WO2021209674A1 - An access control system and a method for controlling an access control system - Google Patents

An access control system and a method for controlling an access control system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021209674A1
WO2021209674A1 PCT/FI2020/050247 FI2020050247W WO2021209674A1 WO 2021209674 A1 WO2021209674 A1 WO 2021209674A1 FI 2020050247 W FI2020050247 W FI 2020050247W WO 2021209674 A1 WO2021209674 A1 WO 2021209674A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
group
users
gate device
control system
access
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2020/050247
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jussi Laurila
Visa Rauta
Original Assignee
Kone Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kone Corporation filed Critical Kone Corporation
Priority to PCT/FI2020/050247 priority Critical patent/WO2021209674A1/en
Publication of WO2021209674A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021209674A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/30—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/32—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check
    • G07C9/37—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06V—IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
    • G06V20/00—Scenes; Scene-specific elements
    • G06V20/50—Context or environment of the image
    • G06V20/52—Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects
    • G06V20/53—Recognition of crowd images, e.g. recognition of crowd congestion
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06V—IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
    • G06V40/00—Recognition of biometric, human-related or animal-related patterns in image or video data
    • G06V40/10—Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
    • G06V40/16—Human faces, e.g. facial parts, sketches or expressions
    • G06V40/172—Classification, e.g. identification
    • G06V40/173—Classification, e.g. identification face re-identification, e.g. recognising unknown faces across different face tracks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06V—IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
    • G06V40/00—Recognition of biometric, human-related or animal-related patterns in image or video data
    • G06V40/50—Maintenance of biometric data or enrolment thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C9/00563—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/10—Movable barriers with registering means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06V—IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
    • G06V40/00—Recognition of biometric, human-related or animal-related patterns in image or video data
    • G06V40/10—Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
    • G06V40/16—Human faces, e.g. facial parts, sketches or expressions

Definitions

  • the invention concerns in general the technical field of access control. Espe cially the invention concerns access control systems.
  • passage devices such as security gates, elevator doors, automatic doors, and building doors
  • the access control ena bles that only authorized users may have access through the passage device.
  • the access control may be based on using keycards; tags; identification codes; such as personal identity number (PIN) code, ID number; and/or bio metric technologies, such as fingerprint, facial recognition, iris recognition, reti nal scan, voice recognition, etc.
  • PIN personal identity number
  • bio metric technologies such as fingerprint, facial recognition, iris recognition, reti nal scan, voice recognition, etc.
  • each user needs a separate au thorized access via the passage device.
  • the access control is based on facial recognition
  • each member of the group e.g. visiting group, need to have authorization to access via the passage device.
  • each member of the group needs to be separately identified with the facial recognition in order to provide access via the passage device, which may be slow and time-consuming.
  • An objective of the invention is to present an access control system and a method for controlling an access control system. Another objective of the in vention is that the access control system and the method for controlling an ac cess control system enables an effortless access for a group of users via a gate device.
  • an access control system comprising: a gate device, at least one imaging device configured to obtain image data, and a control unit configured to: receive the image data from the at least one imaging device, detect and identify an author ized user approaching the gate device based on the received image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by using facial recognition- based identification, obtain group mode information indicating that a group of users is accompanied with the authorized user, and control the gate device to operate in a group mode in which the gate device is configured to allow access for the group of users along with the authorized user via the gate device.
  • the group of users may comprise one or more unauthorized users.
  • the group mode information may be obtained from an external database in re sponse to identifying the authorized user and/or by receiving user indication.
  • the control unit may further be configured to control the gate device to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the obtained im age data that the authorized user accesses via the gate device or receiving user indication.
  • control unit may be configured to register each member of the group of users to belong to the group based on the received image data by using facial recognition-based identification, when the group of users access via the gate device.
  • control unit may further be configured to control at least one passage device to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users or at least one member registered to belong to the group along with the authorized user via the at least one passage device.
  • the registering may comprise identifying one or more members of the group of users as anonymous authorized members of the group of users allowed to access via at least one passage device without the authorized user.
  • the at least one passage device may comprise at least one of: at least one other gate device, elevator door, automatic door, building door.
  • control unit may be configured to override the facial recognition-based identification according to a predefined condition.
  • the predefined condition may define: a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification, and/or number of users of the group for which the access via the gate device is provided in the group mode.
  • control unit may further be configured to gener ate a control signal to an elevator control system being communicatively cou pled to the access control system, wherein the control signal may comprise an instruction to generate an elevator call to allocate an elevator car for the au thorized user and the group of users accompanied with the authorized user.
  • a method for controlling an access control sys tem comprises: receiving image data from at least one imaging device, detecting and identifying an authorized user ap proaching a gate device based on the received image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by using facial recognition-based identifica tion, obtaining group mode information indicating that a group of users is ac integrated with the authorized user, and controlling the gate device to operate in a group mode in which the gate device is configured to allow access for the group of users along with the authorized user via the gate device.
  • the group of users may comprise one or more unauthorized users.
  • the group mode information may be obtained from an external database in re sponse to identifying the authorized user and/or by receiving user interaction.
  • the method may further comprise controlling the gate device to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the obtained image data that the authorized user accesses via the gate device or receiving user indica tion.
  • the method may comprise registering each member of the group of users to belong to the group based on the received image data by using facial recognition-based identification, when the group of users ac cess via the gate device.
  • the method may further comprise controlling at least one passage device to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users or at least one member registered to belong to the group along with the authorized user via the at least one passage device.
  • the registering may comprise identifying one or more members of the group of users as anonymous authorized members of the group of users allowed to access via at least one passage device without the authorized user.
  • the at least one passage device may comprise at least one of: at least one other gate device, elevator door, automatic door, building door.
  • the method may comprise overriding the facial recognition-based identification according to a predefined condition.
  • the predefined condition may define: a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification, and/or number of users of the group for which the access via the gate device is provided in the group mode.
  • the method may further comprise generating a con trol signal to an elevator control system being communicatively coupled to the access control system, wherein the control signal may comprise an instruction to generate an elevator call to allocate an elevator car for the authorized user and the group of users accompanied with the authorized user.
  • Figure 1 illustrates schematically an example of an access control system ac cording to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates schematically another example of an access control system according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates schematically another example of an access control system according to the invention.
  • Figure 4 illustrates schematically an example of a method according to the in vention.
  • Figure 5 illustrates schematically an example of components of a control unit according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an example of an access control system 100 according to the invention.
  • the access control system 100 comprises a gate device 102 allowing access for users via the gate device 102, at least one im aging device 104 configured to obtain image data, and a control unit 106.
  • the invention is described next by using one gate device 102.
  • the inven tion is not limited to that and the access control system 100 according to the invention may comprise more than one gate device 102 each configured to operate as will be described by referring to the one gate device 102.
  • the at least one imaging device 104 may comprise an optical imaging device, e.g. at least one camera.
  • the at least one imaging device 104 may enable de- tection and/or identification of a user 108, 110a-110n at a distance away from the gate device 102.
  • the distance may be e.g. between 0 to 10 meters from the gate device 102 and preferably between 1 to 2 meters, 1 to 3 meters or 1 to 5 meters.
  • the at least one imaging device 104 may be arranged to the gate device 102 as illustrated in the example of Figure 1 or in a vicinity of, i.e. close to, the gate device 102, e.g. to a wall, a ceiling and/or to a separate support device.
  • the control unit 106 is configured to control one or more operations of the ac cess control system 100.
  • the control unit 106 may be external entity or it may be implemented as a part of the gate device 102. In the example of Figure 1 the control unit 106 is an external entity.
  • the external entity herein means an entity that locates separate from the gate device 102.
  • the implementation of the control unit 106 may be done as a stand-alone control entity or as a dis tributed control environment between a plurality of stand-alone control entities, such as a plurality of servers providing distributed control resource.
  • the control unit 106 may be communicatively coupled to the gate device 102, at least one imaging device 104, and any other entities of the access control system 100.
  • the communication between the control unit 106 and the other entities of the access control system 100 may be based on one or more known communica tion technologies, either wired or wireless.
  • the gate device 102 may comprise a barrier device, such as door panel(s), turnstile, boom or any other barrier device, for preventing unauthorized users without an access via the gate device 102.
  • the gate device 102 may comprise one or more alarm devices, e.g. visual and/or audio alarm devices, for generating an alarm, if an unauthorized user without an ac cess via the gate device 102 attempts to pass through the gate device 102.
  • the gate device 102 may be by default at a state allowing an unrestricted ac cess via the gate device 102. In other words, the gate device 102 is main tained at the state allowing the unrestricted access via the gate device 102.
  • the control unit 106 may be configured to control the bar rier device to prevent, i.e. restrict, the access via the gate device 102, e.g. by closing the barrier device of the gate device 102.
  • the control unit 106 may be configured to control the one or more alarm devic es to generate an alarm to indicate an access of an unauthorized user, if the received image data relates to an unauthorizes user without an access via the gate device 102.
  • the gate device 102 may be by default at a state preventing, i.e. restricting, the access of the users via the gate device 102, i.e.
  • the gate device 102 may be in a closed state. If the received image data re lates to an authorized user 108 with an access via the gate device 102a the control unit 106 may be configured to control the barrier device to provide the access via the gate device 102a, e.g. by opening the barrier device of the gate device 102.
  • the control unit 106 is configured to receive the image data from the at least one imaging device 104.
  • the control unit 106 is further configured to detect and identify an authorized user 108 approaching the gate device 102 based on the received image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by using facial recognition-based identification.
  • the control unit 106 is configured to determine based on the re ceived image data and prestored data associated with the authorized users, whether the image data relates to the authorized user 108 or not. In other words, the received image data may be compared to the prestored data in or der to find a possible match from the prestored data.
  • the prestored data may be stored in a memory or database connected to the control unit 106, or in a cloud service accessible via a network connection.
  • image data relating to people regularly residing, e.g. working or living, in the building may have been prestored in the memory or database.
  • control unit 106 After identification of the authorized user 108 the control unit 106 is configured to obtain group mode information indicating that a group of users 110 is ac integrated with the authorized user 108. In response to obtaining the group mode information, the control unit 106 is configured to control the gate device 102 to operate in a group mode. In the group mode the gate device 102 is con figured to allow, i.e. provide, access for the group of users 110 along with the authorized user 108 via the gate device 102.
  • control unit 106 is configured to control the gate device 102 to maintain at the state allowing the unrestricted access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102, if the gate device 102 is by default at the state allowing an unrestricted access via the gate device 102, or the control unit 106 may be configured to control the barrier device of the gate device 102 to provide the access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102a, if the gate device 102 is by default at the state restricting the access via the gate device 102 as discussed above.
  • This enables that members of the group of users 110 do not need to be identified since the authorized user 108, i.e. their host, is responsi ble for the group of users 110 and the access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102 is allowed only when the authorized user 108 is present.
  • the group of users 110 may comprises one or more unauthorized users 110a- 110n.
  • the group mode information indicating that the group of users 110 is accom panied with the authorized user 108 may be obtained from an external data base communicatively coupled to the control unit 106 in response to identifying the authorized user 108.
  • the group mode infor mation indicating that the group of users 110 is accompanied with the author ized user 108 may be obtained by receiving user indication.
  • the gate device 102 may comprise a user interface comprising I/O devices, e.g. buttons, key board, touch screen, microphone, display and so on, for receiving input and outputting information.
  • the control unit 106 may receive the user indication via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. via a user in teraction by the authorized user 108.
  • the authorized user may activate the group mode via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. by pushing a button or touching a touch screen.
  • the control unit 106 may further be configured to control the gate device 102 to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the ob tained image data that the authorized user 108 accesses via the gate device 102.
  • the authorized user 108 is the last person to access via the gate device 102 after the group of users 110 as an indication that the group mode operation of the gate device 102 may be ended.
  • the control unit 106 may further be configured to control the gate device 102 to end to operate in the group mode in response to receiving user indication indi cating ending of the group mode.
  • the control unit 106 may receive the user in dication via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. via a user interaction by the authorized user 108.
  • the authorized user may inactivate the group mode via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. by pushing a button or touching a touch screen.
  • the control unit 106 may be config- ured to register, i.e. determine, each member 110a-110n of the group of users 110 to belong to said group 110 based on the received image data from the at least one imaging device 104 by using facial recognition-based identification when the group of users 110 access via the gate device 102.
  • Figure 2 illus trates an example situation, wherein the group of users 110 are accessing via the gate device 102 one by one.
  • Each member 110a-110n of the group of us ers 110 may be registered, when said member 110a-110n is approaching the gate device 102 to access via the gate device 102.
  • the member 110a has already registered and accessed via the gate device 102 and the member 110b is under registering or to be registered next, when approaching the gate device 102 to access via the gate device 102.
  • the con trol unit 106 may further be configured to control at least one passage device 302 residing inside the same building as the gate device 102 to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users 110 or at least one member 110a-110n registered to belong to the group 110 along with the au thorized user 108 via the at least one passage device 302.
  • the control unit 106 may be communicatively coupled to the passage device 302.
  • the at least one passage device 302 may comprise at least one of: at least one other gate device, eleva tor door, automatic door, building door.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates schematically an example of an access control system 100 according to the in vention, wherein the control unit 106 is configure to control an elevator door, which is the passage device 302 in this example, to operate in the group mode to allow the access for the group of users 110 along with the authorized user 108 via the elevator door into an elevator car.
  • the control unit 106 may further be configured to control the at least one passage device 302 to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on imaging data received from at least one imaging device 104 that the authorized user 108 accesses via the at least one passage device 302 or in response to receiving user indi cation.
  • the image data is obtained from a second imaging device 104b arranged next to the elevator door, which second imaging device 104b may belong to the at least one imaging device 104 of the access control system 100.
  • the registering may comprise identifying one or more members 110a-110n of the group of users 110 as anonymous authorized members of the group of users 110 allowed to access via the at least one pas sage device 302 without the authorized user 108. This enables an effortless access for one or more members 110a-110n of the group of users 110 even without the authorized user 108 via at least one other gate device and/or one or more doors inside the same building.
  • the control unit 106 may be config ured to override the facial recognition-based identification according to a pre defined condition without registering the members 110a-110n of the group of users 110.
  • the predefined condition may define a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification and/or number of users of the group 110 for which the access via the gate de vice 102 is allowed in the group mode of the gate device 102.
  • the obtained group mode information indicating that the group of users 110 is ac integrated with the authorized user 108 may comprise the duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification and/or the number of members belonging to the group of users 110.
  • the access control system 100 may be communicatively to an elevator, e.g. to an elevator control system.
  • the control unit 106 may further be configured to generate a control signal to the elevator control system, wherein the control signal comprises an instruction to generate an elevator call to allocate an elevator car for the au thorized user 108 and the group of users 110 accompanied with the authorized user 108.
  • Figure 4 schematically illustrates the invention as a flow chart.
  • the control unit 106 receives image data from the at least one imaging device 104.
  • the control unit further detects and identi- fies an authorized user 108 approaching the gate device 102 based on the re ceived image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by us ing facial recognition-based identification.
  • the control unit 106 determines based on the received image data and prestored data associated with the authorized users, whether the image data relates to the authorized user 108 or not. In other words, the received im age data may be compared to the prestored data in order to find a possible match from the prestored data.
  • the prestored data may be stored in a memory or database connected to the control unit 106, or in a cloud service accessible via a network connection. For example, if the access control system 100 is ar ranged in a building, image data relating to people regularly residing, e.g. working or living, in the building may have been prestored in the memory or database.
  • the control unit 106 obtains group mode information indicating that a group of users 110 is accompanied with the authorized user 108.
  • the control unit 106 controls the gate device 102 to operate in a group mode. In the group mode the gate device 102 allows, i.e. provides, access for the group of users 110 along with the authorized user 108 via the gate device 102.
  • control unit 106 is configured to control the gate device 102 to maintain at the state allowing the unrestricted access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102, if the gate device 102 is by default at the state allowing an unrestricted access via the gate device 102, or the control unit 106 may be configured to control the barrier device of the gate de vice 102 to provide the access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102a, if the gate device 102 is by default at the state restricting the access via the gate device 102 as discussed above.
  • This enables that members of the group of users 110 do not need to be identified since the authorized user 108, i.e. their host, is responsible for the group of users 110 and the access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102 is allowed only when the author ized user 108 is present.
  • the group of users 110 may comprises one or more unauthorized users 110a-110n.
  • the group mode information indicating that the group of users 110 is accom panied with the authorized user 108 may be obtained from an external data base communicatively coupled to the control unit 106 in response to identifying the authorized user 108.
  • the group mode infor- mation indicating that the group of users 110 is accompanied with the author ized user 108 may be obtained by receiving user indication.
  • the control unit 106 may receive the user indication via I/O devices of a user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. via a user interaction by the authorized user 108.
  • the authorized user may activate the group mode via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. by pushing a button or touching a touch screen.
  • the method may further comprise controlling, by the control unit 106, the gate device 102 to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the obtained image data that the authorized user 108 accesses via the gate device 102.
  • the authorized user 108 is the last person to access via the gate device 102 after the group of users 110 as an indication that the group mode operation of the gate device 102 may be ended.
  • the method may further comprise controlling, by the control unit 106, the gate device 102 to end operate in the group mode in response to receiving user indication indicating ending of the group mode.
  • the control unit 106 may receive the user indication via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g.
  • the authorized user may inactivate the group mode via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. by pushing a button or touching a touch screen.
  • the control unit 106 may register, i.e. determine, each member 110a-110n of the group of users 110 to belong to said group 110 based on the received image data from the at least one imaging device 104 by using facial recognition-based identification when the group of users 110 access via the gate device 102.
  • Each member 110a-110n of the group of users 110 may be registered, when said member 110a-110n is approaching the gate device 102 to access via the gate device 102.
  • the con trol unit 106 may further control at least one passage device 302 residing in side the same building as the gate device 102 to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users 100 or at least one member 110a- 110n registered to belong to the group 110 along with the authorized user 108 via the at least one passage device 302.
  • the at least one passage device 302 may comprise at least one of: at least one other gate device, elevator door, au tomatic door, building door. This enables that an effortless access for group of users 110 with the authorized user 108 via at least one other gate device and/or one or more doors inside the same building.
  • the control unit 106 may further control the at least one passage device 302 to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on imaging data received from at least one imaging device 104 that the authorized user 108 accesses via the at least one passage device or in response to receiving user indication.
  • the registering may comprise identifying one or more members 110a-110n of the group of users 110 as anonymous authorized members of the group of users 110 allowed to access via the at least one pas sage device 302 without the authorized user 108. This enables an effortless access for one or more members 110a-110n of the group of users 110 even without the authorized user 108 via at least one other gate devices and/or one or more doors inside the same building.
  • the control unit 106 may override the facial recognition-based identification according to a prede fined condition without registering the members 110a-110n of the group of us ers 110.
  • the predefined condition may define a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification and/or number of users of the group 110 for which the access via the gate de vice 102 is allowed in the group mode of the gate device 102.
  • the obtained group mode information indicating that the group of users 110 is ac integrated with the authorized user 108 may comprise the duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification and/or the number of members belonging to the group of users 110.
  • the method may comprise generating, by the control unit 106, a control signal to an elevator control system being communicatively coupled to the access control system 100, wherein the control signal comprises an instruction to generate an eleva- tor call to allocate an elevator car for the authorized user 108 and the group of users 110 accompanied with the authorized user 108.
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of components of the control unit 106 according to the invention.
  • the control unit 106 may comprise a pro cessing unit 510 comprising one or more processors, a memory unit 520 com prising one or more memories, a communication unit 530 comprising one or more communication devices, and possibly a user interface (Ul) unit 540.
  • the memory unit 520 may store portions of computer program code 525 and any other data, and the processing unit 510 may cause the control unit 106 to op erate as described by executing at least some portions of the computer pro gram code 525 stored in the memory unit 520.
  • the communication unit 530 may be based on at least one known communication technologies, either wired or wireless, in order to exchange pieces of information as described earlier.
  • the communication unit 530 provides an interface for communication with any external unit, such as the gate device 102, the at least one imaging device 104, the at least one passage device 302, an elevator control system, data base and/or any external entities or systems.
  • the communication unit 530 may comprise one or more communication devices, e.g. radio transceiver, antenna, etc.
  • the user interface 540 may comprise I/O devices, such as buttons, key board, touch screen, microphone, loudspeaker, display and so on, for receiv ing input and outputting information.
  • the computer program 525 may be stored in a non-statutory tangible computer readable medium, e.g. an USB stick or a CD-ROM disc.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract

The invention relates to an access control system (100). The access control system (100) comprises: a gate device (102), at least one imaging device (104) configured to obtain image data, and a control unit (106). The control unit (106) is configured to: receive the image data from the at least one imaging device (104), detect and identify an authorized user (108) approaching the gate device (102) based on the received image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by using facial recognition-based identification, obtain group mode information indicating that a group of users (110) is accompanied with the authorized user (108), and control the gate device (102) to operate in a group mode in which the gate device (102) is configured to allow access for the group of users (110) along with the authorized user (108) via the gate device (102). The invention relates also to a method for controlling an access control system (100).

Description

An access control system and a method for controlling an access control system
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention concerns in general the technical field of access control. Espe cially the invention concerns access control systems.
BACKGROUND
Typically, passage devices, such as security gates, elevator doors, automatic doors, and building doors, comprises access control. The access control ena bles that only authorized users may have access through the passage device. The access control may be based on using keycards; tags; identification codes; such as personal identity number (PIN) code, ID number; and/or bio metric technologies, such as fingerprint, facial recognition, iris recognition, reti nal scan, voice recognition, etc.
Typically, in case of multiple users, such as a group of users, intending to ac cess together through the passage device, each user needs a separate au thorized access via the passage device. For example, if the access control is based on facial recognition, each member of the group, e.g. visiting group, need to have authorization to access via the passage device. In other words, each member of the group needs to be separately identified with the facial recognition in order to provide access via the passage device, which may be slow and time-consuming.
Thus, there is need to develop further solutions in order to improve the opera tion of access control systems.
SUMMARY
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide basic under standing of some aspects of various invention embodiments. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of exemplifying em bodiments of the invention. An objective of the invention is to present an access control system and a method for controlling an access control system. Another objective of the in vention is that the access control system and the method for controlling an ac cess control system enables an effortless access for a group of users via a gate device.
The objectives of the invention are reached by an access control system and a method as defined by the respective independent claims.
According to a first aspect, an access control system is provided, wherein the access control system comprises: a gate device, at least one imaging device configured to obtain image data, and a control unit configured to: receive the image data from the at least one imaging device, detect and identify an author ized user approaching the gate device based on the received image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by using facial recognition- based identification, obtain group mode information indicating that a group of users is accompanied with the authorized user, and control the gate device to operate in a group mode in which the gate device is configured to allow access for the group of users along with the authorized user via the gate device.
The group of users may comprise one or more unauthorized users.
The group mode information may be obtained from an external database in re sponse to identifying the authorized user and/or by receiving user indication.
The control unit may further be configured to control the gate device to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the obtained im age data that the authorized user accesses via the gate device or receiving user indication.
Alternatively or in addition, the control unit may be configured to register each member of the group of users to belong to the group based on the received image data by using facial recognition-based identification, when the group of users access via the gate device.
Moreover, the control unit may further be configured to control at least one passage device to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users or at least one member registered to belong to the group along with the authorized user via the at least one passage device. Alternatively or in addition, the registering may comprise identifying one or more members of the group of users as anonymous authorized members of the group of users allowed to access via at least one passage device without the authorized user.
The at least one passage device may comprise at least one of: at least one other gate device, elevator door, automatic door, building door.
Alternatively, in the group mode of the gate device, the control unit may be configured to override the facial recognition-based identification according to a predefined condition.
The predefined condition may define: a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification, and/or number of users of the group for which the access via the gate device is provided in the group mode.
Alternatively or in addition, the control unit may further be configured to gener ate a control signal to an elevator control system being communicatively cou pled to the access control system, wherein the control signal may comprise an instruction to generate an elevator call to allocate an elevator car for the au thorized user and the group of users accompanied with the authorized user.
According to a second aspect, a method for controlling an access control sys tem is provided, wherein the method comprises: receiving image data from at least one imaging device, detecting and identifying an authorized user ap proaching a gate device based on the received image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by using facial recognition-based identifica tion, obtaining group mode information indicating that a group of users is ac companied with the authorized user, and controlling the gate device to operate in a group mode in which the gate device is configured to allow access for the group of users along with the authorized user via the gate device.
The group of users may comprise one or more unauthorized users.
The group mode information may be obtained from an external database in re sponse to identifying the authorized user and/or by receiving user interaction.
The method may further comprise controlling the gate device to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the obtained image data that the authorized user accesses via the gate device or receiving user indica tion.
Alternatively or in addition, the method may comprise registering each member of the group of users to belong to the group based on the received image data by using facial recognition-based identification, when the group of users ac cess via the gate device.
Moreover, the method may further comprise controlling at least one passage device to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users or at least one member registered to belong to the group along with the authorized user via the at least one passage device.
Alternatively or in addition, the registering may comprise identifying one or more members of the group of users as anonymous authorized members of the group of users allowed to access via at least one passage device without the authorized user.
The at least one passage device may comprise at least one of: at least one other gate device, elevator door, automatic door, building door.
Alternatively, in the group mode of the gate device, the method may comprise overriding the facial recognition-based identification according to a predefined condition.
The predefined condition may define: a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification, and/or number of users of the group for which the access via the gate device is provided in the group mode.
Alternatively or in addition, the method may further comprise generating a con trol signal to an elevator control system being communicatively coupled to the access control system, wherein the control signal may comprise an instruction to generate an elevator call to allocate an elevator car for the authorized user and the group of users accompanied with the authorized user.
Various exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments of the invention both as to constructions and to methods of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of unrecited features. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable un less otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an”, i.e. a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates schematically an example of an access control system ac cording to the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates schematically another example of an access control system according to the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates schematically another example of an access control system according to the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates schematically an example of a method according to the in vention.
Figure 5 illustrates schematically an example of components of a control unit according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates schematically an example of an access control system 100 according to the invention. The access control system 100 comprises a gate device 102 allowing access for users via the gate device 102, at least one im aging device 104 configured to obtain image data, and a control unit 106. The invention is described next by using one gate device 102. However, the inven tion is not limited to that and the access control system 100 according to the invention may comprise more than one gate device 102 each configured to operate as will be described by referring to the one gate device 102.
The at least one imaging device 104 may comprise an optical imaging device, e.g. at least one camera. The at least one imaging device 104 may enable de- tection and/or identification of a user 108, 110a-110n at a distance away from the gate device 102. The distance may be e.g. between 0 to 10 meters from the gate device 102 and preferably between 1 to 2 meters, 1 to 3 meters or 1 to 5 meters. The at least one imaging device 104 may be arranged to the gate device 102 as illustrated in the example of Figure 1 or in a vicinity of, i.e. close to, the gate device 102, e.g. to a wall, a ceiling and/or to a separate support device.
The control unit 106 is configured to control one or more operations of the ac cess control system 100. The control unit 106 may be external entity or it may be implemented as a part of the gate device 102. In the example of Figure 1 the control unit 106 is an external entity. The external entity herein means an entity that locates separate from the gate device 102. The implementation of the control unit 106 may be done as a stand-alone control entity or as a dis tributed control environment between a plurality of stand-alone control entities, such as a plurality of servers providing distributed control resource. The control unit 106 may be communicatively coupled to the gate device 102, at least one imaging device 104, and any other entities of the access control system 100. The communication between the control unit 106 and the other entities of the access control system 100 may be based on one or more known communica tion technologies, either wired or wireless.
The gate device 102 may comprise a barrier device, such as door panel(s), turnstile, boom or any other barrier device, for preventing unauthorized users without an access via the gate device 102. Alternatively or in addition, the gate device 102 may comprise one or more alarm devices, e.g. visual and/or audio alarm devices, for generating an alarm, if an unauthorized user without an ac cess via the gate device 102 attempts to pass through the gate device 102. The gate device 102 may be by default at a state allowing an unrestricted ac cess via the gate device 102. In other words, the gate device 102 is main tained at the state allowing the unrestricted access via the gate device 102. If the received image data relates to an unauthorized user without an access via the gate device 102, the control unit 106 may be configured to control the bar rier device to prevent, i.e. restrict, the access via the gate device 102, e.g. by closing the barrier device of the gate device 102. Alternatively or in addition, the control unit 106 may be configured to control the one or more alarm devic es to generate an alarm to indicate an access of an unauthorized user, if the received image data relates to an unauthorizes user without an access via the gate device 102. Alternatively, the gate device 102 may be by default at a state preventing, i.e. restricting, the access of the users via the gate device 102, i.e. the gate device 102 may be in a closed state. If the received image data re lates to an authorized user 108 with an access via the gate device 102a the control unit 106 may be configured to control the barrier device to provide the access via the gate device 102a, e.g. by opening the barrier device of the gate device 102.
The control unit 106 is configured to receive the image data from the at least one imaging device 104. The control unit 106 is further configured to detect and identify an authorized user 108 approaching the gate device 102 based on the received image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by using facial recognition-based identification. In order to identify the author ized user 108, the control unit 106 is configured to determine based on the re ceived image data and prestored data associated with the authorized users, whether the image data relates to the authorized user 108 or not. In other words, the received image data may be compared to the prestored data in or der to find a possible match from the prestored data. The prestored data may be stored in a memory or database connected to the control unit 106, or in a cloud service accessible via a network connection. For example, if the access control system 100 is arranged in a building, image data relating to people regularly residing, e.g. working or living, in the building may have been prestored in the memory or database.
After identification of the authorized user 108 the control unit 106 is configured to obtain group mode information indicating that a group of users 110 is ac companied with the authorized user 108. In response to obtaining the group mode information, the control unit 106 is configured to control the gate device 102 to operate in a group mode. In the group mode the gate device 102 is con figured to allow, i.e. provide, access for the group of users 110 along with the authorized user 108 via the gate device 102. In other words, in the group mode the control unit 106 is configured to control the gate device 102 to maintain at the state allowing the unrestricted access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102, if the gate device 102 is by default at the state allowing an unrestricted access via the gate device 102, or the control unit 106 may be configured to control the barrier device of the gate device 102 to provide the access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102a, if the gate device 102 is by default at the state restricting the access via the gate device 102 as discussed above. This enables that members of the group of users 110 do not need to be identified since the authorized user 108, i.e. their host, is responsi ble for the group of users 110 and the access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102 is allowed only when the authorized user 108 is present. The group of users 110 may comprises one or more unauthorized users 110a- 110n.
The group mode information indicating that the group of users 110 is accom panied with the authorized user 108 may be obtained from an external data base communicatively coupled to the control unit 106 in response to identifying the authorized user 108. Alternatively or in addition, the group mode infor mation indicating that the group of users 110 is accompanied with the author ized user 108 may be obtained by receiving user indication. The gate device 102 may comprise a user interface comprising I/O devices, e.g. buttons, key board, touch screen, microphone, display and so on, for receiving input and outputting information. The control unit 106 may receive the user indication via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. via a user in teraction by the authorized user 108. For example, the authorized user may activate the group mode via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. by pushing a button or touching a touch screen.
The control unit 106 may further be configured to control the gate device 102 to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the ob tained image data that the authorized user 108 accesses via the gate device 102. In other words, the authorized user 108 is the last person to access via the gate device 102 after the group of users 110 as an indication that the group mode operation of the gate device 102 may be ended. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may further be configured to control the gate device 102 to end to operate in the group mode in response to receiving user indication indi cating ending of the group mode. The control unit 106 may receive the user in dication via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. via a user interaction by the authorized user 108. For example, after the group of users 110 has accessed via the gate device 102, the authorized user may inactivate the group mode via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. by pushing a button or touching a touch screen.
According to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention, when the gate de vice 102 is operating in the group mode, the control unit 106 may be config- ured to register, i.e. determine, each member 110a-110n of the group of users 110 to belong to said group 110 based on the received image data from the at least one imaging device 104 by using facial recognition-based identification when the group of users 110 access via the gate device 102. Figure 2 illus trates an example situation, wherein the group of users 110 are accessing via the gate device 102 one by one. Each member 110a-110n of the group of us ers 110 may be registered, when said member 110a-110n is approaching the gate device 102 to access via the gate device 102. For example, in the situa tion of Figure 2, the member 110a has already registered and accessed via the gate device 102 and the member 110b is under registering or to be registered next, when approaching the gate device 102 to access via the gate device 102.
After registering each member 110a-110n of the group of users 110, the con trol unit 106 may further be configured to control at least one passage device 302 residing inside the same building as the gate device 102 to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users 110 or at least one member 110a-110n registered to belong to the group 110 along with the au thorized user 108 via the at least one passage device 302. In order to be able to control the at least one passage device 302, the control unit 106 may be communicatively coupled to the passage device 302. The at least one passage device 302 may comprise at least one of: at least one other gate device, eleva tor door, automatic door, building door. This enables that an effortless access for group of users 110 with the authorized user 108 via at least one other gate device and/or one or more doors inside the same building. Figure 3 illustrates schematically an example of an access control system 100 according to the in vention, wherein the control unit 106 is configure to control an elevator door, which is the passage device 302 in this example, to operate in the group mode to allow the access for the group of users 110 along with the authorized user 108 via the elevator door into an elevator car. The control unit 106 may further be configured to control the at least one passage device 302 to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on imaging data received from at least one imaging device 104 that the authorized user 108 accesses via the at least one passage device 302 or in response to receiving user indi cation. In the example of Figure 3, the image data is obtained from a second imaging device 104b arranged next to the elevator door, which second imaging device 104b may belong to the at least one imaging device 104 of the access control system 100.
Alternatively or in addition, the registering may comprise identifying one or more members 110a-110n of the group of users 110 as anonymous authorized members of the group of users 110 allowed to access via the at least one pas sage device 302 without the authorized user 108. This enables an effortless access for one or more members 110a-110n of the group of users 110 even without the authorized user 108 via at least one other gate device and/or one or more doors inside the same building.
According to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention, when the gate de vice 102 is operating in the group mode, the control unit 106 may be config ured to override the facial recognition-based identification according to a pre defined condition without registering the members 110a-110n of the group of users 110. This enables a simple way to allow the group of users 110 access via the gate device 102 with the authorized user 108. The predefined condition may define a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification and/or number of users of the group 110 for which the access via the gate de vice 102 is allowed in the group mode of the gate device 102. For example, the obtained group mode information indicating that the group of users 110 is ac companied with the authorized user 108 may comprise the duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification and/or the number of members belonging to the group of users 110.
According to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention, the access control system 100 may be communicatively to an elevator, e.g. to an elevator control system. The control unit 106 may further be configured to generate a control signal to the elevator control system, wherein the control signal comprises an instruction to generate an elevator call to allocate an elevator car for the au thorized user 108 and the group of users 110 accompanied with the authorized user 108.
Next an example of the method according to the invention is described by re ferring to Figure 4. Figure 4 schematically illustrates the invention as a flow chart.
At a step 402, the control unit 106 receives image data from the at least one imaging device 104. At a step 404, the control unit further detects and identi- fies an authorized user 108 approaching the gate device 102 based on the re ceived image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by us ing facial recognition-based identification. In order to identify the authorized user 108, the control unit 106 determines based on the received image data and prestored data associated with the authorized users, whether the image data relates to the authorized user 108 or not. In other words, the received im age data may be compared to the prestored data in order to find a possible match from the prestored data. The prestored data may be stored in a memory or database connected to the control unit 106, or in a cloud service accessible via a network connection. For example, if the access control system 100 is ar ranged in a building, image data relating to people regularly residing, e.g. working or living, in the building may have been prestored in the memory or database.
At a step 406, the control unit 106 obtains group mode information indicating that a group of users 110 is accompanied with the authorized user 108. At a step 408, in response to obtaining the group mode information, the control unit 106 controls the gate device 102 to operate in a group mode. In the group mode the gate device 102 allows, i.e. provides, access for the group of users 110 along with the authorized user 108 via the gate device 102. In other words, in the group mode the control unit 106 is configured to control the gate device 102 to maintain at the state allowing the unrestricted access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102, if the gate device 102 is by default at the state allowing an unrestricted access via the gate device 102, or the control unit 106 may be configured to control the barrier device of the gate de vice 102 to provide the access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102a, if the gate device 102 is by default at the state restricting the access via the gate device 102 as discussed above. This enables that members of the group of users 110 do not need to be identified since the authorized user 108, i.e. their host, is responsible for the group of users 110 and the access for the group of users 110 via the gate device 102 is allowed only when the author ized user 108 is present. The group of users 110 may comprises one or more unauthorized users 110a-110n.
The group mode information indicating that the group of users 110 is accom panied with the authorized user 108 may be obtained from an external data base communicatively coupled to the control unit 106 in response to identifying the authorized user 108. Alternatively or in addition, the group mode infor- mation indicating that the group of users 110 is accompanied with the author ized user 108 may be obtained by receiving user indication. The control unit 106 may receive the user indication via I/O devices of a user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. via a user interaction by the authorized user 108. For ex ample, the authorized user may activate the group mode via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. by pushing a button or touching a touch screen.
According to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention, the method may further comprise controlling, by the control unit 106, the gate device 102 to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the obtained image data that the authorized user 108 accesses via the gate device 102. In other words, the authorized user 108 is the last person to access via the gate device 102 after the group of users 110 as an indication that the group mode operation of the gate device 102 may be ended. Alternatively, the method may further comprise controlling, by the control unit 106, the gate device 102 to end operate in the group mode in response to receiving user indication indicating ending of the group mode. The control unit 106 may receive the user indication via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. via a user interaction by the authorized user 108. For example, after the group of users 110 has accessed via the gate device 102, the authorized user may inactivate the group mode via the I/O devices of the user interface of the gate device 102, e.g. by pushing a button or touching a touch screen.
According to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention, at the step 408, i.e. when the gate device 102 is operating in the group mode, the control unit 106 may register, i.e. determine, each member 110a-110n of the group of users 110 to belong to said group 110 based on the received image data from the at least one imaging device 104 by using facial recognition-based identification when the group of users 110 access via the gate device 102. Each member 110a-110n of the group of users 110 may be registered, when said member 110a-110n is approaching the gate device 102 to access via the gate device 102.
After registering each member 110a-110n of the group of users 110, the con trol unit 106 may further control at least one passage device 302 residing in side the same building as the gate device 102 to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users 100 or at least one member 110a- 110n registered to belong to the group 110 along with the authorized user 108 via the at least one passage device 302. The at least one passage device 302 may comprise at least one of: at least one other gate device, elevator door, au tomatic door, building door. This enables that an effortless access for group of users 110 with the authorized user 108 via at least one other gate device and/or one or more doors inside the same building. The control unit 106 may further control the at least one passage device 302 to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on imaging data received from at least one imaging device 104 that the authorized user 108 accesses via the at least one passage device or in response to receiving user indication.
Alternatively or in addition, the registering may comprise identifying one or more members 110a-110n of the group of users 110 as anonymous authorized members of the group of users 110 allowed to access via the at least one pas sage device 302 without the authorized user 108. This enables an effortless access for one or more members 110a-110n of the group of users 110 even without the authorized user 108 via at least one other gate devices and/or one or more doors inside the same building.
According to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention, at the step 408, i.e. when the gate device 102 is operating in the group mode, the control unit 106 may override the facial recognition-based identification according to a prede fined condition without registering the members 110a-110n of the group of us ers 110. This enables a simple way to allow the group of users 110 access via the gate device 102 with the authorized user 108. The predefined condition may define a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification and/or number of users of the group 110 for which the access via the gate de vice 102 is allowed in the group mode of the gate device 102. For example, the obtained group mode information indicating that the group of users 110 is ac companied with the authorized user 108 may comprise the duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification and/or the number of members belonging to the group of users 110.
According to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention, the method may comprise generating, by the control unit 106, a control signal to an elevator control system being communicatively coupled to the access control system 100, wherein the control signal comprises an instruction to generate an eleva- tor call to allocate an elevator car for the authorized user 108 and the group of users 110 accompanied with the authorized user 108.
Figure 5 schematically illustrates an example of components of the control unit 106 according to the invention. The control unit 106 may comprise a pro cessing unit 510 comprising one or more processors, a memory unit 520 com prising one or more memories, a communication unit 530 comprising one or more communication devices, and possibly a user interface (Ul) unit 540. The memory unit 520 may store portions of computer program code 525 and any other data, and the processing unit 510 may cause the control unit 106 to op erate as described by executing at least some portions of the computer pro gram code 525 stored in the memory unit 520. The communication unit 530 may be based on at least one known communication technologies, either wired or wireless, in order to exchange pieces of information as described earlier. The communication unit 530 provides an interface for communication with any external unit, such as the gate device 102, the at least one imaging device 104, the at least one passage device 302, an elevator control system, data base and/or any external entities or systems. The communication unit 530 may comprise one or more communication devices, e.g. radio transceiver, antenna, etc. The user interface 540 may comprise I/O devices, such as buttons, key board, touch screen, microphone, loudspeaker, display and so on, for receiv ing input and outputting information. The computer program 525 may be stored in a non-statutory tangible computer readable medium, e.g. an USB stick or a CD-ROM disc.
The specific examples provided in the description given above should not be construed as limiting the applicability and/or the interpretation of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given above are not exhaustive unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. An access control system (100) comprising: a gate device (102), at least one imaging device (104) configured to obtain image data, and a control unit (106) configured to: receive the image data from the at least one imaging device (104), detect and identify an authorized user (108) approaching the gate device (102) based on the received image data and prestored data associated with authorized users by using facial recognition-based identification, obtain group mode information indicating that a group of users (110) is accompanied with the authorized user (108), and control the gate device (102) to operate in a group mode in which the gate device (102) is configured to allow access for the group of users (110) along with the authorized user (108) via the gate device (102).
2. The access control system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the group of users (110) comprises one or more unauthorized users (110a-110n).
3. The access control system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the group mode information is obtained from an external data base in response to identifying the authorized user (108) and/or by receiving user indication.
4. The access control system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (106) is further configured to control the gate device (102) to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the obtained image data that the authorized user (108) accesses via the gate device (102) or receiving user indication.
5. The access control system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (106) is configured to register each member (110a-110n) of the group of users (100) to belong to the group (110) based on the received image data by using facial recognition-based identification, when the group of users (110) access via the gate device (102).
6. The access control system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the con trol unit (106) is further configured to control at least one passage device (302) to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users (110) or at least one member (110a-110n) registered to belong to the group (110) along with the authorized user (108) via the at least one passage device (302).
7. The access control system (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the registering comprises identifying one or more members (110a-110n) of the group of users (110) as anonymous authorized members of the group of users (110) allowed to access via at least one passage device (302) without the au thorized user (108).
8. The access control system (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one passage device (302) comprises at least one of: at least one other gate device, elevator door, automatic door, building door.
9. The access control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the group mode of the gate device (102) the control unit (106) is configured to override the facial recognition-based identification according to a predefined condition.
10. The access control system (100) according to claim 9, wherein the prede fined condition defines: a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification, and/or number of users of the group (110) for which the access via the gate de vice (102) is provided in the group mode.
11. The access control system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (106) is further configured to generate a control signal to an elevator control system being communicatively coupled to the ac cess control system (100), wherein the control signal comprises an instruction to generate an elevator call to allocate an elevator car for the authorized user (108) and the group of users (110) accompanied with the authorized user (108).
12. A method for controlling an access control system (100), the method comprises: receiving (402) image data from at least one imaging device (104), detecting and identifying (404) an authorized user (108) approaching a gate device (102) based on the received image data and prestored data asso ciated with authorized users by using facial recognition-based identification, obtaining (406) group mode information indicating that a group of users (110) is accompanied with the authorized user (108), and controlling (408) the gate device (102) to operate in a group mode in which the gate device (102) is configured to allow access for the group of us ers (110) along with the authorized user (108) via the gate device (102).
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the group of users (110) comprises one or more unauthorized users (110a-110n).
14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the group mode infor mation is obtained from an external database in response to identifying the au thorized user (108) and/or by receiving user interaction.
15. The method according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the method fur ther comprises controlling the gate device (102) to end to operate in the group mode in response to detecting based on the obtained image data that the au thorized user (108) accesses via the gate device (102) or receiving user indica tion.
16. The method according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the method comprises registering each member (110a-110n) of the group of users (100) to belong to the group (110) based on the received image data by using facial recognition-based identification, when the group of users (110) access via the gate device (102).
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method further comprises controlling at least one passage device (302) to operate in the group mode in order to allow access for the group of users (110) or at least one member (110a-110n) registered to belong to the group (110) along with the authorized user (108) via the at least one passage device (302).
18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the registering com prises identifying one or more members (110a-110n) of the group of users (110) as anonymous authorized members of the group of users (110) allowed to access via at least one passage device (302) without the authorized user (108).
19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the at least one pas sage device (302) comprises at least one of: at least one other gate device, el evator door, automatic door, building door.
20. The method according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein in the group mode of the gate device (102) the method comprises overriding the facial recognition-based identification according to a predefined condition.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the predefined condition de fines: a duration of the overriding the facial recognition-identification, and/or number of users of the group (110) for which the access via the gate de vice (102) is provided in the group mode.
22. The method according to any of claims 12 to 21 , wherein the method fur ther comprises generating a control signal to an elevator control system being communicatively coupled to the access control system (100), wherein the con- trol signal comprises an instruction to generate an elevator call to allocate an elevator car for the authorized user (108) and the group of users (110) accom panied with the authorized user (108).
PCT/FI2020/050247 2020-04-15 2020-04-15 An access control system and a method for controlling an access control system WO2021209674A1 (en)

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