High Traffic Entrance Portal for Secure Access

 LRD Robotic Security Portals are electro-mechanical and electronically controlled devices for controlling access to an secure area such that a person carrying a weapon will be barred entry and may be optionally retained.  One or more LRD Portals may be deployed such that the only way to enter a secured area is through an LRD Portal.  A subject wishing to enter the secured area would find the spaces adjacent to and above the LRD Portals sealed.  The direction of flow through an LRD Portal is electronically controlled and may be changed at any point in time.  At any instant in time, the flow through the device is unidirectional.  A single portal may also be used - reversing direction on demand.

Overall, LRD Security Portals are superior to all conventional turnstiles and man-traps, especially where high traffic throughput with absolute security is a necessity.  LRD Portals are perfect for use with walk-through millimeter wave scanning technology for next generation explosives detection in high traffic applications.

 Subject Location Sensors - Fast and Safe Operation

LRD Portals have numerous sensors such that movements of the two moving door panels within a portal are able to follow and track the movements of each subject passing through. The panels move quickly for a fast moving subject and slower for a subject moving slowly, thus maximizing the throughput rate of the portal by adapting to the rate of movement of each subject passing through. In order to do this, door panels are driven by electromechanical means controlled by a computer/processor in true robotic fashion.  In addition, the subject location sensors in door panels and side panels ensure that the door panels never touch individuals passing through, maximizing user safety.

Directional Control

Multiple LRD Portals may be stacked side by side to allow further increases in traffic flow. When multiple LRD Portals are used, the number of portals allowing flow in one direction relative to the opposite direction may be varied - either manually or automatically - according to time of day and according to demand.  A central control system for a gang of portals may make decisions on the directional flow of individual portals within a gang based on information describing the aggregate directional flow, and magnitude of flow, of a crowd of subjects as determined by sensor(s) that observe the areas on both sides of the portal(s).  Such flow sensor(s) may use visual, sonic, IR, RF, or floor pressure sensing technology. As part of this directional control, a particular portal may need to change direction from time to time. When a portal is about to change direction, a message is displayed on that portal that in a specific time period, it will change direction and cease to allow passage for those currently in line should a queue exist. This message can also count-down the time remaining so that individuals who will need to move to a different portal are properly and fairly notified in plenty of time to make the move.

Space Efficient

LRD Portals are space (width) efficient while offering extremely high throughput, such that subjects attempting to walk through may walk continuously. The LRD Portal is suitable for operation at the entrance to facilities where people gather, including: Airport Main Entrances; Train, Bus, and Underground Stations; Hotels; Banks; Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques; Marketplaces and Malls; Stadiums and Conference Halls; Government and Commercial Office Buildings; Factories; High Schools, Colleges, and Universities.

Detection Chamber

For a short time during each passage of a subject, the two moving door panels are parallel - forming a detection chamber. During this brief time period, numerous threat sensors within the LRD Portal determine if a weapon is present and if there is a positive threat indication. If there is, the forward progress of the LRD Portal is stopped. At this point, in most scenarios the LRD Portal will reverse and back the subject out of the portal. Alternately, the subject may be retained.

Threat Sensors

Sensor technologies to be incorporated within an LRD Portal, may include but are not limited to metal detectors, chemical, explosive, biological, and radiological sensors, and different scanning technologies including x-ray imaging and penetrating RF imaging such as (UWB) radar imaging or millimeter wave imaging. Passive Millimeter Wave Imaging is especially promising as it operates while subjects walk past and can make threat determinations in less than 1/2 second.  The LRD Portal is a platform where threat sensors are included as required for specific applications.  Airport secure area exits, for instance, do not require sensors.  Just a fool-proof one-way door.

For some high security applications, video imaging may also be included such that a subject’s face is observed as they walk through the portal. Observing and analyzing the expressions on a subject's face have been shown to offer clues to a subject’s state of mind - especially when they are contemplating a violent act and/or self-destruction. While this area of science may seem somewhat extraordinary, the Department of Homeland Security has significant efforts in this area and the technology is real.

Emergency Operation

Upon an emergency such as a fire or earthquake, all portals may be automatically set to a mode consistent with exiting the secured premises. Alternately, LRD Portals are capable of being electronically controlled to be placed in a mode where all doors are fully open and individuals have unimpeded capability to exit a premises in an emergency.

No Weapon Passing, No Tailgating, Man-trap Capable

Weapon passing from one subject to another through an LRD Portal is not possible. Any gaps that exist between a door panel and a side panel at any point during the motion of that door panel are filled by a telescoping filler panel (see animation video). Tailgating is eliminated as the LRD Portal will not release two subjects unless it is programmed to do so.  If desired, the moving door panels can function as a man-trap.  An optional version can offer a side exit door for extracting a suspect when a man-trap event has cccured. Note that the top covers of LRD Portals in the animations have been removed for clarity.

Bullet Proof Panels

Secure Exception Handling

To allow for exceptions, biometric sensors in the portal can validate that only the persons being properly identified are in the portal and are allowed to pass.

Unattended Operation

LRD Portals are capable of operating unattended for extended periods of time. A stack or gang of LRD Portals may also operate unattended, or alternately may require only minimal attendance. For instance, a single security guard may preside over a stack or gang of multiple LRD Portals.

Companion Baggage Portal

Click here to watch the video (PCs). 

Videos for Macs can be seen here.