EP3780982A1

EP3780982A1 - Shoe for access control and corresponding system

Info

Publication number: EP3780982A1
Application number: EP19719791.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heiner van Elten
Original assignee: Elten GmbH
Current assignee: Elten GmbH
Priority date: 2018-04-17
Filing date: 2019-04-17
Publication date: 2021-02-24
Also published as: WO2019202006A1; DE102018109160A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe (10), in particular a security shoe, comprising a shoe upper (12) and a shoe sole (14), and further comprising: - an energy source (16), - identification means (18) in which n identification codes can be stored, n being a natural number; - a receiver (20), by means of which a wirelessly transmitted identification signal (22) from an environment of the shoe (10) can be received; - evaluation means (24), by means of which it is possible to determine whether a received identification signal (22) matches an identification code stored in the identification means (18), as well as - output means (26), by means of which a warning signal can be outputted when a received identification signal (22) does not match any of the identification codes stored in the identification means (18).

Description

Shoe for access control and corresponding system

The invention relates to a shoe, with which an access control for a restricted area is possible, as well as a corresponding system for access control.

Restricted areas are found in many places, especially in industrial plants. The creation of such areas should ensure that only persons with the appropriate authorization should enter the areas. For industrial reasons, it is indispensable for safety reasons to grant access only to persons who have appropriate training, for example, who are informed of potential sources of danger, for example in production halls, or who are equipped with adequate protective equipment for the stay in the restricted areas Areas is prescribed.

In the optimal case, it is provided that persons who want to gain access to an access-restricted area identify themselves at a control station, for example by entering an alphanumeric code at a terminal or by holding a chip card. In practice, however, access restricted areas are sometimes not delineated by barriers, but merely by warning signs. Therefore, there may be instances where people unknowingly, for example because they are engrossed in conversation or otherwise distracted, enter into restricted access areas where they should not be. The problem to be solved is to inform these persons about the inadmissible intrusion into the restricted area, or to make other people in the vicinity aware of the inadmissible intrusion.

In the past, attempts were made to use shoes for the transmission of personal data. For example, European patent application EP 2669877 A1 describes a system involving footwear, wherein a shoe comprises a data transmission system. with which, for example, data for user identification can be transmitted to a separate system. The system is intended for sports shoes, for example, to transmit physiological data of a shoe wearer such as heart rate and the like, or performance data such as running speed during a competition to the system. However, it is not suitable for the solution of the above-mentioned problem.

The solution found in the present invention is evident from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are subject matter of the dependent claims.

The object is achieved in a first aspect by a shoe, in particular a safety shoe, comprising a shoe upper and a shoe sole, and further comprising an energy source, further comprising an identification means in which identification codes can be deposited, where n is a natural number, furthermore comprising Receiving means with which a wirelessly transmitted identification signal from an environment of the shoe is receivable, further comprising an evaluation means, with which it can be determined whether a received identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means, and comprising an output means, with a warning signal for the case can be output that a received identification signal does not correspond to any identification code stored in the identification means.

It is now provided that from the environment of a shoe wearer of such a shoe, in particular from a closer environment, a wirelessly transmitted

Identification signal is sent, which is preferably via one or more transmitters, which are positioned at the boundaries of the access restricted area. Non-limiting examples of closer environment are shoe distances of up to 50 meters (m), up to 25 meters, up to 20 meters, up to 15 meters, up to 10 meters, up to 9 meters, up to 8 meters, up to 5 m, up to 3 m, up to 2 m, or up to 1 m. The transmission power of the transmitter or the transmitter is accordingly adjusted so that the receiver of the shoe a signal in sufficient strength arrives and thus receivable.

In the identification means of the shoe 1 to n identification codes are stored. In the case of a shoe located before the first use, it is possible that no identification code is yet stored so that n = 0, but in this case the shoe itself has at least one identification means which is suitable for depositing n Identification codes is formed. During use of the shoe, it is provided that an identification code is stored for each restricted area to which the shoe wearer is to have access. It is provided in an exemplary development that for different restricted areas each area an individual identification code is assigned and deposited accordingly. In another exemplary development, it is provided that different access-limited areas are assigned to the same identification code. For example, in an industrial production area with several industrial halls for one of the industrial halls, the obligation to wear chemical-resistant safety shoes can be provided, which is transmitted wirelessly by a first identification signal. In another industrial hall, the wearing of ESD safety shoes against electrostatic charging may be provided, which is transmitted wirelessly by a second identification signal. If the shoe of a shoe wearer meets both the required chemical resistance and the ESD requirements, the fulfillment of both standards may be encoded in one and the same identification code deposited in the identification means. Alternatively, different identification codes can be stored in the shoe, corresponding to the example thus a first identification code (n = 1), which corresponds to the identification signal for a required chemical resistance of the shoe, and a second identification code (n = 2), the Identification signal for ESD requirements. For the wearer of the shoe, it is only significant in practice that access to an access restricted area is provided for him only if a corresponding identification code is stored in his identification means, and otherwise a warning signal is issued via the shoe, if from the vicinity of the shoe an identification signal is received, for which no identification code is deposited.

If the receiving means of the shoe now receives a wireless identification signal from the environment which was transmitted by a corresponding transmitter, the evaluation means of the shoe determines whether this identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means. If, for example, an identical code for chemical resistance and the fulfillment of the ESD standard are stored in the shoe, then the shoe wearer can move into the area of the respective wireless identification signal of the two industrial halls without the warning signal being emitted. The same applies if different identification codes are used, but which are stored in the identification means of the shoe. However, if different identification codes in the safety shoe, for example, only one identification code for chemical resistance deposited, but no identification code For the ESD standard, the shoe wearer can go into the area of the wireless identification signal of the industrial hall in which shoes must be resistant to chemicals, but not into the area of the wirelessly transmitted identification signal of the industrial hall, without access to the warning signal ESD standard is required.

According to a preferred embodiment, each shoe referred to herein as a shoe may be a safety shoe, being considered as safety shoes such shoes having at least one toe cap. Optionally, safety shoes have one or more additional safety features, for example protection against electrostatic charging

Electrostatic discharge (ESD), chemical-resistant materials, non-slip soles, and / or a penetration protection against lying on the ground pointed objects, and the like.

According to a development, the identification signal contains exactly the same data as the identification code, so that only a comparison between the identification signal and the identification code for identity is required. According to another exemplary development, there is no identity, however, it can be determined via the evaluation means whether a received identification signal is a non-identical one

Identification code corresponds, so this is assigned.

In the event that a received identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means, then nothing is required since the shoe wearer, who moves into the area of the identification signal and thus potentially approaches the restricted access area, has the authorization, if appropriate. if also to invade this area.

In the event, however, that the received identification signal does not correspond to a stored identification code, this would mean that the shoe wearer is located in the vicinity of an access-restricted area and may even be heading for it, for which he has no access authorization. For example, this could be an area where hazards exist, such as industrial robots, such that a stay in this area requires, for example, at least one prior safety instruction. Another example of such an area is an area where special safety shoes and / or other safety devices such as hard hats are required, such as chemical resistant ones Shoes or ESD safety shoes. The identification codes deposited in the shoe can thus relate to aspects which have nothing to do with the shoe itself, for example a required status of the shoe wearer or a required safety training. According to a particular embodiment, the deposited identification codes relate to aspects which directly affect the shoe, for example security features of the shoe such as chemical resistance, etc. If no identification code is stored which corresponds to a received identification signal, then a warning signal can be output via the output means. which alerts the wearer that he is near the restricted area. Accordingly, it is discouraged from inadvertently entering this area. If other people should also be in the vicinity, they will also be aware of the situation and can prevent the shoe wearer from entering the restricted area without access authorization.

According to a non-limiting example, the deposit of the identification code can take place by storing the identification code in an identification means comprising an electronic storage medium or an identification means embodied as an electronic storage medium, for example a memory chip which can be read by the evaluation means. In this case, it can be provided that the identification code is transmitted wirelessly into the storage medium, or is transmitted via a corresponding plug connection. An example of a wireless transmission may be a transmission from a smartphone, which has installed appropriate software to deposit or delete an identification code in the identification means. Advantageously, one or more identification codes can be flexibly stored in the identification means in this way. According to another non-limiting example, the

Deposit of an identification code via a hardware, for example by inserting an identification means embodied, for example, as a chip card into a corresponding slot of the shoe to which the evaluation means has access. Thus, by simply plugging in one or possibly several chip cards, one or possibly also several identification codes can be deposited in a shoe.

The energy source encompassed by the shoe can serve for supplying energy to the receiving means, the evaluation means and / or the output means. Non-limiting examples of energy sources are batteries, rechargeable batteries and / or solar cells. The energy source may, for example, be attached to the shoe upper of the shoe. be brought, or - if the power source is not formed as a solar cell - in a corresponding recess in the sole of the shoe, preferably a recess of the midsole of a composite sole and midsole sole. According to another non-limiting example, the energy source is arranged on a shoe pocket, also known as a shoe tongue, or in a shoe pocket, for example a compartment in the shoe pocket. The shoe bag is usually located below a lacing, a Velcro fastener or other closure in a ready-to-wear shoe. The energy source may be fixed to the shoe pouch, for example, or may be received in a compartment of the shoe pouch, such as a compartment formed by a pouch pocket. The compartment can be closed, for example by a Velcro fastener or by a zipper. Preferably, the power source is disposed within the shoe pocket, or, when disposed on the foot-facing side of the shoe pocket, is positioned by padding for adequate comfort of wear relative to the instep. Analog can be ensured by an appropriate design of the compartment for a sufficient comfort in an arrangement within the shoe pocket. The arrangement on the shoe pocket or in the shoe pocket advantageous accessibility of the energy source is provided, which optionally facilitates interchangeability, the energy source is housed in a location where it is protected from external influences. The energy source can be permanently installed or removed. Understandably, conductor connections, which in the case of removably installed energy sources can be connected to the energy sources, lead to the corresponding energy consumer from the energy source, or the energy is transmitted inductively. A charging of the power source is carried out according to developments by a detachable line-connected connection to a charger, by inductive charging, or in the case of removable energy sources by removal of the energy source from the shoe and external charging.

According to a further development, it is provided that not only a warning signal can be output via the output means in such a way that a received identification signal does not correspond to an identification code stored in the identification means, but also for the contrary case that a received identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means , an access authorization signal can be output. Such a shoe is advantageous in particular the occupational safety, since the shoe wearer receives the positive confirmation when approaching a restricted area, that he is entitled to access zür, for example has a corresponding permit or is equipped with shoes, in particular safety shoes, which correspond to the requirements occurring in the restricted access area, for example having chemical resistance.

The receiving means may be any means known to the person skilled in the art for receiving a wireless identification signal, that is to say in particular an electromagnetic signal

Identification signal, such as an antenna. According to a particular embodiment, the receiving means is arranged on an RFID tag and corresponds for example to the antenna component of the RFID tag. Notwithstanding the usual functioning of an RFID tag, however, it is not provided in the case of the shoe described herein that the wireless identification signal emitted by a transmitter is reflected back to the transmitter by the RFID tag in accordance with its usual transponder function. Rather, the receiving means, in this case the antenna on the RFID tag, receive the identification signal. After determination by the evaluation means, which may be the RFID chip on the RFID tag, whether the received identification signal corresponds to a stored identification code, a warning signal may optionally be output within the shoe via the output means without a wireless retransmission of the wirelessly received identification signal. signals, possibly in modified form, would be required to the transmitter, which would be provided according to the usual transponder function of an RFID tag.

The energy source is arranged according to an embodiment in a corresponding recess in a midsole, which together with an outsole

Shoe sole of the shoe forms. The recess is preferably coverable and may for example be accessible from the outside of the shoe, or from above via an access via the insole.

The warning signal may be an optical signal according to one embodiment. Accordingly, at least one light source is arranged on the shoe, for example an LED which optically emits the warning signal when activated and thereby attracts the attention of the shoe wearer and / or persons in the surroundings. The one or more lighting means may be mounted, for example, in the side area of the shoe sole, in particular a midsole, which is visible from the outside, or on outside areas of the shoe upper. Combinations of a plurality of light sources are also optionally provided, for example bulbs in the side area of the shoe sole or in rather vertical areas of the shoe upper, in order to allow the best possible visibility for surrounding persons, in combination with one or more a plurality of bulbs in more horizontal areas of the shoe or possibly the associated shoe tongue to ensure improved visibility for the wearer himself. Non-limiting examples of optical warning signals are flashing signals, in particular signals in colors, which are usually associated with a color hazard situation, in particular reds. For example, red tones can be used for warning signals, and alternatively green tones for access authorization signals. As a further development, it can be provided that with increasing signal strength of the identification signal - and thus decreasing distance from the restricted area - an intensity of the warning signal increases, for example, a brightness or a blinking frequency.

Alternatively or in addition to the formation of the warning signal as an optical signal, the output means may be designed to output an acoustic signal. Non-limiting examples of acoustic warning signals are continuous tones or rhythmically interrupted sounds. As a further development, it can again be provided that with increasing signal strength of the identification signal-and thus decreasing distance from the restricted area-an intensity of the warning signal increases, for example a volume, a pitch, where higher tones are perceived more intensively than lower tones, or a pulse repetition frequency of rhythmically interrupted tones. Non-limiting examples are also voice outputs, for example for warning signals the text message "You are approaching an area for which you have no access authorization", or as an access authorization signal the voice output "You are approaching an area to which you have access."

According to one embodiment of the shoe, the receiving means and / or the

Output means arranged on a arranged in the region of the shoe shaft flexible board. Preferably, the arrangement of the board is not carried out on the outside of the shoe upper, but between an outer layer of the shoe upper and a layer arranged behind it. In one development, the board comprises one or more light sources, preferably one or more LEDs, wherein it may be provided that the outer layer consists of a transparent material, for example transparent plastic fibers, or openings are provided in the outer layer of the shoe upper, the free view allow for the LEDs. According to a particular embodiment, in this case the energy source is present in a recess of a midsole. The receiving means can also be arranged in the recess as an alternative to the arrangement on the board. The power source and the flexible board are interconnected via tracks. In a further aspect, the object is achieved by a system for controlling access authorizations. The system comprises at least one transmitter, with which an identification signal can be radiated wirelessly to delimit at least one restricted area, as well as a shoe as described above. As already stated, the shoe is designed to receive an identification signal radiated by the transmitter by means of a receiving means when it comes within the range of this signal. It can then be determined via the evaluation means whether the received identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means. If this is not the case, a warning signal can be output via an output device. Reference is made to the explicit or implicit statements regarding the system made in the disclosure of the shoe, and vice versa.

In particular, the system may comprise a plurality of transmitters which are arranged in the region along the border of the restricted access area, wherein the transmission power for the radiated identification signal is selected so that when approaching a shoe wearer in the vicinity of the restricted area, in particular in the vicinity As stated above, the identification signal is receivable by the receiving means of the shoe.

As also already stated, the system may be used to control access to an access restricted area, or to a plurality of access restricted areas to which the same identification signal is assigned, or to a plurality of restricted access areas to which different identification signals are assigned.

The invention also relates to a method of operating a shoe as described herein. This method comprises receiving a wireless identification signal by means of a receiving means of the shoe, evaluating via an evaluation means of the shoe, if a received identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means of the shoe, and outputting a warning signal via an output means for the case in that a received identification signal does not correspond to an identification code stored in the identification means or optionally an output of an access authorization signal in the event that a received identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for operating a system for An access control as described herein, comprising wirelessly radiating at least one identification signal over a transmitter to delineate at least one access restricted area, and upon entry of a shoe as described herein into an environment of the restricted access area in which the radiated area

Identification signal from the receiving means of the shoe is receivable, and performing a method for operating a shoe as described herein.

Additional features, details and / or advantages may result from the following description, with at least one exemplary embodiment being described, if appropriate with reference to the drawings. In this case, identical, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Show it:

1 is a schematic side view of a shoe,

2 shows a system for controlling access authorizations,

3 is a schematic flowchart for a method of operating a

Shoe, and

4 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for operating an access control system.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a shoe 10, which has a shoe upper 12 and a shoe sole 14. The shoe sole 14 is composed of a midsole adjacent to the shoe upper 12 (above the dotted line) and an outsole (below the dotted line) facing the running surface, which are not separately identified by reference numerals. In the shoe sole 14 there is a recess in which a power source 16 is arranged, which is connected to a arranged in the shoe upper 12 board. The board and its components are covered with by an outer layer of the shoe 12 and are therefore marked by dashed lines. The board comprises an identification means 18, in which at least one identification code can be stored, furthermore a receiving means 20, with which a wireless identification signal 22 can be received, and a

Evaluation means 24. The evaluation means 24 is in communication with the receiving means 20 and receives from it data about that received by the receiving means 20

Identification signal 22. Furthermore, the evaluation means 24 is in communication with the identification means 18 and can thus determine whether the received identification signal 22 corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means 18. speaks. If this is not true, the evaluation means 24 uses a multiplicity of

Controlled output means 26, which are exemplified as light-emitting diodes, which are freely visible from the outside through corresponding openings of the outer layer of the shoe upper 12 and are shown for this reason in solid lines. Alternatively, the output means 26 are located behind a transparent at least at these locations outer layer of the shoe upper 12. By means of the LEDs as

Output means 26 is thus output an optical warning signal, if in the

Identification means 18 no corresponding to the identification signal 22

Identification code is deposited.

Figure 2 shows schematically in plan view an access control system comprising a transmitter 28 and two shoes 10. The area in which access control around the transmitter 28 is indicated by the dotted line. The transmitter 28 wirelessly emits identification signals 22. A shoe wearer, not shown, of the shoes 10, which is in position A, does not yet remain in an area in which the identification signals 22 can already be received by the receiving means not shown separately in FIG. In the position B, on the other hand, the shoes 10 are within range of the transmitter 28, whereby the identification signals 22 can be received from the surroundings of the shoes 10, whereby an output of a warning signal is triggered by the output means 26 of the shoes 10, which are not separately drawn.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for operating a shoe as described herein. In a method step 100, a wirelessly transmitted identification signal is received by means of a receiving means, which is then evaluated by the evaluation means in a step 120 to determine whether the received identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in an identification means. If this is not the case, then in a step 140, an output of a warning signal via an output means. If, however, the received identification signal corresponds to an identification code stored in an identification means, then in an optional step 160 an authorization authorization signal can be output via the output means. The method can in particular be carried out repeatedly, so that a branching back to method step 100 takes place.

FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic flowchart, a method for operating a system for access control, wherein in a method step 190, a wireless access control system is used Emitting at least one identification signal via a transmitter in order to delimit a restricted access area. In a method step 210, the execution of a method for operating a shoe is triggered as described herein, if such a shoe penetrates into an environment of the restricted access area, in which the radiated identification signal is receivable by the receiving means of the shoe.

One or more of the embodiments and developments mentioned herein may be combined. Moreover, although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by way of example, the examples disclosed are by no means limitative, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it is clear that a variety of possible variations exist. Furthermore, it will be understood that exemplary embodiments are really only examples that should not be construed as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. On the contrary, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to concretely implement the exemplary embodiments, with the person skilled in the art being aware of the disclosed idea of the invention having various changes, for example with respect to the function, the arrangement and / or the combination of individual embodiments An exemplary embodiment of said elements, without departing from the scope defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanation in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 shoe

12 shoe upper

14 shoe sole

16 energy source

18 identification means

20 receiving means

22 identification signal

24 evaluation means

26 output means

28 stations

30 restricted area

32 shoe pocket

100 - 210 process steps

Claims

claims

1. shoe (10), in particular safety shoe, comprising a shoe upper (12) and a shoe sole (14), and further comprising

an energy source (16),

an identification means (18) in which n identification codes can be stored, where n is a natural number,

a receiving means (20) with which a wirelessly transmitted identification signal (22) can be received from an environment of the shoe (10), an evaluation means (24) with which it is possible to determine whether a received identification signal (22) belongs to one in the identification means (18) deposited identification code, as well as

an output device (26) with which a warning signal can be output in the event that a received identification signal (22) does not occur in any one of

Identification means (18) stored identification code corresponds.

2. shoe (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the

Output means (26) an access authorization signal can be output in the event that a received identification signal (22) corresponds to an identification code stored in the identification means (18).

3. shoe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving means (20) is arranged on an RFID tag.

4. Shoe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy source (16) in a midsole of this midsole and an outsole comprehensive shoe sole (14) are arranged.

5. Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the output means (26), an optical signal can be output.

6. shoe (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that on the output means (26), an acoustic signal can be output.

7. Shoe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving means (20) and / or the output means (26) are arranged on a in the region of the shoe shaft (12) arranged flexible circuit board.

8. Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy source (16) is arranged on or in a shoe pocket (32).

9. System for controlling access authorizations, comprising

at least one transmitter (28), with which an identification signal (22) can be radiated wirelessly to delimit at least one restricted area (30), as well as

A shoe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method of operating a shoe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

Receiving a wirelessly transmitted identification signal (22) by means of a receiving means (20),

Evaluation via an evaluation means (24), whether a received identification signal (22) one in the identification means (18) stored

Identification code corresponds, as well

Outputting a warning signal via an output means (26) in the event that a received identification signal (22) does not correspond to an identification code stored in the identification means (18) or optionally issuing an access authorization signal in the event that a received identification signal (22) belongs to one in the identification means (18) stored identification code.

11. A method of operating an access control system according to claim 9, comprising: wirelessly emitting at least one identification signal (22) via a transmitter (28) for delimiting at least one restricted access area (30),

upon penetration of a shoe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 into an environment of the restricted access area (30) in which the radiated identification signal (22) is receivable by the receiving means (20) of the shoe (10), performing a method Claim 10.