Methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier. In particular, they relate to methods and apparatus for controlling a barrier in a parking system.

BACKGROUND

Parking systems usually include a first barrier that controls a user's ingress to the car park, and a second barrier that controls the user's egress from the car park. At the first barrier, the user is provided with a physical ticket or token by a first device. Once the ticket or token has been taken by the user, the first device may then control the first barrier to allow the user to ingress to the car park. When the user wishes to leave the car park, the user pays a tariff and then inserts the ticket or token into a second device that controls the second barrier to allow the user to egress from the car park.

The use of physical tickets or tokens may provide several disadvantages. For example, where the ticket includes a magnetic stripe, the ticket may only be used a single time (i.e. for one entry and exit of the car park) and may therefore have a negative impact on the environment. By way of another example, where a parking system uses tokens, a user may lose their token and the replacement of the token may be relatively expensive for the owner of the car park. It would therefore be desirable to provide an alternative system. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method for controlling a barrier, the method comprising: receiving first identification data associated with biometric information of a user; storing the received first identification data; receiving second identification data associated with biometric information of a user and determining if the second identification data corresponds to the stored first identification data; and causing control of a barrier to allow egress of the user when the second identification data corresponds to the stored first identification data.

The barrier may prevent egress of a user when the second identification data does not correspond to the stored first identification data. The first identification data may be stored as at least a part of an electronic ticket.

The electronic ticket may further comprise a time and date of generation. The method may further comprise: receiving third identification data associated with biometric information of a user; identifying an electronic ticket by comparing the received third identification data with stored identification data; calculating a tariff payable by the user using the time of generation of the identified electronic ticket and the time of receipt of the third identification data.

The method may further comprise: receiving further identification data associated with the user, the further identification data being different to the first identification data; storing the further identification data; and wherein the barrier is controlled to allow egress of the user when received identification data corresponds to the stored further identification data. Subsequent to the user providing the biometric information, a barrier may be controlled to allow ingress of the user.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided apparatus for controlling a barrier, the apparatus comprising a controller configured to: receive first identification data associated with biometric information of a user; store the received first identification data; receive second identification data associated with biometric information of a user and determine if the second identification data corresponds to the stored first identification data; and cause control of a barrier to allow egress of the user when the second identification data corresponds to the stored first identification data.

The barrier may prevent egress of a user when the second identification data does not correspond to the stored first identification data.

The first identification data may be stored as at least a part of an electronic ticket. The electronic ticket may further comprise a time and date of generation.

The controller may be further configured to: receive third identification data associated with biometric information of a user; identify an electronic ticket by comparing the received third identification data with stored identification data; and calculate a tariff payable by the user using the time of generation of the identified electronic ticket and the time of receipt of the third identification data.

The controller may be configured to: receive further identification data associated with the user, the further identification data being different to the first identification data; store the further identification data; and wherein the barrier is controlled to allow egress of the user when received identification data corresponds to the stored further identification data.

Subsequent to the user providing the biometric information, a barrier may be controlled to allow ingress of the user.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program that, when run on a computer, performs the method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when performed by a processor, cause performance of: the method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a system comprising: at least one sensor configured to obtain biometric information from a user and to generate identification data using the biometric information; at least one barrier configured to control the passage of the user there through; and an apparatus as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

The at least one sensor may comprise a first sensor positioned on a first side of a road, and a second sensor positioned on a second side of the road.

The system may further comprise at least one solar panel to provide electrical energy to the at least one sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the brief description, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system according to various examples; and

Fig. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to various examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 10 including a server 12, a first sensor 14, a first barrier 16, a second sensor 18, a second barrier 20 and a payment apparatus 22. The system 10 may be any suitable system for controlling the passage of a user. For example, the system 10 may be a parking system in which the first and second barriers 16, 20 control entry and exit from a car park. In another example, the system 10 may be implemented at toll booths on toll roads. The server 12 (which may also be referred to as an apparatus for controlling at least one barrier) includes a controller 24. The implementation of the controller 24 can be in hardware alone (for example, a circuit, a processor and so on), have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

The controller 12 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable computer program instructions in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor 26 that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium 28 (disk, memory etc) to be executed by such a processor 26. The processor 26 is configured to read from and write to the memory 28. The processor 26 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor 26 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 28.

The memory 28 stores a computer program 30 comprising computer program instructions (computer program code) that controls the operation of the server 12 when loaded into the processor 26. The computer program instructions, of the computer program 30, provide the logic and routines that enables the server 12 to perform the method illustrated in Fig. 2. The processor 26 by reading the memory 28 is able to load and execute the computer program 30.

The computer program 30 may arrive at the server 12 via any suitable delivery mechanism 32. The delivery mechanism 32 may be, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a compact disc readonly memory (CD-ROM) or digital versatile disc (DVD), an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program 30, or a cable. The delivery mechanism 32 may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 30. The server 12 may propagate or transmit the computer program 30 as a computer data signal.

Although the memory 28 is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processor 26 is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable. References to 'computer-readable storage medium', 'computer program product', 'tangibly embodied computer program' etc. or a 'controller', 'computer', 'processor' etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single /multi- processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this application, the term 'circuitry' refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

The memory 28 also stores a database 34 that is configured to include a plurality of electronic tickets of users who have entered the system 10. An electronic ticket stored in the database includes identification data associated with biometric information of a user and may also include the time of generation of the electronic ticket and the location of the user. The database 34 is described in greater detail in the following paragraphs.

The first sensor 14 includes a controller 36 and a biometric reader 38. The controller 36 may be similar in structure to the controller 24 of the server 12 and is consequently not described in detail in this description. The biometric reader 38 may be any suitable device for reading biometric information of a user. For example, the biometric reader 38 may include one or more of: a finger print reader, a collagen reader, reader for measuring blood flow in a vein, any sub-dermis reading device, a facial recognition device, an ear recognition device, an iris recognition device, a palm recognition device. The biometric reader 38 is configured to read at least one biometric of a user. The controller 36 is configured to read the biometric information obtained by the biometric reader 38 and convert the biometric information into first identification data (that is associated with the biometric information). For example, the controller 36 may be configured to encrypt the biometric information to produce a unique code reference number (i.e. the first identification data). The first sensor 14 then provides the first identification data to the server 12.

In some examples, the controller 36 may not convert the biometric information into another form of data. In these examples, the first identification data is the same as the biometric information, and the biometric information is sent to the server 12 and stored there on. In some examples, the first sensor 14 may also provide the first identification data to the second sensor 18 and/or the payment apparatus 22. The second sensor 18 and the payment apparatus 22 may store the first identification data in a database so that in the event of the connection with the server 12 being cut, the second sensor 18 and the payment apparatus 22 may continue to function.

The first barrier 16 may be any suitable physical barrier for controlling the ingress of a user to an area 39. For example, the first barrier 16 may be a rising arm unit, a gate, a bollard or any other suitable device for stopping a vehicle. The first barrier 16 may be controlled by the controller 36 to allow the ingress of a user. For example, the controller 36 may control the first barrier 16 to allow passage of a user there through in response to receiving the biometric information. In other examples, the controller 24 of the server 12 may be configured to control the first barrier 16 (for example, in response to the receipt of the first identification data).

The second sensor 18 includes a controller 40 and a biometric reader 42. The controller 40 may be similar in structure to the controller 24 of the server 12 and is consequently not described in detail in this description. The biometric reader 42 includes the same reader device or devices as the biometric reader 38 and may therefore also include any suitable device for reading biometric information of a user. For example, the biometric reader 42 may include one or more of: a finger print reader, a collagen reader, reader for measuring blood flow in a vein, any sub-derm is reading device, a facial recognition device, an ear recognition device, an iris recognition device, a palm recognition device. The biometric reader 42 is configured to read at least one biometric of a user. The controller 40 is configured to read the biometric information obtained by the biometric reader 42 and convert the biometric information into second identification data (that is associated with the biometric information). For example, the controller 40 may be configured to encrypt the biometric information to produce a unique code reference number (i.e. the first identification data). The second sensor 18 then provides the second identification data to the server 12.

The second barrier 20 may be any suitable physical barrier for controlling the egress of a user to from the area 39. For example, the second barrier 20 may be a rising arm unit, a gate, a bollard or any other suitable device for stopping a vehicle. The second barrier 20 may be controlled by the controller 40 to allow the egress of a user. For example, the controller 40 may control the second barrier 20 to allow passage of a user there through in response to receiving a signal from the server 12 indicating that passage is permitted. In other examples, the controller 24 of the server 12 may directly control the second barrier 20 to allow passage of the user there through.

The payment apparatus 22 includes a controller 44, a biometric reader 46 and a payment unit 48. The controller 44 may be similar in structure to the controller 24 of the server 12 and is consequently not described in detail in this description. The biometric reader 46 includes the same reader device or devices as the biometric reader 38 and may therefore also include any suitable device for reading biometric information of a user. For example, the biometric reader 46 may include one or more of: a finger print reader, a collagen reader, reader for measuring blood flow in a vein, any sub-dermis reading device, a facial recognition device, an ear recognition device, an iris recognition device, a palm recognition device.

The biometric reader 46 is configured to read at least one biometric of a user. The controller 44 is configured to read the biometric information obtained by the biometric reader 46 and convert the biometric information into third identification data (that is associated with the biometric information). For example, the controller 44 may be configured to encrypt the biometric information to produce a unique code reference number (i.e. the third identification data). The payment apparatus 22 then provides the third identification data to the server 12. The payment unit 48 includes a display (not illustrated) that is configured to indicate to a user the tariff that they must pay in order to leave the area 39. The payment unit 48 also includes a device for receiving payment from a user (such as a coin or note slot, and/or a debit/credit card machine). Once a user has paid the tariff, the controller 48 provides a signal to the server 12 indicating that the user has paid the tariff.

The operation of the server 12 is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Fig. 2. At block 50, the controller 24 receives first identification data from the sensor 14.

At block 52, the controller 24 stores the first identification data in the database 34. The first identification data forms at least part of an electronic ticket, and as mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, the electronic ticket may also include the time and date of generation of the electronic ticket and the location of the user (e.g. the location may indicate which car park the user is located in and may also include the place of ingress, such as equipment number of the first barrier 16 and/or the first sensor 14).

At block 54, the controller 24 receives third identification data from the payment apparatus 22.

At block 56, the controller 24 identifies an electronic ticket stored in the database 34 by comparing the received third identification data with identification data stored in the database 34. At block 58, the controller 24 calculates a tariff payable by the user. Where the identified electronic ticket includes a time and date of generation, the calculation uses the time and date of generation of the identified electronic ticket and the time and date of receipt of the third identification data to calculate the tariff. The server 12 then provides the tariff information to the payment apparatus 22. Where the identified electronic ticket does not include a time and date of generation, the controller 24 may inform the payment apparatus 22 of a fixed price tariff that is payable by the user. Once the payment apparatus 22 has received payment from the user, the controller 24 receives a signal from the payment apparatus 22 indicating that the tariff has been paid. The controller 24 subsequently updates the electronic ticket corresponding to the received third identification data that payment has been received.

At block 60, the controller 24 receives second identification data from the second sensor 18.

At block 62, the controller 24 determines if the second identification data received at block 60 corresponds to stored identification data in the database 34. The controller 24 also determines whether the identified electronic ticket has been paid within a predetermined time period of receipt of the second identification data. If the second identification data corresponds to stored identification data, and if the identified electronic ticket has been paid within a predetermined time period of receipt of the second identification data, the method moves to block 64, and the controller 24 causes control of the second barrier 20 to allow egress of the user from the area 39. In some examples, the controller 24 sends a signal to the controller 40 to instruct the controller 40 to operate the second barrier 20. In other examples, the controller 24 directly controls the second barrier 20 to allow egress of the user. The electronic ticket associated with that user may then be deleted automatically from the database 34.

If the second identification data does not correspond to stored identification data in the database 34, and/or if the identified electronic ticket has not been paid within a predetermined time period of receipt of the second identification data, the second barrier 20 prevents egress of the user from the area 39.

The system 10 may provide several advantages. Firstly, the system 10 is relatively environmentally friendly since the system 10 does not use physical tickets or tokens. Consequently, the operation of the system 10 does not incur costs in relation to the manufacture and transport of tickets or tokens.

Secondly, the system 10 may be less prone to being used fraudulently since the biometric information of a user is unique to that user. This may be particularly advantageous where a user purchases a 'season' electronic ticket since the season electronic ticket will only work with the user who purchased the season electronic ticket. In other words, the season electronic ticket may not be used by a different user since their biometric information will not match the identification data stored in the season electronic ticket.

Thirdly, the system 10 may have relatively low maintenance costs since the first and second sensors 14, 18 may have no moving parts that require servicing or repair. Consequently, the sensors 14, 18 may require relatively low electrical energy to operate and may be powered by at least one solar panel.

Fourthly, the system 10 may advantageously reduce the likelihood of theft of a vehicle because the system 10 requires the vehicle user's biometric information in order for the second barrier 20 to permit passage there through. Fifthly, the server 12 may not receive the biometric information from the first sensor 14 (that is, the server 12 receives the first identification data but not the corresponding biometric information) and therefore the system 10 may respect the privacy of users by not storing their actual biometric information.

The blocks illustrated in the Fig. 2 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 30. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some blocks to be omitted.

The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use 'comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one.." or by using "consisting".

In this brief description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term 'example' or 'for example' or 'may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example' or 'may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the system 10 may only comprise a single barrier that controls the ingress and the egress of users to and from the area 39. In other examples, the system 10 may include more than two barriers for controlling the ingress and egress of users to and from the area 39.

In some examples, the system 10 may not include the payment apparatus 22 and in these examples, the controller 26 does not perform blocks 54, 56 and 58 illustrated in Fig. 2.

In some examples, the system 10 may include two first sensors 14 that are positioned on opposite sides of a road and also two second sensors 18 that are also positioned opposite sides of a road. This feature is advantageous in that it enables the system 10 to be used by both right hand drive and left hand drive vehicles. Furthermore, this feature enables a passenger to provide biometric information to enter the area 39 (using, for example, the left hand side first sensor) and then exit the area 39 as the driver (using, for example, the right hand side second sensor). In some examples, the first and second sensors 14, 18 may include an additional reader (which may or may not be a biometric reader) that reads a different characteristic of the user (for example, the additional reader may read the user's vehicle number plate) and provides the further identification data to the server 12. The server 12 then receives the further identification data associated with the user and stores the further identification data in the memory 28 (e.g. in the database 34. In these examples, the second barrier 20 is controlled to allow egress of the user when the received identification data also corresponds to the stored further identification data (i.e. in addition to the biometric based identification data matching, the identification data from the additional readers must also match). In some examples, the system 10 may enable a third party access for validation of entering or leaving the area 39. For example, a car hire company situated within area 39 (such as an airport car park) may have an internet based web interface that is linked to the first sensor 14 and/or the second sensor 18 that allows a user's biometric information to be validated.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim: