Security, monitoring and control system for preventing unauthorized entry into a bank or other building

A series of doors, locks, walls and signage present a vestibule room or safety enclosure for use in controlling access into a secured space. Exterior signage regarding weapon detection equipment and the appearance of a mantrap enclosure is used to dissuade visitors from bringing weapons into the secured area. A person within the safety enclosure may always exit through the exterior door and thus avoid harm in the event of a natural disaster.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to indoor security and monitoring systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a new and novel system and method of providing a secure vestibule to screen unknown visitors before allowing access into a screened visitor area.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Several attempts to provide methods of screening visitors or detaining dangerous visitors are known in the art. For example, U.S. patent application publication 2005/0249382 A1 to Schwab et al discloses a mantrap with a primary zone and a secondary zone. Unfortunately, the Schwab system requires a great deal of space to accommodate two separate zones, each large enough to secure a person. Moreover, the Schwab system is prone to liability issues as a person trapped within the system may later allege false imprisonment or suffer injury in the event of an earthquake or fire.

U.S. patent application publication U.S. 2008/0121682 assigned to IBM provides a mantrap system for the secure delivery of packages, but requires each person entering the system to have preissued identification and a prearranged appointment. Unfortunately, the IBM system is not well suited for use in a bank or other business where the preissuance of identification is not practical.

U.S. patent application publication U.S. 2005/0093697 by Nichani et al discloses a large turn stall system using complex 3D imaging systems. Unfortunately, current 3D technology is not practical for accurate real time display systems. Also, the four quadrant turn stall system consumes an inordinate amount of interior space.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a compact system to screen unknown visitors within the confines of a typical interior entry room or vestibule.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes shortfalls in the related art by presenting an unobvious and unique combination and configuration of a monitoring system, screening protocol, secure filtering room and other components.

Unlike the related art, the present invention is compact, economical to install and operate and avoids liability for trapping visitors.

There is a need for the present invention as banks, jewelry stores, music stores and other businesses are now, more than ever, susceptible to robbery, forced entry and other unlawful activity often perpetrated by unknown visitors entering through a public entrance. The present invention presents a physical barrier, control system, and employee protocol designed to reduce the likelihood of an unwelcomed visitor entering a protected premises.

Safety Enclosure or Control Room

In one embodiment, a control room or safety enclosure is presented. The safety enclosure comprises one interior area only. The use of a turn stall or multiple enclosure compartments is not contemplated as such configurations are not well suited for relatively small buildings or business structures. The safety enclosure has one exterior door and one interior door only. Both doors have means of locking that may be controlled by special purpose computer, but an operator of the disclosed system may always override locking or unlocking signals generated by the special purpose computer.

In one embodiment, the safety enclosure is positioned just inside an interior/exterior boundary of a protected business. The exterior door of the system separates the interior and exterior boundary. The floor plan of the safety enclosure may be square in shape and have dimensions greater than six feet by six feet, so as to accommodate potential visitors in wheel chairs and to make the safety enclosure compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

The safety enclosure may contain sensors to detect metallic mass. The readings from the sensors may be displayed by monitors mounted to a location visible to an operator of the system. In one configuration, the monitors are mounted near the safety enclosure such that a bank teller or operator may view the monitors as well as the person within the safety enclosure.

The interior door of the safety enclosure may be located within an interior wall adjacent to the wall of the exterior door. The interior door of the safety enclosure separates the interior compartment of the safety enclosure and the interior of the protected business.

Control System

An advantage of the disclosed control system and disclosed operator protocol is that a typical visitor or potential visitor cannot ascertain the risk of being trapped within the safety enclosure. A typical member of the public will see a secured safety enclosure secured by two locking doors, one exterior and one interior, the latter leading into the protected business. During business hours, a typical potential visitor is presented with an unlocked exterior door and signage instructing the potential visitor(s) to enter one at a time. Upon entering the safety chamber from the exterior, the exterior door locks for a specific operator preprogrammed amount of time. At this juncture, the potential visitor experiences an exterior door locked from the outside, the interior of the safety enclosure and a locked interior door between the safety enclosure and the interior business. Thus, the typical visitor assumes that upon entry into the safety enclosure the visitor will be trapped between two locked doors. But, unbeknownst to the visitor, the exterior door may always be opened from the inside of the safety enclosure by means of a moveable handle or other hardware. As the exterior door is locked from the outside, other potential visitors may not join the person in the safety chamber. Unexpected results have been achieved by use of the system, in that there have been no known security problems to have occurred when using the disclosed system.

Upon entry into the safety enclosure the exterior door closes and makes a latching sound. The exterior door then goes into a locked state for a predetermined amount of time, typically ten seconds. The potential visitor is then electronically scanned. In one embodiment, the magnetic distortion within the safety chamber is measured so as to indicate the amount of metallic mass presented by the potential visitor. The use of x-rays or other intrusive means of inspection are not desirable due to the danger of disrupting medical devices used by the potential visitor. Part of the disclosed protocol requires an operator of the system to visually inspect the potential visitor and to make a decision as to whether to allow the potential visitor access into the secured space. Video cameras transmit real time pictures of the potential visitor to monitors visible to the operator. Upon approval by the system operator, the potential visitor is allowed into the secured space by entry through the interior door.

While in the safety enclosure, the potential visitor may be questioned by the operator using a wireless two way intercommunication device and the potential visitor can be further observed. To assist the operator in discerning the potential danger of the potential visitor, a metallic reading or magnetic distortion value may be displayed upon the video monitors described above.

During the visitor inspection process, the potential visitor is within the safety enclosure and both doors are closed. The interior door is locked from use from inside the safety enclosure and the exterior door is locked from use from outside of the building. While the potential visitor within the safety enclosure, the exterior door is always operable from the inside the safety enclosure. Unlike the related art, no attempt is made to trap a potential visitor within the chamber. In the event of a fire or electrical emergency, a potential visitor is at liberty to leave the premises through the exterior door.

To further decrease the likelihood of a tragedy in the event of a fire or electrical problem, both doors may be opened by use of movable handles at all times. From within the safety enclosure, a moveable handle upon the exterior door is presented. From within the secured building space, a moveable handle upon the interior door is presented. The moveable handles will open a door even if the door is in a locked state. The disclosed system always allows people to exit the building even if there is an electrical problem that places the doors into a locked state.

The Piggy Back Problem

In a typical takeover robbery, multiple assailants will attempt to gain access into a building or business. The present invention addresses this problem with a door locking protocol and control system.

Upon entry by a potential visitor into the safety enclosure, the interior door is locked from inside the safety enclosure and the exterior door is inoperable by persons outside of the building for a specific preprogrammed amount of time. In the event that two or more persons have entered the safety enclosure, an operator of the system simply refuses to release the lock that secures the interior door and occupants inside the safety enclosure are told via the wireless two way intercommunication device to vacate the safety enclosure and to enter one at a time.

These and other objects and advantages will be made apparent when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

1electrified door strike2movable door handle3door closer4fixed door handle5L shaped scanner brackets6glass panel, may be one inch or greater7vertical mullion, may be two inches8scanners9wire entry point10video camera11scanner camera12video monitor13scanner monitor14monitor mount15monitor mount base16power outlets17power outlets for monitor18power outlets for scanners19glass or other transparent material20LED signal light21scanner connecting ribbon22overhead pane23horizontal mullion (may be two inches)24vertical corner mullion (may be four inches)25weapons detector signage26door mortise27two way wireless intercommunication device, may comprise a communication system with a microphone located within the safety chamber.28open void area at top section of the first interior wall3129open void area at top section of the third interior30exterior wall containing the exterior door10531first interior wall containing the interior door10432second interior wall opposite to the first interior wall3133third interior wall opposite of the exterior wall3034exterior side of exterior wall30100interior space within safety chamber101exterior area of safety chamber102interior of protected business, protected business interior space or protected interior space103safety chamber or the disclosed invention in general104interior door105exterior door106teller side of the safety chamber or wall of the safety chamber that faces the teller or operator of the system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

All the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, the disclosed security and access control system is sometimes referred to as SecurePoint and is shown generally as103. The invention may be considered to comprise an interior space within a larger space or interior of a protected business102.

In the preferred embodiment, the interior space100within the disclosed safety chamber103is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The interior space100may be sized six feet by six feet.

Unexpected results are achieved in the preferred embodiment by the disclosed configuration of the interior door104positioned at 90 degrees and adjacent to the exterior door105. The disclosed configuration allows for clear viewing through the teller side106of the chamber as well as the use of extra heavy bullet and explosive resistant material within the teller side106of the chamber. In some circumstances, the use of extra heavy material within the interior door104is not practical. The disclosed configuration of the interior door104also provides the unexpected result of fewer distractions to customers waiting in line and the position of the door naturally directs customers to the rear of a waiting line.

Further unexpected results are achieved by use of the disclosed relay system that controls the electric door strikes of the exterior door105and interior door104. The disclosed relay system prevents unwanted visitors from entering the interior102of the protected business while simultaneously protecting all potential visitors from being trapped within the interior100of the safety chamber103. By use of electrified door strikes1for both the interior104and exterior105doors, in the event of a power outage, a potential visitor as well as all visitors within the interior102of the protected business are able to exit through the disclosed safety chamber103.

An unexpected illusion of presenting a mantrap is achieved by use of the disclosed LED signal light20, weapons detector signage25and heavy duty glass door19presented at the exterior101area of the safety chamber. A typical potential visitor tempted to commit crimes within the interior102area of the protected business has no way of knowing that the exterior door105is never locked from the inside100of the chamber. To the contrary, the disclosed invention has every appearance of being a mantrap wherein a potential visitor runs the risk of being trapped within the interior100area of the safety chamber103. The use of visible L shaped scanner brackets5, scanners8, scanner cameras11, and other security equipment presents the illusion that the present invention has the capability to detain potential visitors within the interior100of the safety chamber. The mantrap illusion has achieved unexpected results in lowering the number of unwelcomed visitors entering the safety chamber. Users of the invention have avoided liability for false imprisonment by virtue of the non locking feature of the exterior door105from inside the safety chamber100and by virtue of non-locking feature of the interior door104from inside of the interior area102of the protected business.

The function and configuration of the disclosed relay switch system may be described by review of the protocol followed for a potential visitor. A potential visitor may enter the interior100of the safety enclosure but will be stopped from entering the inside of the business102by the interior door. Upon entering the security enclosure from the exterior, a potential visitor may be presented with an intercom and/or buzzer button to summon the attention of a system operator. The disclosed relay switch system will not allow an outside potential visitor from opening the exterior door while a potential visitor is within the interior100of the safety chamber. This feature of the relay system prevents the piggy back problem disused above. If and only if, the interior100of the safety chamber is empty, an operator may depower the electric door strike1and thus allow an outside potential visitor to enter the interior of the safety chamber. A door closer3gently closes the door behind the potential visitor who has entered the safety chamber. After the exterior door105is in a closed position, the exterior door may not be opened from the outside, as the electric door strike powers up after the door is closed up to a specific preprogrammed time by operator.

While the potential visitor is within the confines of the interior of the safety chamber, the potential visitor may use the movable door handle2of the exterior door to exit the chamber at any time. While within the safety chamber, the potential visitor may be electronically inspected by scanners sensitive to magnetic distortions presented by the potential visitor. The scanner may be located inches away from the interior edge of the exterior door. The reading of the scanner results is performed by the operators of the system. The measuring of magnetic distortions does not present a risk of interfering with medical devices used by the potential visitors and does not subject the operators of the system to liability for using intrusive means of inspection.

During the inspection process, a video camera10and scanner camera11may be used to view and/or inspect the potential visitor. The readings from the cameras may be projected by use of a scanner monitor13and video monitor12which may be mounted upon the wall106of the safety chamber that faces the teller or operator of the system. InFIG. 1, the monitor mount base15is shown supporting the two monitors12and15. A wireless intercom27is presented within the safety chamber to allow a system operator to speak with a potential visitor. Before or during such a conversation, a system operator has the ability to view the video monitor12and/or scanner monitor13to assist in evaluating the intentions and/or danger of the potential visitor.

In the preferred embodiment, the scanner monitor13displays values or graphics in response to the magnetic distortion perceived by the scanner camera13or similar scanning device. An operator of the system, either through training or through experience will have in mind a threshold value or graphic to depict an unusually large magnetic distortion and/or a magnetic distortion of an usual shape in light of the characteristics of the potential visitor.

After a system operator is satisfied with the inspection of the potential visitor, the system operator may power down the door strike1to the interior door104and allow the potential visitor to become a visitor within the interior102of the protected business.

The interior door's movable handle is configured to safely allow a visitor within the protected business102to exit through the safety chamber. A visitor wishing to leave the protected business may use the movable door handle2located at the exterior side of the interior door104, and then by use of the moveable door handle located upon the interior side of the external door.

Referring toFIG. 1the exterior wall30secures the exterior door105. The first interior wall31is positioned perpendicularly from the exterior wall30. The first interior wall30secures the interior door104. A second interior wall32is found adjacent to and perpendicular from the exterior wall30. A third interior wall33is parallel to the exterior wall and perpendicularly attached to the first and second interior walls. Persons approaching the exterior side34of the exterior wall30will observe signage25warning of the presence of weapon detection instruments.

Referring toFIG. 2an elevation view of an interior wall is presented. Starting from the top, two vertical corner mullions24attach to the ceiling and other walls. An open void29is found between the corner mullions24. Power outlets16may be found just below the void section29and may power video cameras10and scanner cameras11. The scanner cameras may have means of detecting magnetic distortions occurring within the safety chamber when metal introduced by a visitor standing within the safety chamber. A video monitor12may be present to display the occupant of the safety chamber or the extent of magnetic distortions found within the safety chamber. Glass panels6are supported by mullions24and one or more vertical mullions7and one or more horizontal mullions23.

Referring toFIG. 3an exterior elevation view of the third interior wall33is presented. A bank teller or operator of the system would see the presented view while positioned within the interior of the protected business102or protected interior space. Just below the top open space29a scanner monitor13and video monitor12face the protected interior section. A monitor mount base15and wire entry point9are found between the scanner monitor and video monitor. One or more glass panels6allow system personal to view the interior section100of the safety chamber.

Referring toFIG. 4an interior elevation view of the first interior wall is presented. This is the view experienced by a visitor standing within the safety chamber103and facing the interior door104. A communication system27allows a person within the safety chamber to speak with an operator of the system. L shaped scanner brackets5may retain scanners8. An electrified door strike1is powered when the interior door104is to remain locked. When an operator of the system wishes to allow a visitor through the interior door, the electrified door strike1is powered down, an LED signal light20is turned on or off and the visitor may push upon the fixed door handle4and open the interior door. A door closer3gently closes the interior door. A glass pane22is found under the open space28and over the interior door104.

Referring toFIG. 5an interior elevation view of the exterior door105is presented as viewed by a person standing in the safety enclosure and looking to the outside of the building or looking toward the exterior wall30. Scanners8are found on either side of the exterior door105and scanner connection ribbon21is found at the upper sections of the scanners. At any time, a person within the safety chamber may leave the building by rotating the moveable door handle2. Visitors do not know of this means of escape and are thus less likely to bring weapons or bad intentions into the protected area. After entering the safety chamber, an electric door strike1is powered and prevents outsiders from entering the safety chamber. The door strike1mechanism is shown to be within a door mortis26. Power outlets16may be found just to the outside of the first interior wall30and may be used to power the scanners via a wire entry point9.

Referring toFIG. 6an exterior elevation view of the exterior door105is presented from the perspective of a visitor approaching the exterior side34of the exterior wall30. A sign25warns all visitors of the presence of scanners8or other means of weapons detection. Upon the potential visitor's entrance to the secured enclosure from the exterior of the building, the scanner system's relay switch activates and depowers the exterior door strike1locking the exterior door from the exterior and not allow anyone to enter the safety enclosure for a specific operator preprogrammed time, a visitor may push upon the fixed door handle4and enter the safety chamber once entry to the secured space is approved by an operator.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claims.