GB2337326A - Security system - Google Patents

Abstract

Access to an enclosed area such as a building is controlled by a security system comprising a video camera 1 for sensing the presence of a body at a lockable entrance to said area, and for determining data indicative of parameters identifying the nature of said body; a central processing unit [3] associated with random access memory (RAM) means [6] for storing said data, and means for analysing said data to determine whether said parameters indicated by said transferred data fall within preset ranges indicating whether said body is permitted access to said area; and means [7] controllable by said processing unit [3] to enable/disable locks at said entrance.

Description

2337326 SECUR1ITY SYSTEM The present invention relates to a system for

controlling access to enclosed areas, such as domestic, educational or commercial premises, or other buildings. More specifically, a preferred embodiment of this invention relates to a system for controlling the access of living persons to enclosed premises, such as schools, whereby persons needing access to those premises are observed and are categorised by body dimensions, so that locks on the entrance are disabled to allow children entry into the school, while remaining locked to deny entry to adults.

Security systems are well known in which access to the enclosed premises is available by entry of a code through a keypad, or by the use of a databearing card, which may also be combined with the requirement to enter data through a keypad as further identification.

The present invention relates to a system whereby access to a school can be so controlled that access is freely available to pupils, while the doors can remain locked to prevent access by adults. Those adults entitled to enter the premises can operate a locking system in any convenient manner, e.g. by use of a keypad or personal identification card, while access by other adult visitors can be prevented until they have been appropriately identified.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a security system for controlling access to an enclosed area, such as a building, which comprises (a) means for sensing the presence of a body at a lockable entrance to said area, and for determining data indicative of parameters identifying the nature of said body; 1 (b) means for transferring said data to a central processing unit associated with random access memory (RAM) means for storing said data, and means for analysing said data to determine whether said parameters indicated by said transferred data fall within preset ranges indicating whether said body is permitted access to said area; (c) means for receiving said data from said processing unit and providing a visual display of said data; (d) means for receiving and storing said data from said processing unit; and (e) means controllable by said processing unit to enableldisable locks at said entrance.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic Drawing indicating the interconnections between different components of the system; and Figure 2 is a schematic Drawing of the means by which those wishing admittance at a door, controlled by a releasable locking system can be identified and admitted or denied admittance as appropriate.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the Drawings, at each entrance to the premises, there will be one or more television cameras, which can be monochromatic or capable of colour vision and may be of analog or digital type. Data from this camera or cameras [11 are transmitted by suitable transmission means [21 to a central processing unit (CPU) [31. Where the television cameras are of the analog type, the means [21 will comprise an analog to digital converter.

2 The CPU [31 will check the incoming data signal from the camera or each camera, and store the resulting digital image in a random access memory [61 for analysis. In one embodiment, this CPU may be combined with the analog/digital converter of the transmission means [31.

Detection of, and discrimination between, children and adults is achieved by comparison of digitized frames from the camera or cameras, to identify motion. Once movement is detected, elimination of the static background permits calculation of the size and mass volume of the person detected, as well as the direction of movement.

Software associated with the CPU will analyse the digital image information and will control other functions of the system as indicated. After analysis in the random access memory [61 the CPU can signal various outputs through an inputloutput card [71 to activate various devices, as will be described later.

The inputloutput card [71 provides an interface between the system and those devices controlled by that system, and it will be provided with various outputs, as will be described below, and can also be provided with additional inputs to provide more information for the CPU. For instance, microphones can provide signals that may be processed for voice recognition.

In addition to being analysed in the random access memory, the image will be transferred to a monitor to provide a visual display, either of a single image or of multiple images from other entrances, or stored images for comparison. In addition, other information, such as time and date, can also be displayed.

The digital image and other information can be passed to storage medium [51, such as a hard disk, for retrieval at a later date. If desired, images which are retrieved can be further processed for digital enhancement by the CPU and stored images will be indexed to enable subsequent retrieval.

3 Figure 2 illustrates a system, as applied to one door, where images of persons approaching a door may be appropriately analysed. In one embodiment of this system, a door [81 provided with a remotely-operable electric lock [91 will have two cameras. A first camera 0a], which may provide color or mono images is located at the side of the door in order to indicate the size (e.g. the height) of a person approaching the door. A second camera [1b], which can be a mono camera, is provided above the door to prevent multiple access, e.g. of an adult following closely behind a child. The data are transmitted by cable [121 to a central unit [31, operating as described above. A camera change module [14] switches between cameras [1al and [1 bl as required, so that the signal appropriate to each camera is sent to CPU [31. On identification of a person approaching the door is of such a size as to be permitted entry, a signal is passed through cable [131 to the lock [91, to allow entry through the door. Where an adult is detected approaching, the door will remain locked and a signal may be transmitted from the CPU [31 through the inputloutput card [71 and transmitter [101 to a pager [111 carried by a staff member. When alerted in this way, the staff member may approach and operate the lock to admit an adult, or take other appropriate action.

This system can be operated either with an open or closed door policy. When a closed door policy is adopted, children may be detected approaching one entrance, and the system will enable the lock. If adults approach, the doors will remain locked and a transmission will automatically be passed to a pager, indicating that a visitor has approached, and the door by which approach was made. In any event, any adult so detected will be photographed, the resulting image will be stored in the hard disc or similar storage for further replay.

If an adult enters while the door has been opened to admit a child, a different message would be passed to the pager to indicate the presence of such an intruder.

4 Alternatively, an open door policy can be obtained, in which case, although adults may be admitted, their presence will automatically be indicated by the system with an appropriate pager message to staff. Optionally, a sign may be displayed by the door, requesting visitors to remain within the immediate area of the doorway so that they can be identified by staff.

When it is desired to prevent all entry, for instance at night, or during holiday periods, the data may be transmitted to a central station, remote from the premises, for appropriate monitoring.

Claims (7)

1. A security system for controlling access to an enclosed area which comprises (a) means [11 for sensing the presence of a body at a lockable entrance to said area, and for determining data indicative of parameters identifying the nature of said body; (b) means [2] for transferring said data to a central processing unit [31 associated with random access memory (RAM) means [6] for storing said data, and means for analysing said data to determine whether said parameters indicated by said transferred data fall within preset ranges indicating whether said body is permitted access to said area; (c) means [41 for receiving said data from said processing unit and providing a visual display of said data; (d) means [51 for receiving and storing said data from said processing unit [31; and (e) means [71 controllable by said processing unit [31 to enableldisable locks at said entrance.

2. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the means for sensing the presence of a body comprises at least one video camera located in proximity to said entrance.

3. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that said video camera is an analog camera operatively connected to said processing unit [31 through an analog/digital converter [21.

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4. A system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said means comprises an EDO or DRAM unit.

5. A system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said parameters identifying the nature of the body comprise data relating to mass andlor volume of a person approaching the entrance.

6. A system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the enclosed area is a building.

7. A system according to Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described.

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