Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUTOMATIC GUIDANCE OF VISITOR IN NEW FACILITY THROUGH ACCESS
CONTROL SYSTEM INTEGRATION WITH LCD DISPLAY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to automatic guidance systems for
directing a person in
a defined area and, more specifically, relates to an automatic guidance system
including an
access control device and an access control device reader for selectively
allowing the person
access to a predetermined location and communicating directions to the
predetermined
location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Visitors to a multiplicity of locations, for example, buildings,
campuses, large events
such as fairs, conferences or trade shows, shopping malls, airports, amusement
parks,
museums, or libraries, have to find their way to a desired location with some
or no prior
knowledge about the location. Some public places display signs and maps to
help the visitor
to his/her destination, however, these signs or floor plan displays can be
confusing.
Typically, a visitor needs to ascertain their position and orientation on the
floor plan or map,
find their destination on the map, and possibly memorize the path to the
destination.
[0003] A typical electronic visitor guidance system may guide a user to a
selected one of
multiple locations in a defined area. The system includes a portable device
for each user and
multiple mounted indicators. The indicators include an infrared transceiver.
The indicators
also include direction signs, and directional information corresponding to the
relative
direction in a path from the indicator to one or more selected locations in
the defined area.
The portable device directly communicates the information corresponding to the
selected
location via the device infrared transceiver to the indicator infrared
transceiver. The indicator
accesses the directional information and activates an appropriate mounted
direction sign to
guide the user toward the selected location.
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100041 However, disadvantages with the above system include the user having to
be in range
of the mounted visual indicator for the system to work. Also, if the floor
plan changes the
visual indicators may not be located in convenient places and thus need to be
physically
moved requiring time and labor costs. Further, the portable device's signal to
the visual
indicators may be disrupted or malfunction.
[0005] It would therefore be desirable to have an improved guidance system
which is less
confusing, simple to use, economical, and does not require the need for a
human guide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In an aspect of the invention, an automatic guidance system for
directing a person to a
specific area comprises an access control device including a selectively
encoded readable
element. An access control device reader reads the encoded readable element
and denies or
allows a user access to a predetermined location controlled by the reader. A
communication
device included in the access control device reader provides a message
directing the user to
the predetermined location when the user is allowed access to the
predetermined location
controlled by the reader.
[0007] In a related aspect, the communication device is a display using visual
directions for
directing the user to the predetermined location.
[0008] In a related aspect, the access reader is adapted to read the element
of the access
device when the access device is swiped through the access reader.
[0009] In a related aspect, the access device is a card including a magnetic
strip
communicating with the access reader.
[00101 In a related aspect, the access reader is adapted to read the readable
element of the
access card when the access card is proximate the access reader and without
touching the
reader.
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[0011] In a related aspect, the access reader display visually directs the
user the
predetermined location by depicting a map.
[0012] In a related aspect, the access reader includes a sound emitting
element for directing
the user to the predetermined location.
[0013] In a related aspect, the sound emitting element further communicates
verbal directions
to the user.
[0014] In a related aspect, the access device is encoded to allow the user
access to multiple
locations at different times.
[0015] In a related aspect, the access control reader includes a
microprocessor which is
programmed to depict a plurality of messages on the display in response to
reading the access
device.
[0016] In a related aspect, the display of the access reader includes a liquid
crystal display.
[0017] In a related aspect, the access reader includes a microcontroller
storing access
information and visual displays, and is programmed to display a plurality of
messages and
communicate with the access device.
[0018] In a related aspect, the access device is encoded to allow the user
access to multiple
locations at different times and the access control device reader is located
at each of the
multiple locations.
[0019] In a related aspect, the message is a first message and the system
further includes a
control device for remotely communicating with the access control device
reader for
providing a second message to the user when the user is allowed access to the
predetermined
location controlled by the reader.
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100201 In another aspect of the invention, a method of automatically guiding a
person in a
defined area comprises encoding an access control device for a user; reading
the access
control device using an access control device reader when the user presents
the access control
device to the device reader for reading; selectively denying or allowing the
user presenting
the access control device access to a predetermined location; and
communicating a message
including directions to the user for reaching the predetermined location using
the access
control device reader when the user is allowed access to the predetermined
location.
[0021] In a related aspect, the method further includes displaying the
directions for directing
the user to the predetermined location.
[0022] In a related aspect, the step of reading the access control device
includes swiping a
card access control device through a slot in the access control device reader
for reading a
magnetic strip on the card.
[0023] In a related aspect, the step of reading the access device includes
waving the access
control device proximate the access control device reader without touching the
access control
device reader.
[0024] In a related aspect, the step of communicating includes emitting verbal
directions to
the user.
[0025] In a related aspect, the method further includes presenting the access
control device to
multiple access control device readers at a plurality of location to provide
the user access to
each of the plurality of locations.
[0026] In a related aspect, the method further includes processing the access
or denial of the
user presenting the access control device for reading by the access control
device reader using
a microcontroller in the access control device reader, and displaying a
directional aid to
communicate directions to the user.
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[0027] In a related aspect, the method further includes programming the
microcontroller to
display the directional aid corresponding to the access control device
encoding.
[0028] In a related aspect, the message is a first message and the method
further includes
communicating a second message to the user when the user is allowed access to
the
predetermined location controlled by the reader.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments
thereof, which is
to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of the present
invention
depicting an access card reader including a display;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view of the access card reader shown in FIG. 1
depicting a swiping
slot;
100321 FIG. 3 is rear elevational view of an access card depicting a magnetic
strip;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a campus level layout or display depicting
a main gate
and a plurality of buildings;
100341 FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the inside of one of the buildings shown
in FIG. 4
depicting a plurality of floors; and
[0035] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one of the floor plans in the building
shown in FIG. 5.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary embodiment of an automatic
guidance system
according to the present invention includes an access control device reader
250 including a
communication device embodied as a liquid-crystal display (LCD) 204. The LCD
204 is
located on a substantially planar surface 208 of the reader 250. The reader
includes a slot 254
for reading information stored on the access control device. In one example,
the access
control device is an access card 100 having a selectively encoded readable
element embodied
as a magnetic strip 108 adapted to be swiped through the slot 254 in the
reader. The
magnetic strip 108 on the card 100 is read by the reader 250 which allows or
denies access at
any security junction of a facility. In addition, if access is permitted,
directions to a specified
location within the facility will be displayed on the LCD 204. Numerous access
cards 100
may be reserved for visitors to the facility.
[0037] For example, if a visitor is given an access card 100 and swipes the
access card 100 in
the slot 254 of the access control device reader 250. The LCD display 204
integrated with
the access control device reader 250 will display a map of the next step of
the visit, i.e., the
segment of the trip to the next access card reader or final destination. The
map may be, for
example, a campus level depiction, a particular building layout, a floor plan,
road system, a
network of paths, directions including arrow and words, a message using
symbols, words, or
a combination.
[0038] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the LCD display 204
displays a
campus level layout plan 14 for viewing by the visitor. In another embodiment,
an access
control device reader 250 may also include, for example, an infrared reader
where the card
may be waived in front of the reader for scanning, or other devices providing
a similar
reading capability to determine access of the visitor by allowing or denying
access to, for
example, a facility, building, or room. In an exemplary embodiment, the
building entrances
20a-20e of Buildings A-E each include access control device readers 250.
[0039] Once the visitor has entered the campus 14 the visitor can enter a
building or be
allowed access beyond a check point within the building using the same
procedure of swiping
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the card 100 in an access device 250. Referring to FIG. 5, the visitor has
swiped the card 100
at Building A, and the LCD 204 displays a floor plan 298. The floor plan 298
shows the
floors in the building. In this embodiment, the LCD 204 will display a floor
level layout plan
depicting, for example, rooms, hallways, entrances, exits, and stairwells.
Furthermore, an
access control device 250 can also be positioned to control access to each
floor. Fig. 6
depicts a floor plan for the 5`h floor. The automatic guidance system 10 may
be used in
conjunction with an existing access control system with none, or minimal human
intervention
for guiding the visitors.
[0040] In another exemplary embodiment of the automatic guidance system 10
according to
the present invention a visitor is given an access card that is encoded for a
specific route
through a campus, to a specific building, to a specific floor, and a specific
room on that floor.
The access card allows access to all doors en route so the visitor can reach
the destination in a
secure campus. The access card reader 250 includes a microcontroller or
microprocessor for
storing display information and card access information.
100411 In a first example, referring to FIGS. 4-6, a visitor wants to meet a
person or host, in
this case, Mr. X who sits in Building A on the fifth floor 305 (shown in FIG.
5) in a specific
office 402 (shown in FIG. 6). When the visitor reaches the campus or facility
14 and enters
the main gate 18, they disclose the person to meet, in this case, Mr. X 402.
The visitor is
given an access card 100 programmed to open the doors and access buildings
necessary to
meet Mr. X 402. The visitor swipes the card 100 at the main gate 18 access
card reader 250.
The LCD 204 integrated with the card reader 250 displays the campus level
layout 14 which
shows the different buildings and their names A-E. The display may also depict
where the
visitor is currently located and the best route to their destination. The
access control reader
LCD displays maps, and visual queues, such as arrows. The access control
reader can also
include a sound emitting element, for example, a speaker for communicating
voice
commands to direct the visitor.
[0042] Referring to the campus level layout 14 shown in FIG. 4, the LCD 204
will flash the
building, in this example, Building A, for which the visitor card is
programmed. Thus, the
visitor will have a directional guide as to which building to proceed to. When
the visitor
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reaches Building A, there is another access card reader 250 at entrance 20a
where the visitor
will swipe the card 100 through the access card reader 250 to enter into the
building. The
LCD device 204 integrated with the reader 250 at entrance 20a displays a floor
level plan 298
of the Building A as shown in FIG. 5.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, a floor level plan of Building A is displayed for
the user on the
LCD 204 of the access device 250. The LCD 204 flashes the floor the user
intends to
proceed to, in this example, the fifth floor 305 is flashed so the user knows
to proceed to the
fifth floor in Building A. Upon reaching the fifth floor 305 the user swipes
the access card
100 through another reader 250 to enter the fifth floor area, shown in FIG. 6.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, once the user swipes the access card 100 through
the access
device 250 the user is allowed entry to the fifth floor 305 through the fifth
floor entry 401.
The floor plan 400 of the fifth floor 305 is displayed on the LCD 204 of the
access reader
250. The LCD 204 flashes the room where the visitor is to meet their party or
host so that the
user can simply follow the floor plan to the desired office. Thus, the user
reaches their
destination without the help of any security guard or any human interaction.
[0045] In another example, two visitors, visitor 1 and visitor 2, visit a
facility to meet two
different people in the facility. The facility operator gives both visitors
different access
control cards 100. Visitor 1 swipes the card 100 at an access reader 250 at
the main gate 18,
as shown in FIG. 4. The LCD 204 of the reader 250 displays the campus level
layout 14,
shown in FIG 4. Similarly visitor 2 swipes their access card 100 at the main
gate 18 to
display the campus level layout 14 on the LCD 204 of the reader 250. Visitors
1 and 2 reach
their respective parties in a similar manner as described above. At any point
in the process of
reaching their destination, the LCD 204 may display info such as "Call 8888
for more info" if
the visitor needs additional assistance navigating to their destination, or
any other message
which will help the visitor to locate the desired party or navigate a
particular area. In another
example, if the access card is mistakenly not encoded, the LCD 204 of the
reader 250 can
display a message such as "invalid card - call security at 9999".
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[0046] In another example, a visitor may want to meet different people in
different buildings
in the same facility. In this scenario, the access control device/card reader
is programmed for
time sensitive acceptance or denial of the card to allow or deny the visitor
access. For
example, if the visitor is meeting Mr. X 402 on the fifth floor 305 in
Building A between 9:30
am to 11:30 am, then the visitor is meeting person J in Building E between
11:45 am to 12:45
pm, the visitor will reach person X in Building A as discussed above in the
first example.
However, when the meeting with person X is complete, the visitor will proceed
to meet
person J in Building E. The visitor swipes the access card at the exit of
Building A and a
campus level layout will be displayed on the LCD 204 with Building E flashing.
The visitor
can then proceed to building E to meet person J within the designated time
slot in a similar
manner as described above in the first example. If the visitor tries to meet
with person J
before the programmed time, access will be denied.
[0047] Another possible scenario includes where a visitor mistakenly tries to
enter the wrong
building. In this case, a visitor who wants to go to Building A and has their
access card
programmed accordingly. When the visitor swipes the card 100 at the access
control device
reader at the main gate 18 a campus level layout 14 is displayed and Building
A flashes to
direct the user to Building A. Unlike the first example, however, the visitor
mistakenly goes
to Building D. When the visitor tries to enter Building D by swiping at an
access reader, the
LCD 204 of the reader 250 shows the campus level layout 14 (FIG. 3) with a
message
indicating that the visitor is at the wrong building and will also flash
Building A to direct the
visitor to the correct building. Additionally, if the visitor repeatedly tries
to access Building
D after receiving the message indicating that they are at the wrong building,
the device reader
signals security personnel of the visitors repeated attempts at unauthorized
access to Building
D. Security personnel can then take appropriate action, for example, escorting
the visitor to
the correct location. Thus, the present invention as exemplified above is
easier to use than
maps because the route information is provided only at the time the user needs
the
information and thus can be more easily remembered and used by the visitor.
Further, the
present invention is less expensive than a human guide.
[0048] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a dynamic update
feature. In
this embodiment, the readers 250 are connected to a control system 500 in, for
example, an
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administrative or security Building Z, or in a data center or security area
within a building.
The central unit can communicate with the readers 250 via a wireless
communication signal
from a transceiver 504 or, for example, communicate using a wired network.
Thus, a
message from the control system 500 can be sent to a reader to inform a
visitor swiping a
card 100 that, for example, a change of plans has occurred, e.g., change of a
meeting location,
time or cancellation. Further, the access card 100 does not need the magnetic
strip 108 to be
re-encoded since the display message is changed remotely using the control
system.
[0049] For example, a visitor has a scheduled meeting with hosts in Buildings
A and E.
While the visitor is meeting in Building A, the host from building E needs to
delay the time
of their scheduled meeting. The host can call an administrator to change the
message the
floor or building access reader 250 will display when the visitor swipes their
card 100 to alert
the visitor that the meeting is delayed, and to please wait. The administrator
changes the
message by using the control system 500 to re-program a reader to display a
chosen message
when the visitor's access card 100 is swiped. It is understood that other
messages and
variations of the above can also be accomplished by this method, such as
canceling a
meeting, suggesting alternatives, displaying an alternate telephone number to
reach the host,
displaying a message at entry of the building or when the visitor reaches a
specific floor in a
building.
[0050] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described
with respect to
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that changes
in forms and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present
application. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be
limited to the exact
forms and details described and illustrated herein, but falls within the scope
of the appended
claims.
