U.S. patent application number 10/736888 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-26 for intelligent vehicle access control system.
Invention is credited to Chew, Khien Meow David.
Application Number | 20040165750 10/736888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30004757 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040165750 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chew, Khien Meow David |
August 26, 2004 |
Intelligent vehicle access control system
Abstract
An apparatus for the automatic inspection of a motor vehicle has
an identification and psychological profiling zone, an automatic
inspection zone and a manual inspection zone. A biometric and heart
rate detection station and an attached console are located in zone
one. Undercarriage scanning equipment and an explosives detection
portal are located in zone two. The apparatus also has one or more
fixed cameras, an alarm or other alerting mechanisms and a physical
barrier. A vehicle detection mechanism detects the entry of a
vehicle into zone two and captures an image of the vehicle number
plate. When the captured biometric data and number plate data
indicate that the driver is authorized to drive the particular
vehicle into the secured zone, and if no abnormalities or foreign
objects in the undercarriage image are detected, the driver is
allowed to proceed.
Inventors: |
Chew, Khien Meow David;
(Singapore, SG) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
30004757 |
Appl. No.: |
10/736888 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
382/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07B 15/00 20130101;
G06V 40/10 20220101; G06V 20/625 20220101; G08B 13/19697
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
382/105 |
International
Class: |
G06K 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 7, 2003 |
AU |
2003900048 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for automatically inspecting vehicles being driven
into a first area, the apparatus comprising: imaging means for
capturing an image of an undercarriage of a vehicle as the vehicle
is being driven into the first area; database means for storing
images of undercarriages of vehicles which are permitted into the
first area; and means for comparing the captured image of the
undercarriage of the vehicle being driven into the first area with
at least one of the stored images of the undercarriages of vehicles
in the database means.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging means
comprises an area-scan camera for capturing a series of images of
different areas of the undercarriage of the vehicle; and means for
stitching the series of images of different areas of the
undercarriage, to form a composite undercarriage image.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein individual images of
the series of images are overlapping images.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the composite
undercarriage image is a complete undercarriage image.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database means
further stores vehicle identification data of vehicles permitted
into the first area in association with the images of the
undercarriages of those vehicles.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: means
for inputting an identification of a vehicle being driven into the
first area; and wherein the means for comparing is operable to
compare the captured image of the undercarriage of the vehicle with
at least one of the stored images associated with the
identification of the vehicle being driven into the first area and
to highlight discrepancies therebetween.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for
triggering an alerting mechanism when the means for comparing
highlights discrepancies.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means for
inputting an identification of a vehicle comprises means for
reading an identification number on the vehicle.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means for
reading comprises number plate recognition means for reading a
number on a vehicle number plate.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database means
further contains driver identification data of drivers permitted to
drive vehicles into the first area.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the database means
associates the driver identification data with at least one vehicle
that individual drivers are permitted to drive into the first
area.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: means
for inputting driver identification data of the driver of a vehicle
being driven into the first area; and wherein the means for
comparing is operable to compare input driver identification data
with driver identification data contained in the database to
determine whether the driver is permitted into the first area.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the means for
comparing is further operable to compare identification data of a
current vehicle being driven into the first area with driver
identification data contained in the database to determine whether
the driver is permitted to drive the current vehicle into the first
area.
14. An apparatus for automatically inspecting a vehicle being
driven into a first area, the apparatus comprising: database means
containing: driver identification data identifying drivers who are
permitted to drive vehicles into the first area; number plate data
identifying vehicles which are permitted into the first area; and
data identifying which driver is permitted to bring which vehicle
into the secure site; means for capturing identification data about
a driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area; number
plate recognition means for capturing number plate data about the
vehicle being driven into the first area; and means for
interrogating the database means based on the captured
identification data about the driver who is driving the vehicle
into the first area and based on the captured number plate data to
determine whether the driver is permitted to drive the vehicle into
the first area.
15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the means for
inputting driver identification data comprises means for capturing
identification data about the driver.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the driver
identification data for a driver comprises information from a
personal identification card.
17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the means for
capturing identification data about a driver is operable to capture
data from a driver's personal identification card.
18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the driver
identification data for a driver comprises biometrics data of the
driver.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the biometrics
data identifying drivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into
the first area comprises at least one of: a facial image of each
such driver; a print of at least a portion of a hand of each such
driver; an eye scan of each such driver; and voice data of each
such driver.
20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the means for
capturing identification data about a driver is operable to capture
driver biometrics data.
21. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: the means for
capturing identification data comprises means for detecting
physiological data about the driver who is driving the vehicle; and
further comprising: means for inferring, from the detected
physiological data, information about a current psychological
profile of the driver; and means for triggering an alerting
mechanism when the inferred current psychological profile of the
driver matches specified criteria.
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which the specified
criteria include a stress level of the driver.
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which the
physiological data includes data about at least one of a pulse rate
and voice characteristic data of the driver.
24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, in which: the apparatus
further includes means for storing at least one of base-line pulse
rate data and voice characteristic data about the driver; and the
means for inferring the current psychological profile of the driver
from the detected physiological data includes means for comparing
at least one of the detected pulse rate of the driver with the
base-line pulse rate data for the driver, and the detected voice
characteristic of the driver with the stored voice characteristic
data for the driver.
25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the apparatus is
arranged in three zones, comprising: an identification and
psychological profiling zone, in which the means for capturing
identification data about the driver is located; an automatic
inspection zone, in which the imaging means for capturing an image
of the undercarriage of the vehicle is located; and a manual
inspection zone.
26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further comprising means,
under control of the apparatus, for selectively preventing and
allowing movement of the vehicle from the identification and
psychological profiling zone into the automatic inspection
zone.
27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further comprising means,
under control of the apparatus, for selectively preventing and
allowing movement of the vehicle from the automatic inspection zone
into the manual inspection zone.
28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further comprising means,
under control of the apparatus, for selectively preventing and
allowing movement of the vehicle from the manual inspection zone
into the first area.
29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25 in which components of the
apparatus that are located in at least one of: the identification
and psychological profiling zone; the automatic inspection zone;
and the manual inspection zone, are hardened against the effects of
explosive blast.
30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the number plate
recognition means includes a number plate recognition camera.
31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a
number plate recognition camera for capturing number plate data
about the vehicle being driven into the first area; and wherein the
vehicle is visible to the number plate recognition camera on entry
of the vehicle into the identification and psychological profiling
zone; and on detection by the number plate recognition camera of
the vehicle entering into the identification and psychological
profiling zone, the number plate recognition camera is triggered to
capture number plate data about the vehicle.
32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising means
for detecting a presence of explosives associated with the vehicle
that is being driven into the first area.
33. The apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising means
for detecting a presence of explosives associated with the vehicle
that is being driven into the first area located in at least one of
the automatic inspection zone and the manual inspection zone.
34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the means for
detecting the presence of explosives include at least one of
portable explosives detection devices and a detecting portal
through which the vehicle is driven.
35. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a
motor vehicle.
36. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first area is a
secure site.
37. A vehicle access control system comprising a plurality of
apparatuses for automatically inspecting vehicles being driven into
different first areas, wherein the apparatuses are networked
together; and each apparatus comprises: imaging means for capturing
an image of an undercarriage of a vehicle as the vehicle is being
driven into the respective first area; database means for storing
images of undercarriages of vehicles which are permitted into the
respective first area; and means for comparing the captured image
of the undercarriage of the vehicle being driven into the
respective first area with at least one of the stored images of the
undercarriages of vehicles on the database means.
38. A method for automatically inspecting a vehicle being driven
into a first area, the method comprising: capturing an image of an
undercarriage of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driven into
the first area; and comparing the captured image of the
undercarriage of the vehicle being driven into the first area with
at least one stored image of undercarriages of vehicles which are
permitted into the first area.
39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the capturing step
comprises: capturing a series of overlapping images of different
areas of the undercarriage of the vehicle; and stitching the series
of images of different areas of the undercarriage, to form a
composite complete undercarriage image.
40. The method according to claim 38, further comprising: inputting
an identification of a vehicle being driven into the first area;
comparing the captured image of the undercarriage of the vehicle
with at least one stored image associated with the identification
of the vehicle being driven into the first area; highlighting if
there are discrepancies between the compared captured image and at
least one stored image; and triggering an alert when a discrepancy
is determined.
41. The method according to claim 40, wherein inputting an
identification of a vehicle comprises reading an identification
number on a vehicle number plate.
42. The method according to claim 38, further comprising: capturing
driver identification data of a driver of a current vehicle being
driven into the first area; comparing input driver identification
data with driver identification data of drivers permitted to drive
vehicles into the first area to determine whether the driver is
permitted into the first area; and comparing identification data of
the current vehicle being driven into the first area with driver
identification data to determine whether the driver is permitted to
drive the current vehicle into the first area.
43. A method for automatically inspecting a vehicle being driven
into a first area, the method comprising: capturing identification
data about a driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area;
reading a number on a vehicle number plate of the vehicle being
driven into the first area; and based on captured identification
data about the driver who is driving the vehicle into the first
area, captured number plate data, and driver identification data
identifying drivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into the
first area, determining whether the driver is permitted to drive
the vehicle into the first area.
44. The method according to claim 42, wherein capturing
identification data about a driver comprises capturing data from a
personal identification card.
45. The method according to claim 43, wherein capturing
identification data about a driver comprises capturing biometrics
data from the driver comprising at least one of: a facial image of
each such driver; a print of at least a portion of a hand of each
such driver; an eye scan of each such driver; and voice data of
each such driver.
46. The method according to claim 43, wherein: capturing
identification data comprises detecting physiological data about
the driver who is driving the vehicle; and further comprising:
inferring, from the detected physiological data, information about
a current psychological profile of the driver; and triggering an
alerting mechanism when the inferred current psychological profile
of the driver matches specified criteria.
47. The method as claimed in claim 46, in which the specified
criteria include a stress level of the driver.
48. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein: the physiological
data includes data about either or both of the pulse rate and voice
characteristic data of the driver; and wherein inferring the
current psychological profile of the driver from the detected
physiological data includes comparing at least one of the detected
pulse rate of the driver with a stored base-line pulse rate data
for the driver, and the detected voice characteristic of the driver
with a stored voice characteristic data for the driver.
49. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein: capturing
identification data about the driver takes place when the vehicle
is in an identification and psychological profiling zone; capturing
an image of the undercarriage of the vehicle takes place when the
vehicle is in an automatic inspection zone; and a number on a
vehicle number plate is read when the vehicle is detected entering
into the identification and psychological profiling zone; and
further comprising detecting the vehicle entering into the
identification and psychological profiling zone.
50. The method as claimed in claim 49, further comprising
selectively preventing and allowing movement of the vehicle from at
least one of: the identification and psychological profiling zone
into the automatic inspection zone; the automatic inspection zone
into a manual inspection zone; and the manual inspection zone into
the first area.
51. The method as claimed in claim 38, further comprising detecting
a presence of explosives associated with the vehicle that is being
driven into the first area.
52. A method of controlling vehicular access to a first area having
at least one entrance with a plurality of inspection zones, each
inspection zone being contiguous with at least one other inspection
zone and at least one inspection zone being contiguous with a
secure site, the method comprising: permitting a driver to bring a
vehicle attempting access to the first area to enter into a first
one of the inspection zones; conducting at least one inspection
process on the vehicle in the first inspection zone; wherein
allowable outcomes of the at least one inspection process in the
first inspection zone comprise: (i) the vehicle failing the at
least one inspection process and: (a) the vehicle not being
permitted to move out of the first inspection zone; or (b) the
vehicle being allowed to leave without proceeding into the first
area; and (ii) the vehicle passing the at least one the inspection
process and being permitted to move out of the first inspection
zone into a second one of the inspection zones; and if the vehicle
has entered the second inspection zone conducting at least one
other inspection process on the vehicle in the second inspection
zone; wherein allowable outcomes of the at least one other
inspection process in the second inspection zone comprise: (iii)
the vehicle failing the at least one inspection process and: (c)
the vehicle not being permitted to move out of the second
inspection zone; or (d) the vehicle being allowed to leave without
proceeding into the first area; and (iv) the vehicle passing the at
least one other inspection process and being permitted to move out
of the second inspection zone.
53. The method as claimed in claim 52, wherein one of the first and
second inspection zones is an identification and psychological
profiling zone in which at least one of the following categories of
data is captured: biometric data about the driver; image data about
the driver; and image data about a number plate of the vehicle.
54. The method as claimed in claim 53, wherein the other one of the
first and second inspection zones is an automated inspection zone
contiguous with the identification and psychological profiling
zone, the automated inspection zone including at least one of: an
explosives detection portal for chemically detecting explosives
associated with a vehicle; and an apparatus for capturing an image
of an undercarriage of a vehicle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to monitoring and/or
controlling vehicular access to sites, and in particular providing
vehicular undercarriage scanning and/or driver recognition prior to
a vehicle entering such sites.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is necessary to control access of personnel and vehicles
to all sites, both civilian and military.
[0003] In recent decades, motor vehicles have been used in the type
of terrorist activities that have come to be known as car bombings.
Motor vehicles have carried explosives and detonated in a
particular location to cause damage to personnel and property.
[0004] It is also the case that a motor vehicle that can
legitimately be brought onto a site can be stolen or hijacked by a
terrorist group, loaded with explosives and brought onto a site by
a terrorist or brought in unawares by driver/passengers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
apparatus for the automatic inspection of vehicles being driven
into a first area. The apparatus comprises: imaging means, database
means and means for comparing. The imaging means is for capturing
an image of the undercarriage of a vehicle as it is being driven
into the first area. The database means is for storing images of
the undercarriages of vehicles which are permitted into the first
area. The means for comparing is for comparing the captured image
of the undercarriage of the vehicle being driven into the first
area with one or more of the stored images of the undercarriages of
vehicles on the database means.
[0006] In this aspect, the present invention allows for the
scanning of the undercarriage of a vehicle for explosives or other
illicit material, verification of both the identity of the driver
and the identity of the vehicle, to establish that the particular
vehicle is permitted into a sensitive site and that it is currently
being driven by a driver who is permitted to drive it into that
site.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided apparatus for the automatic inspection of vehicles being
driven into a first area. The apparatus comprises: database means,
means for capturing, number plate recognition means and means for
interrogating. The database means contains: driver identification
data identifying drivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into
the first area; number plate data identifying vehicles which are
permitted into the first area; and data identifying which driver is
permitted to bring which vehicle into the first area. The means for
capturing is for capturing identification data about a driver who
is driving the vehicle into the first area. The number plate
recognition means is for capturing number plate data about the
vehicle being driven into the first area. The means for
interrogating is for interrogating the database means on the basis
of the captured identification data about the driver who is driving
the vehicle into the first area and on the basis of the captured
number plate data to determine whether or not that driver is
permitted to drive that vehicle into the first area.
[0008] Either of the above aspects may allow for the scanning of
the undercarriage of a vehicle for explosives or other illicit
material, verification of both the identity of the driver and the
identity of the vehicle, to establish that the particular vehicle
is permitted into a sensitive site and that it is currently being
driven by a driver who is permitted to drive it into that site.
[0009] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method for the automatic inspection of vehicles being
driven into a first area. The method comprises the steps of:
capturing an image and comparing the captured image. The captured
image is an image of the undercarriage of a vehicle as it is being
driven into the first area. The captured image of the undercarriage
of the vehicle being driven into the first area is compared with
one or more stored images of the undercarriages of vehicles which
are permitted into the first area.
[0010] According to again another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method for the automatic inspection of vehicles being
driven into a first area. The method comprises: capturing data,
reading a number and determining whether a driver is permitted to
drive a vehicle into the first area. The captured data is
identification data about a driver who is driving the vehicle into
the first area. The number is the number on the vehicle number
plate of the vehicle being driven into the first area. Determining
whether the driver is permitted to drive that vehicle into the
first area is based on captured identification data about the
driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area, on captured
number plate data, and on driver identification data identifying
drivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into the first
area.
[0011] According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of controlling vehicular access to a secure site
having at least one entrance with a plurality of inspection zones,
each inspection zone being contiguous with at least one other
inspection zone and at least one inspection zone being contiguous
with the secure site. The method includes the steps of: permitting
a driver to bring a vehicle into a first one of the inspection
zones, conducting at least one inspection process on the vehicle in
the first inspection zone and possibly permitting the driver to
bring the vehicle into a second one of the inspection zones and
conducting at least one inspection process on the vehicle in the
second inspection zone. The vehicle which the driver is permitted
to bring a vehicle into the first inspection zone is a vehicle
attempting access to the first area. The allowable outcomes of the
at least one inspection process in the first inspection zone
comprise: (i) the vehicle failing the or at least one inspection
process and: (a) the vehicle not being permitted to move out of the
first inspection zone; or (b) the vehicle being allowed to leave
without proceeding into the first area; and (ii) the vehicle
passing the or all the inspection processes and being permitted to
move out of the first inspection zone into the second inspection
zone. If the vehicle has entered the second inspection zone the at
least one inspection process on the vehicle in the second
inspection zone is conducted. The allowable outcomes of the at
least one inspection process in the second inspection zone
comprise: (iii) the vehicle failing the or at least one inspection
process and: (c) the vehicle not being permitted to move out of the
second inspection zone; or (d) the vehicle being allowed to leave
without proceeding into the first area; and (iv) the vehicle
passing the or all the inspection processes and being permitted to
move out of the second inspection zone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention is further described by way of non-limitative
example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an overview of an apparatus according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 shows the logical architecture of the embodiment of
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams of sub-systems of FIG. 3;
and
[0017] FIG. 6 is an example of the user interface of the embodiment
of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] The Apparatus of the Invention
[0019] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated generally at item 1 in FIG. 1.
[0020] The arrangement of apparatus according to the embodiment of
FIG. 1 is in three zones, an identification and psychological
profiling zone 2, an automatic inspection zone 3 and a manual
inspection zone 4.
[0021] The apparatus of the present invention includes a control
center 13. Control and/or signal paths connect components of the
system to the control center 13. Those components include biometric
and heart rate detection station 8 with an attached console 7, a
traffic light 9, an explosives detection portal 11, undercarriage
scanning apparatus 12, one or more fixed cameras 17, an alarm 18
and a physical barrier 19. The apparatus of the present invention
can be placed in multiple locations with each installation
networked so as to be controlled by a centralized management
system. The benefits of a centralized control include more
efficient administration, timely maintenance and a reduction in
security personnel required to support the multiple installations.
Further for facilities having multiple entry and exit points
further data can be recorded as to the time of visit and time of
exit including duration of the visit. Placing centralized control
yields a holistic approach to security with incidents at the
installations being managed and controlled along with other
security measures and so avoiding the potential for errors or
redundancy.
[0022] According to alternative preferred embodiments of the
invention which are not shown in the drawings, spike or other
suitable barriers are also located at either or both of the
transition regions between:
[0023] the identification and psychological zone and the automatic
inspection zone; and
[0024] the automatic inspection zone and the manual inspection
zone.
[0025] The logical architecture 21 of the system of FIG. 1 is
illustrated in FIG. 3. The central server 22 is running number
plate recognition (licence plate recognition--LPR) software 26,
undercarriage image processing software 27 and database software
28. The central server 22 presents a user interface 23 to a user. A
number plate recognition system 31, driver image system 32 and
undercarriage scanning system 33 also have inputs to the central
server 22.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a representation of the architecture of the number
plate recognition system, the software 26 of which runs on the
central server 22. The LPR software 26 is used to recognise the
number on the vehicle number plate (which, according to the
country, may be the registration or licence plate, etc.). This
system includes a central computer 37 (which may or may not be the
same computer as the central server 22 of FIG. 3). The central
computer 37 interfaces by way of suitable hardware such as frame
grabber 38, communications port 39 and digital I/O card 41 with
cameras and sensors 42 and 43. It will be appreciated that,
although these cameras and sensors are numbered as items 42 and 43
in FIG. 4, their physical implementations include the LPR camera 17
of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a representation of the architecture of the
undercarriage scanning and driver verification systems. The central
computer 37 interfaces by way of a frame grabber 51, video switch
52 and multiplexer 53 with driver verification cameras 54 and
undercarriage scanning camera 56. It will be appreciated that,
although the driver verification cameras and undercarriage scan
camera are numbered as items 54 and 56 in FIG. 5, their physical
implementations include cameras 14 and 17 of FIG. 1 and the
undercarriage scanning equipment illustrated as item 12 in FIG.
1.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a representation of an exemplary computer display
on a screen as monitored by security personnel. The screen includes
a current undercarriage image 70, the vehicle number plate number
and a current image of the driver 62, as well as a past, reference
undercarriage image 80 and a past, reference driver image 65.
Identification of the vehicle, as it is driven into the inspection
system, is initiated through cameras providing the vehicle number
plate number which appears in the vehicle data image 60, which also
includes the NRIC number of the driver and previous entry and exit
times and dates. The current driver image 62 is compared with the
stored driver image 65 for inspection by the operator. At the same
time the actual undercarriage image 70 "stitched" together to show
a composite view on screen is then compared to the stored images 80
of the vehicle undercarriage. Where abnormalities 75 are
identified, these may be further enhanced for closer detailed
inspection by the operator.
[0029] Operation of the Apparatus of the Invention
[0030] The following description of the operation of the apparatus
of the invention should be read in conjunction with the top-level
flow-chart of FIG. 2, which gives an overall view of that
operation.
[0031] As a vehicle such as that illustrated at 6 in FIG. 1 is
driven into the inspection system 1, the driver of the vehicle is
presented with a red light by traffic light 9 (action 201 of FIG.
2).
[0032] When the vehicle 6 enters the identification and
psychological profiling zone 2, it is detected by the camera 17, or
other detection means. This detection of the vehicle triggers the
number plate recognition system. The number plate recognition
functions are then assigned to the camera 17.
[0033] The detection of the vehicle 6 triggers the number plate
recognition system and at the same time the driver is prompted to
wind down the window, look into the facial identification camera
adjacent to the vehicle, and place his or her hand on a sensor in
the biometric recognition and heart rate detection console 7. The
placement of the driver's hand on this sensor also acts as a
trigger to activate the facial identification or eye scanning
system.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the driver may also be prompted
to speak so as measure a voice characteristic. According to further
preferred embodiments of the invention, the heart rate data that is
captured is compared with base-line pulse rate data about the
driver to infer whether or not the driver is exhibiting any
nervousness. Similarly the voice characteristic is compared to
existing voice data about the driver to determine the identity of
the driver, or to infer whether or not the driver is nervous.
[0035] The following decisions are then made.
[0036] Based on the output of the number plate recognition system,
a decision is made as to whether or not the vehicle is authorised
to enter the secured zone (decision 203 of FIG. 2). If the vehicle
is not authorised to enter the secured zone, an alarm is raised
(204 of FIG. 2) or other alerting mechanism.
[0037] Based on the output of the biometric recognition system, a
decision is made whether or not the driver is a person who is
authorised to enter the secured zone (decision 207 of FIG. 2). If
the driver is not authorised to enter the secure zone, an alarm is
raised (208 of FIG. 2) or other alerting mechanism.
[0038] Based on the output of a heartbeat detector, a decision is
made whether or not the driver is exhibiting nervousness at
entering the secured zone (decision 212 of FIG. 2). If the driver
is exhibiting such nervousness, an alarm is raised (213 of FIG. 2)
or other alerting mechanism.
[0039] If none of these alarms is raised, the driver is presented
with a green light (process 209 of FIG. 2) and drives the vehicle 6
through the explosives detection portal 11, and over the
undercarriage scanning equipment.
[0040] If any illicit material is detected on passage of the
vehicle 6 through the explosives detection portal 11, an alarm is
raised (213 of FIG. 2) or other alerting mechanism.
[0041] The undercarriage scanning equipment is located within a
housing, either above ground or below ground level, over which the
vehicle will travel. The undercarriage image is created from a
composite of images captured by the area scan camera whilst the
vehicle is traversing the scanning equipment with the overlapping
images "stitched" together to form the complete undercarriage
image. The image that is captured of the vehicle undercarriage is
compared with previous undercarriage images from a database (215 of
FIG. 2) and if there is a discrepancy or detected foreign objects
between the images an alarm is raised (217 of FIG. 2) or other
alerting mechanism. These foreign objects may then be highlighted
and traced in high resolution on the screen enabling the operator
to zoom in for a more detailed inspection.
[0042] In each case the alarm or other alerting mechanism extends
to audible and visual alarm means, while also activates engagable
physical barriers such as retractable bollards, raised kerbs or
spikes each capable of preventing the vehicle from proceeding or
retreating. Further the installation may include physical
protection means so that in the case of an explosion, the extent of
the damage is limited, protecting life and property. The protection
means may further minimise damage to the security apparatus from
the explosion.
[0043] The apparatus of the invention is further applicable to both
fixed installations and portable installations so as to establish
an installation at a temporary site for a given event.
[0044] If neither of these alarms is raised, an image of the
vehicle interior is saved (218 in FIG. 2) the barrier 19 is opened
and the vehicle is free to proceed into the secured facility.
[0045] Various amendments and alternatives falling within the scope
of the invention are readily apparent to the skilled artisan.
[0046] The entire disclosure of Australian provisional application
No. 2003-900048 filed Jan. 7, 2003 is incorporated by
reference.
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