BioVisual
by Fastcom Technology S.A.

Given the high variability of the human morphology, SMACS processing algorithms are based on the average size of a person. This approach seems to be restricted when people are far above or below average size.

If, however, SMACS is supplied with a unique identification code (that can be anonymous) just before the entrance of a person, the singularisation process can be adapted to his size. As a result, security and user comfort are optimised. This special feature helps also to prevent a person to use another person's identification badge.

Hardware requirements
A device able to check the person's identity is required, either by reading fingerprints or iris, or with a proximity badge or a PIN code. This device will send to SMACS a unique identification code for each person, in an ASCII characters string, via the RS-232 port (serial) or Ethernet.

The identification code format is not important as long as it is unique. This identification code can be an employee identification number, his/her card serial number, or even his/her name (as long as it is unique).

This reader can be mounted outside or inside the airlock, though not too far from the SMACS analysing unit to ensure that it is possible to connect them together (the maximum length for a serial cable is 10m).

Registering procedure
The registering procedure can be achieved in three ways:

  1. Manual Registering: A security officer can switch SMACS to registering mode with a simple button, a special key or even a fingerprint reader if a high security level is needed. Then, while a person moves from the non-secure to the secure side, his/her visual signature is recorded. With a standard SMACS BioVisual, this procedure has to be repeated for every airlock that the person will use.
  2. Automatic Registering: The first time a particular person enters the airlock, SMACS records automatically his visual signature that will be used then for the singularisation control process. However, the risk exists that the person will cheat during his registering procedure in order to be able to cheat the system in the future.
  3. Centralised Registering: A security officer supervises the registering procedure and the recorded visual signatures are then shared on a network connecting all the SMACS systems installed in the same building. The same visual signature is then used for all the airlocks managed by a SMACS. Nevertheless, this approach requires the set-up of a LAN between all SMACS analysing units, and does not take care of the different airlock settings (camera settings, ceiling height) required by each unit.

Operating procedure
Here is the operating procedure of the SMACS BioVisual:

Reader mounted outside the airlock

  • The person identifies himself with the reader (fingerprint, badge, pin code...)
  • If the person is recognized by the system, an entry request is sent to SMACS, with the personal identification code of the person.
  • SMACS opens (or allows the opening of) the door and waits for the person to enter. When the door is closed, SMACS compares the recorded visual signature with the detected one.
  • If the two signatures match (with a customisable tolerance) SMACS opens (or allows the opening of) the second door (to the secure zone).
  • The person leaves the airlock.

Reader mounted inside the airlock

  • The person requests to enter (e.g. with a button).
  • SMACS opens (or allows the opening of) the first door. The person goes to the reader and identifies himself. A signal is sent to SMACS (on one of its digital inputs) as well as to the personal identification code.
  • When the entry door is closed, SMACS compares the recorded visual signature with the detected one.
  • If the two signatures match (with a customisable tolerance) SMACS opens (or allows the opening of) the second door (to the secure zone).
  • The person leaves the airlock.

Other possibilities
Several options are possible:

  • Identification code logging: For security reasons, it is possible to record the person's identification in the history log. It is also possible to NOT record it to give the person the possibility of remaining anonymous (depending on local laws).
  • Automatic adaptation: SMACS can automatically increase or decrease the size of the visual signatures to compensate incremental changes, like winter clothes or weight loss. Obviously, any change beyond a certain tolerance would raise an alarm.
  • Independent identification device: For customers without existing access control systems, SMACS can be interfaced with an identification device. Running with a fingerprint reader, like STB FL3500 or acterBioAccess, SMACS acts as an all-in-one solution and helps to reduce the overall cost. Note that version 300 of SMACS is required for this.