)。

the mentioned components (control means 8, 10, recognition means 14, interface means 7, drive unit 6) are arranged on the sliding door 4 and move together with the sliding door 4. In an embodiment, the processor unit 8 is arranged in the region between the door leaves 26, for example in the region of the rear side 31 of the sliding door 4 opposite the end side 30. In an embodiment, the rear side 31 of the sliding door 4 is not visible from the outside, since the width of the sliding door 4 is greater than the width of the passage area 24, and therefore the rear side 31 also remains in the closed position of the sliding door 4 in the wall-housing area 18. The drive unit 6 and the interface means 7 may also be arranged in the above-mentioned areas. The electrical connections 32, 34 are respectively arranged between the door leaves 26 and are not visible from the outside. However, the technique described here is not limited to the above-described structure of the example of the component.

Fig. 3 shows a diagram of an embodiment of a processor unit 8 for the access monitoring system 1 shown in fig. 1. The processor unit 8 has an interface device 44(I/O) electrically connected to the processor 40(μ P) and a plurality of connections 46, 48, 50, 52 for inputting and outputting signals. The connection 46 is connected to the drive unit 6, the connection 48 to the sensor unit 10, the connection 50 to the identification device 14 and the connection 52 to the building management system 12 via the interface device 7.

Processor unit 8 also includes a memory device 36 electrically connected to processor 40. In the embodiment shown, the storage device 36 has a storage area 38 for a Database (DB) and a storage area 42 for one or more computer programs (SW) to run the sliding door system 5. In an embodiment, the operation of the sliding door system 5 comprises opening the sliding door 4 upon detection of a recognized user 20 and gesture. Depending on the configuration, the running may also include determining the height H of the user 20. The computer program may be executed by the processor 40.

The database stores data sets for users 20 authorized to access the restricted access area 22. The stored data set is also referred to below as the user profile. The user profile includes user-specific data such as name, information of authorization credentials (key number, PIN code, access code, including biometric data), and access restrictions at any time (e.g., monday through friday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm access). If multiple users 20 are authorized to access the restricted access area 22, the database stores a user profile for each user 20. As an alternative to presenting the user profile in the database of the storage means 36, the user profile may be loaded in a database of the building management system 12, wherein the access monitoring system 1 is able to access the database via the communication network 28.

According to the techniques presented herein, in each user profile is additionally specified: to what width W the sliding door 4 is opened (see fig. 2B). Also specified are: which gesture or gestures the user 20 can use to influence the operation of the sliding door 4. In an embodiment, the height H of the user 20 is also given. The height H of the user 20 may be a maximum height or a range of heights, as the height may vary as necessary depending on the type of shoes and headwear of the user 20. In an embodiment, each user 20 may also be given an additional height (in the y-direction). Height H and length (if present) are credibility parameters for access monitoring, as explained elsewhere in this specification.

With the above basic system components and their functionality in mind, an example method of operating the access monitoring system 1 is described below in connection with FIG. 4 based on the conditions shown in FIG. 1. The description refers to a user 20 moving towards the sliding door 4 from a common area 21 in order to enter a restricted access area 22. The radio 21 of the user 10 is ready for use. The method shown in fig. 4 starts in step S1 and ends in step S7. It is known to those skilled in the art that the division into these steps is exemplary, and one or more of these steps may be divided into one or more sub-steps or a plurality of steps may be combined into one step.

In step S2, the identification device 14 detects and validates the authorization credential presented by the user 20. The authorization credential can exist in one of the forms described above. Processor unit 40 examines: whether the user profile has been loaded in the database 38 for authorization credentials. If the ping indicates that user 20 is authorized for access, user 20 is identified as having access authorization.

In step S3, if the authorization ticket is valid for the user 20, the identification means 14 determines a data set in which the authorization ticket is corresponding to the stored opening width W of the sliding door. The selection of the opening width W may be based on various motivations. According to one motivation, the opening width W is selected and stored such that a user may comfortably pass through the sliding door 4 or through the area 24 without feeling restricted or narrowed. According to another motivation, user 20 may determine the selection of opening width W for a desire to increase safety. The opening width W is selected such that the sliding door 4 initially opens only the gap, but the gap is too narrow for the user 20.

In step S4, the drive unit 6 of the sliding door system 5 is manipulated by the control means 8, 10, in particular by its processor unit 8, in order to open the sliding door 4 according to the stored opening width W. The drive unit moves the sliding door 4 until the width W is reached, by means of the processor unit 40 and taking into account the opening width W stored in the user profile. Thereby, the sliding door 4 is moved from the substantially closed position to the position opened to some extent. In this case, a part of the sliding door 4 slides into the wall shell region 18 of the door frame 2, as shown, for example, in fig. 2B.

In step S5, the sensor unit 10 arranged on the end side 30 is activated by the processor unit 8. As described above, a gesture of the user 20 on the sliding door 4 located in the detection area 11 of the sensor is recognized by means of the sensor unit 10. The recognition of the gesture is performed according to the method described in the above-mentioned paper by Martin Haker, for example.

In step S6, the slide door 4 is manipulated in a manner deviating from the stored opening width W in accordance with the recognized gesture. In an embodiment, this means that the sliding door 4 is opened wider than the opening width W suitable for most cases such that: in everyday situations, the user 20 carrying a large object (e.g. a bag, suitcase) or a wheelchair can also pass. In another embodiment, this means: the slide door 4 is opened only with the following widths so that: the user 20 may pass when the correct gesture is recognized. If, in an embodiment, the gesture is not recognized as valid for the user 20 even if the gesture has been repeated several times, the sliding door 4 is returned to the closed position. In this case, for example, a Reset procedure (Reset) may be facilitated, in which the user 20 has to authenticate himself via another communication medium, for example, in order to confirm a new gesture or to cause a remote opening. In addition, an alarm signal may be generated which is sent, for example, as a text message via email or SMS to a person responsible for accessing the restricted area 22 (tenant, owner, building manager, etc.).

The control device 8, 10 can also generate an alarm signal if the height H of the user 20 located in the passage area 24 determined by the sensor unit 10 deviates to a certain extent from the height H or height range stored for this user 20. The degree of deviation can be determined in such a way that it means that the determined height H does not match the user 20 at all (is trustworthy). If the expected height H (based on the user profile) deviates significantly from the currently determined height, it can be concluded therefrom, for example, that the user 20 is not assigned a credential. For example, it may be that an unauthorized person possesses authorization credentials (e.g., mobile phone, RFID tag) and attempts to gain access in place of user 20.

In the access monitoring system 1, a set of rules may be established indicating whether and what actions should be taken after the alarm signal. These actions may be situation specific, i.e. dependent on the time of generation of the alarm signal (day or night) and the day of the week (weekday or weekend, vacation time). An example action may be: an audible and/or visually perceptible alarm (siren, warning light), automatic notification of security personnel (police or private security department), and automatic notification of personnel responsible for accessing the restricted area 22 (tenant, homeowner, building manager, etc.). Those skilled in the art will recognize that these actions may also be combined.

In an embodiment, the control device 8, 10 can be designed with an additional function which determines the dwell time of the user 20 in the passage area 24 and compares it with the specified dwell time. This function is similar to that of a security gate or elevator door, which will sound a signal if the door remains open or blocked for an extended period of time. The specified dwell time may also be stored in the data set of the user 20. An alarm signal can also be generated in this case if the specified dwell time is exceeded. By this function, the risk of an unauthorized person trying to block the opened sliding door 4 or to manipulate the sensor unit 10 can be reduced, for example.

In another embodiment, the control device 8, 10 may be designed with another function. This function determines the height of the user 20 in the pass-through region 24 (in the y-direction) and compares it to a defined, stored range of user heights. The sensor device 10 is designed, for example, as a 3D camera with a TOF sensor, with a detection area 11 as shown in fig. 1 and 2B. In combination with the processor unit 8, the height of the user 20 can thus be determined. Based on the image recording, for example, the contour of the user 20 can be recognized and thus his height can be determined. The determined user height range may also be stored in the data set of the user 20. If the determined height range of the user is exceeded, an alarm signal can also be generated in this case.

Referring again to the position of the sliding door 4 shown in fig. 2A-2C, an embodiment of the sliding door system 5 is described below. Fig. 2A-2C show schematic diagrams of a top view of the sliding door system 5, respectively. In each of these top views, the components that the sliding door 4 comprises are depicted: sensor unit 10(S), processor unit 8(DC) and drive unit fig. 6 (M); for reasons of illustration, the interface device 7 and its connection to the building management system 12 are not shown. The drive unit 6 and the processor unit 8 are arranged inside the sliding door 4, in particular between the door leaves 26. A wall housing area 18 having structure for receiving the sliding door 4 in an open position is also shown in fig. 2A-2C.

The sensor unit 10 is arranged on the end side 30. The arrangement is selected as follows: during operation, electromagnetic radiation (light or radio waves) may fly unimpeded in the direction of region 24. The sensor unit 10 can be used, for example, to engage in a recess on the end face 30 and be protected from damage and contamination by a radiation-transparent cover. Electrical connections 32 (fig. 1) and electrical connections 34 (fig. 1) between sensor unit 10 and processor unit 8 extend within sliding door 4, for example between door leaves 26.

The shown embodiment of the sliding door 4 is based on similar principles as known from EP2876241 a 1. This patent describes a sliding door system in which two opposing door faces are coupled to an actuator that moves the door faces toward or away from each other. With respect to the sliding door system 5 according to the technology described herein, this means: the two door leaves 26 have a door leaf spacing d1 in the closed position of the sliding door 4. The door leaves 26 are moved relative to one another by the actuator 9 (fig. 2A to 2C) such that they have a door leaf spacing d2, which d2 is dimensioned such that the sliding door 4 has such a small thickness in its fully or partially open position (fig. 2B and 2C) that the door leaves fit into the receiving structure of the wall housing region 18. The door leaf distance d1 is greater than the door leaf distance d 2. When the sliding door 4 is pushed out of the wall-shell region 18, the two door leaves 26 move away from each other (separate) so that the sliding door 4 assumes a certain thickness in the closed state (fig. 2A). The thickness is determined in such a way that the outer sides of the two door leaves 26 in the closed position are substantially flush with the outer sides of the wall-shell area 18 or its lining. Thereby, a substantially smooth surface ending is achieved on both sides of the wall in the region of the door.

In an embodiment the sliding door system 5 has a guide means on the door cross carrier which carries the sliding door 4 and guides it in its path between the closed position and the open position. The sliding door 4 has complementary means at its upper edge. When the drive unit 6 moves the sliding door 4 and acts on the complementary means, the guide means and the complementary means interact, which may for example form a system with a telescopic element. The drive unit 6 may for example comprise an electric or pneumatic slide drive acting on the telescopic member.

In an embodiment, the two door leaves 26 are moved towards or away from each other by the actuator 9. The actuator 9 may comprise a distraction device which is activated mechanically, electrically or electromechanically. The expansion device is designed to move the door leaves 26 toward one another when the sliding door 4 is to be opened and to move the door leaves 26 away from one another when the sliding door 4 is to be closed. The person skilled in the art knows that other spreading devices, for example pressure-medium-operated cylinders, can alternatively be provided.

Claims (17)

1. A system (1) for monitoring access to a restricted-access area (22) in a building, comprising:

a sliding door system (5) having a door frame (2) and a sliding door (4) which can be displaced in the door frame (2) between a closed position and an open position by means of a drive unit (6), wherein the door frame (2) has a passage region (24) and a wall housing region (18) which at least partially accommodates the sliding door (4) in the open position, and the sliding door (4) has an end side (30) which points toward the passage region (24) in the open position;

a control device (8, 10) comprising a processor unit (8) and a sensor unit (10), wherein the sensor unit (10) is arranged on an end side (30) of the sliding door (4) and the processor unit (8) is arranged in an interior space of the sliding door (4) and is electrically connected to the sensor unit (8) and the drive unit (6); and

an identification device (14) which is arranged on or around the sliding door system (5) and is in communication with the control device (8, 10), wherein the identification device (14) is designed to detect and verify an authorization document presented by the user (20),

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the control device (8, 10) is designed to obtain, in the case of a user (20) having a valid authorization credential, in the storage device (36): a data set in which the authorization document corresponds to the stored opening width (W) of the sliding door (4) in order to cause the sliding door (4) to move according to the stored opening width (W), and

the control device (8, 10) is designed to recognize a gesture of the user (20) and, as a function of the gesture, to cause the sliding door (4) to move away from the stored opening width (W).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stored opening width (W) is selected in the following way: enabling a user (20) to pass through the pass-through area (24).

3. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stored opening width (W) is selected in the following way: so that the user (20) cannot pass through the passage area (24).

4. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (10) comprises a 3D camera and the control means (8, 10) are designed for converting a recognized gesture of a user (20) into a control signal, on the basis of which the sliding door (4) can be caused to move deviating from the stored opening width (W).

5. System (1) according to claim 4, wherein said control signal increases the opening width (W) of said sliding door (4).

6. The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification means (14) have: -means (16) for the transmission and reception of radio signals, -means for the detection of biological characteristics, -means for the detection of visual codes, -means for the reading of magnetic stripe cards or chip cards or-key pads or touch screens for the manual input of passwords or mechanical or electronic door locks.

7. The system (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (8, 10) is designed to acquire the height (H) of the user (20) when the user (20) is in the passage area (24) and to generate an alarm signal (24) when the acquired height deviates from a height range (24) stored for the user.

8. The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor unit (8) is designed for acquiring a dwell time of the user (20) in the passage area (24) and comparing the dwell time with a prescribed dwell time, so that when the prescribed dwell time is exceeded, an alarm signal is generated.

9. The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor unit (8) is designed to acquire the height of the user (20) and to compare with a stored user height range, so as to generate an alarm signal when the acquired height of the user (20) deviates from the stored height range for the user (20).

10. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding door (4) comprises an actuator (9) which is designed for positioning two mutually spaced, substantially parallel door leaves (26) of the sliding door (4) in a first position with a first door leaf spacing (d1) in the closed position of the sliding door (4) and in a second position with a second door leaf spacing (d2) in the open position of the sliding door (4), wherein the first door leaf spacing (d1) is greater than the second door leaf spacing (d 2).

11. A method for operating a system (1) for monitoring access to an access restricted area (22) in a building according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the system (1) comprises a sliding door system (5) and a control device (8, 10) for the sliding door system (5), the method comprising:

-detecting and validating, by means of the identification means (14), an authorization credential presented by the user (20);

in the presence of an authorization credential valid for the user (20), obtaining, by the identification device (14): a data set in which an authorization document corresponds to a stored opening width (W) of a sliding door (4) of a sliding door system (5);

actuating a drive unit (6) of the sliding door system (5) by means of a control device (8, 10) in order to move the sliding door (4) from a substantially closed position into an open position as a function of the opening width, wherein a part of the sliding door (4) is pushed into a wall housing region (18) of the door frame (2), and the sliding door (4) has an end side (30) which is directed in the direction of the passage region (24) in the open position;

activating a sensor unit (10) arranged on the end side (30) by means of a processor unit (8) of the control device (8, 10), wherein the sensor unit (10) is designed to recognize a gesture of a user (20) and to actuate the sliding door (4) deviating from the stored opening width (W) as a function of the gesture.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the stored opening width (W) is selected in such a way that a user (20) can pass through the passage area (24).

13. Method according to claim 11, wherein the stored opening width (W) is selected in such a way that the user (20) cannot pass through the passage area (24).

14. The method of any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: -converting the recognized gesture of the user (20) into a control signal, based on which the sliding door (4) is caused to move with a deviation from the stored opening width (W), in particular to enlarge the opening width (W) of the sliding door (4).

15. The method of any of claims 11 to 14, further comprising: -acquiring the height (H) of the user (20) by means of a control device (8, 10) when the user (20) is in the passage area (24), -issuing an alarm signal when the acquired height deviates from a height range stored for the user (20).

16. The method of any preceding claim 11 to 15, further comprising: the dwell time of the user (20) in the passage area (24) is acquired by means of a processor unit (8), the acquired dwell time is compared with a specified dwell time, and an alarm signal is emitted when the specified dwell time is exceeded.

17. The method of any preceding claim 11 to 16, further comprising: -acquiring, by a processor unit (8), a height of the user (20), -comparing the acquired height with the stored user height range, and-issuing an alarm signal when the acquired height of the user (20) deviates from the stored user height range for the user (20).