Security controller for individuals in areas of controlled access

This invention is referring to a method for achieving the total control and registration of every person, one by one, who would like to enter areas of controlled access, but also for enabling the swift exit (with no possibility of return) of those who wish to leave these areas.

Access control is perhaps the most important method of protection of every controlled area, such as airports, ports, sports fields, military or industrial areas or buildings used by the government, cluster of buildings, companies, banks etc. A well designed access control system should accommodate the complete control and registration of incoming/ outgoing persons or/and vehicles (in order to allow or deny them entry to these areas), but it should also provide a balance between security needs and the normal functioning of the controlled area. In general, security control for buildings requires a particularly cautious and perceptive approach since, in certain cases, it concerns the management of tens or even thousands of people standing in a contained area (mass gathering e.g. in airports, ports and sports fields). Potential risks, such as violent attacks, upheavals, antisocial behaviour, terrorism, malicious destructions and material damages of building infrastructures, organized or common crime, demand a more specialised and careful study with the purpose of finding ways to control them.

Nowadays, access control, particularly of individuals, in controlled areas, focuses on who can go where, how and when. Typically, such a system usually uses various electronic means, like coded cards, biometric readers or magnetic keys, electrical locks, explosive detectors or metal objects detectors (magnetic gates), x-rays devices etc, while it could also be used in combination with timekeeping for individuals, closed circulation television, alarm systems, security cameras, hidden cameras, security scans and identification cards (IDs).

The advantages of these systems are considerable, as they largely guarantee the protection of the controlled areas from different illegal or/and violent activities. However, this does not deprive them of any disadvantages or vulnerable points which could be exploited by someone in order to neutralise or even destroy them. For example, many of these systems could present functional problems because of material delinquency or they could stop functioning entirely because of problems with the electric power. Additionally, the destruction of these systems could be done relatively easily, leaving thus the controlled areas open for access to everyone. Moreover, these systems are essentially useless when those with the appropriate admission permits might be taken hostage by non-authorised persons, allowing them to enter in this way the restricted area.

One of perhaps the most important disadvantages of installing an access control system is that these systems are considered to be restrictive (time-consuming) regarding the passage to and from the controlled area. Adding to this, the current price of many of these systems is quite high without providing 100% protection, a deterrent to someone who would wish to invest in such a system. For this reason, many manufacturers are trying to offer systems with more possibilities, besides the level of security that they claim to afford, with the intention of increasing their functional capacity by limiting in this way the total buying cost for those interested.

The aim of this invention is to provide a method in which the present (mainly electronic) access control systems will be rendered auxiliary (installed as such) and not essential to the security of a controlled area. In particular, with the aid of this invention, a controlled area will remain secure and the access controls will continue to take place as normal, even in case that the existing security systems stop functioning temporarily or entirely break down. In brief, this invention will eliminate mainly any problems- disadvantages of the contemporary security systems, achieving simultaneously absolute control and registration of every person, one by one, who would wish to enter areas of controlled access, but also swift exit (with no possibility of return) of those who wish to leave these areas.

The characteristics and objects of this invention will be presented clearly in its following, detailed description of it, in combination with the figures.

Figure 1 shows (as seen from above) the two separate (not interconnected) constructions for entering (1) and for exiting (2), which enable the method of absolute control and registering one by one of every person who wish to enter the controlled areas, but also of swift exit of those who wish to leave (with no possibility of return) from them (the security controller for individuals in areas of controlled access).

Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the main parts of the construction for entering (1) in the controlled area. Those parts are the following: the area where the security checks take place (the main control area), four access control systems, a corridor returning to the non-controlled area, two auxiliary areas, at least two doors for immediate evacuation of the control area (emergency exits) and one door for getting around the construction for entering (1).

Figure 3 shows the way in which the access control systems for the construction for entering (1) are materialised. One of these systems is located in front of the main control area, the next two after it, while the last one is at the end of the corridor which leads back to the non- controlled area.

Figure 4 shows how the corridor leading back to the non-controlled area of the construction for entering (1) is assembled.

Figure 5 shows a modification (3) in the construction for entering (1) which is used in case that the number of individuals passing to the controlled area is relatively small, e.g. in companies or buildings. This construction (as seen from above) consists of the area where the security checks take place (the main control area), one auxiliary area, three access control systems, a corridor returning back to the non-controlled area, two doors for immediate evacuation of the control area (emergency exits) and one door for getting around the construction for entering (3).

Figure 6 shows the main parts of the construction for exiting (2) the controlled area, which are the following: two fixed parts in the shape of a circular arc in 2D or of a cylindrical shape in 3D (at an angle of 60 and 120° respectively), a revolving door (with two different parts cylindrically shaped, each with angle sector of 20 ^° , joint in a single common pivot) and two fixed passage preventing constructions.

Figure 2 shows (as seen from above) the arrangement of the various parts of the construction for entering (1) in the controlled area. This arrangement aims to create a control area within which there is virtually no possibility of escape for someone who intends to carry out illegal activities. In particular, at the front of the construction (1) one of the four access control systems (4) has been placed. [It should be noted that there is the option (at one’s will) for more than one control systems (4) to be installed- figure 2, for example, shows two of those systems installed. Their number depends on the estimated number (“volume”) of individuals passing to the controlled area (e.g. airports, sports fields etc)]. Next to the control system (4), there is the main control area (5) in which the security checks take place, which includes the personnel or/and various control systems (such as x-rays, magnetic gates, fingerprints sensors, closed circulation television, security cameras, hidden cameras etc). Adjacent to the control area (5), there are the next two access control systems (6) and (7), towards which one should move either to pass security control or not. When someone passes the security check, then they should subsequently move towards system (6) which is located on the left side, as the two systems are seen, and which leads inside the controlled area. If, however, someone does not pass security check, then they should move towards system (7) which is located on the right side and leads to the corridor (8) returning back to the non-controlled area. At the end of the corridor (8), there is the control system (9) which ensures that no one can access the corridor (8) through the non- controlled area. The two auxiliary areas (10) and (11) of the construction for entering (1) are located on the left of the system (6) and between systems (6) and (7) respectively, the emergency exits (12) are located at the front and at the periphery of the control area (5), and finally the door (13) for getting around the construction for entering (1) is placed either on the left or on the right of this, depending on where it is more convenient (in figure 2 it is placed on the right).

The auxiliary areas (10, 11) can have various uses. In particular, each separate area could be used as a storage area, toilette or as a security area for the people who perform the checks or even as a secret area used in case of a sudden emergency (for example in case of terrorist acts or hostage situations etc) in order to quickly neutralise anyone who ventures any illegal act within the controlled area (5). More specifically, if at some point a terrorist hostage situation comes up within the controlled area (5), then they could be overpowered relatively quickly and securely for the hostages, using free snipers who can act through the auxiliary areas (10) or/and (11) of the construction for entering (1). Finally, the position of the entrance to the auxiliary areas (10, 11) depends on their intended use. If for example, area (11) is used as a secret area for emergency situations, then its entrance should be located on the side of the controlled area.

Figure 3 shows in detail the method of construction for the four access control systems (4, 6, 7, 9) of the construction for entering (1). Those systems are constructed using for each one separately, two fixed parts in the shape of a circular arc in 2D or of a cylindrical shape in 3D which delimitate the passage (that is, they designate the entrances and exits of these constructions), a revolving door (with the possibility of turning only towards one way (rightwards or leftwards)) and two fixed systems blocking any movement. In each case, the various parts (the door, the fixed cylindrical parts and the movement blocking systems) are used in such a combination that the moment someone exits any of these systems, the respective door will return to its initial position (that is, where it was before someone moved towards it).

Figure 3a shows (as seen from above) system (4) which has been designed in order to allow individuals to enter the control area (5), but not to exit it. This design is materialised by using: 1 two fixed parts in the shape of a circular arc in 2D or of a cylindrical shape in 3D (14, 15) 120° wide each, placed on the one hand symmetrically to the center of the circle that they define and on the other hand in such a way so that moving anti-clockwise the edge of part (14) comes up first at an angle of -60° and then the edge of part (15) at an angle of 120°, with reference to the horizontal axis X, 2. two fixed movement blocking systems (16, 17) placed at an angle of 120° and 240° respectively, always in relation to the horizontal axis X and 3. one revolving (with the possibility of turning only towards one way (rightwards or leftwards)) door (18). The two cylindrical parts (14, 15) form the entrance (19) and the exit (20) of the access control system (4) (60° wide each), that is they delimitate the passage followed by someone who wishes to enter the control area (5). The door (18) is constructed using two parts cylindrically shaped, each with angle sector of 20°, joint in one common revolving pivot (23) which is located in the center of the circle defined by the two fixed cylindrical parts (14, 15). It should also be noted that the door (18) is constructed in such a way as to ensure on the one hand its robustness and steadiness and on the other hand that its center of gravity is displaced closer to its spare end.

Moreover, the revolving mechanism (24) of the door (18), as seen horizontally, has a slight leaning towards the left (that is, on a more acute angle in relation to the horizontal axis) in order to allow, in combination with the displaced center of gravity, for the door (18) to move easily with the minimum effort.

Figure 3b shows (as seen horizontally) one of the two movement blocking constructions (16, 17). As we can see, the constructions (16, 17) are made using fixed bars (25), which are incorporated within the revolving pivot (23) of the door (18) as horizontal (vertical towards it) extensions of it and they are placed equally apart. The bars (25) are constructed so as their center of gravity is displaced towards the revolving pivot of the door, that is, as we move from the revolving pivot (23) towards the edge of each bar, the material of construction will be less, achieving thus more stability and robustness in their structure. The number, the material of construction, the dimensions (height, length), the width, the shape (straight or not) as well as the distance between the bars (25) depend on the use of the controlled area (e.g. airports, companies etc), on the desired level of security (low, medium or high) and on the personalised requirements.

Figure 3c shows (as seen horizontally) one of the two parts (21, 22) of the door (18). As we can see, the parts of the door (18) are appropriately adjusted in order to go through the arrangement of the bars (25) of the blocking systems (16, 17). Additionally, around the middle section of each part of the door (18) and at its spare end (across and in parallel to the revolving pivot (23)), there are (on both sides of each part) handles (26, 27) -not depicted in the figure- which have approximately the same (but, in any case, a slightly less) length with respect to the length of the door (18). Those handles, apart from making the movement of the door (18) easier, they also function as extensions to the width of its parts (21, 22). More specifically, the handles (26, 27) are totally adding at least 10° width (each one is adding at least 5° width at each side) to the angle created by the cylindrical parts (21, 22) of the door (18). This addition is potentially extending the total width of each part for at least 30°.

Figures 3d and 3e show the revolving mechanism (24) of the door (18) of the access control system (4). This mechanism effectively consists of two cogwheels (28, 29) which ensure that the revolving door (18) moves only towards one direction (rightwards or leftwards) using specially formed cogs. More specifically, as depicted in figure 3d, the cogs (30) of the cogwheel (28) are shaped in the form of a trapezoid, with its longer side curved and its concave parts facing inwards, while the cogs (31) of the cogwheel (29) are also shaped in the form of a trapezoid but its longer side is curved and its concave parts are facing outwards. As depicted in figure 3e, the cogs (32) of the cogwheel (28) are shaped in the form of a trapezoid, with its longer side curved and its concave parts facing inwards, while the cogs (33) of the cogwheel (29) are shaped in the form of circular section.

Figure 3f shows the access control system (6) which is located, as seen horizontally, on the left side and it is constructed in precisely the same way as system (4). In front of system (6) and at a specific distance from it, there is a two-flap sliding door (34) which moves (opens and closes) using various ways e.g. security personnel or/and certain electronic systems (x-rays, magnetic gates, security codes, photo-electric cells etc). The required security level and the nature of the controlled area in which the security controller for individuals in areas of controlled access will be used, determine the choice of opening method for the door (34) as well as the material for the construction. When someone passes the control, the door (34) will open allowing them to move forward within the control system (6). Moving on, the door (34) will close without the possibility of opening again, restrictively leading them through the exit (35) of the system (6), within the controlled area. Furthermore, once through the exit (35), there is no possibility of coming back as, at the same time, one of the two parts (37, 38) of the door (39) will block the entrance (36). This ensures, that no one could return to the control area (5) when the door (34) opens again for the next individual to pass and also, that individuals move out of the construction for entering (1) quicker. Concluding, it should be noted that the door (39) also has a blocking mechanism which is activated by the security personnel only in case of emergency e.g. forcefully passing through without having been checked or taking hostages within the area (5) etc. In practice, this mechanism turns the access control system (6), if needed, into a barrier or a trap from which no one can escape (provided that someone manages to pass through the door (34)).

Figure 3g shows (as seen from above) the method of construction for the access control system (7). This system is constructed using two fixed parts in the shape of a circular arc in 2D or of a cylindrical shape in 3D (40, 41) at an angle of 60° and 180° respectively, two fixed systems blocking any movement (42, 43) and one revolving (towards one way (rightwards or leftwards)) door (44). The two fixed blocking systems (42, 43) have been placed at angles of 60° and 240° respectively, in relation to the horizontal axis X and they are constructed in the same way as (16, 17) of the control system (4). The two fixed cylindrical parts (40, 41) are placed in such a way, so that moving anti-clockwise; the edge of part (40) comes up first at an angle of -60° and then the edge of part (41) at an angle of 60°, with reference to the horizontal axis X. Those two fixed cylindrical parts constitute the entrance (45) and the exit (46) of the system (7), that is, they define the path followed in order to go through the corridor (8). The door (44) of the system (7) is constructed using three different parts (47, 48, 49) joint in one common revolving pivot (50), forming between them an angle of 120°. The revolving pivot (50) of the door (44) is placed in the center of the circle defined by the two fixed cylindrical parts (40, 41), while its revolving mechanism is the same with the one used for the revolving door (18) of the access control system (4), without the slight inclination to the left.

Figure 3h shows (as seen vertically) one of the three parts of the revolving door (44) and one of the blocking systems (42, 43). As it appears in this image, each of the parts (47, 48, 49) is structured in such a way so that it passes though the bars (51) of the blocking systems (42, 43). Around the middle section of each part (vertically to the revolving pivot) and at its spare end (across and in parallel to the revolving pivot) there are (on both sides of each part) handles (52, 53) -not depicted in the image- which have approximately the same (but, in any case, a slightly less) length with respect to the length of parts (47, 48, 49). Those handles are used in making the movement of the door (44) easier. Once through the exit (46) of the system (7), there is no possibility of coming back in the control area (5) as, at the same time, one of the three parts of the door (47, 48, 49) will block the entrance (45). This ensures that individuals move out of the construction for entering (1) quicker.

Figure 4 shows (as seen from above) the way of constructing the corridor returning back (8) to the non-controlled area. This corridor comprises of two parts, the basic one (54) and the auxiliary one (55). These two parts constitute the complete corridor returning back (8) to the non-controlled area. The basic part (54) is mandatory to the materialisation of the construction for entering (1), while the auxiliary part (55) is optional and it can be eliminated. The basic part (54) of the corridor (8) is constructed putting one additional cylindrical part (56) externally and in parallel to the fixed cylindrical part (40), and to the fixed parts (57, 58, 59) which are used for concluding the construction of the basic part (54) of the corridor (8). The corridor which is formed in this way leads to the access control system (9) constructed exactly as system (4). The control system (9) is placed there in order to ensure that no one can enter the corridor (8) from the non-controlled area.

The auxiliary part of the corridor (8) is constructed adding two more cylindrical parts (60, 61) externally and in parallel to part (56) and to the fixed parts (62, 63). In the case that the auxiliary corridor is also constructed, part (57) will not be fixed but movable so either only the basic one is used, or both the basic and the auxiliary ones are used. In particular, in case that the auxiliary part (55) is used as well, then part (57) should be revolved from position (A) to position (B), closing thus the entrance (64) to the control system (9), allowing simultaneously access to the auxiliary corridor (55) which leads to the control system (65) (constructed exactly in the same way as system (4)). In case that the auxiliary part is also used, the distance to the control system (65) and the exit to the non-controlled area, which should be crossed, is double the distance of the basic corridor.

The auxiliary corridor (55) can be used in case of emergency since the security levels will have to be increased. The delay of those moving in the complete corridor (8) can provide the security personnel (security, police) the possibility to evaluate more adequately a potential peril, in order to decide, if they will allow them to pass through the non-controlled area or if they will have to keep them trapped within the auxiliary corridor (55). Confining individuals within the auxiliary corridor (55) in the latest scenario is accomplished by moving part (57) from position (B) to position (A) at the moment that the individuals have already moved in the auxiliary corridor (55). It should be noted that the addition of more than one auxiliary parts (55) to the security corridor (8) is possible, if needed. These parts (66) are constructed in exactly the same way as the initial auxiliary part (55).

Figure 5 shows (as seen from above) the way of constructing a modification (3) to the construction for entering (1), which is used in cases that the number of individuals moving towards the controlled area is relatively small. One of the three access control systems (67) constructed exactly in the same way as system (4) is placed at the front of the construction (3) followed by the main control area (68). Next to this, there is the access control system (69) constructed principally in the same way as system (7) with the difference that this system comprises of three fixed cylindrical parts (70, 71, 72) at an angle of 60° each, placed is in such a way, so that moving anti-clockwise the edge of part (70) comes up first at an angle of -60°, then the edge of part (71) at an angle of 60° and the edge of part (72) at an angle of 180°, with reference to the horizontal axis X. Those parts constitute the entrance (73), the exit (74) to the corridor returning back (75), to the non-controlled area and the exit (76) which leads to the controlled area. A two-flap sliding door (77) is placed at the exit (74), each flap of which (78, 79) is shaped in the same way as the fixed cylindrical parts (70, 71) respectively, so that they can move in parallel to the fixed parts as the door opens and closes. In case someone does not pass through the security control, then the door (77) will remain open, while the door (80) will revolve 120° and then it will be blocked, that is it will halt at the first part of the fixed cylindrical part (71) forcing them into the corridor returning back (75) to the non-controlled area. At the end of the corridor (75), there is the access control system (81), constructed in the same way as system (4), in order to ensure that no one can enter the corridor (75) through the non- controlled area. However, in case someone passes through the security control, then the door (77) will close, while the door (80) will be free to move, leading towards the exit (76), that is within the controlled area. The two fixed systems blocking any movement (82, 83) of system (69) are placed at angles of 180° and 240° respectively with reference to the horizontal axis X and constructed as (16, 17) of the access control system (4). The auxiliary area (84) of the construction for entering (3) is located at the left of the system (69), the emergency exits (85) are placed at the front of the control area (68), while the door for getting around (86) the construction for entering (3) is placed either on its left or on its right side, depending on where it is needed (in figure 5 it is placed it on the right side).

Figure 6 shows (as seen from above) the various parts of the construction for exiting (2) from the controlled area. These parts are the following: 1. two fixed parts in the shape of a circular arc in 2D or of a cylindrical shape in 3D (87, 88) at an angle of 60 ^° and 120° respectively, which mark the entrance (89) and the exit (90) of the construction (2), 2. a revolving door (91) (with the possibility of turning only towards one way (rightwards or leftwards)) constructed as the one of system (4) (that is, consisting of two cylindrical parts (92, 93), 20° wide each, joint in one common revolving pivot (94) which is located in the center of the circle defined by the two fixed parts (87, 88)) and 3. two fixed movement blocking systems (95, 96) constructed as those (16, 17) of system (4). All these parts of the construction for exiting (2) are combined in a way that the moment someone passes through the exit (90) to the non-controlled area, pulling one of the two door flaps (91), at the same time the other flap will block the entry to the controlled area, not allowing anyone to return, but most importantly, not allowing someone else to go from the non-controlled to the controlled area moving contrary to the direction of the door (91), essentially going around the systems blocking any movement (95, 96). If, for example, the selected movement direction of the revolving door (91) is to the left (that is, counter-clockwise), then the fixed cylindrical parts (87, 88), 60° and 120° wide respectively, are placed in such a way so that moving to the left, the edge of part (87) comes up first at an angle of -10° and then the edge of part (88) at an angle of 140°, with reference to the horizontal axis X, while the systems blocking any movement (95, 96) are placed at an angle of -10° and 50° respectively, in relation to the horizontal axis X. The fixed parts (87, 88) mark the entrance (89) and the exit (90) of the construction (2), which are 90° wide each.

Finally, it should be noted that around the middle section of each part of the door (91) (vertically to the revolving pivot (94)) and at its spare end (across and in parallel to the revolving pivot) there are (on both sides of each part) handles -not depicted in the figure- which have approximately the same (but, in any case, a slightly less) length with respect to the length of the door (91). Those handles, apart from making the movement of the door (91) easier, they also function as extensions to the width of its parts (92, 93). More specifically, the handles are totally adding at least 10° width

(each one is adding at least 5° width at each side) to the angle created by the cylindrical parts (92, 93) of the door (91). This addition is potentially extending the total width of each part for at least 30°.