EP4193342A1

EP4193342A1 - Apparatus and method for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access

Info

Publication number: EP4193342A1
Application number: EP21766515.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simone TROMBETTA
Original assignee: Velapass Srl
Current assignee: Velapass Srl
Priority date: 2020-08-07
Filing date: 2021-08-09
Publication date: 2023-06-14
Also published as: WO2022029740A1

Abstract

An apparatus for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access comprises a wearable device which includes detection means for acquiring at least one biological parameter of the user and wireless communication means for transmitting the at least one biological parameter of the user and/or data which represent the state of health of the user established on the basis of the at least one biological parameter of the user. The apparatus further comprises a processing unit which is configured to process the data which represent a state of health of the user in accordance with the at least one biological parameter and a receiving device comprising means for receiving the at least one biological parameter of the user and/or the data. The receiving device is configured to generate an authorization signal or a prevention signal for access by the user inside the access area in accordance with the state of health of the user acquired by the detection means.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING OCCURRENCES OF ACCESS TO AN AREA WITH CONTROLLED ACCESS

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access , such as , for example , a public place or other type of closed area, of the type comprising a wearable device by a user and a receiving device which is configured to generate an authori zation signal or prevention signal for access by the user inside the area in accordance with specific data supplied by the wearable device .

The invention further relates to a method for managing occurrences of access by means of the above-mentioned apparatus .

As known, there exist a large number of situations in which there may be a need for preventing possible contacts between persons in order to prevent the transmission of diseases , particularly if they are readily transmissible via the airborne route .

At the same time , it is desirable for the precautions which are adopted not to be excessively restrictive in terms of the freedom of movement of the persons , nor for the law for the privacy thereof to be able to be questioned .

The measures currently most widely used comprise , on the one hand, systems for verifying the state of health of the persons at the entrance to closed places or areas and, on the other hand, the use of tracking systems which allows notification of the proximity to a person who is potentially exposed to contacts with a virus .

The first measures generally have the disadvantage of necessarily requiring the presence of operators who are provided for the verification of the individual persons who are accessing the places , which verification typically includes measuring the temperature in order not to afford access to the person in a feverish state .

Other similar solutions comprise an access portal which is provided with a device for measuring the temperature , typically infrared devices . Persons who are passing inside the portal are monitored automatically in order to evaluate a possible feverish state . These portals can also be connected to electronic locks or turnstiles so as to be opened only if a suitable condition for entry to the area is detected .

However, these last solutions have substantially two disadvantages : on the one hand, they are particularly sensitive to the external atmospheric conditions and, for example , the exposure of the solar rays makes the measurements carried out very unreliable and, on the other hand, they often have rather considerable costs .

With regard to the tracking solutions , however, it must be observed that they are often recogni zed as being excessively detrimental to the privacy of the user because they require constant tracking of the movements thereof .

The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access , which is functionally and structurally configured so as to allow one or more of the disadvantages set out with reference to the cited prior art to be at least partially overcome .

In the context of this problem, an obj ect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access which allows effective prevention of occurrences of access for persons which could place at risk the health of healthy persons who are present inside this area .

Another obj ect is also to allow effective control without the presence of operators being provided and with a solution at relatively small cost .

Another obj ect of the present invention is to make it possible for an adequate prevention of the spread of diseases without it being dangerous for the privacy of the monitored persons .

This problem is solved and these obj ects are at least partially achieved by the invention by means of an apparatus for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access , comprising a wearable device which is provided with detection means for acquiring at least one biological parameter of the user and wireless communication means .

The apparatus further includes a processing unit which is configured to supply data which represent a state of health of the user in accordance with the biological parameter acquired by the detection means of the wearable device . There is further preferably provided a receiving device which comprises means for receiving the biological parameter ( s ) which are detected and/or of the above-mentioned data which represent the state of health of the user . The receiving device is advantageously configured to generate an authori zation signal or a prevention signal for access by the user inside the access area in accordance with the state of health of the user acquired by the detection means .

Therefore , it will be appreciated that the apparatus according to the present invention allows monitoring of the state of health of a user to be carried out directly by means of the wearable device, for example , a bracelet . In this manner, it is not necessary to use external apparatuses or skilled operators in order to identify a state of health of the user .

As a result of the presence of the communication means , the user can therefore transmit to the receiving device , always in an autonomous manner, the data by means of which it will be possible to evaluate whether the access to an area has to be allowed or prevented .

Since the wearable device is directly worn by the user, it is not necessary to combine with the transmitted data any personal information, thereby ensuring the anonymity and the privacy for the user .

Advantageously, the receiving device is arranged near the area for controlled access so as to allow effective detection directly at the time of access . In some embodiments , the apparatus may comprise a control device which is configured to allow an electronic lock and/or a movable gate to be opened if the receiving device supplies an authori zation signal for the access by the user . It i s thereby possible to obtain completely automatic management of the occurrences of access .

On the basis of an aspect of the invention, there may be provided a device for emitting a visual signal and/or acoustic signal which represent ( s ) the signal for authori zing or preventing the access by the user inside the controlled access area generated by the receiving device . This may allow a potential control operator or the user him/herself to be notified in relation to the detection of a state of health which is not compatible with entry to the controlled area .

According to another aspect , the wearable device comprises a storage unit for recording the at least one biological parameter of the user .

Preferably, there may be provided means for identifying the removal of the wearable device by the user .

In some embodiments , there may be provision for the storage unit to be configured so as to automatically cancel the biological parameters stored following the removal of the wearable device on the basis of what has been detected by the suitable means .

According to another aspect , the above-mentioned problem is also solved and the obj ects of the invention are also at least partially achieved by the invention by means of a method for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access by means of an apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims .

The method preferably provides for acquiring at least one biological parameter of the user by means of the wearable device , establishing data which represent a state of health of the user in accordance with the at least one biological parameter and transmitting the data which represent the state of health of the user near the user' s access to the area with controlled access .

Preferably, the method also provides for receiving the data which represent the state of health of the user and providing an authori zation signal or a prevention signal for access by the user inside the area with controlled access in accordance with the state of health of the user acquired by the detection means .

Therefore , it will be appreciated that the advantages mentioned in relation to the apparatus are similarly al so achieved by the method of the present invention .

In some embodiments , the biological parameter comprises at least one bodily temperature value of the user and/or an oxygenation value of the blood of the user which provide particularly advantageous and reliable indications of the state of health of the user . There is further provision for the biological parameter to be able to include information items on the vaccination state of the user .

Preferably, the method may also provide for storing the acquired biological parameter of the user . In some embodiments , there i s also provision for detecting a possible removal of the device by the user .

On the basis of yet another aspect , the method may provide for cancelling the biological parameters stored following the detection of the removal of the device by the user .

In order to ensure greater security for the data of the user, the method preferably provides for encryption, before the transmission thereof , of the data which represent the state of health of the user near the access by the user to the area with controlled access .

It will be appreciated that the preferred features set out in relation to the merits of the present invention are also applicable to the other aspects of the invention .

Additional preferred aspects are also defined in the appended claims .

The features and additional advantages of the invention will be better appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferred though non-limiting embodiment thereof which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings , in which :

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the present invention ;

- Figure 1A is a schematic view of the apparatus according to the present invention in an alternative embodiment ;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wearable device of the apparatus according to the present invention ; and - Figures 3 to 5 are block diagrams which illustrate the operation of a number of aspects of the method according to the present invention .

Initially with reference to Figure 1 , an apparatus for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access is designated 100 . The controlled access area can be constituted by a public place or by any area inside which there is an enclosure or any other means suitable for preventing entry inside it . This means may also be constituted by a person at a control opening but is more preferably constituted by a door or a turnstile .

The apparatus 100 substantially comprises a wearable device 1 and a receiving device 2 which is preferably intended to be arranged near the controlled access area .

As may be appreciated from the example illustrated in Figure 1 , the wearable device 1 is preferably formed by a bracelet which can be worn on the wrist of the user .

However, the receiving device 2 is formed by a fixed reading unit , as in the example of Figure 1 , but it will be appreciated that , as explained below, it may also be defined by a portable device , for example , a smart phone , which is capable of interfacing with the wearable device 1 , as illustrated in Figure 1A .

Now with reference also to Figure 2 , the wearable device 1 preferably comprises detection means 10 which are suitable for detecting one or more biological parameters of the user . These parameters may comprise a bodily temperature value of the user and/or an oxygenation value of the blood of the user . This list is in any case intended to be understood to be preferable and non-limiting and other parameters may be considered in the scope of the present invention .

In any case , it will be appreciated that the above-cited parameters are considered to be particularly significant in determining states determined by recently widespread viruses and can generally signify viral diseases which are possibly transmissible via the airborne route to other persons . In order to detect such parameters , the detection means 10 may comprise a device for detecting the temperature and/or a device for detecting the oxygenation of the blood which are not illustrated in the Figures .

The above-mentioned parameters may be detected continuously or at regular time intervals or following the establishment of predetermined conditions , such as , for example , the approach towards a controlled access area .

In the embodiment which is schematically illustrated by the block diagram of Figure 4 , the detection means 10 carry out a detection at predetermined time intervals , for example , 30 minutes .

In some embodiments , the wearable device 1 may comprise a storage unit 15 for recording the biological parameter detected or a series of values of this parameter measured over time . This storage unit 15 may be configured so as to store a series of readings carried out at successive times by the detection means 10 or so as to overwrite the previously stored value for each reading . In preferred embodiments , the wearable device 1 further comprises unique identification means 16 for the user which allow the wearable device 1 to be associated uniquely with a specific user . For example , there may be provision for associating a serial number of a microprocessor or generally of a processing unit 12 with a user profile which has been generated beforehand by means of an accessible portal by means of the internet or by means of a suitable application .

In particular, the user profile can be generated by providing for associating with the user profile an identity document and/or information items supplied by a health authority in relation to the state of health of the user . For example , these information items may comprise information items relating to a vaccination state of the user, such as confirmation of a vaccination having taken place , possible recalls , the type of vaccine , the administration date , etc .

In this manner, these information items can be supplied in a unique and unambiguous manner by way of the unique identification means 16 of the user which are present in the device 1 . In fact , the reading of these identification means , for example , supplied by the serial number of the processor, allows , by cross-referencing the data available , information items which are precise in relation to the state of health of the user to be had .

The association with an identity document is further particularly advantageous because it also allows the possible recognition of the user by providing the photograph present in the document when the wearable device 1 is moved close to the receiving device 2 . In an alternative embodiment , the identity document and/or the information items supplied by a health authority relating to the state of health of the user can be directly stored in the storage unit 15 present in the wearable device . In this case , these data items are also supplied when the wearable device 1 is moved close to the receiving device 2 .

In this case , however, there are preferably stored permanently the identity document and/or the information items supplied by a health authority in relation to the state of health of the user .

In some embodiments , the storage means 16 can further be configured so as to store additional information items which describe the possibility of access by the user . These information items may, for example, comprise a ticket in order to attend a show or a sporting event , a subscription for accessing public means , a badge for access to private premises . Naturally, this is an exemplary list and i s not exhaustive .

The combination of these information items with the biological parameters , the identity document and the information items supplied by the health authority allow the implementation of complete control in relation to the possibility of access of a person to a closed location, thereby preventing the possibility of risky situations for health reasons .

Advantageously, the wearable device 1 may also be provided with means for identifying the removal 13 of the wearable device 1 by the user . In some embodiments , these means 13 can be constructed by means of the processing unit 12 which recogni zes whether the detection means 10 are detecting coherent parameters with respect to the use by the user . For example , the processing unit can identify the removal of the wearable device 1 if the temperature and/or level of oxygenation which is /are detected decrease , for an excessively long time period, below a desired threshold .

In another embodiment , alternatively or additionally to the preceding one , the identification means 13 can be constructed by a sensor which is arranged in the region of a closure strip 14 of the wearable device 1 and which is capable of detecting the opening of the closure strip 14 . In the embodiment described in the Figures , in which the wearable device 1 is in the form of a bracelet and is therefore provided with a strap 1A, the sensor may therefore be capable of recogni zing whether the strap 1A is closed or open .

Advantageously, as a result of the presence of identification means 13 , the storage unit 12 can be configured so as to automatically cancel the biological parameters stored following the removal of the wearable device 1 , as illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 4 .

In this manner, it is further possible to ensure the privacy of the user because , once the user takes off the device 1 , it will be possible to eliminate any trace of the use thereof by the storage unit 12 .

It will further be appreciated that , in some preferred embodiments , the wearable device 1 is configured in such a manner that measurements of the biological parameters are not carried out when the device 1 itself is not being worn . In other words , the detection means 10 can be deactivated in this situation with the benefit of saving energy of the device 1 .

According to another aspect , the wearable device 1 i s preferably provided with communication means 11 which are capable of transmitting to the receiving device 2 the biological parameter of the user detected and/or the data which represent the state of health of the user determined on the basis of the biological parameter itself . This parameter is advantageously combined with the transmission of the unique identification means 16 or the identity document and/or the information items supplied by a health authority in relation to the state of health of the user which are directly stored in the wearable device 1 .

In some embodiments , the additional information items which describe the possibility of access by the user may further be transmitted .

Advantageously, the communication means 11 can provide for simple , short-range communication protocols which therefore have low energy consumption . By way of example , the wireless communication means 11 can be of the NFC, RFID or Bluetooth type .

As schematically indicated in the block diagram of Figure 3 , when a user approaches the area with controlled access which he/ she wishes to enter, the wearable device 1 approaches the receiving device 2 in order to carry out a data transmission . To this end, the receiving device 2 can be arranged in the vicinity of the area with controlled access . The data which are advantageously anonymous and encrypted are processed by means of the processing unit 12 on the basis of the biological parameters which have been detected by the wearable device 1 .

In other words , the processing unit 12 is advantageously configured so as to provide data which represent the state of health of the user in accordance with one or more of the biological parameters acquired by the detection means 10 .

Therefore , it will be appreciated that the data transmitted in this manner may advantageously be used to understand the state of health of a person about to access the area in question and, where applicable , to prevent the access of the person if the data represent a pathological condition, as schematically indicated in Figure 5 .

In preferred embodiments , the processing unit 12 is installed in the wearable device 1 but it will be appreciated that the potential processing of the biological parameter may be done remotely, once the value detected has been transmitted to the receiving device 2 . It may be noted that the proces sing unit 12 can also allow encryption, before the transmission thereof , of the data which represent the state of health of the user .

With regard to the data processed, it will be appreciated that there may be provision for processing only directed towards the representation and/or transmission of the measured values or more complex processing operations can be provided so as to combine a plurality of measurements carried out over time or to combine various biological parameters for the identification of the state of health of the user . It must also be observed that the receiving device 2 can be formed directly by a fixed unit , such as the one illustrated in the Figure , but also by an intermediate unit which defines a connection interface between the wearable device 1 and the optional fixed unit . This intermediate unit can be , for example , formed by a portable device , such as a smart phone , to which the wearable device 1 transmits the values of the biological parameter and/or the relevant data in order then to be in turn sent to the fixed unit which is arranged in the region of the access zone to the area with controlled access .

I f an intermediate unit is used, the optional processing can be carried out by the intermediate unit itself . For example , if a smart phone is used, it can already be advantageously provided with the necessary calculation power for processing the data . Furthermore , other data transmission systems being provided, they can also be sent to remote servers or a plurality of stations at the same time .

As already mentioned above , the receiving device 2 comprises means 20 for receiving the biological parameter or the data which represent the state of health of the user processed on the basis thereof .

The values received can therefore be used to generate an authori zation or prevention signal for access by the user inside the area for access in accordance with the state of health of the user acquired by the detection means .

This signal can be simply produced by a visual and/ or acoustic indication capable of notifying the suitability for access or the advantages of preventing entry to the area in question .

To this end, the apparatus of the present invention may comprise in some embodiments a device 22 for emitting a visual and/or acoustic signal which represents the authori zation or prevention signal for access by the user . In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1A, for example , this visual signal can be directly displayed on the smart phone which acts as a receiving device 2 .

In some embodiments , there may be provided a control device which is configured to allow an electronic lock and/or a movable gate to be opened if the receiving device supplies an authori zation signal for access by the user .

In this manner, the access to the area can be brought about automatically without any intervention by users .

The operation of the apparatus is described in an exemplary embodiment thereof by means of the block diagrams of Figures 4 and 5 .

Initially ( S O ) , the wearable device is in an initial condition in which the storage unit is cancelled, that is to say, does not have any data or values in relation to the biological parameters of the user stored .

Subsequently, the wearable device 1 is put on ( S I ) and, where applicable , after the detection of the condition of being worn by means of the suitable means described above , has started the detection of one or more of the biological parameters of the user ( S2 ) . Advantageously, the values obtained in this manner, before or after any potential processing, are stored temporarily in the storage unit (S3) .

If the user approaches an area with controlled access or in other suitable situations, the transmission of the data stored to the receiving device 2 (S4) is carried out.

At the same time, there can also be provided two additional possibilities. The detection of the biological parameter can be reiterated (S3.1) , for example, after a specific time period has passed AT. If, however, the device 1 is removed (S3.2) , the device 1 is again brought into the initial state (SO) with the stored data being cancelled.

However, the operations of the receiving device 2 are described in Figure 5.

The receiving device 2 receives the data transmitted from the wearable device 1 (S10) . On the basis of these data, there is carried out an evaluation of the state of health of the user (Sil) , for example, by comparing the values of the biological parameters detected with reference values which are indicated by the standards or otherwise predetermined.

If the detected values are compatible with the standards or more generally comply with predetermined access conditions, the access by the user is authorized to the area with controlled access (S12.1) . Otherwise, if this condition is not verified, the access is denied (S12.2) . The invention thereby solves the problem proposed, at the same time achieving a plurality of advantages . In particular, as a result of the possibility of communication between the wearable device and the receiving device , it is possible to prevent uncontrolled occurrences of access inside an area, by displaying the data relating to the condition of health of the user of the apparatus .

These data can in fact be displayed on screen ( in the case of a smart phone or table) or be used to carry out actions such as opening an access turnstile or an access opening .

Additionally, the data can be readily used remotely for additional processing operations , by being sent to a centrali zed server .

The privacy of the user is ensured in any case , both as a result of the encryption applicable to the data and of the fact that the apparatus , by providing a wearable device , does not require authentication and therefore provides data anonymously . This anonymity is further ensured by the possibility of automatically cancelling the data stored if the wearable device is removed .

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access, comprising: a wearable device (1) which includes:

- detection means (10) for acquiring at least one biological parameter of the user; and

- wireless communication means (11) for transmitting the at least one biological parameter of the user and/or data which represent the state of health of the user established on the basis of the at least one biological parameter of the user; a processing unit (12) which is configured to process the data which represent a state of health of the user in accordance with the at least one biological parameter acquired by the detection means; a receiving device (2) comprising means (20) for receiving the at least one biological parameter of the user and/or the data which represent the state of health of the user, the receiving device being configured to generate an authorization signal or a prevention signal for access by the user inside the access area in accordance with the state of health of the user acquired by the detection means (10) .

2. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the wearable device (1) comprises unique identification means (16) of the user.

3. An apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the unique identification means (16) of the user comprise a serial number of the processing unit (12) .

4. An apparatus (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the receiving device (2) is configured to receive the unique identification means (16) of the user when the wearable device is moved near the receiving device (2) .

5. An apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 2 or 4, wherein the unique identification means (16) of the user are associated with an identity document of the user and/or information items supplied by a health authority in relation to the state of health of the user, wherein the information items supplied by a health authority in relation to the state of health of the user preferably comprise a vaccination state of the user.

6. An apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control device (21) which is configured to allow an electronic lock and/or a movable gate to be opened if the receiving device (2) supplies an authorization signal for the access by the user.

7. An apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a device for measuring the temperature and/or a device for measuring the oxygenation of the blood.

8. An apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a storage unit (15) for recording the at least one biological parameter of the user.

9. An apparatus (100) according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the identity document of the user and/or the information items supplied by a health authority in relation to the state of health of the user are stored in the storage unit (15) .

10. An apparatus (100) according to claim 8 or 9, comprising means (13) for identifying the removal of the wearable device by the user, the storage unit (15) preferably being configured so as to cancel the biological parameters stored following the removal of the wearable device.

11. An apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a device (22) for emitting a visual signal and/or acoustic signal which represent (s) the signal for authorizing or preventing the access by the user inside the access area generated by the receiving device.

12. An apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving device (2) is arranged near the area with controlled access.

13. A method for managing occurrences of access to an area with controlled access by means of an apparatus (100) constructed according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising :

- acquiring at least one biological parameter of the user by means of the wearable device (1) ;

- establishing data which represent a state of health of the user in accordance with the at least one biological parameter;

- transmitting the data which represent the state of health of the user near the user' s access to the area with controlled access;

- receiving the data which represent the state of health of the user;

- providing an authorization signal or a prevention signal for access by the user inside the area with controlled access in accordance with the state of health of the user acquired by the detection means (10) .

14. A method according to claim 13, comprising unique identification means (16) of the user being associated with the wearable device (1) .

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the unique identification means (16) of the user comprise a serial number of the processing unit (12) .

16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, comprising transmitting the unique identification means (16) of the user to the receiving device (2) when the wearable device is moved towards the receiving device (2) .

17. A method according to any one of claims 14 or 16, comprising associating an identity document of the user and/or information items supplied by a health authority in relation to the state of health of the user with the unique identification means (16) of the user.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the information items supplied by a health authority in relation to the state of health of the user to the unique identification means (16) of the user comprise a vaccination state of the user.

19. A method according to any one of claims 14 or 18, comprising generating a user profile and associating the user profile with the unique identification means (16) of the user.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the user profile is generated by means of a portal which is accessible by means of the internet or by means of an application. 23

21 . A method according to any one of claims 13 to 20 , wherein the at least one biological parameter comprises at least one bodily temperature value of the user and/or an oxygenation value of the blood of the user .

22 . A method according to any one of claims 13 to 21 , further comprising :

- storing the at least one acquired biological parameter of the user ;

- detecting a possible removal of the device by the user ;

- cancelling the biological parameters stored following the detection of the removal of the device by the user .

23 . A method according to any one of claims 13 to 22 , comprising encryption, before the transmission thereof , of the data which represent the state of health of the user near the access by the user to the area with controlled access .

24 . A method according to any one of claims 13 to 23 , wherein the at least one biological parameter of the user is acquired by means of the wearable device at predetermined time intervals .