text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|6 Jun 2002
|Filing date
|28 Sep 2001
|Priority date
|29 Sep 2000
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Michael Fufidio, Giuseppe Baldassarre, Reginald Moffat
|Original Assignee
|Fufidio Michael Vincent, Baldassarre Giuseppe Pino, Moffat Reginald Gary
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Referenced by (70), Classifications (16), Legal Events (8)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application filed on Sep. 29, 2000, and assigned Application No. 60/236,960.
[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for preventing unwanted intrusions into a secure or restricted area separated from a public area by an access controlled door. In particular, the present invention permits access to the secure area by authorized personnel after successfully executing an authentication process, while preventing access by unauthorized persons, especially those attempting to gain access to the secure area by piggybacking or tailgating behind an authorized entrant.
[0003] Tracking of personnel entering or exiting high security areas continues to be a significant and vexing problem for the site operator. Unwanted intrusions into secure or restricted areas, such as certain airport zones, research and development laboratories, government facilities, industrial sites and areas designated as secure for proprietary or national security reasons must be prevented, while minimizing the inconvenience experienced by authorized users. Typically, a significant number of users must gain access to the restricted area, providing ample opportunities for the unauthorized entrants to also gain access to the work area. The placement of guards and various screening devices at the entrance to the restricted area are known. Access cards and electronically-controlled portal admission devices are also known and used to initially distinguish, i.e., authenticate, authorized from unauthorized personnel.
[0004] An airport is typical of the complex needs of a modern secure site. Portals into the high security runway and baggage areas, for example, can be monitored by guards stationed at the portal or at a security center with visual communication to the secure portal. Also, the portal can be provided with optical or electronic card readers. Generally, such single line defense systems are inadequate for these tight security zones. For example, one particular intrusion scheme not easily detected by prior art detection systems (except for a human guard) is the so-called "piggybacking" or "tailgating" scenario where an unauthorized person follows close behind an authorized individual through the secure portal. Frequently, the authorized user simply assumes that the tailgater is also authorized to enter the secure area. To further conceal his unauthorized status, the tailgater may wear a stolen, counterfeit or expired badge that appears legitimate to the casual observer, especially to the authorized user who unwittingly allows the unauthorized person access to the secure area.
[0005] The consequences of an unauthorized intrusion can be serious. Valuable personal and intellectual property can be stolen, and there is an ever-present potential threat to personnel in the secure area. Intruders on an airport site represent a breach of Federal Aviation Administration Regulations, which are enforceable by both civil an criminal actions.
[0006] The access control system of choice will be minimally intrusive and exceptionally accurate so that all authorized users are permitted entrance while all unauthorized users are deterred. Visual identification by a portal guard, although requiring constant attention and surveillance of the portal area, is perhaps the best protection mechanism. However, it also tends to be the most expensive. In large industrial and commercial sites, such as an airport, it is financially and pragmatically prohibitive to position a guard at each of the numerous portals into the numerous secure areas. Certain positive access control doors, such as turnstiles and revolving doors are usable in certain applications for thwarting piggybackers. However, revolving doors do not allow the entrant to carry or transport relatively large items into the secure area and may also be violative of certain fire and exit codes. More complicated "mantraps" define a compartment bounded by two doors. Access to the restricted area is gained by first entering the outer door from the public side, closing the public side door, identifying or authenticating the individual as an authorized user and finally opening the door into the secure side. Disadvantageously, such mantraps are expensive, physically large and significantly intrusive. The security device employed at a portal must generally also allow for rapid egress from a secure area in the event of an emergency or life threatening situation. Certain underwriters' laboratory (UL) and fire and building codes must be complied with in the design of portal security devices. The intrusion detection device may also be required to comply with the Americans' with Disabilities Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
[0007] The various disadvantageous discussed above in conjunction with prior art portal access management systems or intrusion detection systems are overcome by the portal access control system constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, allowing controlled access to a secure area only by authorized users and thus precluding the entry by both the innocent wanderer and the determined perpetrator. The portal access control system ensures that when an individual is authorized entry to the secure area, that access is granted to only a single user. Each entering user must be granted individual access authorization or certain protection and alarm systems are activated. Interlopers or piggybackers following behind the authorized user are detected and local alarms activated and output signals generated to alert remote security personnel. In addition, for example, closed circuit television cameras can also be activated to record activity in the portal area.
[0008] Generally, the portal access control system according to the present invention will always be activated to monitor and control authorized entry to a secure area from a public area. The system can also be configured to monitor and/or control exit from the secure area to the public area.
[0009] In one embodiment, the portal access control system is adaptable and integratable with existing door hardware. A first system component, comprising a plurality of sensors, is mounted to or adjacent the door frame. The second component comprising controller and logic elements can be located anywhere within the facility. The two components communicate via either a wired or wireless link, as chosen by the site operator. The first component, in particular the doorway sensors mounted therein, are applied to the push side of the secure door such that the door does not open into the frame mounted sensors. The door frame component can be customized as required for dimensional and structural compatibility with existing door and frame hardware. The control logic component can also be customized for integration with existing access control and monitoring systems. In all cases, all life safety and UL requirements are maintained after installation of the portal access control system of the present invention.
[0010] The primary protection aspects of the system are activated when an authorized user is authenticated for entry into the secure area. The authentication process can be executed with a key operated switch, a personal identification number code entered into a key pad, a biometrics reader or a card swipe process. In another embodiment, system activation occurs when a user enters a defined zone proximate the controlled portal. Sensors included within the portal access control system, monitor individuals passing through the doorway and also those in the general area of the secure portal. A series of logical operations are performed, based on the various sensor inputs, to detect passage of the authorized user through the secure portal (including any objects the individual may be carrying or transporting through the portal) and the attempted passage of an unauthorized intruder.
[0011] In one embodiment, the input sensors comprising the system include a plurality of photo detectors mounted on the door frame at various heights above ground. Typically, the photo detectors are mounted in pairs so that the individual's direction of travel through the portal can be determined. Presence or motion detectors, that is radar type (e.g. microwave) detectors and passive infrared detectors determine the presence of individuals and objects within the zone immediately surrounding the secure portal. Video cameras including infrared presence detectors can also can also provide input or detection information. The user authentication device, keypad, card reader, etc, provides yet another input to the system. The controller operates on the sensor input signals applied thereto for detecting an authorized and an unauthorized passage through the portal. The system can also be controlled remotely to enable free exit or entry activity, the latter in the case of the occurrence of an emergency condition on the public side of the portal. The portal access control system can also provide various output signal information to related security systems, including, for example: door position status to confirm whether the door is in an open or closed position; a valid pass from the public side to the secure side; a valid pass from the secure side to the public side (this pass can be either controlled or uncontrolled); a door open time, indicating the period in which the door remained opened; and obviously secure entry violations confirming that a transgression of the secure system has occurred. In those installations where free exit from the secure area is permitted, the exit direction violation output signal is not available.
[0012] When an unauthorized entry into the secure area is detected, a plurality of different alarms and indicators can be activated including, a local horn, a strobe light, an emergency flasher, and a various status indicators at a security monitoring station. A voice alert can also be given to the unauthorized user demanding that the user leave the secure area and return to the public side of the portal. Another voice audio alert advises users to close the door because it is being held open beyond the programmed period assigned to a valid entry or exit. To further allow implementation with existing door security hardware, the portal access control system can be integrated with automatic door openers and retractor panic devices. The system is also integratable with fire control and safety systems and can further be placed in a bypass mode (in either or both directions) by security personnel during an emergency situation.
[0013] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like referenced characters refer to the same parts throughout the different figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasizing instead the principles of the present invention.
[0014]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a security system according to the teachings of the present invention;
[0015]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the portal access control system according to the teachings of the present invention;
[0016]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a security door protected by the portal access control system;
[0017]FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate implementation of the present invention for several different door types;
[0018]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a door secured by the portal access control system of the present invention; and
[0019]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the program steps of the portal access control system of the present invention.
[0020] Before describing in detail the particular apparatus and method for controlling secure portal access in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel combination of processing steps and hardware elements related thereto. Accordingly, these processing steps and hardware elements have been represented by conventional processes and elements in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
[0021] Generally, the portal access control system of the present invention employs a plurality of sensors or detectors employing differing detection principals to detect the presence of a person in the vicinity of the secure portal and further to determine if the person has moved through the portal alone, that is, detection of a second person passing through the portal coincident with the passage of the authorized person. Both active sensors (which inject some form of energy, e.g., light, microwave or sound) and passive sensors (which detect energy already in the environment) can be employed in the portal access control system. Once an individual who is expected to seek access through the portal has been detected, the portal access control system is activated to ensure that only one authorized individual passes into the secure area by way of the secure portal. An authentication device (a card reader) is activated by the user, for instance by swiping a personally-assigned badge or card through the card reader. The security door is unlocked and the user passes through it. Sensors mounted on or proximate the door frame (where the location is determined by the physical configuration of the door and surrounding area) detect the individual's passage through the portal. Using pairs of closely spaced sensors, the individual's direction of travel can also be detected. In another embodiment, a video camera can be employed in lieu if or in addition to the door frame sensors. Certain other sensors can detect whether the individual is carrying an object, a briefcase or a suitcase, for example, and using this information the time expected for the individual to pass through the door is calculated. If the door is held open for a time greater than this value, then it is possible that an unauthorized user has also passed through the portal. Further, if photodetectors placed at approximately waist height detect an individual passing through the door and then immediately thereafter detect another object or person passing through the door, then likely an intruder has attempted passage into the secure area. Various combinations of these sensors are utilized to accurately detect the presence of a second individual in the area proximate the portal and the further passage of this individual through the secure portal. The information from the plurality of different sensors is analyzed by a programmable logic controller to determine the unauthorized passing of an individual through the secure portal.
[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a portal access control system 10 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. A security door 12, including a door frame 13 and a plurality of sensors 14, separates a public area from a secure area. An individual 15 in the public area desires to pass through the security door 12 into the secure area. A detector 16 emits radio waves (for instance at a microwave frequency) shown generally in FIG. 1 and identified by reference character 17, to detect the presence of an individual or object within the area proximate the security door 12. In another embodiment, the detector 16 comprises a passive infrared detector for detecting the heat radiated by all bodies and objects and thus determining the presence of an individual or object within the proximate zone. A floormat 18 can be used alone or in conjunction with other presence detectors to detect the presence of an individual adjacent the security door 12.
[0023] An authentication device 19 for authenticating the individual to access the secure area is positioned near the security door 12. To authenticate the user, the authentication device 19 can employ any one or more of the following techniques. If the authentication device is a simple card reader, the user can swipe a personalized badge or a card through a slot in the authentication device 19. If the swiped badge or card represents that of a permitted entrant into the secure area, the security door 12 is unlocked and the user 15 can open the door by turning the door handle 20. A keypad for entering a personal identification number can also be used as an authenticating device. Also, biometrics information (e.g. retinal eye patterns or voice patterns) can be provided to the user by way of the authentication device 18. The provided biometrics information is compared with stored information taken from permitted entrants, and if a match is determined, then the individual is a permitted entrant into the secure area and the security door 12 is unlocked. In another embodiment, the security door 12 can provide access to a secure area from outside a building or structure, rather than an interior public area as illustrated in FIG. 1. A camera 22 is also illustrated as another source of information for use by the system of the present invention and especially for real-time analysis by security personnel. The viewing area and panning rate of the camera 22 are programmable. As is the case with the various other sensors illustrated in FIG. 1, the output signal from the camera 22 is input to a programmable logic controller, discussed further below but not shown in FIG. 1, where analysis of the various sensor inputs occurs and further from which signals are supplied to other fire/emergency/security personnel. For example, the camera output signal is supplied to a security control center.
[0024] In one operational mode, when the security door 12 is unlocked from the secure area, either manually (in a application where free access is permitted out of the secure area) or by use of an authentication device similar in structure and function to the authentication device 19, a person can pass to the public side. During this time period and until the security door 12 is again locked, the plurality of sensors 14 detect the passage of a person, who has not been authenticated by the authentication device 19, from the public side to the secure side. The latter person will be traveling in the opposite direction than the former and thus can be detected by a pair of side-by-side mounted sensors 19, based on which of the two beams was broken first.
[0025] As will be discussed below, in one embodiment a timer is activated when an individual is authenticated to pass through the security door 12, for measuring the time during which the door is open. If this time exceeds a predetermined limit then it is possible that a second person has passed through the door immediately following the passage of an authorized individual.
[0026]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the principal component according to one embodiment of the portal access control system 20. Several input signals are provided to a programmable logic controller 30 for controlling access to the secure area behind the security door 12 and for further determining whether an unauthorized individual has entered the secure area by piggybacking or tailgating behind an authorized and authenticated user. Operating on the inputs provided, the programmable logic controller 30 provides various output signals, including a signal to unlock the security door 12, and other alarm signals in the event an unauthorized entrant enters the secure area.
[0027] One device for determining the presence of a person or object within a zone surrounding the security door 12 is a passive infrared detector 32, which is shown as providing an input to the programmable logic controller 30 of FIG. 2. It is known that infrared energy is emitted by all objects and living bodies at a frequency determined by the object's temperature. Humans, having a skin temperature of approximately 93� F. radiate infrared energy with a wavelength of between 9 and 10 micrometers. The passive infrared detector 32 is therefore designed to respond to energy within that wavelength band. When a person walks into the field of view of the passive infrared detector 32, a sharp increase in infrared energy is detected. Because there will always be gradual heat energy fluctuations in any area, the passive infrared detector 32 is designed to sense only infrared energy levels that change very rapidly, which would signal the presence of a person or object in the approach zone to the security door 12.
[0028] The passive infrared (IR) detector 32 includes an adjustable sensitivity and distance setting. The sensitivity may be adjusted such that only persons and large objects are detected. The passive IR detector 32 can further be adjusted to detect persons and objects within a particular distance and at a specified angular relationship to the security door 12. In this way, an approach zone can be defined and monitored by a single passive IR detector, or in an other embodiment a plurality of such detectors can be located so that each detector monitors a different region of the zone. In this way, the portal access control system 20 monitors the movement of individuals within and between various regions of the approach zone. When properly adjusted, the passive IR detector sensitivity is established so that individuals outside the approach zone, for instance walking in the public area near the approach zone, but not approaching the security door 12 are not detected.
[0029] In one embodiment, once a person is detected in the proximate zone, the monitoring process can begin, for example, a camera can be activated to record the individual's whereabouts in the proximate zone. The presence detector can also be used to indicate that an intruder has left the secure zone.
[0030] As determined by the particular installation and security requirements, a passive IR detector 32 can be mounted on both the public and secure sides of the security door 12. When mounted on the secure side, the passive IR detector signal indicating the presence of an individual in the secure-side approach zone can cause the door to automatically unlock, permitting easy access from the secure to the public side.
[0031] Another source of presence information is provided by a motion detector 34. Like the passive IR detector 32, the motion detector 34 detects the presence of an individual or object within an approach zone surrounding the security door 12. There are several motion detector embodiments usable in the portal access control system 20. For instance, in one embodiment, the motion detector 34 transmits bursts of microwave radio energy and analyzes the reflected return energy by comparing it to the expected reflections from the monitored area, in the absence of any person or object within that area. A disturbed reflection pattern indicates that a person or object has entered the monitored area. In response, a signal is sent from the motion detector 34 to a programmable logic controller 30. The use of the presence information by the programmable logic controller 30 will be discussed below. In lieu of using microwave energy to detect presence, the motion detector 34 can transmit ultrasonic sound waves and analyze the return energy in much the same way as the reflected microwave energy is analyzed. A focused beam of laser light can also be emitted and the reflections sensed by a light sensor. The motion detector 34 can be mounted on either or both sides of the security door 12, depending upon the specific requirements of the installation and the need to monitor presence on the secure side of the security door 12.
[0032] The floor mat 18 shown in FIG. 1, also known as a floor contact pad, also provides a presence signal to the programmable logic controller 30. In one embodiment, the floormat 18 comprises two plates representing two terminals of a switch separated by a non-conductive dielectric. When an individual or object is placed on the floormat 36, the object's weight applies a downwardly directed force that closes the contacts; the closure signal is supplied to the programmable logic controller 30 to indicate the presence of a person or object at the security door 12. Depending on the requirements of the installation, floormats 18 can be placed on either one or both of the public and the secure sides of the security door 12.
[0033] Other presence, motion or proximity detectors can be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. These are indicated generally by a reference character 38 in the FIG. 2 block diagram. Generally, these other detectors are mounted near the security door 12 to sense the presence of an object or person in the approach zone from either the secure side or the public side. All operate by detecting a change in an energy pattern of the monitored zone. For instance, in an embodiment of the present invention where the security door 12 is positioned at the end of a corridor, photodetectors placed along the corridor walls respond to an energy beam emitted from photoemitters located on correspondingly opposing sides of the corridor wall. The individual breaks the energy beam as he passes down the corridor, thus producing a signal representative of the individual's presence in the approach zone to the security door 12. Thus different embodiments and installations of the present invention necessitate the use of one or more presence detectors.
[0034] A door position sensor 44 provides a signal to the programmable logic controller 30 that indicates whether the door is opened or closed. There are a number acceptable sensors for accomplishing this objective. For example, a simple mechanical plunger type switch can be mounted on the door or the door frame. The switch is spring bias in a normally open position and the force of the closed door against the plunger closes the switch contacts. A photo emitter/photo detector pair mounted in opposingly directed orientation, one on the door frame and the other on the door, can also supply a signal representative of the door position. In an other embodiment, the door position signal can be supplied by a switch mechanism coupled with the engagement of the door lock with the striker plate on the door frame. Finally, the separation between the two plates of the door mounted hinges can serve as a door position indicator. Those skilled in the art are aware of many available devices for providing door position status.
[0035] The authentication device 19 shown in the FIG. 2 block diagram and in the FIG. 1 pictorial diagram, can be implemented with several different types of authenticating features, as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Any of the following authentication devices can be used alone or in combination to authenticate a user for access to the secure area: a card or badge reader, a key switch, a biometrics reader, an intelligent key (for example, one programmed to allow admittance during certain times of the day and to deny admittance during other times) or a numeric/alphabetic key pad. In any case, the information entered in to the authentication device 19 is compared with information stored in a database of authorized users. If a match is detected, the user is granted access. The comparison and decision-making software elements can reside in the programmable logic controller 30, which receives the information from the authentication device 19 or the authentication device 19 can be operable in a stand-lone mode to execute the comparison and decision-making process. Thus it is not necessarily required that the reader and its associated elements be located physically adjacent each other.
[0036] If the user is declared a valid entrant to the secure area by the authentication device 19, an authentication signal is supplied to the programmable logic controller 30. As will be discussed further below, the programmable logic controller 30 in response unlocks the security door 12 and in a preferred embodiment activates a timer.
[0037] The physical location of the door frame detectors 14 for monitoring passage through the security door 12 is shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment the door frame detectors 14 are mounted in two u-shaped extrusions, which are then affixed to the two vertical members of the door frame 13. The extrusions are customized to fit the door frame dimensions and thus any existing door frame size can be accommodated and retrofitted for installation of the portal access control system 20. The entire portal control access system 10 is modular and thus can easily accommodate any site-specific installation environments. Further, the portal control access system 10 can be interfaced with any existing door security hardware, wherein the latter performs only the authentication process and supplies the portal control access system 10 with a signal indicating whether the authenticating individual is authorized to enter the secure area. The extrusions can be mounted to the inwardly-facing door frame surface or the outwardly-facing surface (on the side of the security door 12 opposite to the direction of door movement). In one embodiment the door frame detectors comprise a photo emitter emitting a focused propagating electromagnetic signal to the opposing door frame, where a photo sensor is responsive to the propagated signal. When there is a clear path between the photo emitter and the photo sensor, the light beam passes there between and is detected by the photo detector. When a person or object traverses through the beam, the path is broken and this is sensed by the photo detector. Alternatively, in another embodiment both the photo emitter and detector are mounted on one of the vertical door frame members (typically in a single package) and the opposing door frame serves as a reflector for the emitted beam. Again, when the signal path is disrupted by the presence of a person or an object the resulting broken beam is detected by the photo detector. Other types of proximity detectors can be used in lieu of the photo emitter/photo sensors such as a digital or audio camera, which may further include one or more presence or motion sensors of the type described above. As shown in FIG. 1 in one embodiment two such photo emitting devices are placed in a side-by-side orientation on the door frame 13. Use of two electromagnetic beams allows detection of the entrant's travel direction, as determined by which of the two beams is interrupted first.
[0038] The door frame detectors 14, in conjunction with the programmable logic controller 30 are capable of identifying and distinguishing a hand-carried suitcase, for example, by examining the pattern of broken light beams. The suitcase interrupts the beams from approximately 18″ to approximately 36″ above the floor, but a tailgating person interrupts all light beams from the floor to the top of the individual's head. In this way the programmable logic 30 can distinguish a suitcase from an unauthorized tailgater. A shopping cart can be detected by the pattern of interrupted beams in conjunction with the lack of heat detected by the passive IR detector 32. A shopping cart generally protrudes ahead of the individual and therefore the pattern of broken beams can be correlated with the identification of a person (from the passive infrared detector 32) to identify a non-human object passing through the door fame detectors 14 in advance of the person. In another embodiment, a video image of the proximate zone can be analyzed in real-time by security personnel, and in this way it can be determined whether the entrant is carrying or transporting an object. Once this information is known, the security personnel can properly set the door timers, as discussed herein, so that the entrant will have sufficient time to pass through the door before an alarm is activated.
[0039] The programmable logic controller 30 produces a plurality of output signals as indicated in the bottom region of FIG. 2, including a lock door and an unlock door signal. A door lock 60 is controlled by the lock door signal in response to the various input signals programmable logic controller 30 and the relationship between those input signals. The programmable logic controller 30 utilizes hardware elements, software elements or a combination of hardware and software elements to implement the logical relationships between the input signals to produce the necessary output signals. The details of this process are illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 3 to be discussed below.
[0040] In one embodiment the door lock 60 comprises an electromagnet mounted on the door frame for contacting a magnetic strike plate on a corresponding top area of the door. When the electromagnet is energized by a lock signal from the programmable logic controller 30, the strike plate is held against the electromagnet and the door is held in a closed or locked position. Under control of the programmable logic controller 30, the authentication device 19 or personnel in the security control center 68, the electromagnet is deenergized to release the striker plate and thus allowing the security door 12 to be opened.
[0041] The programmable logic controller 30 can also activate a local alarm 62 and a control and activate a local communications device 64 via control signals on a control line 65. Included among the latter are a closed circuit TV for display on both the public and secure side of the security door 12 and in a separate site security control center 68, a video tape recorder for recording the television signal, and a public address system and intercom providing bi-directional communication with the security control center 68. The intercom generally comprises a speaker and a microphone mounted on or near the door frame 13, with a corresponding microphone and speaker mounted in the security control center 68. Thus, an individual who has been denied access to the secure area can communicate directly with security personnel in an effort to resolve the issue. The public address system includes at least one speaker mounted on the public and/or the secure side of the security door 12 for commanding the user as appropriate. For example, the user can be directed to step away from the door if he has attempted a piggyback with an authorized user. According to the requirements of the site, a single or a plurality of video cameras can be mounted in the area adjacent the security door 12 to monitor activities occurring in the proximate zone. Control of the local communications devices 64 is provided, at least in some measure, by the programmable logic controller 30 as determined by the various input signals thereto and further by personnel in the security control center 68. Thus, for instance, a video camera in the vicinity of the security door 12 can be activated by a signal from the programmable logic controller 30, while the panning that camera to observe various scenes in the area is under control of an operator in the security control center 68. In another embodiment, the camera can also be activated directly from the security control center 68 as well as by the programmable logic controller 30. The programmable logic controller 30 also produces fire/emergency signals. For example, if the passive infrared detector determines a relatively high-temperature object in the proximate zone, this may be an indication of a fire in that area and in response the programmable logic controller produces an emergency/fire signal to the security control center 68 or to an off-site location, as desired by the customer.
[0042]FIG. 3 illustrates one installation scenario for the portal access control system 20 of FIG. 2. The security door 12 is shown viewed from both the public and secure sides of the portal in the two views of FIG. 3. Certain of the components shown in FIG. 3 are identical and therefore bear the same reference characters as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that in FIG. 3 the authentication device 19 of FIG. 1 comprises a card reader 92. The programmable logic controller 30 accepts the input signals from and provides the output signals to the various devices comprising the portal access control system 20. To enter the secure side from the public side, the user swipes her card or badge through the card reader 92, and may also be prompted to enter a personal identification code into a keypad associated with the card reader 92 . If authenticated, the security door 12 is released by de-energizing the electromagnet associated with the door lock 60. The user can then enter the secure side by pushing on a pushbar 96.
[0043] The local alarm 62 in this embodiment is a simple siren-type device triggered whenever the security door 12 remains open for a period beyond the door open limit time or if a tailgater is detected. Hinges 98 attach the security door 12 to the door frame 13 and are located on the secure side such that the door does not open into the area monitored by the door frame detectors 14 (not shown in FIG. 3). In this embodiment, passage from the secure side to the public side is also controlled and/or monitored by a card reader 93 located on the secure side of the security door 12. As with many of the plurality of features associated with the present invention, the site operator will determine whether it wishes to monitor and/or authenticate traffic from the secure side into the public side. If the user is authenticated by way of the card reader 93, the handle 100 is unlocked. The user turns the handles and pulls the door inwardly to exit the secure area into the public side.
[0044] One location for the programmable logic controller 30 is shown in FIG. 3, with power supplied from an external source. In one embodiment, the power is 120 VAC. The plurality of monitoring signals provided by the system are supplied to the programmable logic control 30 as discussed herein. These monitoring signals include the various inputs to the programmable logic control 30 as shown in FIG. 2. In the event of a fire or other emergency, signals are supplied to and provided by the programmable logic controller 30. For instance, if there is an emergency on the secure side, the security door 12 is immediately unlocked to permit egress from the secure side. Also, as shown the programmable logic controller 30 bi-directionally communicates with the security control center 68 to supply certain status and monitoring signals directly thereto (e.g. an alarm signal) and receive signals therefrom (for instance for operating a video camera 100).
[0045]FIGS. 4A through 4D are security door top views showing installation of extrusion frames 102 on the door frames 13, and the door frame detectors 14 for four different door implementations, i.e., a left hand door, right hand door, left hand reverse door and right hand reverse door. In all cases, the door opens away from the area monitored by the door frame detectors 14. Note further, as illustrated, in this embodiment access requires authentication only for passage from the public side to the secure side.
[0046]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of certain components of the portal access control system 20. As shown in this installation, the door frame extrusion 102 in which the door frame detectors 14 are installed, is attached to the front surface of the door frame 13. This embodiment shows the side-by-side mounting of pairs of door frame detectors for determining the direction of travel. A device 103 is shown, which in various embodiments of the present invention represents the passive IR detector 332, the motion detector 34 or the other presence or motion detectors 38. The device 103 can also represent any of the local communications devices 64, including, for example, a camera or public address system. The device 104 can also represent a local alarm, status indicator lights and/or a reset switch. In most applications, the existing door hardware and security elements are supplemented by various components of the present invention and the operational modes of the present invention are also determined by the existence of these elements. For example, if an existing security door includes a floor mat 18, then the presence signal provide by the floor mat 18 will be integrated into the analysis process executed by the present invention to determine whether an intruder has breached the security door 12. But, if no such floor mat is present, then the site operator may instead opt to use only the passive IR detector 32 and the motion detector 34 to detect presence on the public side and determine a breach based only on those two input parameters.
[0047]FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to one embodiment of the portal access control system 20. The flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed by the programmable logic controller, specifically by a special purpose processor or microcontroller therein. In another embodiment the program can be executed on an interrupt or time shared basis by another processing device within the system or on the site.
[0048] The FIG. 6 program begins at a decision step 200 for detecting the presence of person or object within the detection zone on the public side of the security door 12. Note in another embodiment, the presence detection can also be performed on the secure side of the security door 12 to determine the presence of someone intending to exit into the public side. It is not necessary to execute the presence detection step in every embodiment of the present invention. If not executed the detectors are always armed for detecting passage through the security door 12.
[0049] To carry out the presence detection process, one or more of the presence detectors discussed in conjunction with FIG. 2 are utilized, e.g., the passive infrared detector 32, the motion detector 34 and the floor mat 36. So long as no person or object is detected at the decision step 200, the process continues looping back through the detection process decision step 200 until a person or object is detected, after which the program flow proceeds to a decision step 202. The decision step 202 is required only in those installations where presence is detectable on both the public and secure sides of the security door 12. In this instance, if someone has been detected on the secure side and the installation allows free passage from the secure side to the public side then the security door 12 is unlocked at a step 204 and all alarms are deactivated. This feature could, for instance, further activate a counter for counting the passage of people from the secure side to the public side.
[0050] If the person or object was detected on the public side, thus presumably planning to enter the secure side, the process continues to a step 206 where the doorframe detectors are armed. In one embodiment, a timer can be activated at this point to measure the time between detection and door closure after the person passes through the portal. Measuring this time interval between detection in the proximate zone and door closure, determining if it exceeds an average threshold and activating a camera or alarm if the threshold is exceeded, presents yet another opportunity to thwart or suspect unauthorized entrants.
[0051] Another feature of the present invention is to measure the time during which the security door 12 is open so that unauthorized entrants can be detected, or at least suspected, if the security door 12 is open in excess of a predetermined time. If this time is exceeded, the programmable logic controller 30 sounds an alarm and activates the camera 22 to record the events occurring in the area of the security door 12
[0052] Next (see a step 208) the detected individual attempts authentication using the authentication device 19 mounted adjacent the security door 12. Typically, the authentication device is a card or badge reader. If there is not authentication attempt within 10 seconds, for example, then the result at the decision step 208 is negative and the process moves to a step 210 where the detectors are disarmed. In this case, the person detected at the decision step 200 apparently decided not to enter the secure area or the presence detection components produced a false alarm.
[0053] If an authentication attempt was executed, the program flow moves to a decision step 212 to determine whether the individual is an authorized entrant to the secure area. The mechanisms for making this authentication decision are described above. If an authenticated individual swipes the card reader twice, then two individuals will be permitted to pass through the security door 12 to the secure side. If the result is negative, processing again flows to the disarm step 210. If the individual was successfully authenticated, then it is necessary to first determine whether the presence detected a person or a person who is carrying or transporting an object, such as a suitcase or a cart. To avoid false alarms of a portal breach, it is necessary to determine whether the authenticated individual will be passing through the portal with an object, as the object too may interrupt the light beams for a period longer than if a person alone passed through the threshold. Therefore, if an object is moving through the portal with an individual, (for example, if the individual is seated in a wheelchair) a timer must be established to allow both the individual and the object to pass through the portal before activating the alarms. The step 214 therefore requires close analysis of the results from the presence detection components and may in fact require analysis of results from more than a one presence detector. The results of this determination are then utilized to calculate an expected door-open time, representing the average time taken by a person, or a person plus an object, to pass through the security door 12. In another embodiment, security personnel can monitor real-time information, by way of a camera at the security door 12 for example, and control the activation of the timers to allow sufficient time for the person plus object to pass through the door.
[0054] At a step 216 two timers are activated. A first timer is set to an initial time value based on the average walking speed of an individual through the secure portal. The second timer is set to an initial time value based on the results of the determination at the step 214 as to whether the individual is proceeding with an object either ahead or behind him. The first timer is used in conjunction with monitoring of the door frame detectors 14, and the second in conjunction with monitoring the door open time.
[0055] In another embodiment, the timers are not utilized, as the system instead counts individuals passing through the door and compares the count with the number or authenticated individuals and the direction of travel for each. In yet another embodiment, another timer measures the time interval between authentication and door closure, again as a means of determining whether an unauthorized entrant has passed through the security door 12.
[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention a delay mode is available in which the security door 12 can be prevented from unlocking for a period of time, for example, 15 seconds. This allows sufficient time for security personnel to respond to a potential breach situation.
[0057] The security door 12 is then immediately unlocked at a step 218 while the timers continue to measure the elapsed time. Once the user enters the portal, the door frame detectors 14 detect his presence when his body breaks the beam emitted from a photo emitter mounted to one side frame 13 and reflected from the opposing side frame 13. In another embodiment, in lieu of using the reflective properties of the opposing door frame 13, a photo detector is mounted on the opposing door frame 13. Preferably, at least one door frame detector 14 is mounted at approximately waist height so that the time during which the beam is broken is maximized. If the door frame detectors are mounted lower, they may, for example, present a complete path when one leg passes in front of the other as the individual traverses the portal. Other door frame detectors can be mounted at different distances above ground level for determining information about an object that the individual may be transporting through the security door 12. For example, door frame detectors 14 can be mounted about 18 inches above the ground to detect the person carrying an object that extends in front of his body, because the beam from the lower door frame detectors 14 will be interrupted before the beam that is at waist height.
[0058] In the preferred embodiment, two door frame detectors 14 are mounted side-by-side; the order in which the detector beams are interrupted determines the direction in which the user is passing. In another embodiment according to the present invention, the door frame detectors 14 count the number of people passing through the security door 12 based on the number of times the beam is interrupted and the subsequent steps regarding various time intervals are not executed.
[0059] Continuing with the embodiment set forth in the FIG. 6 flowchart, in addition to monitoring the door frame detectors 14, the presence detector(s) are also monitored at this point in the process (see a step 222). If a potential tailgater is in the proximate zone, then this information is used in the detection process as discussed below.
[0060] In particular, several methodologies are used according to the teachings of the present invention to detect tailgaters passing through the portal immediately following an authenticated user. Generally, these algorithms are processed by a step 220 of FIG. 6, during which the status of the door frame detectors 14 (including those placed at various heights above floor level), the door position sensor 44 and the two timers are monitored.
[0061] One of the timers activated at the step 216 is used to detect a tailgater following in lock step behind an authenticated user, using the timer set to time for a single user to pass through the portal. If this time threshold is exceeded, then it is likely two individuals, rather than one, attempted to pass through the portal, relying on only a single authentication. However, if two individuals were authenticated, then this evaluation is inactivated or the timer value is recalculated based on the time for two individuals to pass through the portal, plus a time representing the average distance between them. This analysis process is indicated at the decision step 226 of FIG. 6.
[0062] If the beams are first broken for a period (representing the passing of the authenticated user through the portal), followed by a period during which the beams are continuous (representing the space between the authenticated user and the unauthenticated tailgater), followed by a period during which the beams are broken again (representing the passing of the tailgater through the portal) then this too represents an unauthenticated entry. This analysis process is indicated at the decision step 230 of FIG. 6.
[0063] At a step 232 the door open time (as determined from the door position sensor 44) is compared with the second timer value determined at the step 214 and set at the step 216. This analysis determines whether the security door 12 has been held open for a period beyond the time expected for a person or a person plus an object to pass through.
[0064] At a decision step 233, if only one person has been authenticated through the door, but another person's presence has been detected by any one or more of the presence detectors, and the door has remained open for a time in excess of the door open timer setting (set at the step 216) then a tailgater has been detected.
[0065] At a decision step 234 another possible scenario is detected based on the information provided from the various sensors of the portal access control system 20. When an individual exists from the secure area to the public area the security door 12 remains open for a finite time after the individual passes through. During this period, an unauthorized individual can enter the secure area without execution of the authentication process. In fact, the perpetrator could even swipe a counterfeit badge through a card reader serving as the authentication device 19 and in this way appear to be an authorized entrant to the person exiting the secure area. This unauthorized entry can be detected in several ways. First, if the person is not authenticated to pass to the secure side, and the door frame detectors 14 detect travel from the public side to the secure side (as distinguished from the persons exiting the secure side and passing to the public side), then an unauthorized entrant has been detected. Second, the process of authenticating with an authentication device on the secure side of the security door 12 or the persons passage from the secure side to the public side, can initiate a timer as in the steps 212 and 216 above. If an individual attempts to pass from the public side to the secure side (where the direction of travel is detected by the door frame detectors 14) after the timer has timed out, then a breach is detected. A more sophisticated process further includes the addition of a presence signal from one or more of the presence detectors on the public side, the floor mat 36, for example. Thus if a person is detected on the public side when the person is exiting the secure area, and the door frame detectors 14 detect a person moving from the public side to the secure side after the timer times out, then again a breach is detected. The perpetrator can also be detected in this scenario as the photodetectors 14 detect passage from the public side to the secure side without an accompanying authentication for that passage. This breach can also be detected by determining the direction of movement of each person passing through the open security door 12. One person will pass from the secure side to the public side, which is permitted. The other person will pass from the public side to the secure side, without a prior authorization and thus the breach is detected. Depending on the requirements and the selected detection process steps, these detection processes are executed at a step 334 of FIG. 6.
[0066] If any of the decision steps 226, 230, 232, 233 and 234 results in an affirmative response, then a breach is indicated at a step 240. Otherwise, the system is reset at a step 242 and returns to the decision step 200 for monitoring presence in the zone surrounding the security door 12. The various alarms and communications devices activated when a breach is declared were discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 2, including activation of the public address system to demand that the tailgater immediately depart the secure area and the initiation of video and audio recordings of the situation.
[0067] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalent elements may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the present invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention but that the invention will include all other constructions falling within the scope of the appended claims.
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|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|31 Oct 2007
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|31 Oct 2007
|Surcharge for late payment
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|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
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|Surcharge for late payment
Year of fee payment: 7
|12 Apr 2012
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8


text:
Heritage on the Wire
July 19, 2011
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At the forefront of Cambodia's emerging tourism industry, Angkor Wat is regarded by archaeologists as the world's largest religious building. Built in the 12th century, the complex, located in Siem Reap, spans some 150 square miles and is featured on the nation's flag. But even as the best source of foreign revenue for one of the world's poorest countries, the mismanagement of Angkor continues to confound conservationists.
In a story this week for the Associated Press, reporter Denis Gray, who has covered Southeast Asia for 30 years, describes the array of management problems threatening the ancient site. Gray compares his first visit to Angkor Wat in 1980, when he was the sole visitor in the entire complex, to today's "traffic jam" sharing the grounds with thousands of eager tourists recklessly exploring the site. Also featured is GHF's executive director, Jeff Morgan, who says, "Nobody should be allowed to walk on 1,000-year-old stones."
As detailed in the article, the development of direct flights to Siem Reap in 1998 resulted in an influx of tourists, as 60,000 visited Angkor that year. In 2001, with the momentum of Hollywood blockbuster "Tomb Raider", which was filmed at the site, 250,000 visited the site. This year, Angkor saw 2.5 million visitors, and according to Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon, that number is projected to grow to 6 million annually by 2020.
For Cambodia, which the UN still considers one of the world's least developed countries, the current and future revenues created by Angkor — one of the top tourist destinations in Asia — are invaluable. But as conservationists have insisted for years, that potential can only be ensured if major changes are made to site management at Angkor.
Currently, the most serious threat is mass tourism. Little is being done to stop hoards of visitors from trampling the precious stonework, pounding its foundation with hard-bottomed shoes and damaging its bas-reliefs with oily fingers. Siem Reap has also developed at a furious rate, with hundreds of new hotels and shops encroaching on the temples, and a new airport promising to further increase visitor numbers. Over the next decade, the population of Siem Reap is expected to double to a quarter million.
Approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Siem Reap, the conservation team at Banteay Chhmar is making sure to learn from mistakes made at Angkor Wat. GHF's vision is to conserve the site as a partial ruin with low-impact, safe visitor access via suspended cable platforms over the fallen structures, along with selective interventions for high-risk structures, bas reliefs and towers. This means employing Preservation By Design®, GHF's integrated conservation methodology that combines long-range planning, conservation science, community engagement, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure site sustainability.
The future of Angkor Wat, meanwhile, remains uncertain. But until a master plan is developed to regulate visitation and protect the temples, conservationists will continue to point to it to exemplify the dangers of mass tourism.
Click here to explore Angkor on Global Heritage Network (GHN).
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text:
Plone Belgium Meeting streamed live from Brussels
by Christian Scholz on November 22, 2006
I am in the process of getting ready to leave for Brussels for the Plone Belgium Meeting and quickly wanted to announce that it will also be videostreamed live on the web and into Second Life. It's happening today from (…)
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This is just a quick list of things in my head I wanted to mention. First of all I tried to check out what the "competition" is doing. Here I thought of Typo3. This is at least in Germany quite (…)
Post Conference Thoughts or "How to get the word out"
by Christian Scholz on November 8, 2006
I am now back from San Francisco and Seattle now and I am thinking about what I've learned from the Plone Conference. First of all I learned how great Plone and especially it's community is. We have been about 350 (…)


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Model Of Knut The Polar Bear Goes On Display At Natural History Museum In Berlin
A visitor uses an Apple iPad to take a picture of a model of Knut the... Nieuwsfoto'sApple Computers,Berlijn,Bezoek,Dier,Duitsland,Fotograferen,Fotografische Thema's,Gevuld,Horizontaal,Human interest,IJsbeer,Knut,Monsterfles,Natuurhistorisch museum,Tablet-pc,Taxidermie,Techniek,Vitrinekast,iPadPhotographer Adam BerryCollection: Getty Images News 2013 Getty ImagesBERLIN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 15: A visitor uses an Apple iPad to take a picture of a model of Knut the polar bear, featuring his original fur on display in the Natural History Museum (Naturkundemuseum) on February 15, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. Though Knut, the world-famous polar bear from the city's zoo abandoned by his mother and ultimately immortalized as a cartoon film character, stuffed toys, and more temporarily as a gummy bear, died two years ago, he will live on additionally as a partially-taxidermied specimen in the museum. Until March 15, the dermoplastic model of the ursine celebrity will be on display before it joins the museum's archive, though visitors can see it once again as part of a permanent exhibition that begins in 2014. (Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)


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Ceisteanna — Questions - Tourism Revenue.
Tuesday, 29 November 2005
Dáil Éireann Debate
2. Mr. Boyle asked the Taoiseach the estimated expenditure, classified by route of travel, by tourism visitors here since 2000, excluding the lower international fares; if the figures will be adjusted to take account of general inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34807/05]
Mr. Kitt: The Central Statistics Office publishes annual figures on the estimated total earnings from all visits to Ireland. These figures include a breakdown into the following categories for overseas travel routes: air cross-channel, sea cross-channel, continental and transatlantic. I propose to circulate in the Official Report a table showing the relevant figures for the years 2000-04.
|Air Cross-Channel
|Sea Cross-Channel
|All Overseas Routes
[7]The figures in the table exclude all fares received by Irish carriers. The table shows a total of €3.2 billion spent by overseas visitors in 2004, an increase of 22.4% on the figure of €2.6 billion in 2000. Over the same period the consumer price index increased by 16%. The all-items consumer price index is the official measure of inflation for Ireland. Based on changes in the CPI, the annual average increase was 16% between 2000 and 2004.
A separate analysis of travel to Ireland by "lower" or "higher" international fares and the resulting visitor expenditure is not possible. The figures given for each route exclude fares. A separate estimate of fares received by Irish carriers is given in Table 1 of the CSO annual release on tourism and travel. It is expected that tourism and travel estimates for the year 2005 will be published in spring 2006.
Mr. Gogarty: Does the Minister of State acknowledge that irrespective of whether one calculates the figures using the consumer price index or, as I did, by making a rough estimate of the inflation rate in a given year, the result will show that tourism expenditure has not increased over the rate of inflation? Does he agree that this raises serious questions, particularly given the threat posed by the Baltic and Scandinavian states which are successfully developing eco-tourism? Given that the number of walking holidays has decreased every year since the start of the millennium, Comhairle na Tuaithe is having no success in——
[8]An Ceann Comhairle: The Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, is here to answer questions on statistics. He has no responsibility for policy issues in tourism, which are a matter for the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
Mr. Gogarty: Will the Minister of State, on behalf of the Taoiseach, acknowledge that expenditure by tourists has not increased, primarily due to a decline in the number of walking holidays, and that action is needed on this issue?
Mr. Kitt: While I greatly value the work of the CSO, it is always helpful to have more statistics. As the Deputy will be aware, the CSO compiles monthly figures on overseas travel and carries out quarterly and annual surveys on tourism and travel. The monthly figures cover total travel to Ireland. The Deputy is correct that the figures include a range of categories of visitors, including those who come here to work and those who come for a walking holiday. Through every phase one gets more detailed information. The quarterly survey contains country of residence information as well as the passenger card inquiry. The latter provides much more detail as to why people are coming here and where they are going. As I have said before, however, we need much more information, which would be of great help to us. That information is being sought and I am in constant touch with the Central Statistics Office regarding that.
I gave the Deputy the facts concerning the increase in expenditure from 2000, in accordance with the question, which was €2.6 billion on all [9]overseas routes. It has risen to €3.2 billion, which represents a rise of 22.4%. I also referred to the consumer price index increase. The annual figures for 2005 will be available next spring, which is the way it is done because it is detailed work. The most recent figures for visitor numbers are those for September 2005, which were published on 23 November. They show that the number of trips to Ireland increased by almost 53,000 on the same month in 2004. That is an increase of
8.9%, so the figures are looking good. I accept what the Deputy said in that some detailed work remains to be done on the precise reasons people come and where they are travelling within the country. We could do some work on a regional basis as well and I am pursuing that with the CSO.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Is there a breakdown in the Minister's statistics of visitors by age? Are visitors from the North of Ireland classified as so-called foreign visitors or is it recognised that they are part of the island approach to tourism? The Minister and I have spoken about this approach in previous exchanges regarding these statistical questions. If statistics on visitors' ages are available, and specifically concerning the North of Ireland, is this information feeding into the case for the roll-out of the yet to be delivered all-Ireland free travel pass for senior citizens, including pensioners?
Mr. Kitt: The only information we have comes under the heading of cross-Border travel. The expenditure figure in 2000 was €207 million, and it was €236 million in 2004. Those are the figures we have and the Deputy can obviously access them on our website under the heading of tourism and travel 2004. They were published on 26 April 2005. We will have the new information for 2005 next spring.
The Deputy asked about North-South co-operation, which was also raised in a previous question. I have asked my officials about the matter and there is a considerable amount of co-operation between North and South in compiling these figures. CSO officials met their Northern Ireland counterparts in the Statistical and Research Agency and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. While there is good interaction between our agencies and theirs in this area, we need to do much more work in this regard. As I have already said, when the institutions are hopefully back up and running, tourism is an obvious area where it would be most helpful to have an island of Ireland approach. I know our tourism agencies would welcome that approach in order to work together on compiling data. Alongside this work, Fáilte Ireland does a great deal of work on a regional basis. Many Deputies from various political parties have asked for more work to be undertaken [10]in this respect, and I am pursuing that matter with the CSO.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Would the Minister of State accept that, in light of the statistics he has indicated to the House in respect of spending in Ireland by visitors from overseas and, particularly, the North, in the event of the roll out of the free travel pass and given the significant spending power that visitors in the sterling area of the island would have in coming here, there would be a large advance in these figures on previous years?
An Ceann Comhairle: That is a policy issue.
Mr. Kitt: The short answer is definitely "Yes".
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Will the Minister of State encourage it?
Mr. Gogarty: I have two questions. The first relates to the cross-Border issue raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin. Is there any way, even anecdotally, of devising some form of analysis of the cross-Border figures to show how many people from overseas access the Republic via Northern Ireland as opposed to the many people resident there? They are different demographics and it would be interesting to view those statistics were there some way of doing so.
Staying on statistics, the Minister of State mentioned the quarterly figures which highlight the number of nights stayed by people residing temporarily in the country. These have been declining over a period. In this context and without prejudice to Fáilte Ireland's work but recognising the sterling work done by the Central Statistics Office, its professionalism and capability in this regard, would it be possible to use the CSO to take a sample of customer satisfaction levels when people enter or exit the country and examine such issues as cost and customer services? These types of figures should be taken together statistically rather than waiting for annual reports from Fáilte Ireland which examines them in a different context.
Mr. Kitt: The more information we have the better. It would help all of us at Government and tourism organisational levels in planning. My colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, has a keen interest in this area. As Deputy Gogarty said, the agencies under his Ministry are doing much work.
I understand that in other countries, departments and ministries work with hotels, for example, and much information is provided at that level. There are many other ways to compile information and we should examine every avenue. To be fair to the CSO, it has made signifi[11]cant recent advances. I have met the agency's personnel a number of times to discuss the type of work it does. We should encourage it to continue getting more detailed information.
There is co-operation with the Northern Ireland institutions and organisations and information compiled at Belfast Airport and Northern ports would be shared with us. Returning to Deputy Ó Caoláin's point, much more work could be done in this area. I thank the Deputies for their comments, which will be noted by the CSO, a point I always make. It listens to what Deputies say and will follow up on the matters.
Mr. J. Breen: Does the Minister of State share the views of his colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, who has discouraged senior citizens from coming here to live or visit by saying this is a very expensive country? Was the Minister speaking on behalf of the Government or was he speaking off his own bat? His comment appeared in newspapers, which does not give a good image to senior citizens who wish to return to live here or visit. Will the Minister of State clarify whether he shares these views and will he ask the Minister to explain to the House what he meant by his statement?
Mr. Kitt: I did not hear the comment made by my colleague, Deputy Brennan.
Mr. McCormack: He is near enough to the Minister of State.
Mr. O'Dowd: The Minister of State overlooked him.
Mr. Kitt: I share his views. I am sure he said this is a country that welcomes back our people who went abroad. The figures show that many have returned. Returning to the earlier question and discussion on information technology and older people, we must make every effort for those members of our society who made a significant input to the building of this economy, which we should never forget. They have a special place in our society when it comes to any Government initiatives. A reference was made to voluntarism. Any initiatives from Government or at State agency level which are focused on the elderly whether those at home or abroad, are worthy of promotion. I am glad my colleague has alluded to this.
|Last Updated: 10/08/2011 14:03:27
|Page of 416


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Johnny Knox-Toast of the Town
Open any Chicago paper today and you'll be inundated by stories about rookie receiver Johnny Knox. Who he is, where he's from, all the vitals.
Great to see this, and I hope he can continue to be a threat. My small thought for today-it's amazing he's actually in there and being allowed to do this. Most Bears regimes would have Knox on the bench and have Rashied Davis out there dropping passes because he's a veteran.
Knox hasn't had the dropsies for sure-but if he did I'd much rather see the rookie dropping passes to get experience than the guy who we already know drops passes.


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The Barnstable Quarterback Club has found a new way to raise funds to buy equipment and fund scholarships for the Barnstable High School football team. On May 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and May 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the group will host its first estate sale, at 1336 Phinney's Lane in Hyannis, next to Cape Cod Beer and the Sears Repair Shop.
The Club is looking for donations of household items, furniture, sporting goods and more. These can be dropped off at the sale location April 25-26 and May 2-3 from 5 to 7 p.m. and April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. Pick-up service is available; call Judy at 508-367-8363.
Click HERE to subscribe to e-mail updates from barnstablepatriot.com.
CONTACT US | The Barnstable Patriot | 4 Ocean Street | P.O. Box 1208 | Hyannis, MA 02601 | 508-771-1427 | Copyright © 2015 Local Media Group, All Rights Reserved.


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About the Contributor
This user has contributed 24 posts into the Teen Ink Forums.
About SomeoneLikeMe:
My name is Kayla and I love to write! My favorite genres to write are fantasy, science fiction, and poetry! I hope to one day become a world famous author, so hopefully you will all see my stories someday! ;)
Articles and Art by SomeoneLikeMe:
For You
Poetry section, Teen Ink
Nothing Left Behind
Poetry section, Teen Ink
An Empty Love
Poetry section, Teen Ink
The Journey
Poetry section, Teen Ink
What Nightmares are Made of
Fiction section, Teen Ink
The One
Fiction section, Teen Ink
I am Nhahara: Orora's Mistake
Fiction section, Teen Ink
Without You
Poetry section, Teen Ink
A Single Kind Word
Poetry section, Teen Ink
SomeoneLikeMe's Hobbies & Favorites:
|Favorite books:
|I Am Number Four, Inheritance Series, Harry Potter series, The Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games Trilogy
|Favorite authors:
|Christopher Paolini, James Patterson, Suzanne Collins, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien
|Favorite music albums:
|Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Fallen, Best Damn Thing, Eminem Show
|Favorite music artists:
|Flyleaf, Evanescence, David Crowder Band, Avril Lavigne, Eminem
|Favorite movies:
|The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Avatar, Iron Man
|Favorite movie stars:
|Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Boyd, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler
|Favorite TV shows:
|House of Anubis, Naruto Shippuden, Kekkaishi, Good Luck Charlie, Warehouse 13
|Favorite actors:
|Buddy from the Cake Boss, Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Brenda Song, Jennifer Love Hewett
|Favorite gadgets:
|Kindle, DSi, iPod, TV, cellphone
|Favorite hobbies:
|Reading, Writing, Daydreaming, Walking in the Woods, Singing
|Favorite heroes:
|J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, Christopher Paolini, Suzanne Collins


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Development Guide
Local Navigation
Backing up data
The BlackBerry Device Manager provides a backup and restore tool that a smartphone user can use to save data to a file on a computer and to restore data to the smartphone.
With the Synchronization API, you can create apps that integrate with the BlackBerry Desktop Manager or BlackBerry Enterprise Server to back up data from a smartphone.
The Synchronization API is implemented in the net.rim.device.api.synchronization package.
When an app uses the Synchronization API, the BlackBerry Desktop Manager can back up and restore the app's database at the same time as other databases. You can use the Synchronization API to create data archives or to populate application databases the first time the smartphone connects to the user's computer.
To synchronize data to remote data sources, you must build the synchronization logic into your app. Most apps send data to a server-side application using standard HTTP or TCP/IP protocols over the wireless network and the Internet or an intranet. You can use XML APIs to generate and parse XML-formatted data to send and receive over the wireless network. However, your client-side and server-side applications must read and write the data properly and acknowledge successful transmission of the data.
Your app might connect to an application on a computer to send the data over a USB connection with the Synchronization API and the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. In this case, the desktop application must be able to read the data from your smartphone app through an add-in task for the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. The user must manually execute the synchronization by running the BlackBerry Desktop Manager add-in, which notifies the app on the smartphone to send the data to the computer application. You can also write data to the desktop application using the native USB protocols.
To enable an app to back up data, you can implement the following Synchronization interfaces and use the SyncManager class to register your application for synchronization.
Converts data between the SyncObject format that is required on the smartphone and the serialized format that is required on the computer.
Represents the collection of synchronization objects for an app.
Represents an object that can be backed up and restored.
The following sample apps are included with the BlackBerry Java Development Environment: SyncDemo, OTASyncDemo, and OTABackupRestoreDemo.
To back up and restore a small amount of data such as application configuration options, you do not have to implement all of these interfaces. Instead, you can extend the SyncItem class and implement its abstract methods. The SyncItem class implements the SyncCollection, SyncConverter, and SyncObject interfaces for you. For more information, see Backup and restore small amounts of data using SyncItem.


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The reason North Texans are seeing news stories about school closures and teacher layoffs is because Republicans chose to cut $5.4 billion from our children's public education system rather than close corporate tax loopholes or use a part of our state's savings account known as the Rainy Day Fund. I fought those cuts and was able to keep Republicans from making them as deep as they initially wanted to, but regardless, our public education system was not fully funded for the first time in recent history. A good education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving the American Dream. That's why I fought for our children's future as a legislator and that's why, in Congress, I will fight for funding for early childhood education and voluntary pre-K programs and I will work to expand access to Pell grants so more children can afford a college education. If Texas kids graduated at the national average, we would generate 1 million new jobs in Texas by 2030. It's clear that there is a direct correlation between getting a good education and getting a job. If elected, I will fight to reverse Texas' downward trend in education.
I'm a strong proponent of affordable, quality health care for all and I believe we must be more proactive in addressing health issues. As State Representative, I personally helped secure the second federal medical clinic for residents in my district. It's also no secret around the Texas State House that I take no issue with standing up to Tea Party Republicans and their misguided agenda. I fight just as fiercely in Congress to protect Medicare and block the Republican Ryan plan that will privatize Medicare and effectively destroy the assurance that seniors get the basic healthcare they need. Republicans in the state and federal governments are fighting to turn back the clock on women's health issues all over the country and make it more difficult for the economically disadvantaged to receive proper healthcare. In the Texas State House, I fought to block Republican bills that would cut funding for women's health and that would force women to submit to unnecessary, and frankly, invasive vaginal ultrasound examinations. If elected, I will continue to protect women's rights and equal access to healthcare for everyone here in Texas and across the country.
As a staffer for Congressman Martin Frost, I played a key role in winning federal support needed to build the freeway exchange and road extensions at Cockrell Hill Road on I-30. Not only did that project create jobs, but the economic growth and development it produced served to create and retain even more jobs. In Fort Worth, I took the lead in bringing the only full service Super Market to southeast Fort Worth and played a key role in helping to make sure that what is now La Gran Plaza was not closed down. As a legislator, I fought to keep Republicans from decimating the Texas job economy by passing a foolish $164 billion budget proposal that would have cost our state hundreds of thousands of jobs over the next two years according to nonpartisan experts. Though I was successful in preventing those budget cuts from being as deep as Republicans tried to make them, Texas Tea Party Republicans and their allies were still able to force through $5.4 billion in cuts to public education. Make no mistake about it, the fight for jobs begins with education. We have to make sure the next generation is prepared. The key to a better economy and job creation lies with our children. I will work hand in hand with President Obama to help pass legislation that increases affordability of secondary education and primes students for entry into the workforce. If re-elected, I will continue to work with the President to pass legislation such as the JOBS Act in order to create an environment conducive to extending the twenty-seven straight months of job creation we've seen into the foreseeable future.
We need comprehensive immigration reform. We need a pathway to legalization for the hard-working men and women who have stayed out of trouble and are living in our communities in the shadows. When I first got elected to the state house, I promised I'd always fight against Republican anti-immigrant laws that target Latinos. I fought the Sanctuary City legislation that would have brought discriminatory Arizona style-immigration laws to Texas. I also fought against Republican efforts to repeal the state DREAM Act, which lets undocumented students that were raised in Texas go to college while paying in-state tuition rates. But, we need Congress to pass the federal DREAM Act so that these kids can work in their professions after graduation. It makes no sense that we are not tapping into their potential which will only better our state. However, President Obama can't pass legislation alone. He needs a Congress that will support comprehensive immigration reform and send that bill to his desk. If re-elected, I will continue to be a champion in pushing for that immigration reform.


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Local Town Reports Two Bear Sightings On the Same Day [VIDEO]
You better hide your picnic baskets.
You better hide your picnic baskets.
Five teenagers were ejected from a van in a crash Monday morning on the Atlantic City Expressway in Winslow Township.
If you see or smell a lot of smoke in the air this weekend, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service will be conducting a large amount of prescribed burning, weather permitting.
Bullying in our schools becoming an epidemic. While classroom bullying is nothing new, it's becoming more extreme year by year. Plus, now with social media like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, the abuse of students doesn't end in school...
We have received reports of a school bus accident on Route 73 in Winslow....


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How to find travel supplies at the hardware store
Basic hardware stores are a great source for travel supplies. The following hardware items can help you navigate a number of hurdles on your next road trip.
Connections: Not only can zip ties hold multiple loose items together, they can also be used to create basic loops that can be used as additional docking points for carabiners and hooks. This is especially helpful when you have a large carabiner clip that doesn't easily fit through the opening of a dash handle, roof hook or other existing docking point in your vehicle.
Cords: While it's true having basic cords and ropes in your trunk can come in handy for any number of emergency situations, travel needs focus on cords of a different sort. Electrical extension cords can be more of a life saver on road trips than you might realize. For instance, how many times have you checked into a hotel room assuming you could work comfortably from the bed in your pajamas only to find the only outlet to be clear across the room from where you need it to be? Does your vehicle have an electrical outlet in the back? Pack an extension cord and a fun small kitchen appliance such as a blender or sandwich press to make rest area stops more of a tailgating experience.
Canisters: Those small green gas canisters available at box hardware stores take up far less space than a full barbecue tank and serve a number of purposes on short-term road trips and overnight excursions. For example, a small portable heater by your feet while holding down the fort at that outdoor craft fair can be a real treat. And as far as camping goes, not all grills and stoves have to be huge in order to meet your needs. A small tabletop grill can serve on the road, along with a single-burner emergency stove for boiling water. The tinier canisters serve our needs just fine in those instances.
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The suspect, Thomas E. Ferguson, 38, of Magnolia, was fatally shot in the head and died at University Hospital in Louisville, according to police.
A funeral is at 2 p.m. today at Dixon-Rogers Funeral Home in Magnolia.
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