Using an RFID Device to Enhance Security by Determining Whether a Person in a Secure Area is Accompanied by an Authorized Person

• US 20090295534A1
• Filed: 05/30/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Peters, Mark E., Golander, Amit
• Granted Patent: US 8,102,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to controlling access to an area or enclosed location, wherein any person in possession of a specified RFID badge or other RFID device is defined to be a person who is authorized to be in the area or location. One embodiment, directed to a method, includes the step of detecting the presence of a particular person in the area, who is not in possession of a specified RFID device. In response to detecting the presence of the particular person, a search is initiated to determine whether any authorized person is present in the area. Upon sensing the presence of one or more authorized persons in the area, the method further determines whether any of the sensed authorized persons is accompanying the particular person. In response to determining that no authorized person is accompanying the particular person, prespecified corrective action is initiated with respect to the particular person.

Claims

1. A method for controlling access to an area, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting the presence of a particular person in said area who is not in possession of one of a number of specified radio frequency identification (RFID) devices that each authorize a person to be in said area;

responsive to detecting the presence of said particular person, initiating a search to determine whether any authorized person is present in said area;

upon sensing the presence of one or more authorized persons in said area, determining whether any of said sensed authorized persons is accompanying said particular person; and

responsive to determining that no authorized person is accompanying said particular person, initiating a prespecified corrective action with respect to said particular person.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the presence in said area of said particular person or of any authorized person is detected by means of one or more motion detection devices located proximate to said area.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

an RFID reader located proximate to said area is operable to determine that said particular person is not in possession of one of said specified RFID devices.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

said RFID reader is operable to determine that each of one or more persons found to be present in said area is in possession of one of said specified RFID devices.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

said RFID reader is operable to determine whether or not an RFID device detected by said RFID reader has an authorization level in a hierarchy of authorization levels that is sufficient to permit access to said area.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

one or more parameters is selected from a set of parameters for use in determining whether an authorized person is accompanying said particular person, wherein said set of parameters includes at least pre-specified motion and positional parameters.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said corrective action includes operating a video system to commence video surveillance of said particular person.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

said corrective action includes operating a recording mechanism to record actions of said particular person in said area, and subsequently comparing said recorded actions with one or more selected conditions discovered in said area.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said corrective action includes notifying the operator of a video surveillance system to acquire video information pertaining to said particular person, while said particular person is in said area.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said corrective action includes generating an instruction to immediately send an authorized person to said area, in regard to said particular person.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the total amount of time that said particular person spends in said area is recorded, and is compared with the portion of said amount of time that said particular person is accompanied in said area by at least one authorized person.

12. Apparatus for controlling access to an area, said apparatus comprising:

means for detecting the presence of a particular person in said area who is not in possession of one of a number of specified radio frequency identification (RFID) devices that each authorize a person to be in said area;

means responsive to detecting the presence of said particular person, for initiating a search to determine whether any authorized person is present in said area;

means responsive to sensing the presence of one or more authorized persons in said area, for determining whether any of said sensed authorized persons is accompanying said particular person; and

means responsive to determining that no authorized person is accompanying said particular person, for initiating a prespecified corrective action with respect to said particular person.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said means for detecting the presence in said area of said particular person includes a motion detection device located proximate to said area.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said detecting means include an RFID reader located proximate to said area, for determining that said particular person is not in possession of one of said specified RFID devices.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

said RFID reader is operable to determine whether or not an RFID device detected by said RFID reader has an authorization level in a hierarchy of authorization levels that is sufficient to permit access to said area.

16. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for controlling access to an area, said computer program product comprising:

first instructions for detecting the presence of a particular person in said area who is not in possession of one of a number of specified radio frequency identification (RFID) devices that each authorize a person to be in said area;

second instructions responsive to detecting the presence of said particular person, for initiating a search to determine whether any authorized person is present in said area;

third instructions responsive to the presence of one or more authorized persons in said area, for determining whether any of said sensed authorized persons is accompanying said particular person; and

fourth instructions responsive to determining that no authorized person is accompanying said particular person, for initiating a prespecified corrective action with respect to said particular person.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein:

the presence in said area of said particular person is detected by means of a motion detection device located proximate to said area, wherein said motion detection device is operated by said first instructions.

18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein:

an RFID reader located proximate to said area is operated by said first instructions to determine that said particular person is not in possession of one of said specified RFID devices.

19. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein:

said RFID reader is operated by said second instructions to determine that each of one or more persons found to be present in said area is in possession of one of said specified RFID devices.

20. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein:

one or more parameters is selected from a set of parameters for use by said third instructions to determine whether an authorized person is accompanying said particular person, wherein said set of parameters includes at least pre-specified motion and positional parameters.