Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CA3111020
stem for monitoring persons
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a system for monitoring persons. By
operating such a system, people can be monitored and their paths can
be tracked. With the help of technical devices, the position and
1 movement of persons are recorded, for example to monitor entry to
sensitive buildings.
BACKGROUND
Monitoring systems are known from the prior art that use cameras to
film and thereby monitor neuralgic points, for example airports,
ports, train stations, stadiums, border crossings and government
buildings.
An identification of the persons is usually not possible, but only a
manual subsequent review of the events. More recent developments
9 also make it possible to use algorithms to provide face recognition
and subsequently a face comparison in order to identify familiar
faces.
The monitoring systems known in the prior art are, however,
relatively cumbersome, slow and untested. Some systems need a lot of
storage space and sometimes require a GPS system. An object is
therefore to provide a simple and quick way of monitoring and
tracking persons.
It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is
referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission
that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in
the art in Canada or in any other country.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to the invention, a system for monitoring persons is
therefore provided, comprising at least one bag on which a machine-
readable code and at least one optical reader that is configured to
capture machine-readable code.
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The monitoring system preferably comprises at least one optical
reader and a machine-readable code which is attached to a bag. The
optical reader reads the machine-readable code during operation. The
present invention thus makes it possible to know which and how many
people from a region that is affected for example by the corona
virus visit or have visited places in other countries of the world.
Based on this knowledge, appropriate countermeasures to protect
people can be initiated within seconds.
In the context of the invention, a bag is understood to mean any
item of luggage that can be carried by a person, in particular
handbags, rucksacks, sports bags, briefcases, suitcases, etc. The
a machine-readable code is arranged on the bag in such a way that it
can be recognized and read from the outside, that is to say in
particular on the outside of the bag. In the present invention, the
machine-readable codes can be checked and quickly read anywhere
electronically with optical readers, especially standard or long-
distance (bar) code scanners with a range of up to 21 meters, in
order to be able to check persons. In this case, the people do not
20 have to be stopped in order to check for example an identity card,
SO that the persons often do not notice that the code on their bag
has been read and that they have been identified with it. Instead of
scanners, it is also possible, for example, to use intelligent
cameras as optical readers, which are particularly preferably used
25 simultaneously, in addition to the acquisition of the machine-
readable code, for an optical monitoring of an area. Cameras of this
type can, depending on the type, capture approx. 30 codes per second
and thereby identify 30 people per second. This enables exhaustive
monitoring even in heavily frequented locations such as train
stations or airports.
An intelligent camera (smart camera) is understood to be a camera
that has an internal processor to read and process the captured
codes. The read out data will then output and can be written
1
directly to a database or compared with data from a database
respectively.
This means that it is not necessary to use additional devices to
evaluate the codes based on camera images, which can reduce 5 the
complexity of the system structure. The machine-readable code, in
particular the barcode, is preferably printed on the bags. Printing
is a well known and relatively cheap way to get codes on to attach
bags. Alternatively, the codes can also he applied to the bags in
other ways.
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Alternatively, an additional identification element is provided, on
i which the machine-readable code is arranged, the identification
element being connected to the bag, preferably detachably. The
identification element can be, for example, a sticker or a tag that
i is glued or attached to the bag. The machine-readable codes or the
1
1 code data are preferably stored in an electronic database and
preferably comprise a number uniquely assigned to a person. This
number can be, for example, a social security number or a passport
I number. In addition to digits, the number can also contain letters
and other characters. Furthermore, the data of the machine-readable
. code preferably contain an image or a link to a digital image of the
,
assigned person, and/or preferably the name of the person assigned
to the machine-readable code. The picture, the name and other
personal data such as the address or nationality are preferably
I stored in the electronic Database. The data of the machine-readable
code are preferably encrypted to prevent or make it more difficult
to forge the code. In the present invention, positioning using GPS
is not necessary because due to the positioning of the optical
readers a precise tracking of the person can be done. Machine-
readable codes, in particular barcodes, 21) codes (e.g. Data matrix
or QR codes) or 3D codes, can be read automatically with the aid of
scanners or intelligent cameras, whereby the machine-readable code
i represents the data by the arrangement and width of the lines or
1 fields and the spaces providing information.
Barcodes and 21) codes are usually read and scanned using special
scanners and converted into symbols that are easy for humans to read,
1 in particular letters and numbers, using translation software
1
1 available on devices. Alternatively, corresponding applications on
cell phones or other portable electronic devices can be used to read
out codes.
One-dimensional barcodes in particular are widely used in
application software for shops and controllers, where employees can
review work orders, track their working hours, and check individual
elements, e.g. goods. Code scanners can read codes better and faster
1 in many places, e.g. in warehouses, supermarkets and hotels, than
0
i humans. These code scanners can either be connected to a computer,
4
1
g which further processes the data read in by the scanner, via a Cable
or, preferably, wirelessly, for example via Bluetooth. Wireless
1
i scanners are particularly advantageous when persons are only to be
Imonitored temporarily at certain locations, so that the installation
1 of a permanently installed optical reader does not make sense.
1 Standard barcode scanners are designed to read barcodes near the
,
1
,
1
1
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scanner and are for example used in retail, healthcare, and offices
to manage and check goods or inventory. In contrast, a long¨range
= scanner (with a. range of up to 21 m) is of great advantage in
environments where the codes are difficult to access, such as in a
warehouse, a yard or a manufacturing plant. With a long¨range code
scanner, the worker can stand, for example, on a tall element on a
shelf or even on a stand on the loading platform on a forklift truck
and then scan the desired code without the need to bring the scanner
into the immediate vicinity of the code. In the context of the
1 invention, the use of a long¨distance scanner enables to read out a
code from a great distance, e.g. by means of scanners arranged on
wails or ceilings. In this way, on the one hand, the required number
of optical readers can be reduced and, on the other hand, monitoring
can be carried out from a great distance without disturbing the
respective persons.
The term long range does not mean that this code scanner does not
work efficiently at close range.
Devices that are as efficient as possible in the range of a few
centimeters to a distance of up to 70 feet and about 21 meters are
preferred. According to the invention, in particular bags are
- provided which are equipped with a machine¨readable code, in
particular a barcode.
This provides bags that can be checked by optical readers everywhere,
even at greater distances, for example up to 21 meters. This enables
a person to be recognized and checked quickly, safely and easily
using the machinereadable code on the bag.
The present invention is particularly advantageous because of the
high speeds when checking and tracking people by code scanners or
intelligent cameras and no manual intervention by (Security)
personnel is required because the people do not have to be stopped
to check.
On the one hand, the system according to the invention can be used
for checking and controlling persons, in particular for creating
movement profiles of persons.
On the other hand, it is possible with the aid of the system
according to the invention, in connection with systems for paying
fees, e.g. public transport charges, using optical readers and
computers connected to them, to automatically track people and record
their movements. Subsequently, based on the movement data, the fee
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to be paid, if applicable, can be determined and offset using
conventional payment systems.
For this purpose, it is particularly preferred if stationary readers
are used, which are arranged, for example, in the area of the
boarding points in trains or buses.
Another application of the system is that entry, for example into a
government building, a university, a hospital, a bank or a fitness
studio, can be monitored, with access only being permitted if the
captured code has the required access authorization.
It can preferably be provided that the optical reader is connected
directly or indirectly to a screen, which is arranged, for example,
in the entrance area of the protected area, so that information, for
example the name and a photo of the person assigned to the code, is
displayed based on the read out code.
This can be a simple way of preventing a stranger from gaining
unauthorized access with the help of a bag.
1 It is particularly preferably provided here that, after a machine-
readable code has been read out, an image of the person assigned to
the code is determined, for example from the electronic database,
and this image is compared by the system with the face of the person
carrying the bag captured by a camera.
If a difference is found in this comparison, an error message or a
warning signal is preferably output by the system in order to inform
a user, for example an employee, that the image assigned to the code
does not match the image of the bag carrier.
As a result, access by an unauthorized person can be ruled out,
wherein the required speed of face recognition being achieved by
finding the expected face on the basis of the code is significantly
reduced compared to systems in which the recognized face is compared
with a database. This method can also prevent baggage theft, for
example at airports, by assigning every luggage item to the face of
25 a person via a machine-readable code, which face is checked when
leaving the baggage area by the system comparing the face assigned
to the code with the face of the wearer of the bag.
It is also preferably provided that a payment, in particular a
ticket for the use of public transport, is triggered immediately by
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scanning a code. For example, the unique identifier of a person in a
central database is linked to a clearing account of the person. The
code is read in via a scanner or an intelligent camera and sent to a
,
control unit, preferably together with information such as the time
of acquisition or the location of acquisition.
,
There, the fee is calculated based on the scanned code and paid
1 using the clearing account, e.g. debited from the account.
i
1 In addition, it can be provided that after payment has been made, an
i acknowledgment of receipt of the charge is sent to the mobile phone
(or another electrical device) of the person recorded. This means
t
1 that the person receives a confirmation quickly after payment.
g
The confirmation can be sent for example as an email or text message.
Furthermore, in the event of an accident or disappearance of a
person, rescue workers or family members can determine the last
location of the person through the last detection of the machine-
readable code attached to the bag.
This makes it easier to determine in which area the person is or
where they have had an accident or disappeared. For this purpose, it
is preferably provided that the time and location of a capture by a
reader are stored. The electronic database here preferably comprises
all recordings of a code, whereby a movement profile of the person
Ican be created.
i The individual scanners can be connected to a computer on which the
electronic database is stored using a cable or wirelessly. The data
are preferably transmitted to the electronic database automatically
i after a scanning process.
IIt is preferably provided that the system comprises the following
components: a main computer, a bag with a machine-readable code, an
optical reader, in particular a standard or long-range code scanner
or an intelligent camera, a mobile phone assigned to a receiver, and.
=
a control unit.
A mobile modem, for example, can be used to transmit the data to the
mobile phone.
,
With the help of these components, an electronic registration can be
made when paying fees so that, for example, embarking and
. .
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g
1 disembarking on a public train can be electronically monitored and
processed accordingly.
1 The code can be registered via the main computer and assigned to the
relevant person via an electronic database. During operation, the
I code on the bag is read out by a scanner or an intelligent camera
and sent to the payment system for fees.
1 After payment, a payment confirmation can be sent to the person's
i mobile phone, in particular via a mobile modem. Furthermore, other
g data, assigned to the machine-readable code, can be read out from
the database and sent to the control unit or another electronic
1 device such as a mobile phone or a computer, e.g. a photo or the
name of the person.
,
Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the data record read out
. from the electronic database contains at least one telephone number
and a payment receipt for the fee. Furthermore, it is preferably
1 provided that at least one optical reader is designed as a
i stationary reader and preferably at least one optical reader 15 is
designed as a mobile, preferably portable, reader. In a particularly
preferred embodiment, more than one machine-readable code, for
f example two or three machine-readable codes, are arranged on the bag.
1 Two different codes, for example a (one-dimensional) barcode and a
2D code, are particularly preferably provided, which preferably
contain essentially the same data (the same information), in
1
i particular a unique identifier of the assigned person. On the one
w
I hand, a redundant system is created in which only one of several
i
i codes has to be readable, while the others can be dirty, damaged or
f not visible. In addition, security against forgery is increased
I because two codes have to be forged in the same way.
It is preferably provided that several, for example two or three
1 machinereadable codes are arranged on a bag in different areas of
1 the bag. For example, one code is arranged on one end of the bag and
the other code is arranged on the opposite end of the bag. According
to the invention, a method for monitoring people is also provided,
I wherein with the help of optical readers machine-readable codes are
captured, wherein the machine-readable codes are attached to bags.
Further, a bag for use in a method according to the invention is
I also provided, comprising at least one machine-readable code.
1
0 It is preferably provided hereby that the bag has at least two
imachinereadable codes, which are preferably different from each
i
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I other. Any of the features described herein can be combined in any
combination with any one or more of the other features described
herein within the scope of the invention.
I The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and
should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion
that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
3
1
1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
I Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may
he discerned from the following detailed description which provides
sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the
invention.
1 ,
1 The detailed description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope
of the preceding summary of invention in any way. The detailed
1 description will make reference to a, number of drawings as follows:
1
1 The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an
exemplary embodiment shown schematically in the drawing explained.
Therein, Figs. 1 and 2 show some components of a system according to
1 the invention and Figs. 3 and 4 show exemplary flow charts of a
system according to the invention.
i
IDETAILED DESCRIPTION
1 Fig. 1 shows an example of a bag 1 which is provided with two
machinereadable codes 2.
One machine-readable code 2 is designed as a bar code 10 and the
other machine-readable code 2 is designed as a 2D code. Furthermore,
,
,
1 an optical reader 3 which can be used within the scope of the
i
1 invention is shown. Fig. 2 shows further components of the
monitoring system. The system consists of a main computer 4, the bag
I. with a machine-readable code 2, an optical reader 3, a modem
mobile 5, and a control unit 6. The optical reader 3 detects the
machine-readable code 2 and sends the read-out data to the main
computer 4. The main computer 4 processes the received data and
compares them, for example, with a database.
1 A data record is generated from this, which contains, for example,
the name, the address, a photo of the assigned person as well as the
1
t time and place of recording. This data record is then e.g. forwarded
i to a control unit 6 and/or a mobile modem 5. The data can be sent
1
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via the control unit 6 or via the mobile modem 5, respectively, to a
mobile phone 7 or another device.
1 This makes it possible, for example, to identify a person entering a
bank, so that a bank employee is shown all the necessary information
about the person on his monitor when the person comes to his counter
after entering.
1 Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show an overview circuit diagram of the control
unit 6 (Fig.2). It consists of opening and closing with data in
1 block 1 to block 6 (Q1 to Q6).
V
1 Block 1: The modem mobile phone line is opened to send information.
Block 2: A data message based on the data in the machine-readable
code including location, time and date is sent.
= Block 3: Mobile modem OK.
Block 4: The information is sent to the mobile phone.
Block 5: Send Block 6: The mobile modem telephone line is closed.
_
The functions are summarized in the following table.
Qt: Open the mobile modem telephone line 1 Second - 1.50 seconds 5 .
i
1 ;
Q2 data report 3 Seconds - 1.50 seconds.
,
Q3 Mobile modem OK 4 Seconds - 1.50 seconds.
,
Q4 The information is sent to the mobile phone.
Q5 6 Seconds - 1.50 seconds.
;
i Q6 OK 7 Seconds - 1.50 seconds.
1
i Q7 closes the mobile modem. 9 Seconds - 1.50 seconds
1 1 In the present specification and claims (if any), the word
'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and
'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not
I exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
I
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1.0
Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or
'an embodiment' means that, a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an
embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. In compliance
A
with the statute, the invention has been described in language more
or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be
;
understood that the invention is not limited to specific features
shown or described since the means herein described comprises
preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention
1
is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within
1 the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately
interpreted by those skilled in the art.
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