WO2013034671A1

WO2013034671A1 - Apparatus and method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises

Info

Publication number: WO2013034671A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/067476
Authority: WO
Inventors: Puneet K. Singh TEJA
Original assignee: Param Technologies Corporation, S.L.
Priority date: 2011-09-09
Filing date: 2012-09-07
Publication date: 2013-03-14

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises comprising a module for connecting the apparatus to a communication network; a module for receiving a security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises, when the connection module receives a predetermined signal through the communication network; a module for validating the security parameter received by the reception module; and a door operating module for causing unlocking of at least one door giving access to the premises, if the security parameter has been correctly validated by the validation module.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE ACCESS OF A VISITOR TO A PREMISES

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises. The invention also refers to a method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises.

BACKGROUND ART Different types of security systems for premises are known in the state of the art. Some of them are mainly focused to avoid access to the premises to any person with no authorisation. In this type of security systems, the authorisation for accessing to the premises is usually obtained by providing to the system a pertinent security parameter for deactivating the system and, then, obtaining access to the premises once said security parameter has been recognized and accepted by the system.

Some other known security systems are focused to detect presence in the premises, said systems being normally based on movement sensors, images capturing devices (e.g. cameras), infrared sensors, ultrasound sensors, magnetic sensors, etc. Said sensors/devices located in the premises are normally connected to a control unit that, in case of receiving a detection signal from the sensors, may activate an alarm that is communicated to a competent agent (e.g. the owner of the premises) in order to said agent to act accordingly.

Some other security systems combine features of the previously commented types of systems for both avoiding and detecting fraudulent access to the premises. In any case, most of the known security systems comprise functionalities for remotely controlling the system, in such a way that the owner of the premises may e.g. activate/deactivate different components of the system, check their status, etc. from a remote location. This remote control also may comprise functionalities for sending data (e.g. images) obtained by the system to the owner when an abnormality has been detected by the system or when demanded by the agent/owner. For example, the European patent application EP2107537A1 discloses a video surveillance and home security apparatus and a method for the management of said apparatus, this system comprising a lot of detection sensors/devices and a remote interaction means through the UMTS network that permit a very powerful remote interaction between the user (e.g. the owner) and the system itself. For instance, this system/method comprises powerful remote functionalities such as: controlling video camera movements, sending and/or receiving SMS or MMS messages, sending Mobile Originated video calls and/or receiving Mobile Terminating video calls to or from video terminals comprised in the system, etc.

Thus, the system described in EP2107537A1 permits to its user controlling a lot of elements of the security system and receiving a lot of information about the premises in real time and from a remote location. In fact, this system seems to provide a very high security level in the sense that any not expected event occurred in the premises may be communicated to the user in real time through the UMTS network, said communication even comprising real time images and/or videos of the premises.

However, all the known systems previously commented do not allow dynamically giving/denying access to other people and at the same time keeping the security at reasonably high levels. The user/owner may be interested in giving (and denying afterwards) access to the premises to arbitrary people in accordance with domestic and/or business requirements. For example, the user/owner could be interested in remotely giving instantaneous and secure access to a plumber (or any kind of worker) in case of domestic services. Another example could be in relation to prospects for renting/buying the premises, in which case a premises agent (the user) could remotely manage visits to the premises by giving (and denying afterwards) instantaneous access to the premises. The existing security systems are not focused on said kind of operations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There thus exists a need for a new apparatus and method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises ensuring a reasonable high level of security. The object of the present invention is to fulfil such a need. Said object is achieved with an apparatus according to claim 1 , and a method according to claim 20.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises, the apparatus comprising: a module for connecting the apparatus to a communication network; a module for receiving a security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises, when the connection module receives a predetermined signal through the communication network; a module for validating the security parameter received by the reception module; and a door operating module for causing unlocking of at least one door giving access to the premises, if the security parameter has been correctly validated by the validation module.

This apparatus makes it possible to automate e.g. access for prospects (for renting/buying) to premises (apartments, houses, offices and other areas requiring secure access), since with said apparatus the doors giving access to the premises can be opened remotely using an existing communication network. A premises agent (or the owner of the premises or any person assigned and authorized by the owner or the agent) may establish a communication with the apparatus by sending a predetermined signal to the apparatus, said way of establishing the communication being according to a known communication protocol. Once the communication has been established, the premises agent can send e.g. a security parameter (e.g. a PIN) indicating that a visitor that is e.g. waiting for accessing the premises has permission to entry and visit the premises.

Said security parameter sent by the agent through e.g. a mobile phone is received by the reception module. Once the security parameter has been received, said security parameter is validated by the validation module. Then, in case the security parameter has been correctly validated, the door operating module may send a signal to e.g. an electronic lock of a main door giving access to the premises, said signal causing unlocking of said door in such a way that the door is automatically opened or may be opened by the visitor by manually acting on the door, e.g. by pushing or pulling the door.

The agent may further send to the apparatus other data different from the security parameter, in such a way that said data may indicate to the apparatus that the main door has to be opened when receiving through the reception module e.g. a visitor PIN identifying the visitor that is going to visit the premises. Said visitor PIN may be active during a determined period of time, so that if said visitor PIN is received at a time that is not within said period of time, the visitor PIN is considered invalid so the door will not be opened, that is to say, the access related to said visitor is denied due to the PIN not being available in the pre-defined period of time.

This apparatus and its operation allow the visitor (or prospect) to visit the premises without the need of a premises agent to travel where the premises is located for manually opening the doors to the visitor. This reduces the time and costs of traveling for the agents/owners of the premises (or real estate properties). Moreover, high flexibility is provided to the visitors in terms of time of visit, since the visit may be carried out outside office hours and/or on weekends/holidays. In summary, this apparatus and its related operation may increase the number of visits by prospects, may reduce the costs per visit and may provide high flexibility and security. Most of the previous considerations with respect to the apparatus of the invention in a context of automatic control of the access for prospects (for renting/buying) to premises, may be equally applied to other situations/contexts in which remote permission/denial for accessing a premises may be useful. For instance, the owner of a premises may be interested in remotely giving instantaneous and secure access to a plumber (or any kind of worker) in case of domestic services.

In embodiments of the invention, the communication network may be a wireless communications network and the connection module may be a wireless communications module compatible with the wireless communications network. The wireless communications network can be a GSM network or an alternative to the GSM technology such as 3G/LTE technology or any other wireless communications technology and the wireless communications module is a correspondingly GSM/3G/LTE/etc. module referred to as a "terminal" in the following descriptions.

In embodiments of the invention, the predetermined signal is a call placed to the terminal. As commented before, the predetermined signal may be a signal establishing a mobile phone communication, as for example a call placed to the terminal. Then, once the GSM communication has been established, the user of the apparatus may send any kind of data required by the apparatus through said communication. In preferred embodiments, the validation module comprises a local repository of security parameters for the validation module validating the received security parameter against the content of said local repository of security parameters. Security parameters stored in the local repository may constitute a reference for the validating module to consider a received security parameter valid or invalid. This repository may store e.g. one or more PINs that are considered valid, in such a way that when a user/visitor PIN is received, said PIN is searched in the repository. Then, in case of said search giving a positive result (PIN found in the repository), the received PIN may be considered valid. In the opposite case (PIN not found in the repository), the received PIN may be considered invalid, in which case the door will remain locked.

The repository of security parameters (e.g. PINs) may be adapted to further store time intervals related to the security parameters (PINs), so that a received PIN may be considered valid only in the case that the PIN is found in the repository and the reception time of the received PIN is within a time interval related to the stored PIN matching the received PIN.

In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a module for remotely updating the content of the local repository of security parameters. In particular, said module may be adapted to maintain the content of said repository of security parameters. This module may receive instructions to be executed in the repository from a remote location. This reception of instructions may be performed through any kind of communication network, such as the GSM network, in which case the module for maintaining the repository could be connected to the reception module and the reception module could be adapted to receive said type of instructions for maintaining the content of the repository of security parameters. Alternatively, this repository maintenance module may comprise functionalities for locally maintaining the content of the repository. And, alternatively, this repository maintenance module may comprise both functionalities for locally maintaining the content of the repository and functionalities for remotely maintaining the content of the repository, as e.g. the previously described reception of instructions through the communications network.

Alternatively to the local repository of security parameters, the apparatus may comprise a module for accessing a remote repository of security parameters for the validation module validating the received security parameter against the content of said remote repository of security parameters. In this case, the remote repository may also be maintained locally (where the repository is placed) or remotely. In the case of remote maintenance, the apparatus may comprise a module for maintaining/updating the content of the repository of security parameters, said module comprising functionalities for locally (where the apparatus is placed) obtaining instructions for maintaining the repository and a module for sending said instructions to the remote repository. In this last case, the reception module could be a reception/sending module further adapted to send said instructions for maintaining the remote repository. Instead of locally obtaining the instructions, the apparatus could receive the instructions through the GSM network or any other wireless communications network, in which case the reception module/sending module could be further adapted to receive instructions to maintain the remote repository through said wireless communications network. In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a module for connecting the apparatus with at least one motion detection sensor placed inside the premises. Thus, any unexpected movement inside the premises may be communicated to the owner/agent through e.g. the GSM network. Furthermore, once the visitor has entered the premises, all the detected movements of the visitor inside the premises could be registered in a repository of movements that can be checked afterwards in case of e.g. detecting some disturbance in the premises. In these embodiments, the reception module could be a reception/sending module adapted to send movement related data to e.g. the owner/agent through e.g. SMS or any other type of GSM messages.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a module for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained. In this case, all the principles described in relation to the motion detection sensors and detected movements may also be applied to the one or more cameras placed inside the premises, but in this case images of the visitor may be obtained instead of movement related data. These cameras may be able to obtain pictures and/or videos, which may be sent to the owner/agent through the GSM network (or any other type of wireless network) and/or stored in a local or remote repository of pictures/videos for later inspection.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a module for connecting the apparatus with a sensor for detecting that the door giving access to the premises has been shut, and wherein the door operating module is adapted for causing locking of the at least one door giving access to the premises when said module receives a predetermined signal from the sensor indicating that said at least one door has been shut. Thus, when the visitor exits the premises and shuts the door, the apparatus may receive a signal indicating that the door has been shut, in which case the door operating module may send a signal to a lock of the door for causing locking of the door, so that a high level of security is ensured.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a module for connecting the apparatus with a keyboard for entering a security parameter. In this embodiment, a security parameter for obtaining access to the premises may be sent to the apparatus through e.g. the GSM network (as commented before) and/or through a local keyboard connected to the apparatus. In relation to the remote option, the security parameter may be sent by the owner/agent or by the visitor through a mobile phone. With respect to the local option, the security parameter will be normally entered by the visitor, since the main aim of the apparatus is to avoid the presence of the owner/agent when the visitor accessing the premises. Thus, with the possibility of entering the security parameter through a local keyboard, the visitor is not restricted to use a mobile phone to enter the security parameter, which adds flexibility to the apparatus and its related method of operation.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a module for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained. In these embodiments, the apparatus may obtain images (pictures and/or videos) of the visitor performing two of the most critical actions (entering-exiting the premises), between which a door giving access to the premises remains unlocked. The obtained images may be stored in a dedicated repository (local or remote) for later inspection and/or sent in real time through suitable GSM messages to the owner/agent of the premises, in such a way that the owner/agent may have under control said most critical actions carried out by the visitor. The images of the visitor when exiting the premises may be sent to the owner/agent with additional data provided by the door operating module indicating the state of the door once the visitor has exited the premises. For instance, the owner/agent may detect an abnormality when receiving e.g. an image of the visitor exiting the premises and data on the state of the door indicating that the door has not been locked, which increases the security of the apparatus and the related method.

In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus is comprised in a security system for a premises to be accessed by a visitor, said security system further comprising at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained, the apparatus and said at least one camera being connected through a module for connecting the apparatus with said at least one camera. Said module may be the module (for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained) commented in the previous paragraph, in which case the principles and advantages commented in relation to the module comprised in the apparatus are of identical application to the security system described in the present paragraph. This camera may be located inside or outside the premises in a place from which images of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one camera of the security system that is placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained, comprises a motion detection sensor. This sensor may be adapted to send a signal indicating movement to the camera and the camera may be adapted to be triggered when receiving such a signal. Thus, this embodiment permits a selective capture of images in a way that the camera remains inactive while no movement is detected. This selective capture of images permits avoiding obtaining useless images and, thus, highly reducing the power consumed by the camera and the amount of images to be stored and/or sent to remote sites/terminals.

In embodiments of the invention, the security system in which the apparatus is comprised further comprises a keyboard for entering a security parameter, the apparatus and the keyboard being connected through a module for connecting the apparatus with the keyboard. This module may be the module (for connecting the apparatus with a keyboard for entering a security parameter) comprised in the apparatus of the invention and described in previous descriptions. In this case, the principles and advantages commented in relation to the module comprised in the apparatus are of identical application to the embodiment of the security system described in the present paragraph.

In some embodiments, the security system further comprises at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained, the apparatus and said at least one camera being connected through a module for connecting the apparatus with said at least one camera. This module may be the module (for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained) comprised in the apparatus of the invention and described in previous descriptions. In this case, the principles and advantages commented in relation to the module comprised in the apparatus are of identical application to the embodiment of the security system described in the present paragraph. In preferred embodiments, the at least one camera of the security system that is placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained, comprises a motion detection sensor. These embodiments permits the camera being automatically triggered when the motion detection sensor detecting movement. Thus, all the principles and advantages previously commented in relation to the motion detection sensor comprised in the camera for obtaining images of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be also of application to the embodiments described in the present paragraph.

In some embodiments of the invention, the security system further comprises a sensor for detecting that the at least one door giving access to the premises has been shut, the apparatus and said sensor being connected through a module for connecting the apparatus with said sensor. This module may be the module (for connecting the apparatus with a sensor for detecting that the door giving access to the premises has been shut) comprised in the apparatus of the invention and described in previous descriptions. In this case, the principles and advantages commented in relation to the module comprised in the apparatus are of identical application to the embodiment of the security system described in the present paragraph.

In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises by the apparatus of the invention is provided, the method comprising: receiving a predetermined signal through the connection module; receiving a security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises through the reception module; validating the received security parameter through the validation module; and in case the received security parameter is correctly validated, causing unlocking of the at least one door giving access to the premises through the door operating module.

In embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises receiving at least one image from the at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained, through the module for connecting the apparatus with said at least one camera. In embodiments, the method further comprises sending to a remote server over a communications network (as e.g. a GSM network) the at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises (said image having been received from the at least one camera with said purpose). In some embodiments, the communications network over which the at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises is sent to a remote server, is a GSM network, the connection module is a GSM module (or terminal), and the method further comprises sending the at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises by a message supporting multimedia content (e.g. email, MMS, etc.) through the terminal.

In embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises receiving at least one image from the at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained, through the module for connecting the apparatus with said at least one camera.

In embodiments, the method further comprises sending to a remote server over a communications network (as e.g. a GSM network) the at least one image of the visitor inside the premises (said image having been received from the at least one camera with said purpose).

In some embodiments, the communications network over which the at least one image of the visitor inside the premises is sent to a remote server, is a GSM network, the connection module is a GSM module (or terminal), and the method further comprises sending the at least one image of the visitor inside the premises by a message supporting multimedia content (e.g. email, MMS, etc.) through the terminal. Preferably, the method further comprises receiving a predetermined signal from the sensor for detecting that the door has been shut; and causing locking of the at least one door giving access to the premises through the door operating module.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, receiving the security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises is performed through the connection module of the apparatus performing the method. That is to say, in this embodiment, the security parameter is received by the reception module through the communication network to which the apparatus is connected by the connection module. Therefore, in this embodiment, the owner/agent of the premises may remotely send e.g. a PIN to the apparatus from e.g. a mobile phone connected to the communication network to which the apparatus is also connected.

Alternatively to receiving the security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises performed through the connection module, said reception of the security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises is performed through the keyboard for entering a security parameter of the apparatus performing the method. In contrast to the network based sending/reception of the security parameter described in the previous paragraph, the embodiments described in the present paragraph refers to a reception of the security parameter through a keyboard locally comprised in the security system.

In general, most of the operational principles and advantages commented with respect to the embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises, are also of application to the embodiments of the method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises by said apparatus.

Throughout the description and claims the word "comprise" and variations of the word, are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration, and they are not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Reference signs related to drawings and placed in parentheses in a claim, are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim. Furthermore, the present invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a security system for a premises to be accessed by a visitor, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be understood, however, by one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known elements have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the description of the present invention. Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the apparatus for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises (e.g. an apartment, house, office or any other area requiring a secure access). The apparatus 100 may comprise a GSM connection module 101 (or GSM terminal), a reception/sending module 102, a validation module 103, a repository 1 10 of security parameters, a module 1 16 for maintaining the repository 1 10 of security parameters, a door 1 15 operating module 107, a module 106 for connecting the apparatus with at least one motion detection sensor 1 14, a module 105 for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera 1 13, a module 1 17 for connecting the apparatus with a keyboard 1 18, a processing unit 108, and a repository 109 for storing a computer program implementing an embodiment of the method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises.

The GSM terminal 101 may permit connecting the apparatus 100 to a GSM communication network 1 12, so that communications between the apparatus and GSM devices (e.g. mobile phones 1 1 1 ) may be established when the terminal 101 receives from the mobile 1 1 1 a GSM call requesting said establishment of said communication. The GSM terminal 101 may also send GSM calls to other devices (e.g. mobile phones 1 1 1 ) connected to the GSM network 1 12 in order to send data obtained by the apparatus to these other devices 1 1 1 .

The reception/sending module 102 may be adapted to receive data/signals from external devices/systems through the terminal 101 (i.e. through the GSM network) or through any other module of the apparatus connected to an external device adapted to send data/signals to the apparatus. For example, the reception/sending module 102 may receive data from GSM mobile phones through the GSM connection module and/or may receive data from a keyboard connected to the module 1 17 for connecting the apparatus with a keyboard 1 18. The reception/sending module 102 may be also adapted to send data/signals to external devices/systems through the terminal 101 (i.e. through the GSM network) and/or through any other module of the apparatus connected to an external device adapted to receive data/signals from the apparatus. For example, the reception/sending module 102 may send data to GSM mobile phones through the GSM terminal 101 and/or may send data to a keyboard connected to the module 1 17 for connecting the apparatus with a keyboard 1 18. Data (indicating e.g. PIN invalid - access denied) may be sent by the apparatus 100 to the keyboard 1 18 and may be displayed through a display associated with the keyboard.

The validation module 103 may be adapted to validate security parameters (e.g. PINs) received by the reception/sending module 102, said validation comprising searching a received PIN in the repository 1 10 of security parameters and providing a validation result indicating if the received PIN is considered valid or not depending on the result of said search.

The repository 1 10 of security parameters may be adapted to store security parameters, such as PINs, and time intervals related to said PINs. The validation module 103 may access to the repository 1 10 of security parameters for verifying if the received PIN is stored in the repository 1 10 as a valid PIN and if the received PIN has been received at a time that is within a validity time interval related to the valid PIN stored in the repository 1 10. Thus, if the received PIN is a valid PIN and has been received in a valid time, the received PIN may be considered valid and, then, the access to the premises may be permitted to the related visitor. Otherwise, the received PIN may be considered invalid and, then, the access may not be permitted to the related visitor. Alternatively to the local repository 1 10 of security parameters, the apparatus may comprise a module for accessing to a remote repository of security parameters. Said module may be adapted to access to said remote repository through any kind of communications network, as for example a GSM network, in which case said module may access to the remote repository through GSM calls through the GSM terminal 101 . The module 1 16 for maintaining the repository 1 10 of security parameters may permit to an administrator (e.g. the owner/agent) of security parameters maintaining up to date the content of said repository 1 10. This module 1 16 may be adapted to obtain instructions through GSM communications (i.e. through the terminal 101 and the reception/sending module 102), said instructions representing actions to be performed in the repository, such as retrieving or modifying or deleting or inserting PINs and/or related time intervals from/into the repository 1 10. This way of maintaining the repository 1 10 allows to the administrator (or agent or owner of the premises) remotely adapting the content of said repository 1 10 according to related requirements. For example, the owner of the premises may request insertion a new PIN (created by the owner or by the module 1 16) and a related time interval for giving punctual access to the premises to a particular visitor, in which case said visitor would have to enter/send said particular PIN at a time that is within said related time interval.

Alternatively, the module 1 16 for maintaining the repository 1 10 of security parameters may be adapted to locally maintain the repository 1 10. For example, the module 1 16 may be connected to a keyboard and to a monitor for an administrator of the repository 1 10 to interact with the module 1 16 for executing typical maintenance instructions in the repository 1 10, such as retrieving or modifying or deleting or inserting PINs and/or related time intervals from/into the repository 1 10. And alternatively, the module 1 16 for maintaining the repository 1 10 of security parameters may be adapted for both remote maintenance (as described in the previous paragraph) and local maintenance (as described in the present paragraph). The module 105 for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera 1 13 may be adapted for receiving images (pictures or videos) captured by the camera 1 13, so that images of the visitor when visiting the premises may be obtained for inspection.

The module 106 for connecting the apparatus with at least one motion detection sensor 1 14 may be adapted for receiving movement related data captured by the motion detection sensor 1 14, so that movement data of the visitor when visiting the premises may be obtained for inspection.

The door 1 15 operating module 107 may be adapted to be connected with a sensor for detecting that the door giving access to the premises has been shut, and may also be adapted to be connected to a door locking mechanism for causing locking of the door giving access to the premises when said module receives a predetermined signal from the sensor indicating that said door has been shut. With such a module, the apparatus may detect when the door is shut and may cause locking of an electronic lock comprised in the door, increasing thus the security of a security system that comprises the apparatus.

The module 1 17 for connecting the apparatus with a keyboard 1 18 may be adapted to receive through the reception/sending module 102 a security parameter entered by the visitor through the keyboard 1 18. With this module, it is possible an alternative way for the apparatus receiving a security PIN giving access to the premises. In previous descriptions, means for receiving security parameters through a GSM network have been described. So a security PIN may be received either through a GSM network or through a keyboard 1 18, increasing thus the flexibility of the system. The repository 109 may store a computer program implementing an embodiment of the method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises, and the processing unit 108 may be adapted to execute said embodiment of the method by interacting with one or more of the other modules comprised in the apparatus. More details about embodiments of the method will be described in later descriptions. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a security system for a premises to be accessed by a visitor, according to an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the security system comprises the apparatus 100 represented by Figure 1 , a plurality of cameras 1 13a, 1 13b distributed along the premises, a plurality of motion sensors 1 14 also distributed along the premises, and a keyboard 1 18 for the visitor entering a security PIN for accessing to the premises.

The camera 1 13a is positioned in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained, and each of the cameras 1 13a, 1 13b is connected to the apparatus 100 through the module 105 for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera 1 13. Each of the cameras 1 13a, 1 13b comprises a related motion sensor 1 14 for automatically triggering its related camera 1 13a, 1 13b when the related motion sensor 1 14 detects movement, which is supposed to be caused by the visitor.

Each of the motion sensors 1 14 is connected to the apparatus 100 through the module 106 for connecting the apparatus with at least one motion detection sensor 1 14. The keyboard 1 18 is connected to the apparatus 100 through the module 1 17 for connecting the apparatus with a keyboard 1 18. The main door 1 15 giving access to the premises comprises a sensor for detecting that said door 1 15 has been shut, said sensor being connected with the apparatus through the door 1 15 operating module 107.

The repository 109 may store a computer program implementing an embodiment of the method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises, and the processing unit 108 may access to the repository 109 for retrieving and executing said computer program in such a way that the embodiment of the method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises implemented by the computer program is carried out.

This embodiment of the method may comprise: receiving through the GSM terminal 101 a GSM call placed to the GSM terminal 101 from a mobile phone 1 1 1 ; receiving a PIN authorizing the visitor to access the premises through the reception/sending module 102, once a GSM communication has been established from the reception GSM call placed to the GSM terminal 101 ; validating the received PIN through the validation module 103; and, in case of the received PIN is correctly validated, causing unlocking of the door 1 15 giving access to the premises through the door 1 15 operating module 107.

In the embodiment of the method, the reception/sending module 102 may receive the PIN authorizing the visitor to access the premises through the GSM terminal 101 . That is to say, the PIN may be received through the GSM communication network 1 12 from e.g. an authorised mobile phone 1 1 1 belonging to the owner/agent/administrator or to the visitor. In the second case, in which the visitor sends the PIN from its mobile phone 1 1 1 , the owner/agent/administrator may have previously assigned said PIN (and maybe a related validity time interval) through the module 1 16 for maintaining the repository 1 10 of security parameters.

Alternatively to the reception of the PIN through the GSM terminal 101 , the embodiment of the method may perform said reception through the keyboard 1 18 for entering a security parameter and the module 1 17 connecting the apparatus with the keyboard 1 18. Receiving the PIN through a local keyboard 1 18 may be useful when e.g. the visitor does not have a mobile phone from which to send the PIN. The embodiment of the method may further comprise: receiving, through the module 106 for connecting the apparatus with at least one motion detection sensor 1 14, a signal indicating detection of movement from a sensor 1 14 related to a camera 1 13a placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained; sending a signal for activating said camera 1 13a through the module 105 for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera 1 13a, 1 13b; and receiving at least one image (pictures, videos, etc.) from the camera 1 13a through the module 105 for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera 1 13.

The embodiment of the method may further comprise sending the at least one image received from the camera 1 13a to a remote server (e.g. for later inspection) through e.g. the GSM terminal 101 ; and/or sending the at least one image received from the camera 1 13a to a mobile phone 1 1 1 (of the agent/owner/administrator) through e.g. the GSM terminal 101 . Any of said sending of images may be performed e.g. by a message supporting multimedia content (such as email, MMS, etc.) through the GSM terminal 101 .

The embodiment of the method may further comprise: receiving, through the module 106 for connecting the apparatus with at least one motion detection sensor 1 14, a signal indicating detection of movement from a sensor 1 14 related to a camera 1 13b placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained; sending a signal for activating said camera 1 13b through the module 105 for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera 1 13b; and receiving at least one image (pictures, videos, etc.) from the camera 1 13b through the module 105 for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera 1 13b.

The embodiment of the method may further comprise sending the at least one image received from the camera 1 13b to a remote server (e.g. for later inspection) through e.g. the GSM terminal 101 ; and/or sending the at least one image received from the camera 1 13b to a mobile phone 1 1 1 (of the agent/owner/administrator) through e.g. the GSM terminal 101 . Any of said sending of images may be performed e.g. by a message supporting multimedia content (such as email, MMS, etc.) through the GSM terminal 101 . The embodiment of the method may further comprise: receiving, through the door 1 15 operating module 107, a signal from a sensor related to the door 1 15 indicating that the door 1 15 has been shut; and, in response to said signal indicating shutting of the door 1 15, causing locking of the door 1 15 giving access to the premises through the door 1 15 operating module 107.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises, comprising:

a module for connecting the apparatus to a communication network;

a module for receiving a security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises, when the connection module receives a predetermined signal through the communication network;

a module for validating the security parameter received by the reception module; and

a door operating module for causing unlocking of at least one door giving access to the premises, if the security parameter has been correctly validated by the validation module.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the communication network is a wireless communications network and the connection module is a wireless communications module compatible with the wireless communications network.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communications network is a GSM network and the wireless communications module is a GSM module.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined signal is a call placed to the GSM module.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the validation module comprises a local repository of security parameters for the validation module validating the received security parameter against the content of said local repository of security parameters.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a module for remotely updating the content of the local repository of security parameters.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a module for accessing to a remote repository of security parameters for the validation module validating the received security parameter against the content of said remote repository of security parameters.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a module for remotely updating the content of the remote repository of security parameters.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a module for connecting the apparatus with at least one motion detection sensor placed inside the premises.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a module for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained.

1 1 . The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a module for connecting the apparatus with a sensor for detecting that the door giving access to the premises has been shut, and wherein the door operating module is adapted for causing locking of the at least one door giving access to the premises when said module receives a predetermined signal from the sensor indicating that said at least one door has been shut.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 1 1 , further comprising a module for connecting the apparatus with a keyboard for entering a security parameter.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a module for connecting the apparatus with at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained.

14. A security system for a premises to be accessed by a visitor comprising an apparatus for controlling the access of the visitor to the premises according to any of claims 1 to 13, and at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained, the apparatus and said at least one camera being connected through a module for connecting the apparatus with said at least one camera.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained comprises a motion detection sensor.

16. The system according to any of claims 14 or 15, further comprising a keyboard for entering a security parameter, the apparatus and the keyboard being connected through a module for connecting the apparatus with the keyboard.

17. The system according to any of claims 14 to 16, further comprising at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained, the apparatus and said at least one camera being connected through a module for connecting the apparatus with said at least one camera.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained comprises a motion detection sensor.

19. The system according to any of claims 14 to 18, further comprising a sensor for detecting that the at least one door giving access to the premises has been shut, the apparatus and the sensor being connected through a module for connecting the apparatus with said sensor.

20. A method for controlling the access of a visitor to a premises by an apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, the method comprising:

receiving a predetermined signal through the connection module;

receiving a security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises through the reception module;

validating the received security parameter through the validation module;

in case of the received security parameter is correctly validated, causing unlocking of the at least one door giving access to the premises through the door operating module.

21 . The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

receiving at least one image from the at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor entering or exiting the premises may be obtained, through the module for connecting the apparatus with said at least one camera.

22. The method according to claim 21 , further comprising:

sending the received at least one image to a remote server over a communications network.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the communications network over which the received at least one image is sent to a remote server is a GSM network; wherein the connection module is a GSM module; and wherein the method further comprises:

sending the received at least one image by a message supporting multimedia content through the GSM module.

24. The method according to any of claims 20 to 23, further comprising receiving at least one image from the at least one camera placed in such a way that at least one image of the visitor inside the premises may be obtained, through the module for connecting the apparatus with said at least one camera.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the communications network over which the received at least one image is sent to a remote server is a GSM network; wherein the connection module is a GSM module; and wherein the method further comprises:

27. The method according to any of claims 20 to 26, further comprising

receiving a predetermined signal from the sensor for detecting that the door has been shut;

causing locking of the at least one door giving access to the premises through the door operating module.

28. The method according to any of claims 20 to 27, wherein receiving the security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises is performed through the connection module.

29. The method according to any of claims 20 to 27, wherein receiving the security parameter authorizing the visitor to access the premises is performed through the keyboard for entering a security parameter.