GB2355333A

GB2355333A - A system for controlling access of individuals to and/or from a restricted area

Info

Publication number: GB2355333A
Application number: GB0016579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Welsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-07
Filing date: 2000-07-07
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Also published as: GB9915858D0; GB0016579D0

Abstract

A method and system for allowing selective entry of individuals into a restricted area wherein each individual is provided with a tag that is required for entry to the restricted area. Any damage to or loss of integrity of the tag attached to the individual invalidates the tag whereby entry to the restricted area may be refused. The tag may be in the form of an identification bracelet (4) provided with a unique code whereby any damage or loss of integrity of the bracelet invalidates the code.

Description

2355333 Title: An improved method, system and device for controlling

access of individuals to and/or from a restricted area.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an improved method, system and device for controlling access of individuals to and/or from a restricted area.

It is often necessary, for example for reasons of safety and for safeguarding ticket revenues, to be able to monitor the number of individuals that have entered a specified area, such as at pop concerts, corporate hospitality events, open air festivals and green filed events. This can be simply achieved at events where the attendees remain within the area until after the event has finished, since each person is counted on entry into the area, for example by means of turnstiles having a counting mechanism attached thereto or by means of ticket collecting.

However, events may take place within a designated area that allow attendees to enter, leave and re-enter the site, for example if the event is taking place over a number of days. In this situation it is necessary to be able to keep an accurate record of the number of people that have entered, left and/or re-entered so that, for example on-site security, are aware of the total number of people present at any one time within the area.

It is also important to be able to distinguish between entrants that are reentering the site and those that are entering for the first time thereby enabling -the attendants on the entrance to know whether a person has already paid their entrance fee. One prior art method of detecting entrants who have already paid their fee involves providing wristbands upon entry to or exit from the site such that the

2 attendants may allow re-entry of an attendee into the site upon presentation of their wristband. Alternatively, the hand of the entrant may be marked with a particular stamp or an invisible ink that becomes visible upon exposure to UV light for displaying upon entry.

However, these methods of detection of re-entrants do have a number of drawbacks. For example, it is possible for people from outside the site to place invisible markers onto their hands to gain access to the site. Large festivals often attract criminals who rapidly produce counterfeit stamps to sell to people outside the site in order for them to gain access to the area. This results in revenue being lost for the organisers of the event whilst criminals gain by selling counterfeit stamps. If wristbands are provided on entry into the site, one person from a large group may take all the other persons' bands, leave the site and re-sell or donate the bands to people outside the site who may then enter for a cheaper price than the official entrance fee or even for free. Accordingly, a large amount of revenue is lost at such events due to persons entering the site as "re-entrants" when in fact they have not purchased tickets or have purchased them from an unofficial source. Additionally, this results in the officials involved in organising the event no longer being aware of the total number of persons actually present in the designated area which is clearly undesirable for reasons such as safety. This may also result in overcrowding of the amenity infrastruoture at the event.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for controlling the access of individuals to and/or from a particular area, and to 3 provide a device for assisting in effecting the same, which aim to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for allowing selective entry of individuals into a restricted area, comprising the steps of providing each individual with a tag for attaching to the individual, the tag being required for entry to the restricted area by the individual, wherein any damage to or loss of integrity of the tag attached to the individual invalidates the tag whereby entry to the restricted area may be refused.

In this manner, the re-entry of an individual into a restricted area is only possible if the tag has not been damaged or distorted in any way. The tag may also be required to exit the area. Re-entry may only be allowed if an "exit" for that tag has been recorded, thereby reducing or eliminating "passbacks" (i.e wherein an individual has entered the restricted area, removed their access tag and passed it out of the area to allow unauthorised entry of another individual).

A second aspect of the present invention provides a system for allowing selective access of individuals to and/or from a restricted area, the system comprising at least one tag for attachment to an individual, the tag being required for access to and/or from the restricted area by the individual, wherein any damage to or loss of integrity of the tag atta. ched to the individual invalidates the tag whereby access to and/or from the restricted area may be refused.

The tag may be visually inspected at an entrance to the area to check for any 4 damage or loss of integrity. Alternatively, the tag may be automatically scanned. Preferably, the tag is provided with a code wherein the correct code allows access to the area. Damage or loss of integrity of the tag results in the code being invalidated.

More preferably, a scanner is provided for reading the tag for checking whether the code is valid. For example, the code may be passive and be readable upon activation by a radio signal sent by a scanner that is then able to read the code. The scanner may activate an audible and/or visual signal indicating wl-ether access is allowed or denied. The scanner may be formed as part of an access point to the restricted area, for example, a turnstile. The scanner preferably can read at least 25 tags per second, more preferably 30 tags per second.

Preferably, the tag is contained within a bracelet for attaching around the wrist of an individual whereby any damage or loss of integrity of the bracelet, for example as a result of stretching or cutting the bracelet, invalidates the code on the bracelet. Preferably, the size of the bracelet may be adjusted to the size of the individual upon attachment thereto but may not be subsequently altered in size.

Preferably, the bracelet is formed of a flexible plastics material having an electronic chip or other electronic device embedded therein. The chip or electronic device may be provided with the access code. The chip or device may store a large amount of information, for example 96 bits. Information, such as the name, address and date of birth of the individual may be included in the device in addition lo a specific code. A mesh of serniconductive material may be provided around -the circumference of the bracelet for forming a complete circuit. If the circuit is broken or altered at any point, the code of the chip or device is invalidated and the bracelet cannot be pieced together to resurrect the code.

More preferably, the tag is activated with an access code after attachment to an individual, for example, by means of an activating device. In this manner, entry of an individual into the restricted area is only possible if the tag is not damaged or distorted and has been officially activated. Preferably, the activated code has a limited lifespan. It is preferable for a security code to also have to be entered correctly into the activating device to enable operation thereof. It is preferable that the activating device may only validate a limited number of tags without re-entry of the security code. The device may also be provided with a mechanism for disabling itself if removed in an unauthorised manner, for example, requiring the security code to be re- entered.

Preferably, the scanners or turnstiles provided at the access point to the restricted area are provided with counting means whereby the number of persons entering and leaving the area may be counted. More preferably, the individual scanners or the turnstiles are linked to a central unit, for example in the form of a computer that continuously monitors the total number of persons within the restricted area at any one time.

A third aspect of the present invention provides an identification bracelet for attaching to an individual, wherein the bracelet is provided with a code, the code being invalidated by any damage to or loss of integrity of the bracelet.

Preferably, the bracelet is used as an identification bracelet for gaining access to and/or from a restricted area, access being'denied if the code has been invalidated. The code may also be linked to an audible or visible alarm whereby an alarm is 6 activated upon invalidation of the code.

The bracelet is preferably encapsulated with a waterproof and airtight seal.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I is a flow diagram demonstrating the steps involved in monitoring access of individuals to and from an area according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure I of the accompanying drawings, a method for controlling the entry of individuals to and/or from an area is illustrated. The area, for example where a pop festival is to take place, is provided with boundary fencing having a number of manned access points, for example, in the form of turnstiles. Persons that wish to access the area must surrender an official pre-paid ticket to receive a wristband or purchase wristbands from official sources (step "a") and the wristbands are then activated by an activating device provided at the access point(s) to the area (step "b"). An electronic reader is then able to scan the activated wristband to confirm the validity thereof and allow entry into the site (step "c"). The reader may also be used to monitor the number of persons entering the site. Alternatively, the numbers may be counted by conventional means provided on the turnstiles at the access points -to the area.

7 The reader may be, for example, a battery-operated hand-held device that is carried by the attendants on each access point for scanning the bracelets of people entering the site or may be formed integrally with the turnstiles such that the bracelets are read automatically. The reading of a correct code may activate an audible or visual signal (such as a green light) to inform the person that entry is allowed.

Once an individual has entered the site using his or her activated wristband that individual may temporarily leave the site (step "d"), for example at night to return to their tent, via the turnstiles wherein the wristband may be again read by the electronic reader. The action of passing through the turnstiles or the wristband being read by the reader enables the number of persons leaving the site to be monitored. Persons having an intact electronically valid, activated wristband may then re-enter the site by having their wristband scanned by the read er which allows re- entry upon reading a valid code (steps "e" and 'V).

However, if the wristband has been distorted in any way, for example, if the wristband has been stretched to fit over the hand of the original purchaser to enable it to be placed onto another person's wrist, the wristband will no longer contain the correct code to allow re-entry (steps "g"dnd "h"). Similarly, if the band has been cut and stuck back together, the entry code will be invalidated and entry will be mfused. An audible or visual signal may be activated upon detecting an invalid code. In this manner, the coded wristbands do not allow persons to gain access to the site umless they have purchased a wristband from an official source. Additionally, it is easier to visually check whether persons inside the restricted area have paid to enter since the bracelets are more visible than, for example, a stamp on the hand.

8 The provision of an encoded wristband also greatly assists in reducing the number of counterfeit bands available since the access code is extremely difficult to decipher. Thus, it will take a substantial amount of time to produce a satisfactory counterfeit band having the correct access code, by which point the event may be finished. Other events will use wristbands with a new access code so that the counterfeiters have to again spend time deciphering the code and copying the variable design of the wristband.

The electronic readers at each entry point that scan the wristbands upon entry to and exit from the site may be linked together to a central monitoring unit for providing an updated reading of the total number of persons that are within the site at any one time. The readers may continuously update the central unit to provide an accurate figure of the number of persons within the site. Alternatively, the passage of persons through turnstiles provided at each access point may be provided with counting means to monitor the number of persons within the site.

Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrates one embodiment of a tagging device for use in a method of the present invention. The device is in the form of an intelligent radio frequency wristband 4 that is made of a sleeve of flexible plastics material 6 that has a semiconductor chip 8 (or other electronic device) formed integrally therein. The wristband has a continuous mesh 10 that encircles the band for forming a complete circuit with the chip or device 8. Any distortion of the bracelet, such as stretching or cutting, effects the links in the mesh and breaks the circuit. The strands cannot easily be linked back together correctly to provide an activated bracelet. The bracelet is "passive" in that it has no power source and requires an external source 9 to enable reading of the code. For example the code may be activated by a scanner that releases radiowaves (such as 13.56 MHz) to enable reading of the data contained on the band.

It is to be appreciated that other mechanisms may be provided for allowing the code of the -bracelet to be invalidated upon any physical distortion thereof Alternatively, visual inspection of the tag attached to the individual may demonstrate whether or not the tag has been tampered with. For example, the tag or bracelet may change colour with loss of integrity or damage thereto, indicating that entry to the restricted area should be refused.

The device for activating a bracelet with an access code to allow entry to the site may itself be provided with a security code that must be entered into the device for activation thereof. In this manner, if thieves should steal an activating device to enable them to activate their own bracelets, the thieves would still have to decipher the security code. Additionally, the activating device may be programmed to validate only a limited.number of bracelets without re-entering the security code. The device may also be provided with a mechanism for disabling itself should it be removed in an unauthorised fashion, for example, if the device formed integrally with the turnstile is removed therefrom.

The device of the present invention may be used in other applications, for example, theme parks, golf tournaments, country, agricultural, air shows and race meetings or similar. It may also be used within the confines of events to restrict entry to corporate hospitality or any other event where a secure passout and re-entry system needs to be employed.

Claims

1. A method for allowing selective entry of individuals into a restricted area, comprising the steps of providing each individual with a tag for attaching to the individual, the tag being required for entry into the restricted area by the individual, wherein any damage to or loss or integrity of the tag attached to the individual invalidates the tag whereby entry to the restricted area may be refused.

2. A method as claimed in claim I wherein the tag is also required to exit the area.

3. A method as claimed in claim I or 2 wherein the tag is provided with a code, the correct code allowing access to and/or from the area.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the tag is visually inspected to check for any damage or loss of integrity.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the tag is scanned to check for any damage or loss of integrity.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the code is passive and is readable upon activation by a radio signal sent by the scanner that then reads the code.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the scanner activates an audible and/or visual signal indicating whether access is allowed or denied.

8. A method as c laimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tag is P'rovided in an inactive state and is activated by means of an activating device to provido an access code after attachment to an individual.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the activated access code has a limited lifespan.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or clai -in 9, wherein a security code must be entered correctly into the activating device to enable operation thereof

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the activating device is only able to validate a limited number of tags without re-entry of the security code.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the activating device disables itself if removed in an unauthorised manne r.

13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising counting means whereby the number of individuals entering and/or leaving the area may be counted.

14. A system for allowing selective access of individuals to and/or from a restricted area, the system comprising at least one tag for attachment to an individual, the tag being required for access to and/or from the restricted area by the individual, wherein any damage or loss of integrity of the tag attached to the individual invalidates the tag whereby access to and/or from the restricted area may be refused.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein a scanner is provided to automatically scan the tag.

16. A system as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein the tag is provided with a code, the correct code allowing access to or from the area.

17. A system as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the scanner activates an audible and/or visual signal indicating whether access is allowed or denied.

18. A system as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17 wherein the scarmer is formed as part of an access point to the restricted area.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the access point is in the form of a turnstile.

20. A system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the tag is contaiined within a bracelet.

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21. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the bracelet has an electronic chip or other electronic device embedded therein.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the chip or electronic device is provided with an access code.

23. A system as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein a mesh of semiconductor material is provided around the circumference of the bracelet to form a complete circuit.

24. A system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 23 wherein an activating device activates the tag after attachment to an individual.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the activated tag has a limited lifespan.

26. A system as claimed in claim 24 or 25 wherein a security code must be correctly entered into the activating device to enable operation thereof

27. A system as claimed in claim 26 wherein the activating device only validates a limited number of tags without re-entry of the security code.

28. A system as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the activating device is provided with a mechanism for disabling itself if removed in an unauthorised manner.

29. A system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 28 wherein the scanner is provided with counting means whereby the number of individuals entering and/cr leaving the area may be counted.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein a number of scanners are linked to a central unit that continuously monitors the total number of individuals within the restricted area at any one time.

31. An identification bracelet for attaching to an individual, wherein the bracelet is provided with a code, the code being invalidated by any damage to or loss of integrity of the bracelet.

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32. An identification bracelet as claimed in claim 31 wherein the size of the bracelet is adjustable to the size of the individual upon attachment thereto but may not be subsequently altered in size.

33. An identification bracelet as claimed in claim 31 or 32 wherein the bracelet is formed of a flexible plastics material having an electronic chip or other electronic device embedded therein.

34. An identification bracelet as claimed in claim 33 wherein the electronic chip or device is provided with the code.

35. An identification bracelet as claimed in 34 wherein a mesh of semiconductive material is provided around the circumference of the bracelet for forming a complete circuit whereby if the circuit is broken or altered at any point, the code of the chip or device is invalidated.

36. An identification bracelet as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 35 wherein the tag must be activated with an access code after attachment to an individual to enable reading of the code.

37. An identification bracelet as claimed in claim 36 wherein the activated tag has a limited lifespan.

38. An identification tag as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.