JP7679776B2 - Gate device and gate system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a gate device and a gate system.

The conventional gate device described in Patent Document 1 is located within a wireless communication area, and detects the direction of arrival of radio waves at an antenna unit for each wireless communication medium that stores determination information. Based on the direction of arrival of the radio waves detected here, the passage permission determination means determines the wireless communication medium to be used to determine whether or not a user can pass through the passage. The direction of arrival is the angle of arrival of radio waves from the wireless communication medium at the antenna unit. The angle of arrival is determined by the relative positional relationship between the antenna unit and the wireless communication medium. The gate device determines the wireless communication medium that stores the determination information to be used by the passage permission determination means to determine whether or not a user can pass through the passage from among wireless communication media for which the direction of arrival of radio waves in the first direction is within a predetermined first range.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-71113 (paragraphs [0007] to [0016])

The gate device described in Patent Document 1 makes no mention of a method for setting the angle within a predetermined first range for the arrival angle to be set. For example, it is conceivable to set the actual angle with respect to the antenna unit as the predetermined first range for the arrival angle at the time of shipment. However, if, for example, metallic objects that affect radio waves or other devices that emit radio noise are installed around the gate device, valid authentication may not be performed in the intended area if the setting of the predetermined first range for the arrival angle is left as the factory setting. In other words, it is difficult to set a valid judgment angle range according to the installation conditions and surrounding environment of the site where the gate device is installed.

The present disclosure aims to solve the above problems and provide a gate device and gate system that can set a valid judgment angle range according to the surrounding environment.

The gate device according to the present disclosure is a gate device that restricts or allows a user carrying a passage wireless communication device to pass through a traffic lane, and includes a transmission/reception unit that receives passage radio waves transmitted by the passage wireless communication device, an arrival angle measurement unit that measures the arrival angle of the passage radio waves received by the transmission/reception unit relative to a reference direction, a judgment unit that judges whether the measured value of the arrival angle of the passage radio waves is within a judgment angle range, and when the judgment unit judges that the measured value is within the judgment angle range, a control unit that controls the traffic restriction unit to restrict or allow the user to pass through the traffic lane based on judgment information contained in the passage radio waves, and a judgment angle setting unit that sets the judgment angle range, wherein the transmission/reception unit receives the setting radio waves transmitted by the setting wireless communication device when a setting operation is performed on the setting wireless communication device, the arrival angle measurement unit measures multiple arrival angles, and the judgment angle setting unit sets the judgment angle range based on the multiple measurement values.

In addition, the gate system according to the present disclosure is a gate system having a gate device that restricts or allows a user carrying a passage wireless communication device to pass through a traffic lane, and is equipped with a gate device having a setting wireless communication device, a transceiver unit that receives passage radio waves transmitted by the passage wireless communication device, an arrival angle measurement unit that measures the arrival angle of the passage radio waves received by the transceiver unit relative to a reference direction, a judgment unit that judges whether the measured value of the arrival angle of the passage radio waves is within a judgment angle range, a control unit that controls the traffic restriction unit to restrict or allow the user to pass through the traffic lane based on judgment information contained in the passage radio waves when the judgment unit judges that the measured value is within the judgment angle range, and a judgment angle setting unit that sets the judgment angle range, wherein the transceiver unit receives the setting radio waves transmitted when the setting operation is performed by the setting wireless communication device, the arrival angle measurement unit measures multiple arrival angles, and the judgment angle setting unit sets the judgment angle range based on the multiple measurement values .

In addition, the gate system according to the present disclosure includes a gate device having a setting wireless communication device, a passage wireless communication device carried by a user, a transmission/reception unit that receives passage radio waves transmitted by the passage wireless communication device, an arrival angle measurement unit that measures the arrival angle of the passage radio waves received by the transmission/reception unit relative to a reference direction, a judgment unit that judges whether the measured value of the arrival angle of the passage radio waves is within a judgment angle range, a control unit that controls the traffic restriction unit to restrict or permit the user from passing through the traffic lane based on judgment information contained in the passage radio waves when the judgment unit judges that the measured value is within the judgment angle range, and a judgment angle setting unit that sets the judgment angle range, wherein the transmission/reception unit receives the setting radio waves transmitted when the setting operation is performed by the setting wireless communication device, the arrival angle measurement unit measures multiple arrival angles, and the judgment angle setting unit sets the judgment angle range based on the multiple measured values.

The gate device and gate system disclosed herein can provide a gate device and gate system that can set a valid authentication range according to the surrounding environment.

1 is a top view of a gate system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure when a user passes through. FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of a gate system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the gate system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure when a user passes through. FIG. 2 is a top view of the gate system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure when a judgment angle range is set. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when setting a judgment angle range of the gate system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a top view of another example of the gate system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure when a judgment angle range is set. 13 is a side view of yet another example of the gate system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure when a judgment angle range is set. FIG. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a gate system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

First embodiment
FIG. 1 is a top view of the gate system according to the present embodiment when a user passes through. The gate system 100 is composed of a gate device 10, a passage wireless communication device 4, and a setting wireless communication device 5. The gate device 10 restricts or permits a user 6 to travel between two areas. The two areas are separated by, for example, a fence 61. In order for the user 6 to travel between the two areas, the user 6 needs to pass through the gate device 10. The passage wireless communication device 4 is carried by the user 6 when passing through the gate device 10. For example, the passage wireless communication device 4 is a smartphone compatible with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy: Bluetooth is a registered trademark) communication. For example, the passage wireless communication device 4 is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) hands-free tag.

The gate device 10 is composed of an authentication device 9, a gate main body 2, and a flapper gate 3 which is a passage restriction unit. The authentication device 9 has a transmission/reception unit 11. The passage wireless communication device 4 transmits passage radio waves, and the authentication device 9 receives the passage radio waves using the transmission/reception unit 11. The transmission/reception unit 11 is, for example, an antenna unit. The radio wave reachable range 8 is a range in which the authentication device 9 can receive the passage radio waves at a predetermined radio wave strength. The authentication device 9 may transmit detection radio waves, and the passage wireless communication device 4 may transmit the passage radio waves after receiving the detection radio waves. In this case, the radio wave reachable range 8 is a range in which the authentication device 9 can receive the passage radio waves at a predetermined radio wave strength, and further, the passage wireless communication device 4 can receive the detection radio waves at a predetermined radio wave strength.

The gate device 10 restricts or permits a user 6 carrying a passage wireless communication device 4 to pass through the traffic lane 7. The gate device 10 is, for example, a security gate that permits only a certain user 6 to pass through the traffic lane 7. The gate device 10 restricts or permits the user 6 to pass through the traffic lane 7 based on the judgment information contained in the passage radio waves transmitted by the passage wireless communication device 4 by the flapper gate 3 provided in the gate main body 2. In this case, the passage wireless communication device 4 stores, for example, the identification information of the user 6 as the judgment information. The gate device 10 is, for example, a ticket gate at a railway station. In this case, the passage wireless communication device 4 functions as a ticket or a commuter pass. In this case, the passage wireless communication device 4 stores, as the judgment information, fare data from a certain station or section data from one station to another station.

The gate bodies 21, 22, and 23 are collectively referred to as the gate body 2. The flapper gates 31 and 32 are collectively referred to as the flapper gate 3. The traffic lanes 71 and 72 are collectively referred to as the traffic lane 7. The authentication devices 91, 92, 93, and 94 are collectively referred to as the authentication device 9.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, three gate bodies 21, 22, and 23 are provided between two areas. A traffic lane 71 is provided between the gate bodies 21 and 22. A traffic lane 72 is provided between the gate bodies 21 and 23. A flapper gate 31 is provided between the gate bodies 21 and 22, and restricts or permits passage through the traffic lane 71. A flapper gate 32 is provided between the gate bodies 21 and 23, and restricts or permits passage through the traffic lane 72.

The authentication device 91 is provided on one side of the gate body 21. The authentication device 92 is provided on the other side of the gate body 22. The authentication device 93 is provided on one side of the gate body 23. The authentication device 94 is provided on the other side of the gate body 22. The authentication devices 91 and 92 correspond to the flapper gate 31 and the traffic lane 71. The authentication devices 93 and 94 correspond to the flapper gate 32 and the traffic lane 72. Note that in this embodiment, the operation of the authentication device 91 and the flapper gate 31 will be described. However, the operation is the same in the cases of the authentication devices 92, 93, 94 and the flapper gate 32.

As shown in FIG. 1, a user 6 carrying a passage wireless communication device 4 enters the radio wave coverage area 8 of an authentication device 91 in order to pass through a gate device 10. When the passage wireless communication device 4 carried by the user 6 enters an authentication area 83 (described below), the passage wireless communication device 4 transmits discrimination information to the authentication device 91. The gate device 10 opens and closes the flapper gate 31 based on the discrimination information.

The reference direction is, for example, the direction along the longitudinal direction of the lane 7 and the gate body 2 when viewed from above. The reference direction line 80 is a dotted line along the reference direction with the transmitter/receiver unit 11 of the authentication device 91 as a reference. The first direction line 81 is a dotted line at an angle θ1 with respect to the reference direction line 80 when viewed from above. The second direction line 82 is a dotted line at an angle θ2 with respect to the reference direction line 80 when viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 1, the authentication area 83 is the area surrounded by the radio wave coverage area 8, the first direction line 81, and the second direction line 82. Note that angles θA and θB are angles based on the design dimensions when the gate device 10 is installed, or angles based on the survey dimensions.

The authentication device 91 receives discrimination information transmitted by a passage wireless communication device 4 within the radio wave reachable range 8. When the authentication device 91 receives discrimination information from a passage wireless communication device 4 that is within the authentication area 83, i.e., within the radio wave reachable range 8, and located at angles θ1 to θ2 with respect to the reference direction, the discrimination information is subject to authentication. On the other hand, when the authentication device 91 receives discrimination information from a passage wireless communication device 4 that is outside the authentication area 83, i.e., within the radio wave reachable range 8, and not located at angles θ1 to θ2 with respect to the reference direction, the authentication device 91 does not treat the discrimination information as subject to authentication. The range between angles θ1 and θ2 is referred to as the discrimination angle range.

According to FIG. 1, the authentication area 83 needs to be located on the travel route when the user 6 travels through the traffic lane 71. That is, the authentication device 91 needs to appropriately set the judgment angle range so that the authentication area 83 is on the travel route to the traffic lane 71. Also, the authentication area 83 needs to be located so that it is not on the travel route when the user 6 travels through the traffic lane 72. That is, the authentication device 91 needs to appropriately set the judgment angle range so that the authentication area 83 is not on the travel route to the traffic lane 72.

In this way, by appropriately setting the judgment angle range, the flapper gate 32 that is not compatible with the authentication device 91 will not operate. In other words, when a user 6 passes through the gate device 10, it is possible to prevent an unintended flapper gate 3 from operating.

The authentication device 91 arbitrarily sets the judgment angle range. The setting wireless communication device 5 is used by the authentication device 91 to set the judgment angle range. For example, the setting wireless communication device 5 is a smartphone that supports BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy: Bluetooth is a registered trademark) communication, similar to the passing wireless communication device 4. For example, the setting wireless communication device 5 is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) hands-free tag. Ordinary users 6 do not carry the setting wireless communication device 5.

The setting wireless communication device 5 is stored, for example, by an administrator 64 of the gate device 10 (e.g., a station staff member, a facility manager, etc.) in a management room 65 (e.g., a stationmaster's room, a manager's room, etc.). The setting wireless communication device 5 is used by the administrator 64 when setting the judgment angle range of the authentication device 9. Setting the judgment angle range of the authentication device 9 using the setting wireless communication device 5 will be described later.

Figure 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a gate system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the gate system 100 is composed of a gate device 10, a passage wireless communication device 4, and a setting wireless communication device 5. The gate device 10 has an authentication device 9 and a flapper gate 3. As shown in Figure 2, the authentication device 9 has a transmission/reception unit 11, a memory unit 12, an arrival angle measurement unit 13, a judgment unit 14, an authentication unit 15, a control unit 16, and a judgment angle setting unit 17. The passage wireless communication device 4 has a transmission/reception unit 41 and a memory unit 42. The setting wireless communication device 5 has a transmission/reception unit 51, a memory unit 52, an operation unit 53, and a notification unit 54.

Next, the detailed configuration of the authentication device 9 will be described. The transmitting/receiving unit 11 receives the passage radio waves transmitted by the passage wireless communication device 4 carried by the user 6. The transmitting/receiving unit 11 also receives the setting radio waves transmitted when the setting operation is performed on the setting wireless communication device 5 carried by the administrator 64. The transmitting/receiving unit 11 may transmit the detection radio waves received by the passage wireless communication device 4 and the setting wireless communication device 5. The storage unit 12 stores the judgment angle range and the discrimination information. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle of the passage radio waves transmitted by the passage wireless communication device 4 and received by the transmitting/receiving unit 11 with respect to the reference direction. The judgment unit 14 judges whether the measured value of the arrival angle of the passage radio waves received from the passage wireless communication device 4 is within the judgment angle range.

The authentication unit 15 authenticates the discrimination information contained in the passage radio waves. If the gate device 10 is a security gate, the judgment information is, for example, the identification information of the user 6, which is the authority to pass through the gate device 10. The authentication unit 15 authenticates whether or not the identification information of the user 6 has the authority to pass. Also, if the gate device 10 is a ticket gate at a railway station, the judgment information stores fare data from a certain station or section data from one station to another station. The authentication unit 15 authenticates whether the judgment information is valid or invalid for passing through the ticket gate at this railway station.

When the judgment unit 14 judges that the measured value of the arrival angle of the traffic radio wave is within the judgment angle range, the control unit 16 controls the flapper gate 3 to restrict or permit the user 6 from passing through the traffic lane 7 based on the judgment information contained in the traffic radio wave. The judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range.

The authentication device 9, including each component of the authentication device 9, does not have to be built into the gate body 2. The transmitting/receiving unit 11 only needs to be installed in a position where the radio waves transmitted and received from the transmitting/receiving unit 11 cover the vicinity of the entrance/exit of the lane 7 that the authentication device 9 corresponds to. Furthermore, the components of the authentication device 9 other than the transmitting/receiving unit 11 may be provided on a separate server or in the cloud, etc.

Next, the detailed configuration of the passage wireless communication device 4 will be described. The memory unit 42 stores the discrimination information. The transmission/reception unit 41 transmits and receives radio waves including various information to and from the authentication device 9. The transmission/reception unit 41 transmits the passage radio waves including the discrimination information stored in the memory unit 42 to the authentication device 9. Note that when the authentication device 9 transmits the detection radio waves, the transmission/reception unit 41 may receive the detection radio waves. Thereafter, the transmission/reception unit 41 may transmit the passage radio waves to the authentication device 9.

Next, the detailed configuration of the setting wireless communication device 5 will be described. The memory unit 52 stores setting identification information. The operation unit 53 is operated to set the angle of arrival. The transmission/reception unit 51 transmits and receives radio waves including various information to and from the authentication device 9. After the administrator 64 operates the operation unit 53, the transmission/reception unit 51 transmits setting radio waves including the setting identification information stored in the memory unit 52 to the authentication device 9. Note that after the administrator 64 operates the operation unit 53, the transmission/reception unit 51 may receive the detection radio waves transmitted by the authentication device 9. Thereafter, the transmission/reception unit 51 may transmit the setting radio waves to the authentication device 9.

The notification unit 54 notifies, for example, information about the procedure for setting the judgment angle range. The notification unit 54 notifies, for example, information about the setting status of the judgment angle range (for example, whether the setting is in progress or has been completed). The notification unit 54 is, for example, a display screen such as an LCD. The notification unit 54 displays, for example, text information or graphics.

The administrator 64 may also be in the position of the user 6. For example, the administrator 64 may pass through the gate device 10 in the position of a normal user 6. In this case, the setting wireless communication device 5 and the passage wireless communication device 4 may be the same terminal. That is, the same wireless communication device may have the functions of both the setting wireless communication device 5 and the passage wireless communication device 4. In this case, for example, by executing applications (software) having the respective functions on the same wireless communication device, the functions of the passage wireless communication device 4 and the setting wireless communication device 5 may be used separately on the same terminal.

Next, the operation of the gate system 100 when a user passes through will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gate system according to this embodiment when a user passes through.

First, the transmitting/receiving unit 11 of the authentication device 9 sequentially transmits detection radio waves. The transmitting/receiving unit 41 of the passage wireless communication device 4 determines whether or not it has received the detection radio waves (S101). If the passage wireless communication device 4 has received the detection radio waves (YES in S101), the process proceeds to S102. If the passage wireless communication device 4 has not received the detection radio waves (NO in S101), the process of S101 is repeated.

Next, the transmitting/receiving section 41 of the passage wireless communication device 4 transmits a passage radio wave including the discrimination information (S102). After that, the process proceeds to S103.

Next, the transmission/reception unit 11 of the authentication device 9 receives the passage radio waves transmitted by the passage radio communication device 4. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle of the passage radio waves received from the passage radio communication device 4 with respect to the reference direction (S103). Then, the process proceeds to S104.

Next, the determination unit 14 determines whether or not the measured value of the arrival angle of the passage radio wave received from the passage radio communication device 4 is within the determination angle range (S104). If the measured value of the arrival angle of the passage radio wave received from the passage radio communication device 4 is within the determination angle range (YES in S104), the process proceeds to S105. If the measured value of the arrival angle of the passage radio wave received from the passage radio communication device 4 is not within the determination angle range (NO in S104), the process returns to S101.

Next, the authentication unit 15 authenticates the determination information contained in the passage radio wave (S105). Then, the process proceeds to S106.

When the authentication unit 15 judges that the authentication is OK based on the judgment information (YES in S106), the control unit 16 controls the flapper gate 3 to allow the user 6 carrying the passage wireless communication device 4 to pass through the gate device 10 (S107). Then, the process returns to S101.

If the authentication unit 15 judges that the authentication is not possible based on the determination information (NO in S106), the control unit 16 controls the flapper gate 3 to restrict the passage of the user 6 carrying the passage wireless communication device 4 through the gate device 10 (S108). Then, the process returns to S101.

Figure 4 is a top view of the gate system according to this embodiment when the judgment angle range is set. The judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range by the administrator 64 operating the setting wireless communication device 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, in order to set the judgment angle range, the administrator 64 carrying the setting wireless communication device 5 causes the setting wireless communication device 5 to enter the radio wave coverage area 8. The administrator 64 first performs setting operations on the operation unit 53 of the setting wireless communication device 5 at position A, which is the first position. Position A is a position on the first direction line 81A that is at an angle θA when viewed from above with respect to the reference direction line 80. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle (first arrival angle) of the setting radio waves transmitted by the setting wireless communication device 5 at position A with respect to the reference direction line 80. The measured value of the arrival angle (first measured value) is taken as the measured value φA.

Next, the operation unit 53 of the setting wireless communication device 5 is set at position B, which is the second position. Position B is a position on the second direction line 82B that is at an angle θB in a top view with respect to the reference direction line 80. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle (second arrival angle) of the setting radio wave transmitted by the setting wireless communication device 5 at position B with respect to the reference direction line 80. The measurement value (second measurement value) of the arrival angle is set as the measurement value φB. As a result, the judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range to be between the measurement values φA and φB with respect to the direction of the reference direction line 80. The authentication area 83 is the area surrounded by the radio wave reachable range 8, the first direction line 81A, and the second direction line 82B.

As described above, the angles θA and θB are angles based on the design dimensions when the gate device 10 is installed, or angles based on the survey dimensions. On the other hand, the measured values φA and φB of the arrival angles are actual values measured by the arrival angle measurement unit 13 of the arrival angles of the setting radio waves transmitted from the setting wireless communication device 5. As described above, for example, if a metallic object or other device that emits radio noise is installed around the gate device 10, it will affect the propagation of the measurement radio waves. As a result, the actual measured value of the arrival angle of the measurement radio waves measured by the arrival angle measurement unit 13 will be a value influenced by the installation environment. In other words, the angle θA and the measured value of the arrival angle φA do not necessarily match. Similarly, the angle θB and the measured value of the arrival angle φB do not necessarily match.

Similarly, the passage radio waves transmitted by the passage wireless communication device 4 are also affected by their installation environment. Consider a case where the judgment angle range of the authentication device 91 is set not between the measured arrival angle φA and measured angle φB, but between the angle θA and angle θB in the design dimensions or the survey dimensions. When a user 6 carrying a passage wireless communication device 4 passes through the gate device 10, the user 6 passes through an authentication area 83 based on the judgment angle range.

However, the passage radio waves are affected by the installation environment. As a result, the actual value of the arrival angle of the passage radio waves measured by the arrival angle measurement unit 13 is a value that is affected by the installation environment. As a result, it may happen that the authentication device 91 does not treat the determination information contained in the passage radio waves as the subject of authentication, and the flapper gate 31 does not open or close. Furthermore, it may happen that the authentication device 93 determines that the determination information contained in the passage radio waves is the subject of authentication, and the flapper gate 32 opens or closes unintentionally.

Next, the operation of the gate system 100 when setting the judgment angle will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gate system according to this embodiment when setting the judgment angle. Note that the notification unit 54 will be described as being realized by a display screen such as a liquid crystal display.

First, the administrator 64 carrying the setting wireless communication device 5 performs a setting operation on the operation unit 53 (S201). At this time, the notification unit 54 may display "Please press this button" as information regarding the procedure of the setting operation. Then, the process proceeds to S202.

Next, the transmitting/receiving unit 11 sequentially transmits detection radio waves. The setting wireless communication device 5 determines whether or not it has received the detection radio waves (S202). If the passage wireless communication device 4 has not received the detection radio waves (NO in S202), the process proceeds to S208. In this case, the notification unit 54 notifies the fact that setting has failed as information regarding the setting state (S208). Thereafter, the authentication device 9 ends the process without performing the judgment angle setting process.

On the other hand, if the setting wireless communication device 5 is not receiving the detection radio waves (YES in S202), the process proceeds to S203.

Next, the setting wireless communication device 5 transmits setting radio waves including the setting identification information. After that, the authentication unit 15 authenticates the setting identification information (S203). Then, the process proceeds to S204.

Next, the arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle with respect to the reference direction in response to the setting radio wave transmitted by the setting wireless communication device 5 (S204). Then, the process proceeds to S205.

Next, the measurement value of the arrival angle measured by the arrival angle measurement unit 13 is stored in the storage unit 12 (S205). Then, the process proceeds to S206.

Next, the arrival angle measurement unit 13 determines whether it has measured the arrival angle for the first or second time (S206). If it has measured the arrival angle for the first time (NO in S206), the process returns to S201. At this time, the notification unit 54 may notify, as information regarding the setting state, that "The first arrival angle setting has been completed. Please set the second arrival angle.", and then return to the process of S201. If it has measured the arrival angle for the second time (NO in S206), the process proceeds to S207.

Next, the judgment angle setting unit 17 sets a judgment angle range from the measurement value of the arrival angle measured the first time by the arrival angle measuring unit 13 and the measurement value of the arrival angle measured the second time (S207). At this time, the notification unit 54 may notify, as information regarding the setting status, that "setting of the judgment angle range has been completed." Then, the process ends.

Next, we will explain the effects of this embodiment.

As described above, in the gate system 100 of this embodiment, the administrator 64 sets the judgment angle range by performing a setting operation on the setting wireless communication device 5. That is, when a setting operation is performed on the setting wireless communication device 5, the transmitter/receiver 11 receives the setting radio waves transmitted by the setting wireless communication device 5. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle of the setting radio waves relative to the reference direction. The judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range using multiple arrival angles of the setting radio waves.

Meanwhile, a user 6 carries a passage wireless communication device 4 and passes through the gate device 10. In this case, the judgment unit 14 judges whether the angle of arrival of the passage radio wave transmitted by the passage wireless communication device 4 is within the judgment angle range. If the judgment unit 14 judges that the angle of arrival of the passage radio wave is within the judgment angle range, the control unit 16 controls the flapper gate 3, which is a traffic restriction unit, to restrict or permit the user 6 to pass through the traffic lane 7 based on the judgment information included in the passage radio wave.

Normally, the judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range when the gate system 100 is shipped. The judgment angle range is usually set based on the angle with respect to a reference direction obtained by referring to architectural drawings or by surveying or other means. However, in this case, for example, if a metallic object that affects radio waves or another device that emits radio noise is installed near the gate device 10, it may happen that proper authentication is not performed in the intended area.

On the other hand, in the gate system 100 of this embodiment, when the judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range, it uses the actual measurement value of the arrival angle of the setting radio wave actually transmitted from the setting wireless communication device 5. As mentioned above, even if, for example, a metallic object that affects radio waves or another device that emits radio wave noise is installed around the gate device 10, the judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range based on the arrival angle that takes into account the influence of the surrounding environment. In other words, it has the effect of being able to set a valid authentication range according to the surrounding environment.

The judgment angle setting unit 17 can measure multiple arrival angles by setting operations on the setting wireless communication device 5 and set a judgment angle range based on the arrival angles. Specifically, the arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures a first arrival angle of the setting radio wave transmitted from the setting wireless communication device 5 in the first position. After measuring the first arrival angle, the arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures a second arrival angle of the setting radio wave transmitted from the setting wireless communication device 5 in the second position. The judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range between the first measurement value of the first arrival angle and the second measurement value of the second arrival angle. As a result, an effect is achieved in which the judgment angle range can be reliably set by a relatively simple and intuitive operation.

The notification unit 54 is, for example, a display screen such as an LCD, and displays, for example, text information or graphics. In this case, it is possible to easily visually check the display screen for guidance on the procedure for setting the judgment angle range and the setting status of the judgment angle range. As a result, the judgment angle range can be set accurately and efficiently.

In this embodiment, the judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range by performing two setting operations on the setting wireless communication device 5. However, the judgment angle setting unit 17 may set the judgment angle range by performing three or more setting operations. For example, if the setting operation is performed three times, the judgment angle setting unit 17 may set the judgment angle range by the first two setting operations. In this case, the effect is achieved that the third and subsequent operations can be ignored as erroneous operations.

The judgment angle setting unit 17 may also set the judgment angle range by two setting operations counting from the last operation. In this case, the effect is that the judgment angle range can be easily re-set at a more appropriate position by the third or subsequent operation.

The judgment angle setting unit 17 may set the judgment angle range at the minimum and maximum arrival angles with respect to the reference direction among the three setting operations. In this case, the arrival angle at an inappropriate position due to an erroneous operation or the like is ignored, so that the judgment angle range can be easily re-set at a more appropriate position.

Furthermore, the judgment angle setting unit 17 may set the judgment angle range by a single setting operation. For example, if the setting operation of the setting wireless communication device 5 is to press an operation button, the judgment angle setting unit 17 may set the judgment angle range by pressing and holding the operation button. In this case, the setting wireless communication device 5 transmits setting radio waves, for example, at regular intervals while the administrator 64 is pressing the operation button. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle of the setting radio waves each time the transmission/reception unit 11 receives the setting radio waves.

The judgment angle setting unit 17 may set the judgment angle range based on the arrival angle immediately after the operation button is pressed and held down and the arrival angle immediately before the operation button is pressed and held down. In this case, it is possible to set the judgment angle range with fewer operations than when the judgment angle range is set by measuring each arrival angle with one button operation. Since the operation involves tracing the setting wireless communication device 5 from the position where the operation button was pressed and held down to the position where the operation button was pressed and held down, it is possible to set the judgment angle range with a setting operation that is more intuitive for the administrator 64. The judgment angle range may be set based on the minimum arrival angle and maximum arrival angle with respect to the reference direction from the start to the end of the operation button being pressed and held down.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the reference direction is described as being along the longitudinal direction of the lane 7 and the gate body 2, with the transceiver unit 11 of the authentication device 9 as the reference. However, the reference direction does not necessarily have to be along the longitudinal direction of the lane 7 and the gate body 2, with the transceiver unit 11 of the authentication device 9 as the reference.

Figure 6 is a top view of another example of the gate system according to this embodiment when setting the judgment angle range. As shown in Figure 6, the reference direction may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the traffic lane 7 and the gate body 2 when viewed from above. In this case, the reference direction line 84 is a dotted line that runs along the reference direction based on the transceiver unit 11 of the authentication device 91.

As shown in FIG. 6, in order to set the judgment angle range, the administrator 64 carrying the setting wireless communication device 5 causes the setting wireless communication device 5 to enter the radio wave coverage area 8. The administrator 64 first performs setting operations on the operation unit 53 of the setting wireless communication device 5 at position C, which is the first position. Position C is a position on the first direction line 81C that is at an angle θC in a top view with respect to the reference direction line 84. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle (first arrival angle) of the setting radio waves transmitted by the setting wireless communication device 5 at position C with respect to the reference direction line 84. The measured value of the arrival angle (first measured value) is taken as the measured value φC.

Next, the operation unit 53 of the setting wireless communication device 5 is operated to set the setting wireless communication device 5 at position D, which is the second position. Position D is a position on the second direction line 82D that is at an angle θD in a top view with respect to the reference direction line 84. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle (second arrival angle) of the setting radio wave transmitted by the setting wireless communication device 5 at position D with respect to the reference direction line 84. The measurement value (second measurement value) of the arrival angle is set as the measurement value φD. As a result, the judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range to be between the measurement value φC and the measurement value φD with respect to the direction of the reference direction line 84. The authentication area 85 is the area surrounded by the radio wave reachable range 8, the first direction line 81C, and the second direction line 82D.

7 is a side view of another example of the gate system according to the present embodiment when the judgment angle range is set. As shown in FIG. 7, the authentication device 9 is provided on the ceiling 62 above the gate body 2. The radio wave reachable range 8 shown in FIG. 7 is a side view of the authentication device 9 provided on the ceiling 62 as the center. In this case, the reference direction may be a vertical direction from the ceiling 62 to the floor surface 63 with the transmitting/receiving unit 11 of the authentication device 9 as the reference. In other words, the reference direction may be a vertical direction along the traffic lane 7. In this case, the reference direction line 86 is a dotted line along the reference direction that is a vertical direction from the ceiling 62 to the floor surface 63 with the transmitting/receiving unit 11 of the authentication device 9 as the reference.

As shown in FIG. 7, in order to set the judgment angle range, the administrator 64 carrying the setting wireless communication device 5 causes the setting wireless communication device 5 to enter the radio wave coverage area 8. The administrator 64 first performs setting operations on the operation unit 53 of the setting wireless communication device 5 at position E, which is the first position. Position E is a position on the first direction line 81E that is at an angle θE in a side view with respect to the reference direction line 86. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle (first arrival angle) of the setting radio waves transmitted by the setting wireless communication device 5 at position E with respect to the reference direction line 86. The measured value of the arrival angle (first measured value) is taken as the measured value φE.

Next, the operation unit 53 of the setting wireless communication device 5 is set at position F, which is the second position. Position F is a position on the second direction line 82F that is at an angle θF in a side view with respect to the reference direction line 86. The arrival angle measurement unit 13 measures the arrival angle (second arrival angle) of the setting radio wave transmitted by the setting wireless communication device 5 at position F with respect to the reference direction line 86. The measurement value (second measurement value) of the arrival angle is set as the measurement value φF. As a result, the judgment angle setting unit 17 sets the judgment angle range to be between the measurement values φE and φF with respect to the direction of the reference direction line 86. The authentication area 87 is the area surrounded by the radio wave reachable range 8, the first direction line 81E, and the second direction line 82F.

The notification unit 54 may also notify, for example, information regarding the procedure for setting the judgment angle range and information regarding the setting status of the judgment angle range by vibration or sound. That is, the notification unit 54 may be, for example, a vibration function mounted on the setting wireless communication device 5. The notification unit 54 may be, for example, a speaker mounted on the setting wireless communication device 5. In this case, the setting of the judgment angle range can be performed without looking at the setting wireless communication device 5. Also, the notification function of the setting wireless communication device 5 can be realized with a simple configuration.

The notification unit 54 may also notify information about the procedure for setting the judgment angle range and information about the setting status of the judgment angle range by lighting a lighting device such as an LED. In this case, the notification function of the setting wireless communication device 5 can be realized with a simple configuration.

Furthermore, the notification unit 54 may be configured as a touch panel that also has a display function. In this case, the operation unit 53 may be a graphic display showing operation buttons displayed within the touch panel. In this case, the operation unit 53 is included in the notification unit 54.

The traffic restriction unit is not limited to the flapper gate 3. The traffic restriction unit may be anything that has the function of restricting/allowing the user 6 to pass through the gate device 10. For example, the traffic restriction unit may be a tripod gate. The traffic restriction unit does not have to physically restrict/allow the user 6 to pass through. The traffic restriction unit may restrict passage by issuing a warning, for example, by sound or on-screen display.

Next, an example of the authentication device 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of the authentication device in the first embodiment.

Each function of the authentication device 9 can be realized by a processing circuit. For example, the processing circuit includes at least one processor 1001 and at least one memory 1002. For example, the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 2001.

When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 1001 and at least one memory 1002, each function of the authentication device 9 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is described as a program. At least one of the software and firmware is stored in at least one memory 1002. The at least one processor 1001 realizes each function of the authentication device 9 by reading and executing the program stored in the at least one memory 1002. The at least one processor 1001 is also called a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. For example, the at least one memory 1002 is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD, or the like.

When the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 2001, the processing circuit is realized, for example, by a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these. For example, each function of the authentication device 9 is realized by a processing circuit. For example, each function of the authentication device 9 is realized collectively by a processing circuit.

Some of the functions of the authentication device 9 may be realized by dedicated hardware 2001, and the other parts may be realized by software or firmware. For example, the functions of the transmission/reception unit 11 may be realized by a processing circuit as the dedicated hardware 2001, and the functions other than the transmission/reception unit 11 may be realized by at least one processor 1001 reading and executing a program stored in at least one memory 1002.

In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the authentication device 9 using hardware 2001, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

Although not shown, the functions of the passage wireless communication device 4 and the setting wireless communication device 5 are also realized by processing circuits equivalent to the processing circuits that realize the functions of the authentication device 9.

This disclosure is not limited to embodiment 1. Within the scope of the present invention, some of the content described in embodiment 1 may be modified or omitted as appropriate.

100 Gate system, 10 Gate device,
2, 21, 22, 23 Gate body,
3, 31, 32 Flapper gate,
7, 71, 72 Traffic lane,
9, 91, 92, 93, 94 Authentication device,
11 Transmitter/receiver unit, 12 Memory unit, 13 Arrival angle measurement unit,
14 Determination unit, 15 Authentication unit, 16 Control unit, 17 Determination angle setting unit,
4 Passage wireless communication device, 41 Transmitting/receiving unit, 42 Memory unit 5 Setting wireless communication device, 51 Transmitting/receiving unit, 52 Memory unit,
53 Operation unit, 54 Notification unit,
6 User, 61 Fence, 62 Ceiling, 63 Floor, 64 Administrator, 65 Administrator's room,
8 Radio wave coverage,
80 , 8 4, 86 reference direction line,
81, 81A, 81C, 81E first direction line,
82, 82B, 82D, 82F second direction line,
83, 85, 87 Certified area.

Claims (17)

A gate device that restricts or permits a user carrying a wireless communication device to pass through a traffic lane,
a transceiver unit for receiving radio waves for passage transmitted by the passage wireless communication device;
an arrival angle measuring unit that measures an arrival angle of the traffic radio wave received by the transmitting/receiving unit with respect to a reference direction;
a determination unit that determines whether or not a measurement value of the arrival angle of the traffic radio wave is within a determination angle range;
a control unit that controls a traffic restriction unit to restrict or permit the user from passing through the traffic lane based on determination information included in the traffic radio wave when the determination unit determines that the measurement value is within the determination angle range;
a judgment angle setting unit that sets a judgment angle range,
the transmitting/receiving unit receives setting radio waves transmitted from the setting wireless communication device when a setting operation is performed on the setting wireless communication device,
the arrival angle measurement unit measures a plurality of the arrival angles,
The gate apparatus, wherein the judgment angle setting unit sets the judgment angle range based on a plurality of the measurement values. the arrival angle measurement unit measures a first arrival angle of the setting radio wave transmitted from the setting wireless communication device located at a first position,
the arrival angle measurement unit measures a second arrival angle of the setting radio wave transmitted from the setting wireless communication device located in a second position after measuring the first arrival angle,
2. The gate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination angle setting unit sets the determination angle range to be between a first measurement value of the first arrival angle and a second measurement value of the second arrival angle. The gate device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reference direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the traffic lane. The gate device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reference direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the traffic lane when viewed from above. The gate device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reference direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the traffic lane. A gate system having a gate device that restricts or permits a user carrying a wireless communication device to pass through a traffic lane,
A setting wireless communication device;
a transceiver unit for receiving radio waves for passage transmitted by the wireless communication device for passage;
an arrival angle measurement unit that measures an arrival angle of the traffic radio wave received by the transmission/reception unit with respect to a reference direction;
a determination unit that determines whether or not a measurement value of the arrival angle of the traffic radio wave is within a determination angle range;
a control unit that controls a traffic restriction unit to restrict or permit the user from passing through the traffic lane based on determination information included in the traffic radio wave when the determination unit determines that the measurement value is within the determination angle range;
a gate device having a judgment angle setting unit that sets a judgment angle range;
the transmitting/receiving unit receives setting radio waves transmitted when the setting wireless communication device is operated for setting;
the arrival angle measurement unit measures a plurality of the arrival angles,
The gate system according to claim 1, wherein the judgment angle setting unit sets the judgment angle range based on a plurality of the measurement values . the arrival angle measurement unit measures a first arrival angle of the setting radio wave transmitted from the setting wireless communication device located at a first position,
the arrival angle measurement unit measures a second arrival angle of the setting radio wave transmitted from the setting wireless communication device located in a second position after measuring the first arrival angle,
7. The gate system according to claim 6, wherein the determination angle setting unit sets the determination angle range to be between a first measurement value of the first arrival angle and a second measurement value of the second arrival angle. The gate system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the reference direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the traffic lane. The gate system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the reference direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the traffic lane when viewed from above. The gate system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the reference direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the traffic lane. The gate system according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the setting wireless communication device is provided with a notification unit that notifies at least one of information related to the procedure of the setting operation of the judgment angle range and information related to the setting status of the judgment angle range. The gate system according to claim 11, characterized in that the notification unit is a display screen. The gate system according to claim 11, characterized in that the notification unit notifies by sound or vibration. The gate system according to claim 11, characterized in that the notification unit notifies by turning on a lighting device. The setting wireless communication device includes an operation button,
14. The gate system according to claim 6, wherein the setting operation is a pressing operation of the operation button. The gate system according to claim 12, characterized in that the setting operation is a touch operation on an operation button displayed on the display screen. A setting wireless communication device;
A wireless communication device for passage carried by a user;
a transceiver unit for receiving radio waves for passage transmitted by the wireless communication device for passage;
an arrival angle measurement unit that measures an arrival angle of the traffic radio wave received by the transmission/reception unit with respect to a reference direction;
a determination unit that determines whether or not a measurement value of the arrival angle of the traffic radio wave is within a determination angle range;
a control unit that controls a traffic restriction unit to restrict or permit the user from passing through a traffic lane based on determination information included in the traffic radio wave when the determination unit determines that the measurement value is within the determination angle range;
a gate device having a judgment angle setting unit that sets a judgment angle range;
the transmitting/receiving unit receives setting radio waves transmitted when the setting wireless communication device is operated for setting;
the arrival angle measurement unit measures a plurality of the arrival angles,
The gate system according to claim 1, wherein the judgment angle setting unit sets the judgment angle range based on a plurality of the measurement values.

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