AUTOMATIC GUIDANCE OF VISITOR IN NEW FACILITY THROUGH ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM INTEGRATION WITH LCD DISPLAY

• US 20090014516A1
• Filed: 07/11/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Subbaiah, Ramesh, Kshirsagar, Sachin R., Subbiah, Siva
• Granted Patent: US 7,600,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382.500
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

An automatic guidance system and method directs a person in a defined area. An access control device includes a selectively encoded readable element. An access control device reader is adapted to read the element of the access control device and selectively deny or allow a user access to a predetermined location. A communication device included in the access control device reader directs the user to the predetermined location.

Claims

1. An automatic guidance system for directing a person to a specific area, which comprises:

an access control device including a selectively encoded readable element;

an access control device reader for reading the encoded readable element and denying or allowing a user access to a predetermined location controlled by the reader; and

a communication device included in the access control device reader for providing a message directing the user to the predetermined location when the user is allowed access to the predetermined location controlled by the reader,

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication device is a display using visual directions for directing the user to the predetermined location.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the access reader reads the element of the access device when the access device is swiped through the access reader.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the access device is a card including a magnetic strip communicating with the access reader.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the access reader reads the readable element of the access card when the access card is proximate the access reader and without touching the reader.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the access reader display visually directs the user the predetermined location by depicting a map.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the access reader includes a sound emitting element for directing the user to the predetermined location.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sound emitting element further communicates verbal directions to the user.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the access device is encoded to allow the user access to multiple locations at different times.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the access control reader includes a microprocessor which is programmed to depict a plurality of messages sequentially or concurrently on the display in response to reading the access device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the display of the access reader includes a liquid crystal display.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the access reader includes a microcontroller storing access information and visual displays, and programmed to display a plurality of messages and communicate with the access device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein 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.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein 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.

15. A method of automatically guiding a person in a defined area, comprising:

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.

16. The method of claim 15, further including:

displaying the directions for directing the user to the predetermined location.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein 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.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein 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.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of communicating includes emitting verbal directions to the user.

20. The method of claim 15, further including:

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.

21. The method of claim 15, further including:

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.

22. The method of claim 21, further including programming the microcontroller to display the directional aid corresponding to the access control device encoding.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein 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.