Optical turnstile
Encyclopedia
An optical turnstile is a physical security
device designed to restrict or control access to a building or secure area. Optical turnstiles are usually a part of an access control
system, which also consists of software, card readers, and controllers. Optical turnstiles operate much like regular mechanical turnstile
s, except that they rely primarily on electronic (infrared
) beams, and audible/visual interfaces to control entry. Rather than physically restraining a person, the optical turnstile uses sounds and lights to alert others to attempted entry by unauthorized individuals. For this reason, the products are not likely to be used in subways and stadium
s, so much as they are suited for settings where design and aesthetics
are important, such as lobbies
. They are perfect for high rise buildings with a single path through the lobby and staffed reception. The rate of people passing through the optical turnstile checkpoint is high, lessening the delay that other methods would have. They are also suitable for the handicapped in that they are barrier-free.
Early optical turnstiles used programmable logic controllers and banks of relays to control the access card and infrared sensor inputs and the indicating lights and audible outputs. These older designs required a large control footprint and were very complicated.
The first optical turnstiles were developed for the San Francisco market by Omega Corporate Security of Walnut Creek, California
. Early installations included Charles Schwab
, East Bay Municipal Utility District
, and Wells Fargo
.
Physical security
Physical security describes measures that are designed to deny access to unauthorized personnel from physically accessing a building, facility, resource, or stored information; and guidance on how to design structures to resist potentially hostile acts...
device designed to restrict or control access to a building or secure area. Optical turnstiles are usually a part of an access control
Access control
Access control refers to exerting control over who can interact with a resource. Often but not always, this involves an authority, who does the controlling. The resource can be a given building, group of buildings, or computer-based information system...
system, which also consists of software, card readers, and controllers. Optical turnstiles operate much like regular mechanical turnstile
Turnstile
A turnstile, also called a baffle gate, is a form of gate which allows one person to pass at a time. It can also be made so as to enforce one-way traffic of people, and in addition, it can restrict passage only to people who insert a coin, a ticket, a pass, or similar...
s, except that they rely primarily on electronic (infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
) beams, and audible/visual interfaces to control entry. Rather than physically restraining a person, the optical turnstile uses sounds and lights to alert others to attempted entry by unauthorized individuals. For this reason, the products are not likely to be used in subways and stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
s, so much as they are suited for settings where design and aesthetics
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
are important, such as lobbies
Lobby (room)
A lobby is a room in a building which is used for entry from the outside. Sometimes referred to as a foyer or an entrance hall.Many office buildings, hotels and skyscrapers go to great lengths to decorate their lobbies to create the right impression....
. They are perfect for high rise buildings with a single path through the lobby and staffed reception. The rate of people passing through the optical turnstile checkpoint is high, lessening the delay that other methods would have. They are also suitable for the handicapped in that they are barrier-free.
Early optical turnstiles used programmable logic controllers and banks of relays to control the access card and infrared sensor inputs and the indicating lights and audible outputs. These older designs required a large control footprint and were very complicated.
The first optical turnstiles were developed for the San Francisco market by Omega Corporate Security of Walnut Creek, California
Walnut Creek, California
Walnut Creek is an incorporated city located east of the city of Oakland. It lies in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. While not as large as neighboring Concord, Walnut Creek serves as the business and entertainment hub for the neighboring cities within central Contra Costa...
. Early installations included Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab Corp.
The Charles Schwab Corporation , is an American brokerage and banking company, based in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1971 by Charles R. "Chuck" Schwab, as a traditional, brick and mortar brokerage firm and investment newsletter publisher. In 1973, the company name changed from First...
, East Bay Municipal Utility District
East Bay Municipal Utility District
East Bay Municipal Utility District , colloquially referred to as "East Bay Mud", provides water and sewage treatment for customers in portions of Alameda County and Contra Costa County in California, on the eastern side of San Francisco Bay, including the cities of Richmond, El Cerrito, Hercules,...
, and Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
.
See also
- Access controlAccess controlAccess control refers to exerting control over who can interact with a resource. Often but not always, this involves an authority, who does the controlling. The resource can be a given building, group of buildings, or computer-based information system...
- ID Card
- Physical SecurityPhysical securityPhysical security describes measures that are designed to deny access to unauthorized personnel from physically accessing a building, facility, resource, or stored information; and guidance on how to design structures to resist potentially hostile acts...
- SecuritySecuritySecurity is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...