WO2005119603A1

WO2005119603A1 - Acces control device

Info

Publication number: WO2005119603A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000397
Authority: WO
Inventors: Petrus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herp; Johannes Hermanus Petrus Maria Oonk
Original assignee: Van Herp Petrus Johannes Wilhe; Oonk Johannes Hermanus Petrus
Priority date: 2004-06-01
Filing date: 2005-05-31
Publication date: 2005-12-15
Also published as: NL1026300C1

Abstract

An access control device (100; 200) comprises: a control lock (3) with fixed walls (10, 20), with an entrance gate (31) and an exit gate (32); a bottomless cabin (40) arranged in the lock (3) between the entrance gate (31) and the exit gate (32), which cabin (40) is rotatable about a vertical axis and comprises a cabin wall (41) with at least one passage gate (42; 42A, 42B, 42C); at least one detector (50; 250); drive means (M) for driving the cabin rotation; a control member (8) an output signal (SV; SA) from the detector (50; 250). The cabin (40) has an entry position where a passage gate (42; 42 , 42B, 42C) in the cabin wall (41) is aligned with the entrance gate (31) of the lock (3); an exit position where a passage gate in the cabin wall is aligned with the exit gate (32) of the lock; - an intermediate position where the cabin wall (41) substantially closes off the entrance gate (31) and preferably also the exit gate (32).

Description

Title: Access control device

The present invention relates in general to an access control device intended to examine whether persons are allowed to pass a particular check point. In many fields, access control is desired or necessary. Access control may be performed by security personnel, but this has, among others, as drawbacks that the checking lasts relatively long and is accompanied by high labour costs. Therefore, there exists a need for apparatus for performing access control. Several kinds of access control apparatus have already been developed. An example is the well-known turnstile. A turnstile comprises a revolving gate arranged in a passage gate, associated with a ticket reader, cash machine, or the like. Normally, the revolving gate blocks; only when a person submits to the ticket reader a valid admission ticket, or submits to the cash machine sufficient money, the revolving gate is released in order to let one person pass. The turnstile has drawbacks concerning security and user- friendliness: on the one hand, it is fairly simple for a person to step over the revolving gate, on the other hand, for persons with luggage or perambulators and the like, or in a wheelchair, it is difficult or impossible to pass the revolving gate. A turnstile is an example of an access control apparatus which is primarily intended to check an authorization: a person who can not prove his authorization is stopped. Such access control apparatus is mainly applied at the entrance of train, metro, and the like. For security reasons however, there is also a need for apparatus which is capable of examining whether persons carry forbidden objects, for example a weapon, drugs, etc.; a person who has such an object is stopped. Since such objects will usually be hidden well, the apparatus has to be provided with reliable detection apparatus which is able to detect the presence of such objects, also when they are hidden. An example is a detection gate which detects metal objects. Such access control apparatus is mainly applied in locations with an increased security risk, such as airports, football stadiums, discotheques, etc. Fortunately, it happens to be that most people are bona fide; the apparatus should therefore be such that "ordinary" people do not experience too much inconvenience. On the other hand, since the apparatus relates to a security aspect, it is desired that a malicious person can not easily bypass the check. The known detection gates have the advantage that they are hardly inconvenient for passing persons. However, it is a disadvantage that a detection gate can be passed easily by someone with a weapon: the detection gate will then generate an alarm signal indeed, but that will not stop a malicious person. Therefore, it is necessary that there is security personnel present at a detection gate, who can intervene if the gate detects a forbidden object. Another aspect of detection apparatus is a security aspect of logistic nature. From the said application examples it will be clear that a large crowd may be present on one side of the device. In case of a calamity, this crowd has to be able to pass the detection apparatus quickly. A detection gate indeed offers little resistance against a crowd, but a turnstile can virtually not be passed by a crowd.

An object of the present invention is providing an access control device which lacks, or at least reduces, the disadvantages of the existing access control apparatus. More particularly, the present invention aims at providing a reliable access control device which is usable both as authorisation check and as object detection, which offers little inconvenience to bona fide persons, but which, on the other hand, blocks the passage with certainty if a forbidden object is detected.

According to an important aspect of the present invention, an access control device comprises a bottomless cabin which is rotatable about a vertical axis, having at least one passage gate in the side wall, arranged in a lock with fixed walls, having an entrance gate and an exit gate. At least one detector is arranged at the side wall of the cabin and/or at the fixed wall. The cabin has an entrance position, wherein the passage gate is aligned with the entrance gate, and wherein the exit gate is closed; in this position, a person can enter the cabin. Then, the cabin rotates to an exit position, wherein the passage gate is aligned with the exit gate, and wherein the entrance gate is closed; in this position, a person can leave the cabin. While the cabin rotates from the entrance position to the exit position, the detection takes place. In an intermediate position, both the entrance gate and the exit gate are closed; if a forbidden object is found, the cabin blocks in the intermediate position and generates an alarm signal. Then, it is possible that the access control device operates with less security personnel. For example, a guard could supervise over a series of four access control devices: if an access control device issues an alarm, the checked person concerned is held by the cabin until a guard releases the cabin.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained by the following description with reference to the drawings, in which same reference numbers indicate same or similar parts, and in which: figure 1 schematically shows a top view of an access control device according to the present invention; figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the drive of a cabin; the figures 3A-D are schematic top views illustrating successive stages during the operation of a first embodiment of the access control device according to the present invention; the figures 4A-D are schematic top views illustrating successive stages during the operation of a second embodiment of the access control device according to the present invention; figure 5 is a schematic top view illustrating a preferred detail of the second embodiment of the access control device according to the present invention; figure 6 is a schematic cross section illustrating an embodiment of the construction of the access control device according to the present invention; figure 7 is a schematic cross section of a supporting profile for a cabin wall; figure 8A is a schematic top view illustrating a third embodiment of the access control device according to the present invention; and the figures 8B-G are schematic top views illustrating different positions of the cabin of the third embodiment.

Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of an access control device according to the present invention, indicated in general by the reference number 100. The figure shows a free space F and a restrictedly accessible space R (hereinafter also indicated as "secured area"), separated from each other by a separating wall 1. It is noted that the free space F itself may also be a secured area, that can only be reached from a public space after an access control; in that case, the access control device 100 may serve as recurrence of the earlier examination, but it may also be a more severe examination. In any case, for whatever reason, persons can not go freely from the free space F to the secured area R. The separating wall 1 may be an existing wall in a building. It is also possible that the separating wall 1 is a wall belonging to the control device 100, dividing an existing space into two parts. The separating wall 1 may be non-transparent, but is preferably completely or partially transparent. The separating wall 1 may be made of glass, preferably bullet proof glass, but the separating wall 1 may also be made of fencing, gauze, bars, or the like. In the separating wall 1, there is an opening 2 through which persons can go from the free space F to the secured area R. In this opening 2, a control lock 3 is arranged. The control lock 3 comprises two fixed lock walls 10, 20, arranged at both sides of that opening 2, which lock walls 10, 20 may be attached to the separating wall 1. Possibly, a small crack could be left open between the lock walls 10, 20 and the separating wall 1, so small that no persons could slip through it, for example in the order of 1 cm, but the construction is stronger if the lock walls 10, 20 are fixed to the separating wall 1. Each lock wall 10, 20 has an entrance end 11, 21 situated at the side of the free space F. Both entrance ends 11, 21 of the two lock walls 10, 20 are situated at a distance from each other, and thus define an entrance gate 31. Each lock wall 10, 20 has an exit end 12, 22 situated at the side of the protected space R. Both exit ends 12, 22 of the two lock walls 10, 20 are situated at a distance from each other, and thus define an exit gate 32. Between the entrance gate 31 and the exit gate 32, a bottomless detection cabin 40 is arranged in the check lock 3, i.e. between the two lock walls 10, 20. The cabin 40 has a cabin wall 41 with a passage gate 42. The cabin 40 is rotatable about a vertical axis 43. The device 100 comprises at least one detector 50, the function of which will be explained later. Depending on the application situation, the detector 50 may be attached to one of the fixed lock walls 10, 20 or to the cabin wall 41. Although the cabin wall 41 and the lock walls 10, 20 may be made of a non-transparent material, they preferably are completely or partially transparent. It is possible that the cabin wall 41 and/or the lock walls 10, 20 are manufactured of metal gauze, bars, or the like, but the appearance of those materials is less comfortable. Preferably, the cabin wall 41 and the lock walls 10, 20 are therefore manufactured of a transparent material, for example glass, preferably impact resistant glass or bullet proof glass: those materials appear friendlier. In the embodiment shown, the entrance gate 31 and the exit gate 32 are arranged symmetrically relative to each other on both sides of the separating wall 1, and the lock walls 10, 20 are each positioned symmetrically relative to the separating wall 1. This means that a passage path from entrance to exit is directed substantially perpendicular to the separating wall 1. However, this is not necessary. The combination of the two lock walls 10, 20 can be rotated as a whole about the axis of rotation of the cabin 40, so that a passage path from entrance to exit will be directed at an angle with the separating wall 1. The combination of the two lock walls 10, 20 may also be displaced as a whole in a direction perpendicular to the separating wall 1. Although not absolutely necessary, it is preferred that the cabin wall 41 and the lock walls 10, 20 are bent according to rotation-symmetrical figures. In that case, it is preferred that the diameter is the same for each height, so that the cabin wall 41 and the lock walls 10, 20 are bent according to a part of a cylinder with a circular base. The cabin wall 41 and the lock walls 10, 20 are concentric, so that the mutual distance between the cabin wall 41 and the lock walls 10, 20 is always constant. In a suitable embodiment, the cabin wall 41 has a diameter of approximately 150 cm, and the mutual distance between the cabin wall 41 and the lock walls 10, 20 is approximately 10 cm. Further, the width of the entrance gate 31, the exit gate 32, and the passage gate 42 may be in the order of approximately 90 cm, and may have a height in the order of approximately 220 cm. In principle, the width (i.e. horizontal dimension) of each lock wall 10, 20 is not critical. Depending on the application situation, the lock walls could even be omitted, but this is not preferred. Preferably, the width of each lock wall is chosen in relation to the width of the passage gate 42 of the cabin wall 41, such that the cabin 40 has a rotation position in which the passage gate 42 of the cabin wall 41 is effectively closed off by a lock wall. To that end, the width of each lock wall may be larger than, or be approximately as large as, the width of the passage gate 42 of the cabin wall 41. Moreover, it is desired that the width of the entrance gate 31 and exit gate 32 is as large as possible: in case of a cylindrical configuration of the lock walls 10, 20, a larger width of the lock walls implies a smaller width of those gates. A favourable optimum is therefore reached if each lock wall 10, 20 has a width of approximately 90°, and if the width of the entrance gate 31 and exit gate 32 is also approximately 90°. In order to prevent with certainty that a person could get stuck in the cabin 40, the width of the entrance gate 31 is preferably somewhat smaller than the width of the passage gate 42 of the cabin wall 41, and the width of the exit gate 32 is preferably somewhat larger than the width of the entrance gate 31, more preferably even somewhat larger than the width of the passage gate 42 of the cabin wall 41. Thus, in such a configuration, the entrance gate 31 is the smallest gate. However, an important advantage of control device 100 according to the present invention is that it is usable for control of traffic in two directions: also persons going from space R to space F can be examined by the device 100; in that case, the entrance gate 31 and the exit gate 32 change function. For such a situation, it is preferred that the width of the entrance gate 31 is equal to the width of the exit gate 32.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the drive of the cabin 40. The device 100 comprises a drive unit M for driving the cabin rotation. As will be clear to a person skilled in the art, the drive unit M comprises a motor and possibly a transmission system; such details are not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity. The device 100 further comprises a control member 8. The control member 8 has at least one signal input 7, that is connected to an output of the detector 50 and can thus receive an output signal S of the detector 50. Further, the control member 8 has a control output 9 connected to a control input of the drive unit M. The control member 8 is adapted to generate at its control output 9 a control signal C, for controlling the drive unit M depending on the detector output signal S received. As will be clear to a person skilled in the art, the check member 8 may for example be a suitably programmed microprocessor or computer, or the like. As will be explained later, the cabin wall 41 may have multiple passage gates. In a particular embodiment, which will now be explained with reference to the figures 3A-D, the cabin wall 41 only has a single passage gate 42. The separating walls are not shown in the figures 3A-D for the sake of simplicity. As illustrated in figure 3A, the cabin 40 has an entry position in which the passage gate 42 of the cabin 40 is aligned with the entrance gate 31 of the control lock 3. The exit gate 32 is then closed off. As long as a presence detector 51 (see figure 2) detects that the cabin 40 is empty, the control member 8 keeps the drive unit M switched off in order to hold the cabin 40 in the entry position. When the cabin 40 is situated in this entry position, a person P can enter the cabin 40. The presence detector 51 detects that a person is situated in the inner space 44, surrounded by the cabin wall 41, of the cabin 40, and gives a presence signal to the control member 8. In response to receiving the presence signal, the control member 8 controls the drive unit M in order to let the cabin rotate, as indicated by arrow A in figure 3B. The entrance gate 31 of the control lock 3 is then closed off by the cabin wall 41. Figure 3C illustrates that the cabin has an intermediate position wherein both the entrance gate 31 of the control lock 3 and the exit gate 32 of the control lock 3 are closed off by the cabin wall 41. The embodiment of figure 3A-D is particularly suitable to detect whether the person P carries forbidden objects, for example a weapon. While the person P is standing still in the inner space 44 of the cabin 40, the cabin wall 41 rotates around him. At least one detector 50 adapted for detecting forbidden objects is attached to the cabin wall 41. Since the detection technique of the detector 50 is outside the scope of this invention, and since there are detectors known per se which may be applied for implementing the present invention, it is not necessary here to discuss the construction and functioning of the detector in more detail. It is noted that it is possible that a detector actually consists of multiple detectors above each other, mounted at different heights. Preferably, the device has multiple detectors 50. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in figure 3A, the device has two detectors 50A, 50B, arranged at mutual distances of approximately 180°. The body of the person P is thus scanned by multiple detectors from multiple directions. When the cabin wall 41 has rotated over 180°, the two detectors 50A, 50B together have scanned the body over the full 360°. When the number of detectors amounts to more than two, arranged at regular mutual angular distances, a full scan of 360° is already reached at a smaller angle of rotation, or the body is scanned over a larger angular range at the same angle of rotation. When a detector 50 detects a forbidden object, this detector issues an object signal Sv. When the control member 8 receives an object signal Sv from one of the detectors 50A, 50B, the control member 8 may perform different actions, depending on the desired application. In a possible embodiment, the control member 8 is adapted to control the drive unit M for having the cabin 40 rotate in opposite direction, back to the entry position. The person concerned can then leave the cabin 40. It is important that the person concerned was not able to reach the secured space R. In another possible embodiment, the control member 8 is adapted to control the drive unit M for rotating the cabin 40 to the intermediate position, and then to switch off the drive unit M in order to hold the cabin 40 in the intermediate position. The precise position reached here is not critical, as long as a position is reached wherein both the entrance gate 31 and the exit gate 32 are closed off by the cabin wall 41. In this case, the person concerned can not leave the cabin. A guard G may now perform a suitable action; which action is performed by the guard G is outside the context of this invention: it is only important that a person carrying forbidden objects was not able to reach the secured space R. It is noted that it is an advantage that a person carrying forbidden objects can not leave the cabin when it is situated in its intermediate position. Normally, a guard has to be present at each entrance gate to be able to interfere when a person with bad intentions wants to pass. With the cabin according to the present invention, a single guard can supervise over multiple cabins . In both cases, the device 100 may be provided with alarm means 6 for generating an alarm signal, such as a sound signal (siren) and/or a light signal (rotating light) , and in both cases it may be adapted to switch on the alarm means 6 in response to receiving the object signal Sv from at least one of the detectors 50A, 50B. However, under normal circumstances, the detectors 50A, 50B will not detect any forbidden objects. In that case, the drive unit M rotates the cabin 40 further to an exit position, where the passage gate 42 of the cabin 40 is aligned with the exit gate 32 of the lock wall 3 and the entrance gate 31 of the lock wall 3 is closed off by the cabin wall 41, as illustrated in figure 3D. Now, the control member 8 switches the drive unit M in order to hold the cabin 40 still, and the person P can leave the cabin through the exit gate 32 and can thus enter the secured space R. The presence detector 51 then detects that the cabin 40 is empty, and gives a corresponding signal to the control member 8; in response, the control member 8 controls the drive unit M in order to make the cabin rotate (in the same direction or in opposite direction) to the entry position of figure 3A.

When the cabin 40 starts to rotate from the entry position (figure 3A) and the cabin wall 41 starts to close the entrance gate 31, it could occur that an object or a body part is still situated in the entrance gate 31 and would thus get stuck between the cabin wall 41 and the lock wall 20. In order to prevent damage in that case, the device 100 is provided with blocking detection means 52 which are adapted to detect that the rotation of the cabin 40 is blocked by whatever cause. Such blocking detection means are known per se, and are for example applied in electrically operable car windows, so that an extensive discussion of the blocking detection means can be omitted. In an embodiment, the blocking detection means are associated with the drive unit M in order to detect that the drive force exerted by the drive unit M becomes larger than a predetermined safety level, as indicated in figure 2. The control member 8 is adapted to switch off the drive unit M in response to receiving a blocking detection signal from the blocking detection means 52. Preferably, the control member 8 is adapted to control the drive unit M in that situation in order to make the cabin 40 rotate in opposite direction, over a small distance or completely back to the entry position. Possibly, the control member 8 may be adapted to generate an alarm signal in that situation, so that personnel can assist.

In the embodiment discussed in the above, the emphasis is on safety. The rotation of the cabin from the entry position to the exit position lasts 180°; during the time needed for that, the examination process takes place. In a suitable exemplary embodiment, this time lasts 6 seconds. Thus, there is relatively much time available for the examination process, which comprises a scan of the person P by the detector (s) 50. During that examination process, the person P has to wait in the cabin 40. This waiting time might be experienced as inconvenient by the person P. The inconvenience is limited as much as possible by two important aspects of the present invention. In the first place, the person P sees that the cabin rotates: so he sees that something is happening, and he can estimate when the cabin is going to reach the exit position, in other words how long it will still last. In the second place, the cabin wall 41 and the lock walls 10, 20 are preferably transparent, so that the person P holds contact with his surrounding and does not quickly get a locked-up feeling.

The figures 4A-4D illustrate another embodiment of an access control device according to the present invention, which is indicated in general by the reference number 200.

This device 200 is primarily intended as authorization check, i.e. for checking whether a person P has permission to go from the free space F to the restrictedly accessible space R. Such a check is for example desired at the entrance of a train station, in order to check if the person has a valid ticket. In order to be able to process large numbers of travellers, the emphasis in this device 200 is on passage rate. A higher passage rate could be achieved in the device 100 by having the cabin 40 rotate at relatively high speed.

However, this would have as disadvantage that the chance on damage is larger, in case an object or a body part gets stuck. Further, the cabin necessarily has to stand still in the entry position and in the exit position, so that the cabin has to be started and stopped twice for each person; this is accompanied with increased wear. The device 200 distinguishes itself from the device 100 in that the number of passage gates in the cabin wall 41 is larger. In the embodiment shown, the number of passage gates 42 equals three; the individual passage gates are indicated as 42A, 42B, 42C, respectively, while wall parts between the passage gates are indicated as 41A, 41B, 41C, respectively. The number of passage gates could still be larger, for example equal to five, but a still larger number becomes unpractical because the diameter of the cabin 40 then becomes impractically large. In any case, the number of passage gates preferably is an uneven number, wherein the passage gates are spread regularly over the circumference of the cabin 40, so that a passage gate 42 is always situated diametrically opposite a wall part 41. Another distinction is that the control member 8, in normal operating state, is adapted to control the drive unit M in such a way that the cabin 40 rotates at substantially constant speed. In figure 4A, the device 20 is shown in an entry position wherein a first passage gate 42A communicates to the entrance gate 31, so that a person P can walk into the cabin 40. In this entry position, the exit gate 32 is closed off by a first wall part 41A. A second wall part 41B has just passed the entrance gate 31 and moves away from the entrance gate 31, while a third wall part 1C moves to the entrance gate but has not yet reached it. Figure 4B shows the device 200 in the position which is reached a short time later. The person P has passed the entrance gate 31 and walks straight on to the exit gate 32, which is still mainly closed off by the first wall part 41A, which is now starting to release the exit gate 32. The third wall part 41C starts to close the entrance gate 31. Figure 4C shows the device 200 in an intermediate position which is reached a short time later. The exit gate 32 is half open / half closed, and also the entrance gate 31 is half open / half closed, in such a way that a person can not, at least not easily, slip through the gates 31 or 32, for which reason it can be said that the gates 31 and 32 are both effectively closed. It is noted that the amount to which the gates 31 and 32 are opened or closed in this intermediate position can be influenced by choosing a suitable combination of the width of the wall parts 41A, 41B, 41C and the width of the passage gates 42A, 42B, 42C, in relation to the width of the entrance and exit gates 31 and 32. Figure 4D shows the device 200 in an exit position which is reached a short time later. The entrance gate 31 is now closed off by the third wall part 41C, at least substantially. The first wall part 41A has almost completely released the exit gate 32, so that the third passage gate 42C communicates to the exit gate 32. The person P, who has walked on in the meantime and is situated at the exit gate 32, can now pass it in order to leave the cabin 40, Behind him, the exit gate 32 will be closed by the approaching second wall part 41B. The cabin 40 can thus rotate with relatively low speed while yet the time required to rotate from the entry position to an exit position is relatively short, because to that end, the cabin only needs to be rotated over 60°. Because of the low rotation speed, it is possible that the cabin rotates continuously while a person passes the entrance gate 31 or the exit gate 32: as a result of the low rotation speed, the time during which the entrance gate 31 or the exit gate 32 communicates to a passage gate 42 is sufficiently long for a person to be able to pass that gate without inconvenience. It is noted that the device 200 is preferably provided with blocking detection means, as has been discussed in the preceding in the context of the device 100. Further, it is noted that it is an advantage of the device according to the present invention that the person P can walk on in the cabin 40 with normal speed. Because of this, the person P experiences little or no inconvenience of the presence of the cabin 40. The speed at which persons can walk through the cabin 40 without inconvenience depends on a combination of the diameter of the cabin 40 and the rotation speed of the cabin 40, as will be clear to a person skilled in the art. In a favourable exemplary embodiment, the cabin has a diameter of approximately 130 cm, the lock has a diameter of approximately 150 cm, the entrance gate 31, the exit gate 32, and the passage gates 42 have widths of approximately 75 cm. The wall parts 41 then have a width of approximately 60 cm. Such a cabin can rotate at a rotation speed of 36°/sec. The wall parts 41 may be chosen wider, wherein the passage gates 42 then become smaller, for example approximately 68 cm. However, it may happen that a person has not walked on fast enough and is not yet at the exit gate 32 when the cabin 40 reaches an exit position. In that case, the cabin 40 rotates further until the next exit position is reached by the next passage gate 42A reaching the exit gate 32. For persons who are bad walkers, or carry lots of luggage, or have a perambulator or the like, the time during which the cabin is situated in an entry position or exit position, respectively, may be too short. In order to be also user-friendly for this group of persons, the device preferably comprises an operating button 61 arranged at the entrance gate 31, that can be operated by a person who needs more time to enter or to leave the cabin. In response to receiving a request signal SR from the operating button 61, the control member 8 is adapted to switch off the drive means M when the cabin is situated in an entry position. The person concerned can now easily enter the cabin. The control member 8 may be adapted to automatically switch on the drive means M when the presence detector 51 detects that the person concerned is inside the cabin. Preferably however, as illustrated in figure 4B, a second operating button 62 is arranged in the cabin 40, for example at the passage gates 42, or centrally hanging from the ceiling, which the user can operate when he is inside or when he is almost at the exit. The control member 8 then switches the drive means M on in order to rotate the cabin 40. When the authorization is all right, the cabin rotates on to an exit position. The control member 8 is adapted to automatically switch off the drive means M now in order to hold the cabin in this exit position, so that the person concerned can now easily leave the cabin.

In the above, it has been discussed that the cabin 40 rotates continuously; this obviates the need of starting/stopping, and the wear associated with it. The cabin 40 could even rotate continuously if no persons want to pass; however, this is a waste of energy. Preferably, the device is therefore provided with a presence detector 51, movement detector, or the like, as discussed in relation to the device 100, which detector may be attached in the cabin, or at the entrance gate 31, or even at a short distance from the entrance gate 31 outside the lock 3. The control member 8 may then be adapted to stop the cabin 40 if no persons are detected during a certain time, and to make the cabin rotate again as soon as a person approaches.

The functioning discussed in the above with reference to the figures 4A-D is the normal functioning of the device 200 under normal circumstances, when the person P is authorized to pass. The above in fact describes the functioning as observed by that person. At the same time, however, an authorization- check takes place, as will now be explained. As illustrated in figure 4B, the device 200 comprises a detector 250 that is connected to an input of the control member 8. For many aspects of the detector 250, the same applies as what has been noted, and will be noted later, in relation to the detector 50 of the device 100. More particularly, the detector 250 may be mounted on the rotatable cabin 40 or on the stationary lock walls 10, 20, or in the floor. Further, multiple detectors per device 200 may be provided if desired. In the example shown, the detector 250 is mounted on a lock wall 20. The detector 250 is adapted to contactlessly detect the presence of an authorization feature. Depending on the application, this authorization feature may be of a diverse type, and the detector is adapted to that. Depending on the application, it may be desired to only let pass persons with a height larger than a predetermined minimum height, or just to only let pass persons with a height smaller than a predetermined maximum height; the detector is then adapted for measuring the height of the person P. It may also be desired to only let pass persons with a weight higher than a predetermined minimum weight, or just only persons with a weight lower than a predetermined maximum weight; the detector is then adapted for measuring the weight of the person P. It is noted that in that case, the device 200 is also usable in a simple way to pass on the total weight of all persons passed to a system administrator, which is for example profitable for the operator of an aeroplane who wants to know the weight of the cargo and passengers. In most cases, the authorization will be associated with a valid admission ticket, identity card, or the like. In such a case, the authorization feature is formed by the presence of such a valid admission ticket, identity card, or the like, and the detector 250 is adapted for detecting that presence. Devices for contactlessly detecting the presence of a valid admission ticket or the like are known per se and have already been applied in practice for years, and may be based on the RFID technology. It is mentioned here by way of example that such systems are in use at ski stations, to control the access to the ski lifts. Such systems are also in use at automatic luggage handling systems. Since such known techniques are applicable in implementing the present invention, whereas the present invention does not relate to improving such known techniques, it is not necessary here to further explain the design and the functioning of such detectors. By way of example, it will hereinafter be assumed that the invention is applied as access control in public transport (train, metro, etc.), and that the tickets sold by the transport company are provided with an element which is detectable from a distance (for example a transponder) , and that the detector 250 is adapted for detecting the presence of such an element. In this context, it is noted that a train station may have several platforms, and that a ticket is associated with a particular destination, so with a particular platform from which trains with that destination leave. A particular ticket may thus give access to a particular platform but not to the other platforms. The authorization feature processed in the ticket is adapted thereto. In an advanced system, the authorization feature (for example a chip) comprises detector-readable information, and the detector determines whether the information read corresponds to the expected information: if yes, then one can speak of authorization to pass. Thus, in this case not only the presence of a readable chip is equivalent to authorization, but the actual authorization feature is formed by the presence of a chip with the correct information. In a particular application, it may be desired that the authorization is limited to a particular time frame. Again in the context of the example of public transport, it may be that a person P has a ticket for a particular train. In that case, it may be desired to deny access if the person is too late and this particular train has already left. It may also be desired to deny access long before this particular train arrives (for example more than an hour before) . Thus also in this case, not only the presence of a readable chip with correct information is equivalent to authorization, but the actual authorization feature is formed by the presence of a chip with the correct information in combination with a point in time which falls within a particular time frame. A similar example applies in the case that the person P has an admission ticket for a particular event (such as a sports match) . All of such situations will be briefly indicated in the following discussion as the presence of an authorization feature: after all, if the other conditions, such as correct information, point in time, etc., are not fulfilled, the detected feature is not a feature which leads to authorization, and is thus not an authorization feature. The detector 250 gives to the control member 8 an output signal SA which indicates whether the authorization feature is detected.

Independent of the signal received from the detector 250, the control member 8 is adapted to control the drive unit M in order to let the cabin 40 rotate from the entry position (figure 4A) to an intermediate position in which at least the exit gate 32 is effectively still closed (figure 4C) . As noted in the preceding, the rotation of the cabin 40 may be started on arrival of that person, or the cabin 40 may already rotate at the arrival of a person P. In this last case, it may thus occur that the cabin 40 reaches the intermediate position while no person is in the cabin, in which case the detector 250 will not detect an authorization feature. The system comprises a presence detector 51 adapted to detect whether a person is in the cabin 40. If a signal Sp received from the presence detector 51 indicates that the cabin 40 is empty, the control^' member 8 is adapted to control the drive unit M to let the cabin 40 continue to rotate from the intermediate position to the next entry position, independent of the signal received from the authorization detector 250. Presence detectors are known per se, for example in the form of US approach detector, IR movement detector, etc. Also a weight sensor in the floor is usable. Since such known detectors are usable in implementing the present invention, whereas the present invention does not relate to improving such known detectors, it is not necessary here to further explain the design and the functioning of such detectors. If the signal Sp received from the presence detector 51 indicates that there is a person P in the cabin 40, the further behaviour of the control member 8 depends on the signal SA received from the authorization detector 250. During the time required to have the cabin 40 rotate from the entry position to the intermediate position, the authorization detector 250 has had ample opportunity to detect the presence of the authorization feature, and to send a corresponding signal SA to the control member 8. The control member 8 is adapted to control the drive unit M, in response to receiving from at least one authorization detector 250 a detector signal SA which is indicative for the presence of the authorization feature, to let the cabin 40 continue to rotate from the intermediate position to the exit position (figure 4D) . In fact, the cabin 40 can now continue to rotate to the next entry position. When an authorized person P passes the cabin, this functioning corresponds to the functioning described in the preceding. If the control member 8 has not received a detector signal SA indicative for the presence of the authorization feature from any of the authorization detectors 250 when the cabin 40 has reached the intermediate position, the control member 8 switches the drive unit M off: the cabin 40 is then standing still. Now there are different possibilities. In the first place, it is possible that the control member 8 lets the cabin 40 stand still in this intermediate position. Since the exit gate 32 is closed off, the person in the cabin can not reach the restrictedly accessible area R. Since also the entry gate 31 is preferably closed off in this position (see figure 4C) , the person can not leave the cabin at all. The control member 8 may generate an assistance signal in order to call for the assistance of personnel. However, it is more user-friendly, and cheaper because it reduces the need for the presence of assisting personnel, if the control member 8 controls the drive unit M in order to rotate the cabin 40 back to the entry position, and then to switch off the drive unit M in order to hold the cabin 40 in the entry position. The person P can then leave the cabin, which is detected by the presence detector 51, so that the control member 8 can resume the normal functioning. In a preferred embodiment, the device 200 is further provided with a display D, that may be arranged next to the entrance gate 31 (see figure 4A) , on which the control member 8 can show a notice for the person P. As variation, such a display may be attached to each cabin wall 41A, 41B, 41C. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more loudspeakers may be provided (not shown for the sake of simplicity) , with which spoken messages can be communicated. By means of such communication means, the control member 8 may explain the functioning of the cabin to the person P in the cabin (for example a notice what is going to happen) , and in occurring cases, the control member 8 may explain to the person P in the cabin why access has been denied to him. However, the communication means offer even many more possibilities. They may be used for advertising purposes, for example to tell the traveller that he still has time for a cup of coffee before his train/plane leaves. They may be used to wish the traveller a pleasant journey in a friendly way. They may be used to tell the traveller that his train/plane is about to leave, and that he must hurry. The other way around, they may be used to tell the traveller that his train/plane is delayed, and that he does not need to hurry. In this respect, it is noted that it is customary per se that stations or the like are provided with communication systems for announcing messages for the travellers. However, these are then messages which are usually hard to catch, and moreover, all messages for all traveller are communicated through the same system, so that an arbitrary traveller may receive many messages which are not intended for that particular traveller. The system according to the present invention offers the possibility to give a message to an individual traveller, wherein further the possibility exists to only give messages which are intended for this individual traveller. It is also possible that the control member 8 holds the cabin 40 still for another short time, in order to give the authorization detector 250 the opportunity to still detect the authorization feature. If during that time the control member 8 indeed receives from at least one authorization detector 250 a detector signal SA indicative for the presence of the authorization feature, the control member 8 can let the cabin 40 rotate further.

As has been explained in the preceding, it is the intention that the person P can walk in the cabin 40 while the cabin 40 rotates from the entry position (figure 4A) to the exit position (figure 4D) . This implies that the cabin 40 has a particular minimal diameter, which in turn implies that the cabin 40 is large enough to contain two or more persons. However, it is not the intention that two persons enter the cabin at the same time. Therefore, the device 200 is preferably provided with a detector 261 associated with the entrance gate 31 (see figure 4B) , which detector is adapted to detect the passage of a person. As variation, such a passing detector may also be associated with each passage gate 42A, 42B, 42C. This passage detector may also fulfil the function of the presence detector 51. The control member 8 receives a count signal N from the passage detector 261. Normally, this count signal N will be equal to one or zero each time the cabin 40 passes the entry position. If the count signal N is larger than one, the control member 8 controls the drive unit M in order to rotate the cabin 40 back to the entry position, and then switches the drive unit M off in order to hold the cabin 40 in the entry position until all persons have left the cabin, which is detected by the presence detector 51 and/or by the passage detector 261, so that the control member 8 can resume the normal functioning.

In a possible embodiment, all cabin wall parts 41A, 41B, 41C are fixed relative to each other. For example, it is possible that the cabin 40 is manufactured as a cylindrical wall 41 with three passage gates 42A, 42B, 42C arranged in it. It is also possible that three loose wall parts 41A, 41B, 41C are fixedly attached to a common carrier. In case of calamities however, it may be desired that many people can pass the device 200 quickly. It may also be desired that a long object passes the device 200 horizontally. In a preferred embodiment, the device 200 therefore has a position which enables this, as illustrated in figure 5. In this preferred embodiment, at least one wall part 1A is slidable relative to the two other wall parts 41B, 41C. More preferably, two wall parts 41A and 41B are slidable towards each other. Figure 5 shows the cabin 40 in a calamity position wherein the two wall parts 41A and 41B have been slid against each other, symmetrically opposite the third wall part 41C, wherein this third wall part 41C is positioned symmetrically relative to the second lock wall 20; the point of contact of the two wall parts 41A and 41B is then situated near the centre of the first lock wall 10. In this calamity position, both the entrance gate 31 and the exit gate 32 are almost fully open at the same time.

Figure 6 schematically shows a vertical cross section of the device 200. The lock walls 10, 20 rest on a floor 301, preferably in respective support blocks 302. At the top ends 303, 304 of the lock walls 10, 20, a carrying frame 310 is attached. That carrying frame 310 connects the lock walls 10, 20 and thus contributes to the stability of the lock walls 10, 20. The carrying frame 310 also carries the cabin 40. The carrying frame 310 may for example be implemented as a circular plate, or as a system of two beams crossing each other. The cabin 40 comprises a cabin frame 340, from which the cabin wall 41 is suspended or from which the cabin wall parts 41A, 41B, 41C are suspended. Between the bottom end of the cabin wall 41 and the floor 301 there is a little play 341, for example in the order of 10 mm. In the case of a cabin with a calamity position as described in the preceding with reference to figure 5, the cabin wall parts 41A and 41B may be attached slidably to the cabin frame 340; this is however not illustrated separately. The cabin frame 340 is suspended rotatably from the carrying frame 310. In the preferred embodiment shown, a guide chute 311 is mounted to the carrying frame 310, which defines a circular trajectory. Guide wheels 312 are mounted to the cabin frame 340, which run in the guide chute 311. It will be clear that the opposite is also possible, i.e. that the guide chute is attached to the cabin frame 340 and that the guide wheels 312 are mounted to the carrying frame 310. For rotating the cabin frame 340, a drive unit M is attached to the carrying frame 310, of which an output member 321 engages the cabin frame 340. The drive unit M may comprise an electromotor, and the output member 321 may be a driven shaft of that motor. The drive unit M may also comprise a transmission system driven by the driven shaft of the motor, and the output member 321 may be a driven shaft of that transmission system. It is also possible that the output member 321 comprises a toothed wheel or worm mounted on a driven shaft of the motor or on a driven shaft of the possible transmission system, respectively, in engagement with a toothed wheel or rack or the like mounted on the cabin frame 340. These details are not shown for the sake of simplicity. It is possible that in the cabin 40, on purpose or by accident, a force is exerted on the cabin wall 41 by a person, with the result that the cabin 40 could be pushed aside. In order to prevent the cabin 40 from being pushed against the lock wall 10, 20, or to limit the possible deflection of the cabin for other reasons, preferably supporting wheels 351 are provided, rotatably arranged in a fixed arrangement, distributed along the circumference of the bottom end of the cabin wall 41, and with little distance to that bottom end of the cabin wall 41, so that the cabin wall hangs free from those supporting wheels 351 if no lateral forces are being exerted on the cabin wall.

Preferably, lighting means 331 are attached to the carrying frame 310, in the space between the lock wall 10, 20 and the cabin wall 41. The lighting means 331 may comprise a system of light bulbs or the like, distributed along the circumference of the cabin 40. The lighting means 331 may also comprise one or more lighting tubes, for example neon tubes, bent with a shape corresponding to the circumference of the cabin 40. The lighting means 331 may also comprise a system of LEDs. The lighting means 331 may have the function of lighting the inner space 44 of the cabin 40. The lighting means 331 may also have a signal function, to indicate whether a cabin is in use or not. That signal function may exist in that a cabin being in operation is indicated by lighting switched on and that a cabin being out of operation is indicated by lighting switched off. It is also possible that the lighting means 331 comprise multiple lighting sources with mutually different colours, for example red and green, in which case a cabin being in operation may be indicated by green lighting while a cabin out of operation may be indicated by red lighting. In the example shown, the lock walls 10, 20 are transparent over the entire height, up to the carrying frame 310. In that case, at their top end, the lock walls 10, 20 are preferably, and as shown, provided with a cover plate 305 which hides the suspension construction 311, 312 and the lighting means 331 from view.

In the embodiment discussed with reference to figure 6, the cabin wall part 41A, 41B, 41C are suspended from a common rigid cabin frame 340, that is rotated as a whole relative to the carrying frame 310. A consequence of this is that each cabin wall part 41A, 41B, 41C travel a circular trajectory, which implies that the mutual distance between the lock walls 10 and 20 increases as the mutual distance between the entrance gate 31 and the exit gate 32 increases. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides a device with an oval shape, wherein the mutual distance between the lock walls 10 and 20 may be smaller than the mutual distance between the entrance gate 31 and the exit gate 32. In this particular embodiment, the cabin wall parts 41A, 41B, 41C are suspended individually ridable from the guide chute 311, which may now define an ellipsoid trajectory, with the long axis directed from the entrance gate 31 to the exit gate 32. The displacement of the individual wall parts may even be driven individually, but preferably, the individual wall parts are coupled to each other by a transport chain, transport cable or the like, that is driven by the drive means M. Each cabin wall part 41A, 41B, 41C may be a rigid wall part. Alternatively, it is also possible that each cabin wall part is a flexible wall part, for example in that it comprises a system of mutually coupled wall segments, wherein each segment individually follows the guide chute 311. In that case, the curvature of a cabin wall part as a whole always corresponds to the curvature of the trajectory defined by the guide chute.

In the embodiment discussed with reference to figures 3A- D, the cabin wall 41 only has a single opening 42, so that the cabin wall 41 may have a horizontal dimension of more than 300°. The cabin wall 41 is preferably made of a transparent material, such as for example synthetic material, glass, bullet proof glass, etc. The cabin wall 41 may be made in one piece of that transparent material. In practice however, it is usually simpler to manufacture the cabin wall 41 of a number of wall segments, which are coupled to each other by means of a carrying profile, as will be explained hereinafter with reference to figure 7. Figure 7 shows a horizontal cross section of a carrying profile 700, suitable for carrying glass walls of a cabin 40. The carrying profile 700 comprises a central space 701 in the form of a vertical cylinder with stepped side walls 702, 703 and an end wall 704 directed towards the inner space 44 of the cabin 40. A sensor house 710 is arranged close to the end wall 704, with the actual sensor (not shown) in it. A grid or sensor cover lid 705 is mounted between the end wall 704 and the sensor house 710. By means of adjustment screws 711, 712, the sensor house 710 is attached to brackets 713, 714, which in turn are attached fixedly to the side walls 702, 703. By means of the adjustment screws 711, 712, the orientation of the sensor house 710 can be set, in order to direct the sensor. The carrying profile 700 further comprises an outer wall 720, with a somewhat bent contour, corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the cabin. In an embodiment, the outer wall 720 has a radius of curvature of 75 cm. At the position of the central space 701, the outer wall 720 is interrupted in order to give access to the sensor house 710, the adjustment screws 711, 712, and connection cables 730 of the sensor. In order to close the central space 701, the carrying profile 700 comprises a lid 721, that is preferably also curved, with a radius of curvature equal to that of the outer wall 720. In the hollow central space 701, still further connection cables and/or electrical and/or electronic components may be accommodated. By way of example, cables for a display, a loudspeaker, etc. can be mentioned. In figure 7 is shown that the carrying profile 700 is provided with an air humidity gauge 740 arranged close to the sensor house 710. Hereby, it is possible to correct for variations in air humidity in case the detector is sensitive to air humidity. At the ends of the outer wall 720, the carrying profile 700 comprises two U-profiles 751, 752. The bottoms of the ϋ- profiles are directed towards each other, the legs of the U- profiles point outward and may thus accommodate a glass plate (not shown for the sake of simplicity) . Such a glass plate may be fixed in a U-profile with the aid of a suitable cement, as known per se. Between the end wall 704 and the U-profiles 751, 752, the carrying profile 700 has two respective inner walls 761, 762 that are curved with a convex part connecting to the end wall 704 and a concave part connecting to the U-profiles 751, 752, so that each inner wall 761, 762 has the shape of a part of a sine curve. Hereby, the radial distance between the U-profiles 751, 752 (which define the position of the wall of the cabin 40) and the end wall 704 of the cylinder 701 is spanned by a smooth wall, without sharp parts, in order to minimize possible damage resulting from contact with the rotating cabin. Preferably, the cylinder 701 is open at its bottom end, whereas at its top end apparatus is provided which sucks surrounding air and blows it into the cylinder 701. Hereby, a cooling of the sensor housing 710 and the sensor in it is achieved. The carrying profile 700 shown in figure 7 is intended to carry two glass plates, and to that end, it comprises two U- profiles 751, 752. Such a carrying profile is also indicated as intermediate profile. Obviously, the U-profiles 751, 752 may also carry closed panels. In case a carrying profile only needs to carry a single panel, only a single U-profile is present; the opposite wall, which then defines the side edge of a passage gate, may be bent completely convex. With reference to the figures 8A-G, another embodiment 400 of an access control device will now be described which, like the device 200, is primarily intended as authorization control, and which is particularly suitable to be applied at events such as for example football matches. In a particular application example, the entrances of a football stadium are provided with one or more devices 400. In the devices discussed in the preceding, there is always a single entrance and a single exit. The authorization or not occurs by releasing the exit or not. The device 400 differs from this by the presence of two (or more) exits; in the case of authorization, the one exit is released, in the case of non-authorization (or doubt) , the other exit is released. This one exit leads to the secured space (such as the stands), while the other exit leads to an examination space where for example guarding personnel may subject the person concerned to a further examination. Figure 8A shows a schematic top view of the device 400, and illustrates that it has a cabin 440, which is rotatably mounted in a lock 402 in a separating wall 401, which separates a free space F from a restrictedly accessible space R. A lock wall 403 partly extends along the cabin 440. The lock 402 has an entrance 431 which is accessible from the free space F, a first exit 432 which gives access to the restrictedly accessible space R (for example a corridor to the stands) , and a second exit 433 which gives access to an examination space G, in which for example guarding personnel will be present. A wall 404 separates the examination space G from the restrictedly accessible space R. The entrance 431 is defined between the separating wall 401 and the lock wall 403. The first exit 432 is defined between the separating wall 401 and the wall 404. The second exit 433 is defined between the lock wall 403 and the wall 404. The entrance 431 and the exits 432 and 433 may further still be provided with lockable doors, but that is not shown, in the figure for the sake of simplicity. In a suitable embodiment, the cabin 440 is circular, and the entrance 431, the first exit 432 and the second exit 433 each have a width which at least approximately corresponds to 60° circumference of the cabin 440. Figure 8B is similar to figure 8A, but shows a schematic cross section of the cabin 440, which illustrates that the cabin 440 has a cabin wall 441, with two passage gates 442 and 443. The cabin wall 441 is thus subdivided into a first cabin wall part 441A and a second cabin wall part 441B. In the example shown, the first cabin wall part 441A extends over an angular distance of approximately 180°, and the two passage gates 442 and 443 each have a width which at least approximately corresponds to an angular dimension of 60°. The cabin 440 can rotate about a vertical axis, as described in the preceding for the cabin 40 of the figures 1- 6; therefore, this will not be explained again. Figure 8C shows the cabin 440 in an entry position. In that case, the first passage gate 442 of the cabin 440 is aligned with the entrance 431 of the lock 402, so that a person can enter the cabin from the freely accessible space F. The first cabin wall part 441A is then situated in front of the two exits 432 and 433, so that this person can not walk on to an exit. As described in the preceding, the device 400 is provided with means to determine access authorization. Those means may for example comprise a scanner for checking an admission ticket, and means for checking the identity of the person, such as for example a finger print scanner. Those means may also comprise detectors for detecting forbidden substances. The description and discussion of such means will not be repeated here for the sake of simplicity. It suffices to note that those means may be positioned in the cabin, but also in front of the cabin. If it is established that the person concerned is authorized, control means 8 (see figure 2) will rotate the cabin 440 to an authorization position, wherein a passage gate of the cabin is aligned with the first exit 432. Figure 8D illustrates a first possibility, wherein the first passage gate 442 of the cabin 440 is aligned with the first exit 432; this position may be reached by rotating the cabin 440 over 60° counter clockwise from the entry position of figure 8C. In this position, the second exit 433 is closed by the first cabin wall part 441A, and the entrance 431 is closed by the second cabin wall part 441B. Figure 8E illustrates a second possibility, wherein the second passage gate 443 of the cabin 440 is aligned with the first exit 432; this position can be reached by rotating the cabin 440 over 180° from the entry position of figure 8C. In this position, the second exit 433 is closed by the second cabin wall part 441B, and the entrance 431 is closed by the first cabin wall part 441A. If it is established that the person concerned is not authorized, or if forbidden substances are detected, or if in any way there is doubt whether it is allowed to admit the person concerned, the control means 8 will rotate the cabin 440 to an examination position, wherein a passage gate of the cabin is aligned with the second exit 433; figure 8F shows the cabin in an examination position, wherein the second passage gate 443 of the cabin 440 is aligned with the second exit 433; this position can be reached by rotating the cabin 440 over 120° clockwise from the entry position of figure 8C. In this position, the entrance 431 and the first exit 432 are closed by the first cabin wall part 441A. The cabin 440 also has a closed position, as illustrated in figure 8G. In the closed position, which may be reached by rotating the cabin 440 over 60° clockwise from the entry position of figure 8C, the entrance 431 and the two exits 432, 433 are closed by the first cabin wall part 441A. This position may be used as intermediate position in rotating the cabin 440. When a person enters the cabin, it is possible that it is directly clear that he is authorized; in that case, the control device 8 can make the cabin 440 rotate over 60° counter clockwise. If the person is not authorized, then the control device 8 makes the cabin 440 rotate over 120° clockwise: the person can then only take the exit to the examination space G. It is important here, that the cabin does not pass an exit position. It is also possible that the control device 8 needs more time to judge on the authorization, and that still needs to be decided about the authorization while the person is already inside the cabin. It is even possible that detection means are arranged in the cabin, which detect while the cabin rotates. In that case, the control device 8 can let the cabin 440 rotate back and forth, depending on the result of the detection, but it is also possible that the control device 8 always lets the cabin 440 rotate clockwise: if the person is not authorized, then the rotation stops after 120°; if the person is authorized, then the rotation stops after 180°. It is desired that the device 400 also has a possibility to let a large crowd pass quickly. For example, this plays a role in the case of calamities, or after a football match when everyone wants to leave the stadium: in both cases, no check will be needed. To that end, in a possible embodiment, the separating wall 401 is provided with a lockable door 405 that functions as bypass along the cabin 440 when it is opened. It is also possible that the infrastructure of the building concerned (for example stadium) is designed in such a way that the outgoing crowd leaves the building through the examination space G, by opening doors or closing doors, respectively. In that case, the cabin 440 can be rotated to a passage position, as illustrated in figure 8B, wherein the first passage gate

442 of the cabin 440 is aligned with the second exit 433 while the second passage gate 443 is aligned with the entrance 431: one can then walk through the cabin without hindrance, from the second exit 433 to the entrance 431. In the example discussed above, the first exit 432 next to the entrance 431 leads to the restrictedly accessible space, and the second exit 433, that is situated almost directly opposite the entrance 431, leads to the examination space. Among others, this offers the advantage that it is possible to position two devices 400 next to each other, wherein the second one is the mirror image of the first one (mirroring relative to the vertical dotted line in figure 8A) . The examination space G may then be for both devices in common, and the number of guarding persons may be less. However, it is also possible that the first exit 432 next to the entrance 431 leads to the examination space and that the second exit 433 leads to the restrictedly accessible space. This offers the advantage that the cabin 440 can always be rotated to a passage position, as illustrated in figure 8B, wherein the first passage gate 442 of the cabin 440 is aligned with the second exit 433 while the second passage gate 443 is aligned with the entrance 431, without infrastructural adaptations of the building concerned being needed for that. In that case, figure 8F shows the authorization position and figure 8E shows the examination position. In a preferred embodiment the examination space G is provided with indication means, through which a control member 8 (see figure 2) can announce to the guarding personnel in that space G what the reason is, that a person is not allowed to pass without further check. The indication means may comprise a display, on which the reasons for disapproval can be printed, or a panel with multiple lamps, wherein the choice of the lamp corresponds to the reason of disapproval. For example, it may be so that it is detected that the person concerned has an invalid pass, or is on a list of persons who should be refused, or that a weapon is detected on the body of the person. In that last case, the use of a display offers the advantage that a graphical representation can be given of the place where the weapon is detected, which for the guarding personnel facilitates the search for that weapon.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed in the preceding, but that several variations and modifications are possible within the protective scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. For example, it is possible that the cabin is provided with one or more detectors for detecting identification features of persons, such as for example a biometric detector, fingerprint detector, iris scanning device, face recognition apparatus, etc. Hereby, it is possible to deny the passage to predetermined persons, for example wanted criminals, persons who have a stadium ban for one reason or the other, hooligans, etc. In the foregoing, it has been discussed by way of example that the cabin proposed by the present invention is usable as control apparatus at the entrance of a building or the like, in order to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the building. However, the present invention is also usable as control apparatus at the exit of a building or the like, in order to prevent particular persons from leaving that building. One can for example think of electronic arrest. Persons who are not allowed to leave a building are provided with a chip, a transmitter, a transponder, or the like. As authorization feature, the absence of such a chip, transmitter, transponder, or the like then applies. It is further possible that the drive motor of the cabin is provided with a wear indicator, based on measuring the power needed for rotating the cabin, which may be measured as a combination of drive voltage and current. Wear will appear as an increased friction and thereby an increased current consumption by the motor. Based on the development of the power need, it can be predicted when (extra) maintenance is needed. Such wear indicators are known per se. It has been mentioned in the foregoing that multiple detectors may be present in or at the cabin 40. In the embodiment of figure 3A-D, two detectors 50A and 50B are shown, mounted to the wall 41 of the cabin 40 at 180° distance relative to each other. However, multiple detectors may be present. The detectors may all be mounted at the same height, but it is preferred that there are detectors mounted at different levels. At the different levels, the numbers of detectors may mutually be equal, but the number of detectors present at a first level may differ from the number of detectors present at a second level. The detectors may function according to mutually equal detection principles, but also detectors with mutually different detection principles may be present. Each detector may be an individual detector, but two or more detectors may also cooperate and thus define a combined detector. In addition, it is noted that a detector may issue an active authorization signal if a particular feature (for example an access pass) is detected, but a detector may also issue an active rejection signal if a particular feature (for example an access pass) is missing or if a particular feature (for example the presence of a forbidden object, the occurrence of the identified person on a black list) is detected. In the foregoing, with reference to the figures 8A-G, an embodiment has been described wherein the cabin 440 has two gates 442, 443. It is also possible that the cabin only has a single passage gate, that is positioned in front of the entrance/exit to be opened by rotating the cabin, if it is not necessary that there is a passage position wherein both an entrance and an exit are opened. Further, it is possible that the device has three (or more) exits, wherein two exits lead to two different restrictedly accessible spaces Rl and R2 while the third exit leads to an examination space. In that case, the device may determine whether the person concerned is allowed to go to the first space Rl or to the second space R2, based on for example an admission ticket. In the foregoing, with reference to the figures 8A-G, an embodiment has been described wherein the lock 402 has a lock wall of approximately 180°, while the entrance and the two exits are arranged next to each other over the other 180°. It is also possible that the lock has a first lock wall of approximately 120°, then a passage gate (entrance/exit) of approximately 60°, then a second lock wall of approximately 60°, and then two passage gates (entrance/exit) of approximately 60° each.

Claims

1. Access control device (100; 200), comprising: a control lock (3) with fixed walls (10, 20) , with an entrance gate (31) and an exit gate (32); a bottomless cabin (40) arranged in the lock (3) between the entrance gate (31) and the exit gate (32) , which cabin (40) is rotatable about a vertical axis and comprises a cabin wall (41) with at least one passage gate (42; 42A, 42B, 42C) ; at least one detector (50; 250) ; drive means (M) for driving the cabin rotation; a control member (8) with at least one signal input (7) for receiving an output signal (S_v; S_A) from the detector (50; 250) and with a control output (9) for controlling the drive means

(M) depending on the detector output signal (S_v; S_A) received; wherein the cabin (40) can be rotated to: - an entry position wherein a passage gate (42; 42A, 42B, 42C) in the cabin wall (41) is aligned with the entrance gate (31) of the lock (3) ;

- an exit position wherein a passage gate (42; 42A, 42B, 42C) in the cabin wall (41) is aligned with the exit gate (32) of the lock (3) ;

- an intermediate position wherein the cabin wall (41) substantially closes off the entrance gate (31) and preferably also the exit gate (32) .

2. Access control device according to claim 1, wherein the lock walls (10, 20) are at least partially manufactured of a transparent material, for example glass, preferably impact resistant glass or bullet proof glass.

3. Access control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cabin wall (41) is at least partially manufactured of a transparent material, for example glass, preferably impact resistant glass or bullet proof glass.

4. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lock walls (10, 20) are bent according to a rotation symmetrical figure, preferably according to a part of a circular cylinder.

5. Access control device according any of the preceding claims, wherein the cabin wall (41) is bent according to a rotation symmetrical figure, preferably according to a part of a circular cylinder.

6. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cabin wall (41) comprises a single passage gate (42) .

7. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims 1-5, wherein the cabin wall (41) comprises an odd number of passage gates (42A, 42B, 42C) , positioned at regular mutual angular distances.

8. Access control device according to claim 7, wherein the cabin wall comprises three passage gates (42A, 42B, 42C) .

9. Access control device according any of the preceding claims, wherein the control member (8), in a normal operating state, is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (40) rotate with substantially constant speed.

10. Access control device according any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100; 200) is provided with blocking detection means (52) adapted for detecting a blocking of the cabin (40) , and to issue a blocking detection signal (SB) to the control member (8), and wherein the control member (8) is adapted to switch off the drive means (M) or to make the drive means (M) rotate in opposite direction during a short time, in response to detecting a blocking.

11. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100; 200) is provided with a passage detector (261) adapted to count the number of persons entering the cabin (40), and to issue a count signal (N) to the control member (8), and wherein the control member (8) is adapted, in response to receiving a count signal (N) larger than one, to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (40) rotate back to the entry position, and then to switch off the drive means in order to hold the cabin (40) in the entry position.

12. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detector (250) is adapted for detecting an authorization feature, and for issuing an authorization signal (Sa) if an authorization feature is detected.

13. Access control device according to claim 12, wherein the control member (8), independent of whether or not receiving the authorization signal (Sa) from the at least one detector (250) , is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (40) rotate from an entry position to an intermediate position.

14. Access control device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the control member (8), in response to receiving the authorization signal (Sa) from at least one detector (250) , is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (40) rotate to an exit position.

15. Access control device according to any of the claims 12-

14. further comprising a presence detector (51; 261) adapted for detecting the presence of a person (P) in the cabin (40), wherein the control member (8), if the presence detector (51; 261) indicates that the cabin (40) is empty, is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (40) rotate to a next entry position.

16. Access control device according to any of the claims 12- 15, further comprising a presence detector (51; 261) adapted for detecting the presence of a person (P) in the cabin (40), wherein the control member (8), if the presence detector (51; 261) indicates that there is a person in the cabin, when a timely authorization signal from at least one detector (250) is lacking, is adapted to switch off the drive means (M) in order to hold the cabin in the intermediate position.

17. Access control device according to any of the claims 12- 16, further comprising a presence detector (51; 261) adapted for detecting the presence of a person (P) in the cabin (40), wherein the control member (8), if the presence detector (51; 261) indicates that there is a person in the cabin, when a timely authorization signal from at least one detector (250) is lacking, is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin rotate back from the intermediate position to the entry position.

18. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a presence detector (51; 261) adapted for detecting the presence of a person (P) in the cabin (40) and for issuing a presence signal (Sp; N) if the presence of a person (P) is detected; wherein the control member (8), in absence of a person in the cabin (40) , is adapted to switch off the drive means (M) in order to hold the cabin (40) in the entry position; and wherein the control member, in response to receiving the presence signal (Sp; N) from at least one detector (51; 261) , is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (40) rotate.

19. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a first operating button (61) mounted on a suitable position in order to be operable by a person who wants to enter the cabin, and adapted for issuing a request signal (SR) to the control member (8); wherein the control member (8), in response to receiving a request signal (SR) from the operating button (61), is adapted to switch off the drive means (M) when the cabin is in an entry position.

20. Access control device according to claim 19, further comprising a presence detector (51; 261) adapted for detecting the presence of a person (P) in the cabin (40) and for issuing a presence signal (Sp; N) if the presence of a person (P) is detected; wherein the control member (8) is adapted to automatically switch on the drive means (M) when the presence detector (51; 261) detects the presence of a person inside the cabin.

21. Access control device according to claim 19, further comprising a second operating button (62) arranged, mounted on a suitable location in order to be operable by a person who has entered the cabin, and adapted for issuing a second request signal (SR2) to the control member (8) ; wherein the control member (8), in response to receiving a second request signal (SR2) from the second operating button (62), is adapted to switch on the drive means M in order to rotate the cabin (40) .

22. Access control device according to claim 21, wherein the control member (8), after receiving a second request signal (SR2) from the second operating button (62), is adapted to let the cabin (40) continue to rotate to an exit position and then to automatically switch off the drive means (M) in order to hold the cabin in this exit position.

23. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detector (50) is adapted for detecting forbidden objects, and for issuing an object signal (Sv) if a forbidden object is detected.

24. Access control device according to claim 23, wherein the control member (8) , in response to receiving the object signal (Sv) from at least one detector (50) , is adapted to switch off the drive means (M) in order to hold the cabin (40) in the intermediate position.

25. Access control device according to claim 23, wherein the control member (8), in response to receiving the object signal (Sv) from at least one detector (50), .is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (40) rotate back to the entry position.

26. Access control device according to any of the claims 23-25, further provided with alarm means (6) for generating an alarm signal, such as a sound signal and/or a light signal, and wherein the control member (8) is adapted to switch on the alarm means (6) in response to receiving the object signal (Sv) from at least one detector (50) .

27. Access control device according to any of the claims 23- 26, wherein the at least one detector (50) is attached to the cabin wall (41) .

28. Access control device according to claim 27, wherein at least two detectors (50A, 50B) are provided, attached to the cabin wall (41) at mutual angular distances of approximately 180°.

29. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cabin (40) is suspended rotatably from a carrying frame (310) .

30. Access control device according to claim 29, wherein the carrying frame (310) is fixed to the top ends (303, 304) of the lock walls (10, 20) .

31. Access control device according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the lock walls rest on the floor (301) .

32. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims 29-31, wherein the cabin wall (41) has little play (341) relative to the floor (301) .

33. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims 29-32, further provided with at least one fixedly mounted supporting wheel (351) arranged near the bottom end of the cabin wall (41) .

34. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims 29-33, wherein the cabin (40) as a whole is suspended from a carrying and guiding construction comprising a guide chute (311) and wheels (312) which are ridable in that guide chute (311) .

35. Access control device according to claim 34, wherein the cabin ( 40 ) comprises multiple cabin wall parts (41A, 41B, 410) attached to a common cabin frame (340) which is suspended from said carrying and guiding construction.

36. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims 29-33, wherein the cabin (40) comprises multiple cabin wall parts (41A, 41B, 410), wherein each cabin wall part (41A, 41B, 410) is individually suspended from a carrying and guiding construction which comprises a guide chute (311) and wheels (312) which are ridable in that guide chute (311) .

37. Access control device according to claim 36, wherein each cabin wall part (41A, 41B, 410) comprises two or more wall segments, wherein each wall segment individually follows the guide chute (311) .

38. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cabin (40) comprises multiple cabin wall parts (41A, 41B, 410) , wherein at least one cabin wall part is displaceable relative to the other cabin wall parts.

39. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cabin (40) comprises multiple cabin wall parts (41A, 41B, 410), wherein at least two cabin wall parts (41A, 41B) are displaceable towards each other.

40. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, further provided with lighting members (331) of which preferably the colour is changeable.

41. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, further provided with communication means, such as for example a display (D) or a loudspeaker, for announcing an individual message to a person in or at the device.

42. Access control device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a hollow carrying profile (700) with at least one U-profile (751, 752) , which carrying profile (700) has an inner space (701) inside which a sensor house (710) is arranged.

43. Access control device according to claim 42, wherein the inner space (701) has an end wall (704) directed towards the interior (44) of the cabin (40), and wherein the carrying profile (700) a smooth, partly concavely bent and partly convexly bent side wall (761, 762) between the end wall (704) and the said at least one U-profile (751, 752) .

44. Access control device according to claim 42 or 43, wherein the carrying profile (700) is provided with means for inducing an air flow in the inner space (701) , for cooling the sensor house (710) .

45. Access control device (400) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lock (402) has at least one entrance gate (431) and at least two exit gates (432; 433), and wherein the cabin (440) can be rotated to:

- an entry position wherein a passage gate (442) in the cabin wall (441) is aligned with an entrance gate (431) of the lock

(402);

- a first exit position wherein a passage gate (442 [fig. 8D] ; 443 [fig. 8E] ) in the cabin wall (441) is aligned with a first exit gate (432) of the lock (402); - a second exit position wherein a passage gate (443) in the cabin wall (441) is aligned with a second exit gate (433) of the lock (402) ;

- an intermediate position wherein the cabin wall (441) substantially closes the entrance gate (431) and the two exit gates (432; 433) .

46. Access control device according to claim 45, wherein the cabin (440) can be rotated to a passage position wherein a first passage gate (443) in the cabin wall (441) is aligned with an entrance gate (431) of the lock (402) and wherein a second passage gate (442) in the cabin wall (441) is aligned with an exit gate (433) of the lock (402) .

47. Access control device according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the at least one detector (250) is adapted for detecting an authorization feature, and for issuing an authorization signal (Sa) if an authorization feature is detected; wherein the control member (8), in response to receiving the authorization signal (Sa) from at least one detector (250) , is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (440) rotate to a first exit position; and wherein the control member (8), when a timely authorization signal from at least one detector (250) is lacking, or in response to receiving a rejection signal from at least one detector (250) , is adapted to control the drive means (M) in order to make the cabin (440) rotate to a second exit position.