ES1303806U - TELEMATIC ACCESS CONTROL DEVICE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Telematic access control device consisting of a structure that comprises a frame (1) of a physical access control device for the general public, which groups together elements for opening and closing the access itself, such as doors or automatically opening barriers. , together with electronic and computer equipment for telematic operation of the previous elements, which using the technology called BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth low energy, communicates with the users' mobile phones, characterized in that the device integrates three modules, being one of them a first power supply module (2) integrated into a second module (3) materialized in a so-called "system on a chip" (SoC, system on a chip) with Bluetooth, said SoC incorporating a communication firmware of Bluetooth GAP profile (General Access Profile) with an encryption layer above the communication layer without the need for initial link pairing between a mobile terminal and the telematic access control device, all together with a third module (4) which includes a set of means of warning and indication to users through acoustic and visual means. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

TELEMATIC ACCESS CONTROL DEVICE

The present invention, telematic access control device, refers to a device that has been specially designed to be installed at entry/access control points for the general public, to public shows, public means of transportation (bus, subway, train), or ticket validation points, as an example.

Therefore, the object of the invention consists of a device that allows real-time validation of access through digital tickets that can be stored in electronic devices such as users' mobile phones, whether they have internet or not, through Bluetooth connection, without using connection or pairing (pairing in English). Said pairing is the process normally used in Bluetooth to link a mobile phone with the telematic access control device, which is avoided precisely with this invention.

For this reason, the object of the present invention will be of interest to the electronics and telematic devices industry.

BACKGROUND:

The State of the art, for this type of electronic devices in which the present invention is found, includes a plurality of devices and systems that have been developed as the different communication technologies and electronic devices for use have been conceived. For the general public.

Thus, this invention represents an advance with respect to the systems and different existing technologies for validating contactless tickets through mobile devices, among which we can mention NFC (Near field communication) technologies or QR codes (Quick Response code, "quick response code") that can be read and processed by a program that directs the user to a certain web address and thus serves to validate access to a place, vehicle, event, etc...

Therefore, the present invention may replace other systems known in the State of the Art in the control of access for the general public in those cases that are as similar as possible to those that currently exist, but using another technology that allows quick and easy access. implantation.

As background, one could cite the Spanish Utility Model ES 1074924 U with the title “Structure for control turnstiles and access to ski slopes” by inventor Arturo Vilas Salamero, which describes a structure for control turnstiles and access to ski slopes, based in which the control and access turnstiles are suspended on a support with movement in both elevation and rotation. The object of the invention is to facilitate the entry of skiers to the slopes, as well as reduce access time and facilitate the work of ski resort employees, reducing waiting times at control points and access to slopes. , improving the image and quality of the facilities. However, this invention, pursuing an objective of controlling the physical access of the public, lacks the technological means of telematic control of the present invention.

In line with the above, the validation of digital tickets or tickets through the use of mobile phones is something that is already used today, but the methods used have shortcomings that the present invention solves.

Thus, the following table presents a descriptive table of the access validation capabilities using three different technologies: QR, NFC and Bluetooth, in different types of devices currently used.

The use of Bluetooth technology, compared to NFC, is more widespread and allows us to reach practically 100% of the population with a mobile phone, since Bluetooth technology is open, known, standardized worldwide and is much more widespread in all ranges. of mobile devices since their first generations, unlike NFC technology that is present in the most modern generations of mobile phones and only in mid- and high-range terminals. Even in certain manufacturers it is disabled or with limitations on its functionality, as is the case, for example, with some Apple terminals with the IOS operating system.

On the other hand, in the State of the Art there are other Bluetooth solutions for other similar use cases such as opening doors, or turning on lights, which use BLE with the GAP and GATT standard. In these cases, a problem is that the operation of this technology is slow since it is aimed at correctly establishing a connection and follows certain processes, such as the following, for example.

• Device search (GAP)

• Connection (GATT)

• Discover the services and their characteristics. (GATT)

• Read or write to a feature. (GATT)

• Disconnect. (GATT)

Depending on the speed of the processor and the Bluetooth chip used by the mobile phone, this process can last from 2 seconds to 6 or 7 seconds on lower-end phones, making it unfeasible when it comes to access controls. multitudinous.

The difference between both methods is shown in the following diagram.

For all these reasons, the use of connection-oriented Bluetooth technology for access validation is unfeasible, which is why until now it has been necessary to resort to other technologies such as the aforementioned NFC or QR with the capacity to operate in real time.

For all these reasons, the present invention represents an advance in the State of the Art and fills the technological gap previously exposed, allowing us to offer a fully functional device, with Bluetooth technology, adapted to any use case that is currently being carried out. , avoiding the use of NFC technology, by enabling access control processing at speeds of less than one second, using low and medium range mobile phones.

DESCRIPTION

This telematic access control device described below is fundamentally made up of a device that uses technology called BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth low energy, which is a personal area network technology (PAN). , Personal Area Network) wireless, whose advantage over classic Bluetooth is that BLE is designed to provide low energy consumption, maintaining a similar communication range range.

In this invention, the GATT layer has been dispensed with and the GAP layer has been adapted to be able to transmit bidirectional information between the mobile phone and the access control device.

To use Bluetooth, a device must implement one of the defined Bluetooth profiles. These define the use of the Bluetooth channel, as well as channeling to the device you want to pair.

Profiles are descriptions of general behaviors that devices can use to communicate, formalized to support unified use. The way to use Bluetooth capabilities is therefore based on the profiles that each device supports. Profiles allow the manufacturing of devices that adapt to your needs.

The GATT layer, whose name comes from the English term “Generic Attribute Profile”, is the profile currently used in BLE technology, however, in this invention the GAP profile is used, whose name comes from the English “General Access Profile”.

In this way, high speed is achieved in the access validation process, using Bluetooth technology, available in most terminals or mobile phones.

First of all, mobile devices identify the access control devices, through which the user wishes to access, through GAP communication protocols, which is a specification of the BLE standard so that users' mobile phones can identify control devices. of access in its proximity. This identification is achieved through the reception by the mobile phone of specific messages issued by the access control devices, which can be of two types: Advertising Data and Scan Response, both with a maximum size of 31 bytes.

These messages are used by access control devices so that they can be seen by mobile phones and communicate with them, in accordance with certain operating applications of said access control.

In the present invention, the device uses 31-byte messages, not to identify a peripheral, but to send and receive messages between two or more devices.

In this way, the times required for access control using traditional Bluetooth technology are shortened. For example, in tests carried out with low-end mobile phones, the communication necessary for the use case of a bus ticket validation, the time needed was less than 300 ms at a distance of less than 50 cm, which It surpasses what exists with traditional Bluetooth.

For all of the above, the recommended device is made up of three modules, one of which is interchangeable or multiple installation.

More specifically, a first module is defined, consisting of a power supply module; this module, by default, allows the circuitry to be powered at 5v direct current. Depending on the use or installation, this module can be changed to accept other types of voltages.

The second module takes the form of a so-called “system on a chip” (SoC) with Bluetooth. This means that it comprises a computer or electronic system integrated into a single integrated circuit or chip.

Said SOC carries a customized firmware for this GAP-based communication system. An encryption layer is implemented above the communication layer, which allows information to be exchanged, securely, directly with the device from compatible mobile phones without the need to establish a connection or pairing, which makes the user experience very convenient and comfortable. , getting an immediate response.

Pairing, sometimes known as tethering, is a process used in computer networks that helps establish an initial link between computing devices to allow communications between them, especially in Bluetooth, where the pairing process It is used to link devices, this process is avoided precisely with this invention.

The third module refers to a set of means of warning and indicating to users what is happening during the validation process, and may include acoustic means to give an audible warning and/or visual means to indicate correct validation or error. . This can be through a speaker or buzzer for the audible warning, an LED or group of LEDs for the visual warning, or if more information has to be shown, it can be done through a screen on the top of the device.

Based on this structure, an application is defined to be installed on users' mobile phones, which allows validating and correctly giving access to those people who have purchased a valid ticket and it is still active.

Each device associated with each access has a unique ID and has a unique password installed at the factory.

The device waits for the receipt of a message carrying the encrypted entry. When a user approaches the entrance, the application on their mobile phone, automatically or manually, begins issuing the ticket to the device. It receives it, decrypts it, validates it and sends a response to the phone while emitting an acoustic and/or light signal.

Each entry is unique per user and has a very limited lifespan to avoid fraudulent use of it.

It should be noted that both the user and the device do not need to be connected to the Internet, allowing validations in places without data communication coverage by a telephone company.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Next, a detailed description of the telematic access control device will be made, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent, as a simple non-limiting example, a preferred form of embodiment susceptible to all those variations. of detail that do not involve a fundamental alteration of the essential characteristics of said improvements.

These plans illustrate:

In figure 1: Structural diagram view of the telematic access control device.

According to the example of execution represented, the telematic access control device illustrated in this preferred form of embodiment is fundamentally constituted by an original structure that includes equipment in a frame (1) where a physical access control structure is located. of the general public. This groups together elements for opening and closing said access to the public, such as doors or automatic opening barriers, together with telematic actuation equipment for the previous elements.

The device uses the technology called BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth low energy and integrates three modules, one of them being a first module (2) for power supply of the electronic and computer equipment, which is located integrated in a second module (3) materialized in a so-called “system on a chip” (SoC, system on a chip) with Bluetooth. This means that it comprises a computer or electronic system integrated into a single integrated circuit or chip.

On the other hand, the aforementioned SoC incorporates a customized firmware for this communication system, which is based on the GAP profile (from English "General Access Profile") of Bluetooth, along with an encryption layer implemented on top of the communication layer. .

In this way, through this structure it is possible to securely exchange information directly with the device from compatible mobile phones without the need for pairing, taking advantage of the initial link between a mobile terminal and the access control device. telematic.

In addition to the above, the device has a third module (4) that includes a set of means of warning and indicating to users what is happening during the validation process, being able to understand through acoustic means to give an audible warning and/or o means and visuals to indicate correct validation or error. This can be through a speaker or buzzer for the audible warning, an LED or group of LEDs for the visual warning, or if more information has to be shown, it can be done through a screen on the top of the device.

On the other hand, the telematic access control device has an application that communicates with mobile phones that are in its proximity, validating the access or entry of the general public automatically or manually, by broadcasting via the phone. mobile from a digital input to the device, which receives it, decrypts, validates and sends a response to the telephone while emitting an acoustic and/or light signal and allowing or denying access or entry.

Finally, to avoid or hinder fraudulent use of the device, each digital entry is unique per user and the opening of access has a very limited lifespan.

Finally, the shape, materials and dimensions may be variable and in general, everything that is accessory and secondary, as long as it does not alter, change or modify the essentiality of the improvements that have been described.

Claims (3)

1a.- Telematic access control device consisting of a structure that includes a frame (1) of a physical access control device for the general public, which groups elements for opening and closing the access itself, such as doors or opening barriers automatic, together with electronic and computer equipment for telematic operation of the previous elements, which using the technology called BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth low energy, communicates with the users' mobile phones, characterized in that the device integrates three modules, one of them being a first power supply module (2) integrated into a second module (3) materialized in a so-called “system on a chip” (SoC, system on a chip) with Bluetooth, said SoC incorporating a communication firmware Bluetooth GAP profile (General Access Profile) with an encryption layer above the communication layer without the need for initial link pairing between a mobile terminal and the telematic access control device, all together with a third module (4) that includes a set of means of warning and indication to users through acoustic and visual means. 2a.- Telematic access control device, according to first claim, characterized in that through an application resident on the users' mobile phones, it communicates with said mobile phones when they are in its proximity, validating the access or entry of the public in a manner automatic or manual, by means of the mobile phone emitting a digital input to the device and with the latter emitting an acoustic and/or light signal. 3a.- Telematic access control device, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that each digital entry is unique per user and the access opening has a limited lifespan to prevent fraudulent use thereof.