Method for automatically ascertaining the number of people and/or objects present in a gate

• US 7,893,811 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH
• Original Assignee: Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH
• Inventors: Augustyniak, Matthias, Hörkens, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Randy W
• Application Number:
  US11/989,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20080308322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,666 Days
• Field of Search: 340/666, 340/5.52, 340/5.7, 340/543, 177 2511- 2514, 177/25.17
• US Class Current: 340/5.52
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 5/003 Entrance control E05G5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/15 with arrangements to prevent the passage of more than one individual at a time

Abstract

Method for automatically ascertaining the number of people and/or objects present in a gate (10; 50; 70) which has the following steps: detection of weight data for people and/or objects moving in the gate (10; 50; 70) by means of a plurality of weight sensors (18, 20, 22, 24) integrated in the floor of the gate (10; 50; 70) and evaluation of the detected weight data in order to ascertain the number of people/objects from their maximum values and from their dynamics and/or the number of detected centers of gravity and/or the position of the weight sensors (18, 20, 22, 24) which have detected the weight data, and/or the order in which the weight sensors (18, 20, 22, 24) have detected the weight data.

Claims

1. A method for automatically ascertaining the number of people or objects present in a gate, the method having the following steps:

providing a gate having a door and a passage way, the door including one of a revolving door or a device equipped with rotating barrier arms;

providing a plurality of weight sensors along said passage way, wherein the weight sensors are arranged at both sides of the door;

detecting of weight data by the plurality of weight sensors;

evaluating the detected weight data in order to ascertain the number of people or objects inside the passage way, wherein evaluating comprises ascertaining the number of people or objects by at least one of maximum values, dynamics, a number of detected centers of gravity, a position of the weight sensors which have detected certain weight data, and an order in which the weight sensors have detected the weight data; and

automatically closing the door, wherein closing is controlled based on the weight data detected by the plurality of weight sensors.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in addition to the weight sensors, additional sensors for the detection of the number of people or objects are used.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the automatic opening and closing of the door present in the gate is controlled on the basis of the detected weight data and the data from the additional sensors.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein ascertaining the number of persons or objects inside the passageway includes ascertaining the number of persons or objects passing the gate, which is performed on the basis of the detected weight data and the data from the additional sensors.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining if one of the people ascertained to be in the passage way have passed beyond the door in a direction from an entrance of the passage way towards an exit of the passage way based on the evaluating of the detected weight data using the weight sensors on both sides of the door;

determining if that person is stationary after passing beyond the door while remaining in the passage way;

maintaining the door in an open position while that person remains stationary;

closing the door if it is determined that the person starts to move towards the exit; and

continuing to maintain the door in the open position if it is determined that the person starts to move back towards the entrance, and closing the door once the person passes through the door in a direction towards the entrance of the passage way.

5. A gate automatically ascertaining the number of people or objects present in the gate, including:

a passage way;

a door arranged at the passage way, wherein the door includes one of a revolving door and a device equipped with rotating barrier arms;

a plurality of weight sensors along said passage way, wherein the weight sensors are arranged at both sides of the door;

a weight data evaluation unit which is configured in such a way that the number and position of people or objects present in the passage way can be determined automatically through evaluating weight data which have been detected by means of the weight sensors from at least one of their maximum values, absolute values, dynamics of the maximum or absolute values, a number of the detected centers of gravity, a position of the weight sensors which have detected certain weight data, and an order in which the weight sensors have detected the weight data; and

means for automatically opening and closing the door, wherein the means is controlled by the weight data evaluation unit.

6. The gate according to claim 5, including additional sensors for detecting the number of persons or objects and the position of the persons or objects in the passage way.

7. The gate according to claim 5, wherein the weight data evaluation unit is configured to determine if one of the people present in the passage way has passed beyond the door towards an exit of the passage way by means of the weight sensors positioned on both sides of the door and, if so, determine if that person is stationary after passing beyond the door while remaining in the passage way.

8. The gate according to claim 7, further comprising the weight data evaluation unit being configured to:

maintain the door in an open position if it is determined that the person remaining in the passage way after passing beyond the door is stationary;

close the door if it is determined that the person starts to move towards the exit of the passage way, the exit being on an opposite side of the door as an entrance to the passage way; and

continue to maintain the door in the open position if it is determined that the person starts to move back towards the door, and close the door after the person has passed through the door towards the entrance of the passage way.