GB2352031A - Room space divider with optical intruder alarm interfaced to computer workstation - Google Patents

Abstract

A workspace protection system extending the existing security (eg log on, screen blank) and user interface of a computer type workstation to personal workspace in an open plan office includes first and second free-stranding post (2,4), first post (2) mounting transmitter means (20) for transmitting a beam of infrared radiation, the second post including means (26) for receiving the beam of radiation whereby the beam in use extends between the first and second posts parallel with a strap (8) which also extends between the posts to define a boundary for the workspace associated with a workstation of an office worker. The receiving means (26) is coupled to means (30) for detecting the interruption of the radiation beam and providing an audible/visual warning (32) to an office worker and/or visual warning indication (34) to a visitor. Also, detection could activate a computer security feature such as password protection or screen blanking.

Description

2352031 8971A:JK This invention relates to systems for protecting

workspaces in offices, shops, public access areas, etc to provide some of the functionality of the 'personal office door' missing 5 in an open place environment.

A 'personal office door' can be locked when the 'occupier' is absent and if someone has forced an entry during his absence most likely there would be some evidence.

Also if the occupier is working on confidential or otherwise sensitive information he would close (or even lock) his door whilst working and at least expect that another person would knock the door before seeking to gain entry. Very often the 'personal office door' carries signage eg 'IN', 'OLTT', DO NOT DISTURB' etc.

'Personal office doors' usually have some form of access control eg a key or maybe just courtesy. With an open plan office the absence of the door has nullified the use of a key and most such office users are familiar with the high level of interruption that can be produced in such environments.

With the increased use of computers and other types of workstations in the modem office, there has been a need for computer security. This has taken many forms including log on systems, screen/keyboard timeout, etc. Recently more sophisticated products are becoming available to protect data on computer systems and in some cases it has become a legal requirement. Very few offices are in fact 'paperless' and while computer security can protect data in a computer system it cannot directly protect the usual 'hard copy' and other items that it is necessary to work with, This invention takes the existing computer type workstation, using it as a user interface and extends the security it provides by virtue of, for example, log on systems and screen/keyboard/log on blanking to the workspace. In addition, it is possible to enhance 8971A:JK -2- the security by causing, for example, blanking to occur due to external security events like the entry or exit of a person from the workspace.

It is usual in open plan office systems to provide a mechanism for dividing up the space within the office to defuie a workspace for each office worker. Also, it has become common practice to 'hot desk' where the actual workspace is 'owned' only when occupied and can be used by many people. Commonly these spaces are defined by low level partitions, planters and the like. Means of entry to these areas is typically by one or more entry passageways.

A limitation of an open office environment of this sort is that it is possible, for instance, for someone to be working with confidential. or sensitive information on view which can been seen accidentally or deliberately by another person walking into the workspace. This is particularly true if the person working has cause to leave the workspace unoccupied for periods of time eg 'to get a coffee'. In addition, personal items of value may be left unattended in such situations, creating a security risk.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a workspace protection system, including means for transmitting and receiving a beam of radiation placed across the access pathway of a personal workspace, whereby the beam in use defines a dividing line separating the personal workspace from a larger area, the receiving means being coupled to beams for detecting the interruption of the radiation beam and providing a workspace security function.

Preferably, the receiving means is connected to a workstation (ie a computer), within the workspace and the computer is used to cause visual and/or audible warnings. Alternatively or in addition, signals from the receiving means can be used to control or modify the functioning and/or display on the computer or its associated display screen, eg to activate screen blanking or temporary shutdown.

8971A:JK -3 - A delay may be included so that if a user does not take an appropriate action (eg entry of a password) within a predetermined (possibly user- selectable) time after interrupting the beam, the display modification is actuated.

The dividing system according to the invention may be used in various applications, however, its primary application is to define the boundaries of a workspace for an office worker.

An audible and/or visual waming/indication may be provided for alerting an office worker to the arrival of a visitor in his workspace. Alternatively or in addition an indication may be provided to the visitor that he may not enter the workspace. The system may be integrated to one or more workstations (eg computers) within the personal workspace and may cause the screen(s) to become blank if so required.

In addition, the system may be set such that the worker can leave the space unattended for a period after which, on his return, he must confirm his identity (by log on for example). If his identity is not so confirmed within a time period an alarm will be generated to draw attention to the fact than an unauthorised person has entered a personal workspace. Indication at the transmitter and/or receiver can be provided to warn other persons not to enter the space during this period.

More than one beam path may be provided in embodiments of the invention and the direction of the passage of people can be sensed and the behaviour of the system tailored to suit the application accordingly.

The workspace may have at least three conditions defined.

1. Un-occupied - insecure. In this condition the passage of persons in and out does not normally cause alarms although it may be logged (eg using a computer) for analysis. It may cause alarms for example if the entry is at an inappropriate hour of the day.

8971A:JK -4- 2. Occupied - secure. Someone has entered the workspace and 'an-ned' the system to protect the workspace. Depending on the selected level of response the system will respond to the entry of another person by providing a visual and/or audible promp: and/or blanking the screens of integrated workstations. 5 3. Unattended - secure. In this condition, the workspace is 'owned' and the worker has left the space but no other person is allowed to enter during his absence. On his return, his identity must be verified within a time period or an alarm will be generated. The alarm may be audible and/or visual. In addition, standard alarm devices may also be triggered eg cameras, VCR's and frame freezers to record the identity of the unauthorised person. A digital photograph may, for example, be stored on a computer in the workstation by the addition of appropriate hardware and software.

As prefer-red, the transmitter will be mounted in a first post or station, and the receiver in a second post or station. However, other configurations are possible for example one post housing both trmsmitter and receiver, and an appropriately angled reflector in the second post. If desired, a plurality of posts may be provided to define a ring defining the complete boundary of the workspace.

Any appropriate radiation may be employed for example ultrasound microwave or light. Infrared is preferred because of the common availability of infrared equipment.

A physical cordon (eg rope or ribbon) may also be provided as additional security, and this may be alarmed for "ample.

Brief Description of the Drawines

Figure I shows schematically a plan view of a protected workspace; and Figure 2 shows an alternative protected workspace.

Referring to Figure 1, a workspace I is shown schematically. Within the workspace 8971A:JK -5- 1 is a desk 2 and a chair 3. A computer and an associated display 4 sits on the desk. The workspace is schematically as being defined by three physical borders 5, 6 and 7 (eg low partitions) and one open border. In practice, an open plan workspace may have less physical borders than this. 5 Across the open access pathway is mounted an infrared transmission and reception system 9, 10. This comprises a first post or other station 9 mounting an infrared transmitter or, preferably, a vertically and/or horizontally spaced array of transmitters, and a second post or station 10 mounting one or more co-operating receivers. 10 The receiving means is connected to the user's computer 4 by connection 11. This may be a wire connection, or a connection to a bus on which a number of computers are connected, or indeed may be a wireless connection using, for example, infrared communication or radio communication such as communication using the 'blue tooth' 15 protocol.

The posts 9 and 10 may be provided with audible and/or visual warning means 12 which can be arranged to indicate to a user when they have been armed, that is, when a beam is being transmitted. 20 The transmitter station 9 will also be connected to the user's computer 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the beam or beams are continuously transmitted. In other embodiments, they might only be caused to begin transmitting upon a signal 25 instigated by a user.

Software is provided on the computer so that a person can control the system. This may have a delay on it so that if the user wishes to leave their office for example he can set the system and then has a delay period in which to leave his workspace, or the system may 30 arm automatically when his exit is sensed by the beam(s). Any person or object moving 8971A:JK -6- through the beam will break it and this will cause a signal to be sent to the computer. The software in the computer may act in any manner desired by the user and which has been programmed. For example, it may cause an immediate screen blanking or cause the computer to be put onto stand-by. This then means that if the user was working on sensitive information, once a person enters through the infrared 'cordon' the screen in blanked so that that person, if he is unauthorised cannot view possibly sensitive information on the computer screen. The system may go much further than this and may suspend the computer's operation or indeed turn the computer off completely.

On re-entry into a 'secure unattended' workspace, preferably, a delay is also included when breaking of the beam is detected. Thus, breaking of the beam is sent to the computer and a delay period, which may be predetermined or varied by the user, begins. During this time, the person entering is able to enter a password, PIN or use some other login or authorisation/identification procedure within a predetermined delay period eg 10 seconds. Failure to do this will cause the system to go into alarm mode for a definable period which may include audible, visual or other alarm annunciation and recording means.

So that an eavesdropper cannot see anything that is displayed by computer, the computer may be arranged to go into a screen blanking mode upon arm of the system and, upon breaking of the beam being noted, if no action is taken within the desired delay period, it may put the computer into a shut down mode.

Alternatively, or additionally, visual and/or audible alarms, which may be generated by the computers soundcard or generated by an external means, may be actuated after the delay period or immediately if there is no set delay period.

Figure 2 shows an alternative system in which, in addition to infrared transmission and reception system 9 and 10 there is also a mechanical barrier or cordon 13. This may be a rope or extendable tape type barrier and serves to reinforce the perceived security of the workspace. This may also be alarmed in some embodiments so that if it is touched, or 8971A:JK -7tampered with in any way an alarm is raised.

Systems according to the present invention may also be set when a user is still present in their office to provide increased security for a user so he is made immediately aware, eg by a signal or message on his computer screen that another person has entered his workspace, or so that his screen is blanked when another person enters.

The visual warning means on the IR stations 9, 10 may be used to indicate the status of the workspace, or other information such as 'free to enter', 'do not enter', 'do not disturb', etc.

A detection means, in the form of a microswitch for example, may be used to detect that the stations are being illegally moved and provide a suitable warning.

It may thus be seen there is provided a simple and effective means for providing a workspace protection system in an open plan office system, which is very flexible in use and provides an effective means of extending and enhancing the existing computer security (eg log in/out, screen blanking, etc) into the workspace while also providing some of the useful functionality of the 'personal office door' which is now not present. 20 Although infrared radiation is preferred, other types of radiation may be used to detect entry/exit, eg ultrasonic, radio, etc.

One or more posts may be fitted with a button or other means for triggering a bell, buzzer or other sounder.

By using an array (eg vertically and/or horizontally spaced) of transmitters/receivers, it becomes possible to discriminate the types and numbers of objects passing through and to detect direction of travel. The system can be armed when a user is at his workstation 4, and allow one person (the user) to leave the workspace before arming.

8971A:JK -8 Thus, the invention provides a solution to the problem of security management of personal workspace in an open plan environment. It provides the functionality of 'the office door' that is; 1. It makes an office secure when unoccupied.

2. It defines a boundary between general and personal space.

3. It can bear signage, eg name, 'IN', 'OLJT', 'do not disturb'.

4. It can be 'knocked' (ie a button can be pressed) by a visitor to draw attention and/or to request entry.

5. It is apparent when it has been forced open eg entry and exit events can be recorded, displayed and reviewed.

The system uses the (existing) computer/workstation in a workspace as a means of interaction with the worker for the setting of operational behaviour. This is most convenient and cost effective although there are other means eg access control systems by which the system can know if the authorised worker is present or not.

It is envisaged that the units will run via a 'mains' brick from a conventional AC wall socket with some warning if disconnected.

The device may incorporate a radio link, which could warn either the normal occupier via a low cost pager, or a general security alarm in the event of a breach.

The relatively wide angle of transmission and reception of IR transmitters and receivers enables imprecise positioning of the system.

The apparatus may be termed a 'pseudo-door'.

Where the term 'computer' or workstation is used, this includes a terminal connected to a remote computer or server for example.

8971A:JK

Claims (13)

1. A workspace protection system comprising means, including radiation transmission and reception means, for extending the existing internal security provided by a workstation 5 to a personal workspace.

2. A workspace protection system, including means for transmitting and receiving a beam of radiation placed across the access pathway of a personal workspace, whereby the beam in use defines a dividing line separating the personal workspace from a larger area, the receiving means being coupled to beams for detecting the interruption of the radiation beam and providing a workspace security function.

3. A workspace protection system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the receiving means is connected to a computer, and interruption of the beam causes one or more security ftinctions associated with the computer to be actuated.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the security functions include one or more of, actuating an audible or visual alarm, computer shut down or suspend screen blanking, screen saver operation or password protection functions.

5. A system as claimed in any of Claims I to 4, wherein a delay is included before actuation of a security feature.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein if a selected operation is performed during the delay period, the security feature is not actuated.

7. A system as claimed in any of Claims I to 6, including means for detecting the direction in which a person interrupting the beam is travelling.

8. A workspace protection system according to any preceding claim, wherein the 8971A:JK _10transmitter means is mounted on a first post and the receiver means on a second post.

9. A workspace protection system according to any preceding claim, wherein the radiation is infrared radiation. 5

10. A workspace or space protection system according to any preceding claim, and including a physical cordon.

11. A system as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the physical cordon includes means for alarm generation, in addition or in conjunction with the radiation transmission and reception means.

12. A room space dividing system substantially as described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

13. A 'pseudo-door' comprising means for generating and receiving a beam of radiation, and means for detecting interruption of the beam indicating entry or exit through a 'pseudo-door'.