WO2022049474A1

WO2022049474A1 - An access control system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2022049474A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/057907
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald MANGENA
Original assignee: Salakwanda General Dealer (Pty) Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-09-02
Filing date: 2021-08-30
Publication date: 2022-03-10

Abstract

The invention relates to an access control system 10 and method 40 for automatically controlling access to a premises. To this end, the access control system 10 includes an access control unit 12 which includes a processor 14, a temperature screening device 24, a sanitizer dispenser 23, a GUI 16, access control device 25, and a user identification device 18 in the form of a camera, amongst other components. The access control unit 12 is an integrated, portable, walkthrough structure which is configured to identify and authenticate a user and then to determine whether or not the user should be permitted to enter the premises by performing health screening by way of temperature measurement and completion of a health questionnaire, and sanitization of the user's hands prior to automatically opening the access control device 25, provided that an output result based upon the above is favourable.

Description

AN ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to access control systems as well as to infectious disease screening, sanitization, identification and health screening of individuals prior to admittance to a premises or area.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

With an outbreak of an infectious disease, there are several risk factors associated with movement of infected people which could lead to further spreading of the disease. To mitigate these risk factors, there is a need for a screening system which is configured to detect infected individuals or potential carriers of the disease and in response thereto to take steps to reduce the risk of the disease spreading. One known way of early detection is through temperature screening of individuals before granting them access to a premises. Government regulations may prescribe that additional measures or protocols be followed, for example, hand sanitation, wearing of a face mask, keeping of a register of people who entered a building including their contact details for purposes of contact tracing, and completion of a symptom screening questionnaire. Ordinarily, paper-based systems are used for this purpose. This is a tedious, time consuming task and retention and maintenance of records becomes an administrative burden. In some instances, paper records may need to be captured electronically which is another onerous, tedious task.

The Applicant is aware of a health screening system offering an electronic or software-based screening program which is configured to provide a health score following the screening. That said, this health screening system is a standalone system functioning independently.

Current access control systems function in isolation of health screening systems. Many of these access control systems require human intervention which can compromise social distancing requirements. Conventional access control systems are fixed, permanent installations which require a significant amount of time to setup and install. Furthermore, if the installation is to be moved from one location to another, dismantling/disassembly of the system may prove laborious, not to mention the burden of reconstructing the system at a new site, if even possible. Out of necessity, dismantling may require breaking down of structures such as walls, flooring, ceilings and rerouting of power and other cabling. In addition, reconstruction or reinstallation may require fabrication of structures and walls to accommodate the system. These conventional access control systems are inflexible and rigid in terms of installation requirements and are fixed, immobile installations absent of health screening.

The present invention aims to alleviate the drawbacks discussed above.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an access control system which is configured automatically to control access of users to/from a premises or area, the access control system including at least one access control unit which includes: a processor; a temperature screening device which is communicatively linked to the processor and is configured automatically to measure a user’s body temperature and to feed the measured body temperature to the processor; a dispenser which is coupled to the processor and, when activated, is configured to dispense sanitizer or disinfectant to the user in order to disinfect at least part of the user’s body; and an admittance output device which is coupled to the processor and is configured to output a result indicative of whether or not the user is granted passage by the access control system, wherein the result is dependent upon a signal received from the processor, and wherein the admittance output device is configured automatically: to output a positive result, which serves to communicate that user passage is granted, provided that the measured body temperature of the user falls within a predefined safe range and the dispenser was activated by the user; and to output a negative result, which serves to communicate that user passage is denied, if the measured body temperature falls outside of the safe range and/or if the dispenser was not activated by the user.

The access control system may include a remote server which is communicatively linked to the access control unit via a wired/wireless communication network.

The admittance output device may take the form of an audio and/or visual indicator. The visual indicator may be a light which is configured to illuminate in at least two different colours. The audio indicator may be a buzzer or siren or other audio output device. The admittance output device may include an access control device which is coupled to the processor and is movable between an open state in which passage is granted to the user and a closed state in which the access control device prevents passage of the user through the access control unit.

The access control unit may take the form of a portable, walkthrough structure. Accordingly, the access control device may include a turnstile or boom-barrier gate. Actuation of the access control device may be controlled by the processor. The access control unit may include a base which defines a pair of laterally extending forklift or pallet jack openings which facilitate easy transportation of the access control unit using either a forklift or pallet jack. Also, the access control unit may include a U-shaped structure mounted to the base. The base and U-shaped structure may together define a walkway therethrough.

The access control unit may be portable. The access control unit may be unmanned, i.e. may be automated.

The access control unit may include a user identification device. The user identification device may include at least one biometric sensor which is configured to identify the user based upon measurement of a biometric parameter of the user. The biometric sensor may include a fingerprint reader. The biometric sensor may include a palm recognizer. Alternatively, or in addition, the user identification device may include a camera for performing facial recognition using a facial recognition module. The user identification device may also include a scanner configured to scan an identification document or card of the user. The scanner may be configured to read or scan QR codes. To this end, the access control unit may include memory coupled to the processor. The memory may be configured to store the facial recognition module. The scanner may be conventional identification document/passport/driver’s licence scanner which is coupled to the processor and is configured to identify a user by scanning their identification document.

The access control unit may include a graphical user interface which is coupled to the processor. The graphical user interface may be configured to display a questionnaire to the user. Answers to the questionnaire may be received via the graphical user interface as user inputs.

The access control unit may include a communication module which is coupled to the processor and is configured to communicate with the remote server via the wired/wireless network.

Furthermore, the access control unit may include a metal detector which is configured to detect metal carried on the user’s person or in their personal belongings such as rucksacks, handbags etc. and to raise an alarm and deny the user access via the access control device, if need be. The metal detector may also be coupled to the processor.

The facial recognition module may be configured to detect whether or not the user is wearing a particular item of clothing, i.e. a face mask.

The dispenser may be activated by the processor in response to detection of the user at a specific location. The dispenser may therefore include a proximity sensor or the like to detect when a user is in close proximity to a dispenser nozzle. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling access of users to/from a premises or area using an access control system as described above, the method including: screening, using the temperature screening device, the user to determine whether a measured body temperature falls within a predefined safe range; automatically dispensing, using the dispenser, disinfectant in order to disinfect at least part of the user’s body; determining, using the processor, based upon input signals received from the temperature screening device and the dispenser, whether or not the user should be granted access to/from the premises by calculating an output result; and automatically outputting either a negative or positive output result, using the admittance output device, wherein, a positive output result serves to indicate that the screening and dispensing steps were successful and, accordingly, the user is granted passage; and a negative output result serves to indicate that either one or both of the screening and the dispensing steps were unsuccessful and, accordingly, the user is denied passage.

The method may include receiving, via a graphical user interface or communication device coupled to the processor, answers to a questionnaire completed by the user. The method may include compiling a user risk profile, using the processor, based upon the user’s answers in response to the questionnaire and the measured body temperature of the user.

The method may include the prior step of identifying, using the user identification device, the user. Identifying the user may include performing facial recognition using a facial recognition module. The method may include reporting, using the access control unit, the output result to the remote server in the event that the output result is negative.

The invention extends to a computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the access control system as described above, enable the access control system to perform any of the method steps described above. The system stores all records of transactions that have been processed by the processor including taking an image of the individual who was processed by the system for access as well as the results of the processing. This information is stored in memory on a database that is linked to an analytics and reporting system or module that is used for pulling reports either automatically or by a user running specific queries of interest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a functional block diagram of an access control system in accordance with a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method of controlling user access to/from a premises in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a first exemplary embodiment of an access control unit in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the access control unit;

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional view of a third exemplary embodiment of the access control unit;

Figure 6A shows a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of a kiosk-style version of the access control unit in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6B shows a side view of the access control unit of Figure 6A;

Figure 7A shows a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of a walkthrough access control unit in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7B shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 7A;

Figure 7C shows a front view of the embodiment of Figure 7A; and

Figure 8 shows a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of a swing-type access control unit in accordance with another aspect of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

In Figure 1 , reference numeral 10 refers generally to an access control system for controlling access of a user to/from premises in accordance with the invention. The system 10 includes at least one access control unit 12 and a remote server 13 which are communicatively linked via a wireless network 11 . The remote server 13 may be a localised or distributed, i.e. a cloud-based server. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access control unit 12 is a portable unit which includes a processor 14, a communication module 15 coupled to the processor 14 and configured to communicate with the remote server 13 via the network 11 , a graphical user interface 16, and memory 17. In order to identify a user, the access control unit 12 includes a user identification device 18 which includes any one or more of a conventional barcode, RFID or QR code scanner 18.1 , a camera 18.2, and a biometric sensor 18.3. The biometric sensor 18.3 may be a fingerprint reader, palm or iris scanner or other suitable biometric reader. In terms of software, the access control unit 12 includes a facial recognition module 20 which is stored in memory 17 and is configured to perform facial recognition of an image or video footage received from the camera 18.2. The facial recognition module 20 may also be configured to detect whether a user is wearing a prescribed item of clothing, such as a face mask, before granting them access. The facial recognition module 20 may be configured to identify users even while they are wearing masks. As is conventional with access control systems, the access control unit 12 further includes a metal detector 22. The access control unit 12 also includes a sanitizer dispenser 23 which is coupled to the processor 14. The sanitizer dispenser 23 may include a proximity sensor which is configured to detect the presence of a user in response to which it is configured automatically to dispense a predefined dose of disinfectant in order to disinfect a part of the user’s body, i.e. their hands and/or feet. Each time a user attends the access control unit 12, the processor 14 is configured to receive notification of whether or not the sanitizer dispenser 23 has been activated. The access control unit 12 further includes a temperature screening device 24 which is configured to measure the user’s body temperature to establish whether it falls within a predefined safe zone. The temperature screening device 24 may include an infrared sensor or camera. Accordingly, the temperature screening device 24 may be contactless. Finally, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access control unit 12 includes an access control device 25 or mechanism which is movable between an open position in which the user is granted passage to/from the premises and a closed position in a barrier prevents or restricts the user from gaining access to or exiting the premises.

Reference is now made to Figures 3 to 5, where three different embodiments of exemplary access control units 12.1 , 12.2, 12.3 are illustrated.

The first embodiment of the access control unit 12.1 , shown in Figure 3, takes the form of a kiosk-style unit having an integrated graphical user interface (GUI) 16.1 in the form of a touch screen by way of which a user may interact with and control operation of the access control unit 12.1. The unit 12.1 also includes a sanitizer dispenser 23.1 housed below the GUI 16.1 and an user identification device 18 in the form of a camera. The camera may be a thermal camera capable of measuring the user’s body temperature. The user may be required to complete a questionnaire using the graphical user interface 16.1. The other components of the access control unit 12.1 are housed inside a kiosk-style podium 30. In this embodiment, the graphical user interface 16.1 also serves as an admittance output device which is configured to output a result indicative of whether or not the user is granted passage by the access control system 10.

The second embodiment of the access control unit 12.2, shown in Figure 4, includes an inverted U-shaped metal detector 22.2, a pair of opposing boombarrier type gates which form part of an access control device 25.2 of the unit

12.2, a sanitizer dispenser 23.2 mounted to an inside of the metal detector

22.2, a graphical user interface 16.2 and a user identification device 18 in the form of a camera which is also configured to measure the user’s body temperature. The boom-barrier gates are movable relative to the metal detector 22.2 between an open, retracted position in which the user is allowed or permitted to pass through the metal detector 22.2 and a closed position in which the booms of the gates form a barrier across an opening between them thus preventing passage through the metal detector 22.2. The access control unit may further include a breathalyser.

The third embodiment of the access control unit 12.3, shown in Figure 5, includes an access control device 25.3 which includes a swing or swivel-type boom gate 33 which is connected to a podium 32 for controlling user passage through the unit. Similar to the other units, this unit 12.3 also includes a GUI

16.3, sanitizer dispenser 23.3 disposed below the GUI 16.3 and a user identification device 18. Retractable pole and rope barriers may define a pathway through the unit 12.3 as shown in Figure 5.

Reference is now made to Figure 2 which illustrates a method 40 of controlling user access to/from a premises using the access control system 10 as described above. It will be appreciated that the portable access control unit 12 may be installed at the entrance/exit of any premises where access control is to be implemented. The unit 12 is also configured automatically to perform health/symptom screening of individuals to establish whether or not an individual is fit to enter the premises prior to granting them access.

Accordingly, before being granted access to the premises, the user is required to approach the unit 12 and to stand in front of the user identification device 18 so that facial recognition can be performed 42. If the user is a first-time user, the user is required to register 43 by entering personal details via the GUI 16. An image of the user’s face will then be captured using the camera 18.2 and stored in memory 17 and/or uploaded to the remote server 13.

Remote user registration or onboarding may be performed using a mobile application on the user’s smartphone or alternatively via a web interface. First, the mobile application may be configured to scan or capture an image of a personal identification document of the user. The mobile application is configured to extract user data from the scan ned/captu red identity document by way of one or more of barcode, QR code scanning or Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The application may further verify authenticity of the identity document used in registration against saved data on another remote server. The registration process may further require that the user input their email and/or cell phone number after which they will receive a text/email to verify their number or email. Next, the user may be required to upload a selfportrait image or “selfie”. This image may form the basis upon which facial recognition is performed. Alternatively, the selfie may be compared against an image extracted from the personal identification document to authenticate the user. Upon completion of registration, a QR code may be generated which the user may present at the access control unit 12 as identification, instead of facial recognition. The registered user’s identity information is stored in memory and may be encrypted using the biometric liveness so that it can only be accessed when their biometric information is presented. The access control system 10 is configured to create reports and may provide information for contact tracing.

If the user is a registered user 41 , the facial recognition module 20 will identify the user or, alternatively, the user may be identified by scanning of the QR code created during user registration. Accordingly, a user profile associated with the user is retrieved from memory 17 or from the remote server 13 via the network 11 . The user profile may stipulate which user-specific requirements need to be satisfied before the user may be granted access. The facial recognition module 20 may be configured to check whether or not the user is wearing a face mask.

The user is then presented with a survey or health screening questionnaire which must be completed. This can be performed via the GUI 16 or via a mobile application on the user’s smartphone. The unit 12 receives 44 the user’s answers to the questionnaire and stores them against the user’s profile. The user’s answers may impact upon whether the user will be granted access or not. Then temperature screening 45 is performed by measuring the user’s body temperature using the contactless thermal camera. This thermal camera may be incorporated into the camera 18.2. Provided that the user’s measured body temperature falls within the predefined safe zone 46, which will be an indication that the user does not have a fever caused by a viral infection, the user is required to present their hands to the sanitizer dispenser 23 which is configured to detect the presence of the user’s hands and, in response thereto, automatically to dispense 47 disinfectant into and over the user’s hands. If, however, the user’s measured body temperature falls outside of the safe zone, user access to the premises is denied 50 and details of the user profile may be forwarded to the remote server 13 via the wireless network 11 for the purposes of reporting 52 their condition or risk profile to health authorities or other interested parties.

In the case of the access control unit 12.2 including the metal detector 22.2, provided that user access has not been denied, the user passes through the metal detector 22.2 which performs metal detection 48 in conventional fashion. The method 40 further includes calculating 49, using the processor 14, a user risk profile based upon the user’s answers to the questionnaire as well as measured body temperature. Based upon the outcome of the measured body temperature, dispenser activation and user risk profile, the processor 14 is configured to decide 51 whether or not the user should be granted access by the access control device 25. If the dispenser 23 was not activated since the user was identified, or the measured body temperature of the user was not in the safe range or the user risk profile indicates that the user should not be granted access, the user will be denied access 50 by the access control unit 12. This may be communicated by an admittance output device audial ly/visually through use of an illuminated light, siren, buzzer, or via the graphical user interface 16. However, if the user risk profile indicates that the user is low risk and can be admitted or granted access, and the measured body temperature of the user is within the safe range and the dispenser 23 was activated after user identification took place, the user is granted access by opening 53 of the access control device 25.

Through use of the scanner 18.1 , the access control unit 12 can verify the authenticity of a user identification document being presented by the user, i.e. a passport, ID, driver’s license. In cases where user identification is not important the device will take a time-stamped picture of the person as they go through which will be stored in memory.

User registration may be performed via the mobile application, through the graphical user interface 16 at the access control unit 12 or online via a web interface. When answering the questionnaire, the user may be asked to answer questions relating to their recent experience of any symptoms associated with viral infections, i.e. whether they have experienced a dry cough, fever, loss of sense of smell and other related symptoms. The questionnaire further interrogates their previous travel history, and whether they have been exposed to an infected individual or someone with coronavirus or visited a health facility where viral infections have been noted such as COVID-19. This information is tallied using a risk profiling algorithm based on how the individual has answered these questions.

The screening and access control method 40 described above is seamless and automated. Results of the temperature screening may be recorded on the remote server 13 against the user’s profile and together with the results of the electronic questionnaire, the processor 14 calculates 49 the risk profile of the individual. Based on the user risk profile and the other factors mentioned above, the access control system 10 makes a decision 51 regarding whether the access control device 25 should be opened, or whether an alert should be sounded or communicated. The access control system 10 may have capability to further do visual inspection, using the camera 18.2, of individuals for signs of illness which could include flushed cheeks, fatigue or presence of a mask etc.

The walkthrough nature of the access control system 10 ensures that the necessary safety measures are adhered to. In addition, the access control unit 12 is configured to detect if an individual is wearing a face mask. Furthermore, the sanitizer dispenser 23 may be linked to the remote server 13 and the system 10, accordingly, may be able to detect if someone has sanitized their hands before triggering the access control device 25 to open. The design of the access control unit 12 also encourages social distancing as the opening and closing of the access control device 25 allows only one person to pass at a time. In addition, there is no need for an assistant to attend to the unit 12. Security personnel can observe from a distance.

If the metal detector 22 is triggered, the access control device 25 will not be opened. This will imply that the individual will have to gain access via an alternative procedure whereby it can be verified that the individual is not carrying dangerous items.

The remote server 13 runs an analytics system that picks and pulls reports on high-risk profiles in real time, and these are handled using stipulated protocol in terms of who to report to or informing the individual though a notification system to seek further health assistance. This all happens in real-time and is managed and controlled by the server 13. The remote server 13 may also be integrated with third party databases to pull information associated with a user’s profile from these third-party databases. This further information may be used to determine whether to grant or deny access to the user. These databases may include those of testing laboratories to verify test results, or a vaccination database for verification of whether the user was vaccinated.

In Figures 6A and 6B, an alternative embodiment of a kiosk-style access control unit 12.4 is illustrated. The access control unit 12.4 includes an elongate kiosk-style podium 30.4 which is supported on the ground by a squat base or foot. A sanitizer dispenser 23.4 is attached to a front of the podium

30.4 and a tablet 16.4 is installed in a front face of the podium 30.4 toward a top thereof. Above the tablet 16.4, the user identification device 18 in the form of a camera is provided.

Reference is now made to Figures 7A to 7C, where numeral 12.5 designates another embodiment of the access control unit in accordance with the invention. This embodiment takes the form of a portable, walkthrough structure which includes an access control device 25.5 with dual swivel-type barriers that are configured the permit or deny access through a walkway 65 of the access control unit 12.5. To this end, the unit includes a base 61 which defines a pair of laterally extending forklift or pallet jack openings 63 which facilitate easy transportation of the access control unit 12.5 using either a forklift or pallet jack 60, as shown in Figure 7A. The unit 12.5 includes a U- shaped structure 62 mounted to the base 61 which together define the walkway 65 therethrough. Ramps 64 onto the base 61 are provided at opposite ends of the walkway 65. A plurality of vertically extending light strips or LED trunking 66 is provided along opposing uprights of the U-shaped structure 62. The LED trunking 66 may be configured to emit red, green and blue light. The light may indicate a status of the access control unit. The unit

12.5 further includes a graphical user interface 16.5 in the form of a tablet and a user identification device 18 in the form of a camera.

This embodiment of the access control unit 12.5 includes a sanitizer dispensing system which is configured to dispense sanitizer from a storage tank, housed in a compartment 67 adjacent to the U-shaped structure 62, via a dispensing nozzle 68 positioned over a drip tray 69. The unit 12.5 includes a touchless sensor (not shown) which, when activated initiates dispensing of a predetermined dose of sanitizer from the storage tank via the dispensing nozzle 68 using a pump and solenoid valves (not shown) also accommodated in the compartment 67. Other components such as a backup battery and inverter may also be housed in the compartment 67. The sanitizer dispensing system may include a liquid level sensor (not shown) which is configured to communicate to an operator via a text message sent across the mobile communication network when a level of sanitizer in the storage tank is low. The liquid level sensor may include a magnetic float, which rises and falls with the liquid in the tank. Once the liquid, and by extension, the magnet, reaches a certain level, a magnetic Reed switch is activated in response to which a signal is sent to a text message module to send a text to a designated mobile number to inform the person responsible that the sanitiser in the storage tank needs to be refilled. The sanitizer dispensing system is further configured to regulate a volume of sanitizer liquid discharged from the tank. The solenoid valves are used to control the exact volume of sanitizer that is to be dispensed. To regulate the volume of sanitizer discharged and to prevent excessive dripping after dispensing, one solenoid valve regulates discharge and the other regulates excess sanitizer return to the storage tank to prevent excessive dripping. Timing of these solenoid valves are regulated to ensure that the precise volume of liquid is dispensed. The touchless sensor is provided below the dispensing nozzle 68 and activates a discharge solenoid valve to open and therefore allows the liquid to be dispensed. A timer is set to close the discharge solenoid valve and a second timer then opens a second solenoid valve to pull any excess in a discharge pipe back into the storage tank so that only what is required is dispensed via the nozzle.

In Figure 8, reference numeral 12.6 refers generally to a preferred embodiment of a swing or swivel-type access control unit in accordance with the invention. The unit 12.6 includes a raised platform 70 having forward- and rearward-facing ramps 71. The unit 12.6 has a podium 32.6 which stands proud of the platform 70 on one side thereof and a swivel-type access barrier or boom gate 72, which forms part of an access control device 25.6, adjacent thereto for controlling user passage through the unit 12.6 across the platform 70. A U-shaped railing 73 is provided on the platform 70, opposite the podium 32.6 such that a passage is defined over the platform 70. Similar to the other units, this unit 12.6 also includes a GUI in the form of a tablet 16.6, sanitizer dispenser 23.6 disposed below the GUI 16.6 and a user identification device 18 in the form of a camera. Similar to the unit 12.5, the platform 70 of the access control unit 12.6 includes forklift or pallet jack openings for receiving a forklift or pallet jack 60 as shown in Figure 8 which facilitates easy transportation of the unit 12.6. LED trunking is provided on a front face of the podium 32.6.

As has been illustrated, the access control system 10 is an all-in-one portable system that provides for physical distancing during access control, hand sanitization, wearing of masks, and symptom screening before entry is allowed.

The system 10 in accordance with the invention provides a dignified, safe way of implementing security, health and safety measures for people entering a place of interest. It does this by incorporating different technologies into one, fully automated “all-in-one system” that is offered as a plug and play solution. Conventional prior art access control systems do not have built-in infectious disease screening capabilities and sanitisation capabilities which are coupled to parameters of the access control system to grant or deny access. The invention provides an all-in-one system that identifies the individual, sanitizes their hands and then does an infectious disease screening and uses the outcome of these steps as parameters to grant or deny access to the user, whereas traditional systems use identification as the only parameter to grant or deny access.

A further advantage of the access control unit 12 is that it is portable which means that it can be easily moved from one location to another.

In some instances, pretesting of individuals and/or verification of vaccination details may be required before an individual would be granted access to a premises such as restaurants, public events and travel hubs like airports and train stations. To this end, the system 10 can be used to verify and authenticate PCR tests and vaccination details of individuals through integration with third party databases. Where required, the system is configured to pull information on test results or vaccination details to determine if a person being screened and verified meets the required parameters before granting them access. The access control system 10, access control units 12 and method 40 in accordance with the invention provide for access control, infectious disease screening, fever detection, identification and identity document verification, disease test results and vaccination verification, sanitization, face mask detection and health screening of individuals prior to admittance to a premises or area. The system is further enabled to integrate with other systems used for implementing access protocols which include third party software applications used by individuals requiring access to an area to share their test and vaccination results in a verifiable manner. Measurement of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), or detection of metallic objects on people, such as knives and weapons can also be performed using the system 10 prior to admittance to a premises or area. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 7A - 7C and 8, a walkthrough structure or mechanism is provided which is integrated with a physical access barrier apparatus or access control device which provides a complete solution configured to grant or deny access based on parameters set on the system. Information collected by the system is collected in a database from which analytics programs can be run for real-time and historical reporting to enable real time monitoring and contact tracing.

The access control system 10, units 12 and method 40 of controlling access provide an all-in-one, fully automated solution which addresses all aspects relating to infectious disease screening for access control in one integrated, mobile access control unit 12 that can be easily moved and deployed from one place to another. Integration of automated health screening with access control enables effortless compliance with prescribed Covid 19 and infectious disease protocols which also lowers the risk of transmission.

The various access control units 12 in accordance with the invention are mobile, and easily movable and can be used as a plug and play solution.

Claims

1 . An access control system which is configured automatically to control access of users to/from a premises or area, the access control system including at least one access control unit which includes: a processor; a temperature screening device which is communicatively linked to the processor and is configured automatically to measure a user’s body temperature and to feed the measured body temperature to the processor; a dispenser which is coupled to the processor and, when activated, is configured to dispense sanitizer or disinfectant to the user in order to disinfect at least part of the user’s body; and an admittance output device which is coupled to the processor and is configured to output a result indicative of whether or not the user is granted passage by the access control system, wherein the result is dependent upon a signal received from the processor, and wherein the admittance output device is configured automatically: to output a positive result, which serves to communicate that user passage is granted, provided that the measured body temperature of the user falls within a predefined safe range and the dispenser was activated by the user; and to output a negative result, which serves to communicate that user passage is denied, if the measured body temperature falls outside of the safe range and/or if the dispenser was not activated by the user.

2. The access control system as claimed in claim 1 , including a remote server which is communicatively linked to the access control unit via a wired/wireless communication network.

3. The access control system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the admittance output device takes the form of an audio and/or visual indicator.

4. The access control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the admittance output device includes an access control device which is coupled to the processor and is movable between an open state in which passage is granted to the user and a closed state in which the access control device prevents passage of the user through the access control unit.

5. The access control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the access control unit takes the form of a portable, walkthrough structure.

6. The access control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein actuation of the access control device is controlled by the processor and the access control device includes a turnstile or barrier gate.

7. The access control system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the access control unit includes: a base which defines a pair of laterally extending forklift or pallet jack openings which facilitate easy transportation of the access control unit using either a forklift or pallet jack; and a U-shaped structure mounted to the base, the base and U-shaped structure together defining a walkway therethrough.

8. The access control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access control unit includes a user identification device including at least one biometric sensor which is configured to identify the user based upon measurement of a biometric parameter of the user, and wherein the user identification device includes a camera for performing facial recognition using a facial recognition module and a scanner configured to scan an identification document or card of the user, the access control unit including memory coupled to the processor, the memory being configured to store the facial recognition module.

9. The access control system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the scanner is configured to read or scan QR codes.

10. The access control system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the facial recognition module is configured to detect whether or not the user is wearing a facemask.

11 . The access control system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the access control unit includes: a graphical user interface which is coupled to the processor, the graphical user interface being configured to display a questionnaire to the user, the access control unit being configured to receive answers to the questionnaire, as user inputs, via the graphical user interface; and a communication module which is coupled to the processor and is configured to communicate with the remote server via the wired/wireless network.

12. The access control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the access control unit includes a metal detector which is configured to detect metal carried on the user’s person or in their personal belongings and to raise an alarm and deny the user access via the access control device, if need be.

13. A method of controlling access of users to/from a premises or area using the access control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method including: screening, using the temperature screening device, the user to determine whether a measured body temperature falls within a predefined safe range; automatically dispensing, using the dispenser, disinfectant in order to disinfect at least part of the user’s body; determining, using the processor, based upon input signals received from the temperature screening device and the dispenser, whether or not the user should be granted access to/from the premises by calculating an output result; and automatically outputting either a negative or positive output result, using the admittance output device, wherein, a positive output result serves to indicate that the screening and dispensing steps were successful and, accordingly, the user is granted passage; and a negative output result serves to indicate that either one or both of the screening and the dispensing steps were unsuccessful and, accordingly, the user is denied passage.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, which includes: receiving, via a graphical user interface or communication device coupled to the processor, answers to a questionnaire completed by the user; and compiling a user risk profile, using the processor, based upon the user’s answers in response to the questionnaire and the measured body temperature of the user.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, which includes: the prior step of identifying, using a user identification device, the user by performing facial recognition using a facial recognition module; and reporting, using the access control unit, the output result to a remote server in the event that the output result is negative.

16. A computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the access control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, enable the access control system to perform the method steps described in any one of claims 13 to 15.

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