Automatic switching for frictionless access control

Example aspects include a method, an apparatus and a computer-readable medium of operating an access control system, comprising detecting a person at an access control area. The aspects further include determining whether the person is wearing a mask. Additionally, the aspects further include switching, in response to determining that the person is wearing the mask, the access control system into a frictionless mode. Additionally, the aspects further include obtaining, according to the frictionless mode, identification information of the person via touchless interaction between the person and the access control system. Additionally, the aspects further include identifying the person according to the identification information of the person.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to access control systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods for automatically switching an access control system into a frictionless mode.

Introduction

Access control systems may be used to selectively provide people with access to specific locations in a building and/or facility. The access control systems may provide access by permitting a person to pass through a checkpoint, such as a door, a gate, a turnstile, an elevator, an identification checkpoint, and/or other impediments. For example, the access control systems may require the person to present identification information in order to obtain permission to pass through the checkpoint to enter and/or exit one or more areas. The access control systems may comprise keypads, card readers, key fob readers, cameras, biometric sensors, beacons, and/or other devices to receive the identification information, and may determine whether or not to permit the person to access the one or more areas based on the received identification information. Typically, the person may need to touch a device of the access control system in order to present the identification information, such as scanning an identification card, entering a code on a keypad, and touching a fingerprint sensor. These physical procedures for presenting the identification information may not be desirable during an epidemic or pandemic, as these physical procedures may facilitate the spread of a contagious disease (e.g., COVID-19). Entities that own, manage, or use such access control systems may implement manual processes to reduce the risk of contagion presented by these physical procedures. For example, the entities may implement sanitizing protocols (e.g., wiping with a disinfectant cloth, spraying device with a disinfectant spray) to be followed after each use of the access control devices. However, these sanitizing protocols may be time consuming, cause significant delays in accessing an area, and/or be ineffective.

As a result, the conventional access control systems may facilitate the spread of a contagious disease. Thus, there exists a need for further improvements to access control systems.

SUMMARY

In contrast to the conventional solutions described, the present disclosure includes alternate identification systems and procedures that do not require a person to touch the access control devices (e.g., frictionless procedures) for presenting the identification information. The frictionless procedures may include, but are not be limited to, voice recognition, gesture scans, card or tag touchless scans, iris scans, heartbeat scans, gait analysis, and/or presenting the identification information via a user device of the person. In an aspect, the systems described herein may be configured to automatically switch into a frictionless mode that obtains identification using at least one frictionless procedure.

An example aspect includes a method of operating an access control system, comprising detecting a person at an access control area. The method further includes determining whether the person is wearing a mask. Additionally, the method further includes switching, in response to determining that the person is wearing the mask, the access control system into a frictionless mode. Additionally, the method further includes obtaining, according to the frictionless mode, identification information of the person via touchless interaction between the person and the access control system. Additionally, the method further includes identifying the person according to the identification information of the person,

Another example aspect includes an apparatus of an access control system, comprising a non-transitory memory storing computer-executable instructions and a processor communicatively coupled with the non-transitory memory. The processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to detect a person at an access control area. The processor is further configured to determine whether the person is wearing a mask. Additionally, the processor is further configured to execute further instructions to switch, in response to a determination that the person is wearing the mask, the access control system into a frictionless mode. Additionally, the processor is further configured to execute further instructions to obtain, according to the frictionless mode, identification information of the person via touchless interaction between the person and the access control system. Additionally, the processor is further configured to execute further instructions to identify the person according to the identification information of the person.

Another example aspect includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions for operating an access control system, executable by a processor to detect a person at an access control area. The instructions are further executable to determine whether the person is wearing a mask. Additionally, the instructions are further executable to switch, in response to a determination that the person is wearing the mask, the access control system into a frictionless mode. Additionally, the instructions are further executable to obtain, according to the frictionless mode, identification information of the person via touchless interaction between the person and the access control system. Additionally, the instructions are further executable to identify the person according to the identification information of the person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the aspects as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various aspects, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various aspects. While the various aspects of the aspects are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The present solution may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described aspects are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present solution is indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present solution should be or are in any single aspect of the present solution. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an aspect is included in at least one aspect of the present solution. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same aspect.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present solution may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the present solution can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular aspect. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain aspects that may not be present in all aspects of the present solution.

Reference throughout this specification to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated aspect is included in at least one aspect of the present solution. Thus, the phrases “in one aspect”, “in an aspect,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same aspect.

Conventional access control systems may facilitate the spread of a contagious disease by requiring identification information that needs to be provided by a person touching a portion of the access control system. That is, an infected person may touch the portion of the access control system to provide the identification information, and subsequent persons that use the access control system may become infected as they touch the same portion of the access control system. For example, an infected person may enter a code on a keypad of the access control system, scan a keycard in a keycard scanner of the access control system, and/or provide a fingerprint scan by touching a fingerprint scanner of the access control system, and subsequent persons may be infected as they provide their identification information to the access control system in a similar manner.

The present disclosure provides systems configured to automatically switch from a touch-based mode into a frictionless mode that requires identification using at least one frictionless procedure, which do not require the person to touch the access control devices (e.g., frictionless procedures) for presenting the identification information. The present disclosure provides advantages over conventional access control systems, where an entity that owns, manages, or uses these conventional access control systems may have to resort to manual processes to reduce the risk of contagion. For example, the entities that operate conventional access control system may have to implement sanitation protocols (e.g., wiping device with a disinfectant cloth, spraying device with a disinfectant spray) that are to be followed after each use of the access control system.

These sanitizing protocols may be excessively time and labor intensive to implement, as well as, subject to ineffectiveness due to human error. For example, a building and/or facility may have thousands of employees working at the facility with a great majority of the employees attempting to enter and/or exit the facility during narrow time windows (e.g., 9:00 am, 5:00 pm). Furthermore, the access control systems may comprise a large quantity of access checkpoints. Thus, the sanitizing protocols may introduce significant delays in accessing the facility as the access checkpoints are temporarily inaccessible after each use while the sanitizing protocols are performed, in addition to being impractical to implement. Furthermore, personnel (e.g., security personnel) tasked with implementing the sanitation protocols may unintentionally leave behind infectious material, and/or be engaged in other duties (e.g., assisting visitors) and fail to sanitize the access control devices after one or more uses.

Examples of the technology disclosed herein provide for multiple manners to operate an access control system to automatically switch from a touch-based mode into a frictionless mode that provides for frictionless identification of a person. In certain aspects, the automatic switching into the frictionless mode may reduce time and labor needed for prevent the spread of a contagious disease. Further, aspects presented herein may increase effectiveness of sanitation protocols over conventional access control systems.

These and other features of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below with regard toFIGS.1-4.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an example of an access control system100. The access control system100may be configured automatically switch into a frictionless mode to provide a person110with frictionless access to specific locations in a building and/or facility, such as access control area101. That is, the access control system100may be configured to obtain identification information of the person110via frictionless and/or touchless interactions between the person110and the access control system100. For example, the person110may provide identification information to the access control system100without physical contact with the access control system100. Alternatively or additionally, in some cases, the access control system100may be configured to obtain other identification information of the person110via other physical interactions between the person110and the access control system100. That is, the access control system100may obtain the other identification information via other physical interactions that require the person110to touch a device of the access control system100.

In some aspects, the access control system100may be configured to automatically switch into a frictionless mode in response to determining that the person110is wearing a mask112. That is, the mask wearing by the person110may be indicative that the person110wishes to avoid possible contagion from touching a portion of the access control system100, and/or indicative that protocols for preventing the spread of a contagious disease may be in place. As such, the access control system100may be configured to automatically switch into the frictionless mode to reduce the risk of contagion by the access control system100.

For example, the access control system100may determine that the person110is wearing the mask112if or when the nose and/or mouth of the person110are covered. The frictionless mode may configure the access control system100to obtain the identification information of the person110only via frictionless and/or touchless interactions between the person110and the access control system100. That is, the frictionless mode may enable frictionless procedures to obtain the identification information, and may disable physical procedures to obtain identification information that requires physical interactions (e.g., touching). In other optional or additional aspects, the access control system100may be configured to automatically switch to the frictionless mode based on determining that a time period requirement has been met. For example, the access control system100may automatically switch to the frictionless mode if or when the access control system100has determined that the time period requirement has been met.

The access control area101may comprise a checkpoint102. The checkpoint102may be a door, a gate, a turnstile, an elevator, an identification checkpoint, and/or an entryway that may prevent access to an area. In some aspects, the checkpoint102may comprise a locking mechanism. For example, the checkpoint102may be a locking door to a private office. The locking mechanism of the checkpoint102may be actuated and/or toggled (e.g., locked, unlocked) by the access control system100. That is, the access control system100may unlock the checkpoint102if or when the access control system100determines that the person110located at the access control area101is permitted to pass through the checkpoint102. Alternatively or additionally, the access control system100may lock the checkpoint102if or when the access control system100determines that the person110located at the access control area101is not permitted to pass through the checkpoint102.

The access control system100may employ a sensor104that may be arranged to capture data (e.g., visual data, infrared data, motion data) from the access control area101. In some aspects, the access control system100may detect whether a person110is located at the access control area101based at least on data captured by the sensor104. Alternatively or additionally, the access control system100may employ a different quantity of sensors104as that shown inFIG.1, without departing from the scope described herein.

In some aspects, the sensor104may comprise a camera, such as a digital video camera or a security camera. The camera may capture visual data of the access control area101and provide the visual data to the access control system100. The visual data may comprise images, video frames, and/or video feeds of the access control area101. Image quality of the visual data (e.g., resolution, frame rate) may be sufficient to determine whether the person110is located at the access control area101and/or whether the person110located at the access control area101is wearing a mask112. The camera may be generally oriented in a default direction to capture the access control area101where activity may be expected. Alternatively or additionally, the camera may be mounted on a gimbal that may allow for rotation and/or panning of the camera. For example, the access control system100may move the camera to maintain a field of view of the camera on the person110. In some aspects, the access control system100may allow for manual control of the rotation and/or panning of the camera (e.g., by security personnel).

In other optional or additional aspects, the sensor104may comprise an infrared and/or thermal sensor. The infrared and/or thermal sensor may capture infrared and/or thermal data of the access control area101and provide the infrared and/or thermal data to the access control system100. The infrared and/or thermal data may comprise heat maps, images, video frames, and/or video feeds of the access control area101. In some aspects, the access control system100may determine whether the person110is located at the access control area101based on the infrared and/or thermal data.

In other optional or additional aspects, the sensor104may comprise a proximity and/or motion sensor. The proximity and/or motion sensor may capture motion data of the access control area101and provide the motion data to the access control system100. In some aspects, the access control system100may determine whether the person110is located at the access control area101based on the motion data.

The access control area101may comprise an input device106configured to receive identification information (e.g., identification card scan, biometric data) from the person110. Alternatively or additionally, the input device106may provide feedback of the progress and/or status (e.g., access granted, access denied) of the identification process to the person110. In some aspects, the input device106may comprise at least one of a magnetic stripe reader, a card scanner, a near field communication (“NFC”) reader, and a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader. In such aspects, the access control system100may obtain the identification information of the person110via the input device106by scanning an identification device presented by the person110(e.g., magnetic card, badge, key fob, NFC card, RFID tag, or the like.)

In other optional or additional aspects, the input device106may comprise a keypad, keyboard, and/or touch-sensitive display configured to receive touch input. In such aspects, the input device106may prompt the person110to enter the identification information of the person110via touch input. The identification information of the person110may comprise an alphanumeric passcode and/or pattern that the person110may enter into the input device106to perform the identification. For example, the input device106may prompt the person110to enter a personal identification number (“PIN”) into the input device106. In another example, the input device106may prompt the person110to enter a passcode that is shared by a group of people. That is, the shared passcode may identify the person110as belonging to a particular group of people (e.g., engineering department, third floor residents) associated with the shared passcode. In yet another example, the input device106may prompt the person110to enter a gesture and/or pattern into the input device106. That is, the person110may be prompted to trace a shape or pattern on the touch-sensitive display of the input device106using one or more fingers.

In other optional or additional aspects, the input device106may comprise a microphone. In such aspects, the input device106may receive identification information comprising voice and/or audio data from the person110. For example, the voice and/or audio data from the person110may be analyzed to perform voice recognition to identify the person110. That is, the access control system100may perform voice recognition analysis on a set of words or phrases spoken by the person110to identify the voice of the speaker as corresponding to the person110. Alternatively or additionally, the access control system100may perform speech recognition analysis on a predetermined set of words or phrases (e.g., verbal passcode) spoken by the person110to recognize the predetermined set of words or phrases. That is, the access control system100may identify the person110based on a determination that the set of words or phrases spoken by the person110match a predetermined verbal passcode. In some aspects, the input device106may receive the voice and/or audio data without physical interaction with the person110. That is, the access control system100may be configured to provide such an identification procedure if or when the access control system100is configured in the frictionless mode.

In other optional or additional aspects, the input device106may comprise a camera configured to receive gesture input from the person110. In such aspects, the input device106may prompt the person110to provide the identification information of the person110by performing a gesture. The camera of the input device106may capture body movements of the person110and the access control system100may identify the person110based at least on the captured body movements. For example, the access control system100may utilize a gesture recognition algorithm to identify the gesture performed by the person110. Alternatively or additionally, the input device106may capture gesture data (e.g., body movements) from the sensor104(e.g., video camera, infrared camera, motion detector).

In other optional or additional aspects, the input device106may comprise one or more biometric sensors configured to receive biometric identification information from the person110. The one or more biometric sensors may comprise at least one of an iris scanner, a heartbeat scanner, and a gait sensor. In such aspects, the access control system100may identify the person110based at least on one or more of the biometric sensor data. One or more of the biometric sensors may receive biometric identification information from the person110without physical interaction with the person110. That is, the access control system100may be configured to provide such identification procedures if or when the access control system100is configured in the frictionless mode.

In other optional or additional aspects, the input device106may comprise a display configured to display textual, graphical, and/or video messages generated by the access control system100. For example, the display may show alerts generated by the access control system100indicating that the person110has been granted access. For example, the display may show a green light and/or an image of an open lock to indicate that the person110has been granted access. Alternatively or additionally, the display may show alerts generated by the access control system100indicating that the person110has been denied access. For example, the display may show a red light and/or an image of a closed lock to indicate that the person110has been denied access. In some aspects, the display may show alerts generated by the access control system100indicating that the person110is not wearing a mask.

In other optional or additional aspects, the input device106may comprise a speaker configured to generate an alert that may be audible by the person110located at the access control area101. For example, the speaker may generate one or more sounds (e.g., a bell sound) indicating that the person110has been granted access. Alternatively or additionally, the speaker may generate one or more other sounds (e.g., a buzzer sound) indicating that the person110has been denied access. In some aspects, the speaker may comprise, or be part of, a public announcement system.

In some aspects, the access control system100may comprise an access point (“AP”)108. The AP108may provide connectivity over at least one wireless communication protocol (e.g., RFID, NFC, Wireless Fidelity (“WiFi”), Light Fidelity (“LiFi”), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (“BLE”), ZWave, Zigbee, and the like). In some aspects, the access control system100may detect that a user device114of the person110is within a threshold distance from the access control area101. For example, the access control system100may detect that the user device114is within a coverage area of the AP108.

The sensor104, the input device106, the AP108, and a computing device120of the access control system100may be communicatively coupled with a network130, such as the Internet. Other networks may also or alternatively be used, including but not limited to private intranets, corporate networks, local area networks (“LAN”), metropolitan area networks (“MAN”), wireless networks, personal networks (“PAN”), and the like. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor104, the input device106, the AP108, and/or the computing device120may be communicatively coupled directly (e.g., hard-wired) with another element of the access control system100(e.g., the sensor104, the input device106, the AP108, the computing device120).

In some aspects, the user device114of the person110may communicate with the access control system100. The user device114may include, but not be limited to, a laptop or tablet computer, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a handheld device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch), and/or another computer device having wired and/or wireless connection capability with one or more other devices. In other aspects, the user device114may execute an access control application116for access control. For example, the user device114may execute the access control application116to connect with the access control system100, to register an association between the user device114and the person110, and/or to transmit identification information of the person110to the access control system100. In other aspects, the user device114may communicate with the access control system100(e.g., input device106, computing device120) over a connection established via the AP108. For example, the user device114may establish a connection with the access control system100by executing the access control application116. For another example, the user device114may transmit a signal (e.g., a Bluetooth signal) to the AP108upon entering the range of the AP108. The signal may indicate to the access control system100that the user device114has entered a coverage area of the AP108. That is, the access control system100may determine that the user device114is within a threshold distance from the access control area101.

The user device114may be configured to register with the access control system100. For example, the user device114may provide registration information to the access control system100(e.g., using the access control application116) to register an association between the person110and the user device114. Alternatively or additionally, the user device114may register an association between the person110and the access control application116. The association may indicate a correspondence between the user device114and the person110. In some aspects, the access control system100may accept identification information of the person110from the user device114based at least on the registered association between the person110and the user device114. Alternatively or additionally, the access control system100may reject identification information of the person110from another user device114that is not registered to the person110.

In some aspects, the user device114may be configured to transmit identification information of the person110and/or of the user device114to the access control system100to identify the person110. That is, the user device114may transmit identification information that is individually associated with the user device114and/or with the access control application116. For example, the identification information may comprise an identifier generated by the person110(e.g., password), an identifier generated by the access control system100(e.g., a single-use code, a Quick Response (“QR”) code), and/or an identifier of the user device114(e.g., a media access control (“MAC”) address). The access control system100may identify the person110based at least on such identification information.

In other optional or additional aspects, the user device114may comprise a camera. In such aspects, the access control system100may obtain visual data from the camera of the user device114. For example, the access control system100may determine whether the person110is wearing the mask112based on the visual data from the camera of the user device114. In other optional or additional aspects, the user device114may comprise one or more biometric sensors (e.g., fingerprint, heart rate). In such aspects, the access control system100may obtain biometric data from the biometric sensors of the user device114and identify the person110based at least on the biometric data.

The computing device120may be any type of known computer, server, or data processing device. For example, the computing device120may be any mobile or fixed computer device including but not limited to a computer server, a desktop or laptop or tablet computer, a cellular telephone, a PDA, a handheld device, any other computer device having wired and/or wireless connection capability with one or more other devices, or any other type of computerized device capable of processing data captured by the sensor104and/or input device106. In some aspects, the computing device120may be a cloud-based or shared computing structure accessible through the network130. The computing device120may be located in a location remote from the access control area101, or may be integrated as part of the access control system100.

The computing device120may comprise a processor123which may be configured to execute or implement software, hardware, and/or firmware modules that perform any functionality described herein. For example, the processor123may be configured to execute or implement software, hardware, and/or firmware modules that perform any functionality described herein with reference to a frictionless access control component127or any other component/system/device described herein.

The processor123may be a micro-controller, an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a digital signal processor (“DSP”), or a field-programmable gate array (“FPGA”), and/or may comprise a single or multiple set of processors or multi-core processors. Moreover, the processor123may be implemented as an integrated processing system and/or a distributed processing system. The computing device120may further comprise a memory125, such as for storing local versions of applications being executed by the processor123, or related instructions, parameters, and the like.

The memory125may include a type of non-transitory memory usable by a computer, such as random access memory (“RAM”), read only memory (“ROM”), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, solid state drives (“SSDs”), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the processor123and the memory125may comprise and execute an operating system executing on the processor123, one or more applications, display drivers, etc., and/or other components of the computing device120.

The computing device120may comprise a frictionless access control component127configured to detect a person110at the access control area101, to determine whether the person110is wearing the mask112, to switch the access control system100into a frictionless mode, to obtain identification information of the person110via touchless interaction between the person110and the access control system100, and to identify the person110according to the identification information of the person110. In some aspects, the frictionless access control component127may be configured to automatically switch to the frictionless mode based on determining that a time period requirement has been met.

Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. In an aspect of the present disclosure, features are directed toward one or more computer systems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein. An example of such a computer system is shown inFIG.2.

FIG.2is a block diagram of an example computing device120for operating the access control system100. The computing device120depicted inFIG.2is similar in many respects to the computing device120described above with reference toFIG.1, and may include additional features not mentioned above. In some aspects, the computing device120may comprise a processor123configured to execute or implement software, hardware, and/or firmware modules that perform any functionality described herein (e.g., frictionless access control component127), a memory125configured to store computer-readable instructions for execution by the processor123, and a frictionless access control component127configured to switch the access control system100into a frictionless mode.

In some aspects, the computing device120may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection withFIG.1. Alternatively or additionally, the computing device120may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as method300ofFIGS.3-4. In other aspects, the computing device120may include one or more components of the computing device120described above in connection withFIG.1.

In some aspects, the frictionless access control component127may include a set of components, such as a detecting component220configured to detect a person110at an access control area, a determining component225configured to determine whether the person110is wearing a mask, a switching component230configured to switch the access control system100into a frictionless mode, an obtaining component235configured to obtain identification information of the person, and an identifying component240configured to identify the person. Optionally, the frictionless access control component127may further include a capturing component245configured to capture visual data of the access control area, and an extracting component250configured to extract visual characteristics of the person110from the visual data.

Alternatively or additionally, the set of components may be separate and distinct from the frictionless access control component127. In other aspects, one or more components of the set of components may include or may be implemented within a controller/processor (e.g., processor123), a memory (e.g., memory125), or a combination thereof, of the computing device120described inFIGS.1-2. Alternatively or additionally, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory, such as memory125. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or a processor to perform the functions or operations of the component.

The detecting component220may be configured to detect a person110at the access control area101. That is, the detecting component220may receive data (e.g., visual data, infrared data, motion data) of the access control area101. In some aspects, the detecting component220may receive, from the sensor104, visual data of the access control area101. The visual data may comprise images, video frames, and/or video feeds of the access control area101. The image quality of the visual data (e.g., resolution, frame rate) may be sufficient to determine whether the person110is located at the access control area101and/or whether the person110located at the access control area101is wearing a mask112. In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting component220may receive, from the sensor104, infrared and/or thermal data comprising heat maps, images, video frames, and/or video feeds of the access control area101. In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting component220may receive, from the sensor104, motion data of the access control area101.

The detecting component220may classify objects that appear in the received data and may determine whether objects that appear in the received data constitute a person110. That is, the detecting component220may implement one or more techniques for classifying objects that appear in the received data as a person110. In some aspects, the detecting component220may access a database or other data store of images and use image processing algorithms, machine learning classifiers, and the like on the received data to establish which objects appearing in the received data may likely represent a person110. In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting component220may be provided with base images of the access control area101in which no persons are present. Alternatively or additionally, the detecting component220may compare the received data with the base images having no persons present to determine whether additional objects in the received data may represent the person110. In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting component220may place bounding boxes around objects identified in the received data, and may discard bounding boxes whose dimensions do not meet certain thresholds as likely non-human objects. For example, the detecting component220may discard bounding boxes that identify objects having dimensions smaller or larger than a conventional human size (e.g., a footprint of 2 feet by 2 feet or less, a height of over 7 feet, or a width of over 4 feet). Alternatively or additionally, bounding boxes whose positions change rapidly over subsequent video frames may be discarded. As such, non-human objects, such as handcarts or suitcases may not be identified as a person110by the detecting component220.

In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting component220may detect that the user device114of the person110is within a threshold distance of the access control area101. For example, the detecting component220may detect that the user device114is within a coverage area of the AP108.

The determining component225may be configured to determine whether the person110is wearing the mask112. That is, the determining component225may determine whether the person110, that has been detected by the detecting component220, is wearing the mask112. In some aspects, the determining component225may determine whether the visual characteristics of the person110indicate that a portion of a face of the person110is covered. The portion of the face of the person110may comprise at least one of a nose and a mouth of the person110.

For example, if or when the visual characteristics of the person110do not comprise visual characteristics of a nose and a mouth, the determining component225may determine that the portion of the face of the person110is covered and that the person110is wearing the mask112. That is, if or when both the nose and the mouth of the person110are covered (e.g., hidden from view), the person110is likely to be wearing the mask112.

For another example, if or when the visual characteristics of the person110comprise visual characteristics of a nose and/or a mouth, the determining component225may determine that the portion of the face of the person110is uncovered and that the person110is not wearing the mask112. That is, if or when the nose and/or the mouth of the person110are uncovered (e.g., visible), the person110is unlikely to be wearing the mask112.

In other optional or additional aspects, the determining component225may determine whether a time period requirement is met. The time period requirement may indicate one or more time periods during which the access control system100is permitted to be configured in the frictionless mode. That is, the access control system100may be configured to be allowed to automatically switch to the frictionless mode only during the time periods indicated by the time period requirement. For example, the access control system100may automatically switch to the frictionless mode if or when the access control system100has determined that the person110at the access control area101is wearing the mask112and that the time period requirement indicates that the access control system100is allowed to automatically switch to the frictionless mode. Alternatively or additionally, the access control system100may be configured to automatically switch to the frictionless mode during the time periods indicated by the time period requirement. For example, the access control system100may automatically switch to the frictionless mode if or when the access control system100has determined that the time period requirement has been met.

Each time period of the one or more time periods indicated by the time period requirement may indicate a single time period (e.g., Mar. 8, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 pm) or may indicate multiple repeating time periods (e.g., Mondays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, second Tuesday of each month from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM). The present solution is not limited in this regard. Notably, the time period requirement may indicate multiple time periods with multiple repeating frequencies using multiple formats appropriate for such indications.

The switching component230may be configured to switch the access control system100into a frictionless mode. In some aspects, the switching component230may switch the access control system100into a frictionless mode in response to a determination, by the determining component225, that the person110is wearing the mask112. Alternatively or additionally, the switching component230may switch the access control system100into a frictionless mode based on another determination, by the determining component225, that the time period requirement has been met.

The frictionless mode may configure the access control system100to obtain the identification information of the person110only via frictionless and/or touchless interactions between the person110and the access control system100. That is, the frictionless mode may enable frictionless procedures to obtain the identification information, and may disable procedures to obtain the identification information that require physical interactions (e.g., touching). The frictionless procedures of obtaining the identification information may include, but not be limited to, voice scans, gesture scans, NFC card scans, RFID tag scans, iris scans, heartbeat scans, gait analysis, and/or presenting identification information (e.g., password, QR code, MAC address, biometric data, and the like) via the user device114of the person110.

The obtaining component235may be configured to obtain, according to the frictionless mode, identification information of the person110via touchless interaction between the person110and the access control system100. That is, the obtaining component235may obtain identification information of the person110using a frictionless procedure that comprises frictionless and/or touchless interactions between the person110and the access control system100. The obtaining component235may be configured to provide the identification information of the person110to the identifying component240for further processing.

In some aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain voice and/or audio data of the person110. The voice and/or audio data may comprise a set of words and/or phrases spoken by the person110for identification purposes. For example, the obtaining component235may obtain the voice and/or audio data from a microphone of the input device106. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining component235may obtain other voice and/or audio data from a microphone of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain gesture data of the person110. The gesture data may comprise body movements of the person110while performing a gesture. For example, the obtaining component235may obtain the gesture data from the camera of the input device106and/or from the camera of the sensor104. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining component235may obtain other gesture data from the camera of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain identification information of the person110from a card scanner, a NFC reader, and/or a RFID reader of the input device106. In such aspects, the input device106may perform a scan of an identification device presented by the person110(e.g., badge, key fob, NFC card, RFID tag, or the like) to read the identification information. Alternatively or additionally, the identification device may be comprised by the user device114. For example, the person110may present the user device114to the input device106and the input device106may scan an identification device comprised by the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain iris scan data of the person110. The iris scan data may comprise biometric data corresponding to one or both irises of the person110. For example, the obtaining component235may obtain the iris scan data from an iris scanner of the input device106and/or from the camera of the sensor104. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining component235may obtain other iris scan data from the camera of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain heartbeat scan data of the person110. The heartbeat scan data may comprise biometric data corresponding to a geometry (e.g., size, shape) of a heart of the person110and/or to a beating pattern of the heart. For example, the obtaining component235may obtain the heartbeat scan data from a heartbeat scanner of the input device106. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining component235may obtain other heartbeat scan data from a heartbeat scanner of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain gait scan data of the person110. The gait scan data may comprise biometric data corresponding to a walking style and/or pace of the person110. For example, the obtaining component235may obtain the gait scan data from a gait sensor of the input device106and/or from the camera of the sensor104. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining component235may obtain other gait scan data from the camera of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain registration information of the user device114of the person110. That is, the obtaining component235may register an association between the person110and the user device114of the person110. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining component235may register an association between the person110and the access control application116executed by the user device114. The association may indicate a correspondence between the user device114and the person110. The obtaining component235may accept identification information of the person110from the user device114based at least on the registered association between the person110and the user device114. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining component235may reject identification information of the person110from another user device114that is not registered to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain identification information from the user device114of the person110. The identification information may be individually associated with the user device114and/or with the access control application116. For example, the identification information may comprise an identifier generated by the person110(e.g., password), an identifier generated by the access control system100(e.g., a single-use code, a QR code), and/or an identifier of the user device114(e.g., a MAC address). In some aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain the identification information by receiving the identification information that has been transmitted by the user device114. In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining component235may obtain the identification information that is displayed by the user device114using the camera of the sensor104and/or the camera of the input device106. For example, the user device114and/or the access control application116may display an image-based code (e.g., a QR code) and the obtaining component235may receive visual data comprising the image-based code from the camera of the sensor104and/or the camera of the input device106.

The identifying component240may be configured to identify the person110according to the identification information of the person110. That is, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on the identification information of the person110obtained by the obtaining component235.

In some aspects, the identifying component240may perform voice recognition analysis on the voice and/or audio data of the person110. That is, the identifying component240may perform voice recognition analysis on a set of words or phrases spoken by the person110to identify the voice of the speaker as corresponding to the person110. For example, the identifying component240may compare the voice and/or audio data with previously recorded voice and/or audio data that is known to have been spoken by the person110. Alternatively or additionally, the identifying component240may perform speech recognition analysis on a predetermined set of words or phrases (e.g., verbal passcode) spoken by the person110to recognize the predetermined set of words or phrases. That is, the identifying component240may identify the person110based on a determination that the set of words or phrases spoken by the person110match a predetermined verbal passcode corresponding to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on gesture data of the person110. In such aspects, the identifying component240may interpret the body movements of the person110while performing a gesture. The identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on a determination that the gesture performed by the person110matches a predetermined gesture corresponding to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on identification information obtained from a scan of an identification device presented by the person110(e.g., badge, key fob, NFC card, RFID tag, or the like). That is, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on a determination that the identification information obtained from the scan corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on iris scan data of the person110. That is, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on a determination that the iris scan data corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on heartbeat scan data of the person110. That is, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on a determination that the heartbeat scan data corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on gait scan data of the person110. That is, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on a determination that the gait scan data corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on identification information of the person110received from the user device114. That is, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on a determination that the identification information of the person110received from the user device114corresponds to the person110. For example, the identifying component240may identify the person110based at least on a determination that a QR code displayed by the user device114corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying component240may determine whether the person110should be granted entry/exit based at least on a determination that the identification information identifies the person110and that the person110is permitted to be granted entry/exit. In some aspects, the identifying component240may cause the access control system100to grant access to the person110if or when the identifying component240has determined that the person110should be granted entry. For example, if or when the identifying component240has determined that the person110should be granted entry, the access control system100may unlock the locking mechanism of the checkpoint102, may show on the display of the input device106a green light and/or an image of an open lock, and/or may generate, with the speaker of the input device106, one or more sounds (e.g., a bell sound) indicating that the person110has been granted access.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying component240may cause the access control system100to deny access to the person110if or when the identifying component240has determined that the person110should not be granted entry/exit. For example, if or when the identifying component240has determined that the person110should be denied entry/exit, the access control system100may lock the locking mechanism of the checkpoint102, may show on the display of the input device106a red light and/or an image of a closed lock, and/or may generate, with the speaker of the input device106, one or more sounds (e.g., a buzzer sound) indicating that the person110has been denied access.

The capturing component245may be configured to capture visual data of the access control area101. In some aspects, the capturing component245may capture the visual data from the sensor104and/or from the input device106. Alternatively or additionally, the capturing component245may capture other visual data from the camera of user device114. The visual data may comprise images, video frames, and/or video feeds of the access control area101. The image quality of the visual data (e.g., resolution, frame rate) may be sufficient to determine whether the person110is located at the access control area101and/or whether the person110located at the access control area101is wearing a mask112.

The extracting component250may be configured to extract visual characteristics of the person110from the visual data. In some aspects, the extracting component250may extract the visual characteristics of the person110using a visual characteristics detection algorithm. The visual characteristics detection algorithm may be configured to detect visual characteristics of the person110from the visual data. For example, the visual characteristics detection algorithm may comprise a machine learning classifier having been trained to extract visual characteristics (e.g., eyes, noses, mouths, ears) from visual data in which the person110appears. Alternatively or additionally, the visual characteristics detection algorithm may compare properties of base images of visual characteristics with the properties of the visual data, such as color (e.g., hue, lightness, or saturation), object shape (e.g., shape of face), object size (e.g., of person), and/or other conventional image comparison attributes.

The number and arrangement of components shown inFIG.2are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown inFIG.2. Furthermore, two or more components shown inFIG.2may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown inFIG.2may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown inFIG.2may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown inFIG.1.

Referring toFIGS.3and4, in operation, the computing device120may perform a method300of operating the access control system100. The method300may be performed by the computing device120(which may include the memory125and which may be the entire computing device120and/or one or more components of the computing device120, such as frictionless access control component127, processor123, and/or memory125.) The method300may be performed by the frictionless access control component127in communication with the sensor104, the input device106, and the user device114.

At block302, the method300includes detecting a person at an access control area. For example, in an aspect, the computing device120, the processor123, the memory125, the frictionless access control component127, and/or the detecting component220may be configured to or may comprise means for detecting the person110at the access control area101.

For example, the detecting at block302may include receiving data (e.g., visual data, infrared data, motion data) of the access control area101. In some aspects, the detecting at block302may include receiving, from the sensor104, visual data of the access control area101. The visual data may comprise images, video frames, and/or video feeds of the access control area101. The image quality of the visual data (e.g., resolution, frame rate) may be sufficient to determine whether the person110is located at the access control area101and/or whether the person110located at the access control area101is wearing a mask112. In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting at block302may include receiving, from the sensor104, infrared and/or thermal data comprising heat maps, images, video frames, and/or video feeds of the access control area101. In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting at block302may include receiving, from the sensor104, motion data of the access control area101.

In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting at block302may include classifying objects that appear in the received data and determining whether objects that appear in the received data constitute a person110. That is, the detecting at block302may implement one or more techniques for classifying objects that appear in the received data as a person110. In some aspects, the detecting at block302may include accessing a database or other data store of images and use image processing algorithms, machine learning classifiers, and the like on the received data to establish which objects appearing in the received data may likely represent a person110. In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting at block302may include accessing images of the access control area101in which no persons are present. Alternatively or additionally, the detecting at block302may include comparing the received data with the base images having no persons present to determine whether additional objects in the received data may represent the person110. In other optional or additional aspects, the detecting at block302may include placing bounding boxes around objects identified in the received data, and discarding bounding boxes whose dimensions do not meet certain thresholds as likely non-human objects. For example, bounding boxes that identify objects having dimensions smaller or larger than a conventional human size (e.g., a footprint of 2 feet by 2 feet or less, a height of over 7 feet, or a width of over 4 feet) may be discarded. Alternatively or additionally, bounding boxes whose positions change rapidly over subsequent video frames may be discarded. As such, non-human objects, such as handcarts or suitcases may not be identified as a person110.

Further, for example, the detecting at block302may be performed to detect and classify human objects in the visual data as the person110and to discard non-human objects.

At block304, the method300includes determining whether the person is wearing a mask. For example, in an aspect, the computing device120, the processor123, the memory125, the frictionless access control component127, and/or the determining component225may be configured to or may comprise means for determining whether the person110is wearing a mask112.

For example, the determining at block304may include determining whether the person110is wearing the mask112. In some aspects, the determining at block304may include determining whether the visual characteristics of the person110indicate that a portion of a face of the person110is covered. The portion of the face of the person110may comprise at least one of a nose and a mouth of the person110.

For example, if or when the visual characteristics of the person110do not comprise visual characteristics of a nose and a mouth, the determining at block304may include determining that the portion of the face of the person110is covered and that the person110is wearing the mask112. That is, if or when both the nose and the mouth of the person110are covered (e.g., hidden from view), the person110is likely to be wearing the mask112.

For another example, if or when the visual characteristics of the person110comprise visual characteristics of a nose and/or a mouth, the determining at block304may include determining that the portion of the face of the person110is uncovered and that the person110is not wearing the mask112. That is, if or when the nose and/or the mouth of the person110are uncovered (e.g., visible), the person110is unlikely to be wearing the mask112.

In other optional or additional aspects, the determining at block304may include determining whether a time period requirement is met. The time period requirement may indicate one or more time periods during which the switching component230is permitted to be configured in the frictionless mode. That is, the switching component230may be configured to be allowed to automatically switch to the frictionless mode only during the time periods indicated by the time period requirement. For example, the switching component230may automatically switch to the frictionless mode if or when the determining component225has determined that the person110at the access control area101is wearing the mask112and the time period requirement indicates that the switching component230is allowed to automatically switch to the frictionless mode. Alternatively or additionally, the switching component230may be configured to automatically switch to the frictionless mode during the time periods indicated by the time period requirement. For example, the switching component230may automatically switch to the frictionless mode if or when the determining component225has determined that the time period requirement has been met.

Each time period of the one or more time periods indicated by the time period requirement may indicate a single time period (e.g., Mar. 8, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 pm) or may indicate multiple repeating time periods (e.g., Mondays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, second Tuesday of each month from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM).

Further, for example, the determining at block304may be performed to determine whether or not the access control system100is to be switched into the frictionless mode. Such a determination may allow the access control system100to be automatically switched into the frictionless mode. Thus, aspects presented herein may reduce time and labor needed for prevent the spread of a contagious disease. Further, aspects presented herein may increase effectiveness of sanitation protocols over conventional access control systems.

At block306, the method300includes switching, in response to determining that the person is wearing the mask, the access control system into a frictionless mode. For example, in an aspect, the computing device120, the processor123, the memory125, the frictionless access control component127, and/or the switching component230may be configured to or may comprise means for switching, in response to determining that the person110is wearing the mask112, the access control system100into a frictionless mode.

For example, the switching at block306may include switching the access control system100into a frictionless mode in response to a determination, at the block304, that the person110is wearing the mask112. The frictionless mode may configure the access control system100to obtain the identification information of the person110only via frictionless and/or touchless interactions between the person110and the access control system100. That is, the frictionless mode may enable frictionless procedures to obtain the identification information, and may disable procedures to obtain the identification information that require physical interactions (e.g., touching). The frictionless procedures of obtaining the identification information may include, but not be limited to, voice scans, gesture scans, NFC card scans, RFID tag scans, iris scans, heartbeat scans, gait analysis, and/or presenting identification information (e.g., password, QR code, MAC address, biometric data, and the like) via the user device114of the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the switching at block306may include switching the access control system100into a frictionless mode based on another determination, at the block304, that the time period requirement has been met. The time period requirement may indicate one or more time periods during which the access control system100is permitted to be configured in the frictionless mode.

Further, for example, the switching at block306may be performed to automatically switch into the frictionless mode which provides for the frictionless identification of the person110. Thus, aspects presented herein may reduce time and labor needed for prevent the spread of a contagious disease. Further, aspects presented herein may increase effectiveness of sanitation protocols over conventional access control systems.

At block308, the method300includes obtaining, according to the frictionless mode, identification information of the person via touchless interaction between the person and the access control system. For example, in an aspect, the computing device120, the processor123, the memory125, the frictionless access control component127, and/or the obtaining component235may be configured to or may comprise means for obtaining, according to the frictionless mode, identification information of the person110via touchless interaction between the person110and the access control system100.

For example, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining identification information of the person110using a frictionless procedure that comprises frictionless and/or touchless interactions between the person110and the access control system100. In some aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining voice and/or audio data of the person110. The voice and/or audio data may comprise a set of words and/or phrases spoken by the person110for identification purposes. For example, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining the voice and/or audio data from a microphone of the input device106. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining other voice and/or audio data from a microphone of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining gesture data of the person110. The gesture data may comprise body movements of the person110while performing a gesture. For example, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining the gesture data from the camera of the input device106and/or from the camera of the sensor104. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining other gesture data from the camera of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining identification information of the person110from a card scanner, a NFC reader, and/or a RFID reader of the input device106. In such aspects, the obtaining at block308may include performing a scan of an identification device presented by the person110(e.g., badge, key fob, NFC card, RFID tag, or the like) to read the identification information. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining identification information from an identification device comprised by the user device114that is registered to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining iris scan data of the person110. The iris scan data may comprise biometric data corresponding to one or both irises of the person110. For example, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining the iris scan data from an iris scanner of the input device106and/or from the camera of the sensor104. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining other iris scan data from the camera of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining heartbeat scan data of the person110. The heartbeat scan data may comprise biometric data corresponding to a geometry (e.g., size, shape) of a heart of the person110and/or to a beating pattern of the heart. For example, the obtaining component235may obtain the heartbeat scan data from a heartbeat scanner of the input device106. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining other heartbeat scan data from a heartbeat scanner of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining gait scan data of the person110. The gait scan data may comprise biometric data corresponding to a walking style and/or pace of the person110. For example, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining the gait scan data from a gait sensor of the input device106and/or from the camera of the sensor104. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining other gait scan data from the camera of the user device114.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining registration information of the user device114of the person110. That is, the obtaining at block308may include registering an association between the person110and the user device114of the person110. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining at block308may include registering an association between the person110and the access control application116executed by the user device114. The association may indicate a correspondence between the user device114and the person110. In some aspects, the obtaining at block308may include accepting identification information of the person110from the user device114based at least on the registered association between the person110and the user device114. Alternatively or additionally, the obtaining at block308may include rejecting identification information of the person110from another user device114that is not registered to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining identification information from the user device114of the person110. The identification information may be individually associated with the user device114and/or with the access control application116. For example, the identification information may comprise an identifier generated by the person110(e.g., password), an identifier generated by the access control system100(e.g., a single-use code, a QR code), and/or an identifier of the user device114(e.g., a MAC address). In some aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining the identification information by receiving the identification information that has been transmitted by the user device114. In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include obtaining the identification information that is displayed by the user device114using the camera of the sensor104and/or the camera of the input device106. For example, the user device114and/or the access control application116may display an image-based code (e.g., a QR code) and the obtaining at block308may include obtaining receive visual data comprising the image-based code from the camera of the sensor104and/or the camera of the input device106.

In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include detecting that the user device114of the person110is within a threshold distance of the access control area101. In other optional or additional aspects, the obtaining at block308may include receiving, from the user device114, the identification information of the person, the identification information comprising at least one of an access code, a QR code, and electronic identification information of the person.

Further, for example, the obtaining at block308may be performed to obtain identification information of the person110with which the person110may be identified. The identification information may allow the access control system100to determine whether the person110is to be granted/denied access to an specific location in a building and/or facility, such as access control area101.

At block310, the method300includes identifying the person according to the identification information of the person. For example, in an aspect, the computing device120, the processor123, the memory125, the frictionless access control component127, and/or the identifying component240may be configured to or may comprise means for identifying the person110according to the identification information of the person110.

For example, the identifying at block310may include performing voice recognition analysis on the voice and/or audio data of the person110. That is, the identifying at block310may include performing voice recognition analysis on a set of words or phrases spoken by the person110to identify the voice of the speaker as corresponding to the person110. For example, the identifying at block310may include comparing the voice and/or audio data with previously recorded voice and/or audio data that is known to have been spoken by the person110. Alternatively or additionally, the identifying at block310may include performing speech recognition analysis on a predetermined set of words or phrases (e.g., verbal passcode) spoken by the person110to recognize the predetermined set of words or phrases. That is, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based on a determination that the set of words or phrases spoken by the person110match a predetermined verbal passcode corresponding to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on gesture data of the person110. In such aspects, the identifying at block310may include interpreting the body movements of the person110while performing a gesture. The identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on a determination that the gesture performed by the person110matches a predetermined gesture corresponding to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on identification information obtained from a scan of an identification device presented by the person110(e.g., badge, key fob, NFC card, RFID tag, or the like). That is, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on a determination that the identification information obtained from the scan corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on iris scan data of the person110. That is, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on a determination that the iris scan data corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on heartbeat scan data of the person110. That is, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on a determination that the heartbeat scan data corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on gait scan data of the person110. That is, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on a determination that the gait scan data corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on identification information of the person110received from the user device114. That is, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on a determination that the identification information of the person110received from the user device114corresponds to the person110. For example, the identifying at block310may include identifying the person110based at least on a determination that a QR code displayed by the user device114corresponds to the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying at block310may include determining whether the person110should be granted entry/exit based at least on a determination that the identification information identifies the person110and that the person110is permitted to be granted entry/exit. In some aspects, the identifying at block310may include granting access to the person110if or when the identifying at block310has determined that the person110should be granted entry. For example, if or when the identifying at block310has determined that the person110should be granted entry, the identifying at block310may include unlocking the locking mechanism of the checkpoint102, showing on the display of the input device106a green light and/or an image of an open lock, and/or generating, with the speaker of the input device106, one or more sounds (e.g., a bell sound) indicating that the person110has been granted access.

In other optional or additional aspects, the identifying at block310may include causing the access control system100to deny access to the person110if or when the identifying at block310may include identifying has determined that the person110should not be granted entry/exit. For example, if or when the identifying at block310has determined that the person110should be denied entry/exit, the identifying at block310may include locking the locking mechanism of the checkpoint102, showing on the display of the input device106a red light and/or an image of a closed lock, and/or generating, with the speaker of the input device106, one or more sounds (e.g., a buzzer sound) indicating that the person110has been denied access.

Further, for example, the identifying at block310may be performed to identify the person110and determine whether the person110is to be granted/denied access to an specific location in a building and/or facility, such as access control area101. Thus, aspects presented herein may reduce time and labor needed for prevent the spread of a contagious disease. Further, aspects presented herein may increase effectiveness of sanitation protocols over conventional access control systems.

Referring toFIG.4, in an optional or additional aspect that may be combined with any other aspect, at block402, the determining at block304of determining whether the person110is wearing the mask112may include capturing visual data of the access control area. For example, in an aspect, the computing device120, the processor123, the memory125, the frictionless access control component127, and/or the capturing component245may be configured to or may comprise means for capturing visual data of the access control area101.

For example, the capturing at block402may include capturing the visual data from the sensor104and/or from the input device106. Alternatively or additionally, the capturing at block402may include capturing other visual data from the camera of user device114. The visual data may comprise images, video frames, and/or video feeds of the access control area101. The image quality of the visual data (e.g., resolution, frame rate) may be sufficient to determine whether the person110is located at the access control area101and/or whether the person110located at the access control area101is wearing a mask112.

Further, for example, the capturing at block402may be performed to capture visual data of the person110located at the access control area101. The access control system100may analyze the visual data to determine whether the person110is wearing a mask112. Such a determination may allow the access control system100to be automatically switched into the frictionless mode. Thus, aspects presented herein may reduce time and labor needed for prevent the spread of a contagious disease. Further, aspects presented herein may increase effectiveness of sanitation protocols over conventional access control systems.

In this optional or additional aspect, at block404, the determining at block304of determining whether the person110is wearing the mask112may include extracting visual characteristics of the person from the visual data. For example, in an aspect, the computing device120, the processor123, the memory125, the frictionless access control component127, and/or the extracting component250may be configured to or may comprise means for extracting visual characteristics of the person110from the visual data.

For example, the extracting at block404may include extracting the visual characteristics of the person110using a visual characteristics detection algorithm. The visual characteristics detection algorithm may be configured to detect visual characteristics of the person110from the visual data. For example, the visual characteristics detection algorithm may comprise a machine learning classifier having been trained to extract visual characteristics (e.g., eyes, noses, mouths, ears) from visual data in which the person110appears. Alternatively or additionally, the visual characteristics detection algorithm may compare properties of base images of visual characteristics with the properties of the visual data, such as color (e.g., hue, lightness, or saturation), object shape (e.g., shape of face), object size (e.g., of person), and/or other conventional image comparison attributes.

Further, for example, the extracting at block404may be performed to determine whether certain visual characteristics of the person110indicate whether the person110is wearing mask. Such a determination may allow the access control system100to be automatically switched into the frictionless mode. Thus, aspects presented herein may reduce time and labor needed for prevent the spread of a contagious disease. Further, aspects presented herein may increase effectiveness of sanitation protocols over conventional access control system.

In this optional or additional aspect, at block406, the determining at block304of determining whether the person110is wearing the mask112may include determining whether the person is wearing the mask based at least on the visual characteristics of the person. For example, in an aspect, the computing device120, the processor123, the memory125, the frictionless access control component127, and/or the determining component225may be configured to or may comprise means for determining whether the person110is wearing the mask112based at least on the visual characteristics of the person.

For example, the determining at block406may include determining whether the visual characteristics of the person110indicate that a portion of a face of the person110is covered. The portion of the face of the person110may comprise at least one of a nose and a mouth of the person110.

In other optional or additional aspects, the determining at block406may include determining that the person110is wearing the mask112based at least on determining that the portion of the face of the person110is covered. For example, if or when the visual characteristics of the person110do not comprise visual characteristics of a nose and a mouth, the determining at block406may include determining that the portion of the face of the person110is covered and that the person110is wearing the mask112. That is, if or when both the nose and the mouth of the person110are covered (e.g., hidden from view), the person110is likely to be wearing the mask112.

For another example, if or when the visual characteristics of the person110comprise visual characteristics of a nose and/or a mouth, the determining at block406may include determining that the portion of the face of the person110is uncovered and that the person110is not wearing the mask112. That is, if or when the nose and/or the mouth of the person110are uncovered (e.g., visible), the person110is unlikely to be wearing the mask112.

Further, for example, the determining at block406may be performed to determine whether or not the person110is wearing mask. Such a determination may allow the access control system100to be automatically switched into the frictionless mode. Thus, aspects presented herein may reduce time and labor needed for prevent the spread of a contagious disease. Further, aspects presented herein may increase effectiveness of sanitation protocols over conventional access control systems.

In one or more aspects, the functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If or when implemented in software, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium (also referred to as computer-readable media) may include a computer storage medium which may be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A non-transitory computer-readable medium may exclude transitory signals. Computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that may facilitate transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, may include compact disc (“CD”), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (“DVD”), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs usually reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above may also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” and the like may not be a substitute for the word “means.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”