FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to surveillance mechanism at a premises and in particular relates to
monitoring access of premises identified or non-identified living beings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
In today’s world, there exist systems for recording entry and exits of a user at premises. Such
systems may be NFC based or Biometric, where a card or a human-limb needs to be manually
brought near the reader mechanism for identification. Accordingly, such requirement limits this
usage in terms of children or differently-abled people, as it may be difficult for them to approach
the reader and register an entry or attendance. To mitigate this, RFID based mechanism have been
evolved to register entries or attendance, wherein merely the presence of RFID card within the
vicinity of reader leads to detection.
Yet, the conventional mechanisms for registering entries and attendance operate merely based on
the identification of the RFID card as carried by the living being and generate alerts based on the
same. Accordingly, the mechanisms remain prone to misuse. To name a few, detection of a person
who is not carrying a valid identifier and still trying to gain entry either alone or by tailgating a
person having a valid identifier is not achievable by such mechanisms. Moreover, a single living
being gaining entry with multiple identifiers with a malicious intent of registration of multiple
entries is also possible. In case such loopholes need to be overcome, it requires a separate
electronic mechanism that carries a different form-factor, operates independently of the RFID
reader mechanism and requires separate installation. As a result, not only additional expenditure is
incurred and complexity is increased, but also a lot more space is required at the entrance to install
the mechanisms.
Yet, despite having everything into place as explained aforesaid, a living being may still fool the
system by registering his entry/exit without actually having entered into the room or exited the
room. While such scenario may be preventable, by noting the direction of motion, the same
requires further additional hardware pertaining to directional motion sensing.
3
Accordingly, there lies a need of an integrated mechanism that may verify identity of living being
and simultaneously alert, in real-time, about person trying to gain entry without an identity, or
either with a non-verifiable identity or multiple identities (verifiable or non-verifiable).
Another expectation from the mechanism is to register entry or exit only when a person has
physically entered the premises or exited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are
further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to
identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Accordingly, in accordance with the purposes of the invention, the present invention as embodied
and broadly described herein provides a method and system for logging entries and exits with
respect to any premises. The method as executed by the system comprises: ascertaining, by at least
two sensors, approach and identity of at least one living-being; providing optionally, an indication
of said ascertainment; and registering an entry or exit in respect of said living being having
approached said at least two sensors, said entry or exit being determined based on a sequence of
sensing by said at least two sensors
In other implementation, the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein provides
a method and system for recording attendance with respect to any premises. The method as
executed by the system comprises: ascertaining, by at least two sensors, approach and identity of at
least one living-being; providing optionally, an indication of said ascertainment; registering an
entry or exit in respect of said living-being having approached said at least two sensors, said entry
or exit being determined based on a sequence of sensing by said at least two sensors; and capturing
attendance in respect of a specific time-frame for said at least one living-being, said capturing
being at least based on said registered entry satisfying a pre-determined criteria and establishment
of said identity.
At least by virtue of aforesaid, the present invention facilitates an automatic registration of the
actually happened entry and exits and accordingly an automatic attendance capturing of any living
being at the premises, thereby obviating any need of manually performed observation of entry/exits
and manual documentation of attendances. Further, the system simultaneously generates, in realtime,
alerts either related to tailgating or attempts of gaining entries all alone by non-authorized
4
living beings. Further, the electronically noted entries/exits or attendances may be operated upon to
generate a report either online or offline.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of
the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in
the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of
the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be
described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a flow chart corresponding to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a detailed internal construction of the system in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a flow chart corresponding to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 shows a detailed internal construction of the system in accordance with the second
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 shows an exemplary implementation in accordance with the both embodiments of
the present invention;
Figure 6 illustrates an implementation of the system illustrated in Figure 2 and 4 in a
computing-environment;
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity
and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the
method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects
of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more
components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols,
and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be
readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
5
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will
now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to
describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention
is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such
further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as
would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive
thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means
that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in
an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may,
but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive
inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include
only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or
method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components
proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other
devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or
additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or
additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as
commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The
system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be
limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
6
Now referring to Figure 1, it can be seen that the present invention provides a method of logging
entries and exits with respect to a premises. The method comprises: ascertaining (step 102), by at
least two sensors, approach and identity of at least one living-being. In an implementation, the two
sensors may be separated by a distance, such that each sensor comprises an RFID reader to identify
the living-being carrying a pre-registered RFID card. On the other hand, the approach of the living
being towards the sensors is sensed by a motion sensing mechanism, which may be present as
being integral to one of the sensors or both. Further, in case the motion sensing mechanism is
integral to only one of the sensors, then the same may be integrated to the sensor that is placed
closest to the entrances of the premises.
Further, the method comprises providing optionally (step 104), an indication of said ascertainment.
In an implementation, said indication may only be provided in case of non-identification of said
living being. In case of non-identification of said living being during said ascertaining, the
providing of indication comprises sounding at least one of: a first type of alert in case said livingbeing
is identifiable at another at least one zone associated with said premises; and a second type of
alert in case said living-being is non-identifiable within any zone associated with said premises.
Considering an example of a school, if a person or student enters some restricted area which he is
personally not authorized to enter (for example a standard 11 student trying to enter standard 5),
despite carrying a valid ID card recognizable at other zones of the school (e.g. all standard 11
sections), the sensors are able to detect the gained entry or an entry attempted to be gained, and an
alarm can be generated. Such alarm may be further more vigorous in case in case the person enters
without any RFID card all-together. In this situation of absence of RFID card, the person trying to
gain entry may be treated as a stranger to school premises.
Further, in another implementation, in case said living-being is ascertained as approaching a noentry
zone within the premises, said providing comprises sounding at least one of: a first type of
alert in case said living-being is identifiable at another at least one zone associated with the
premises; and a second type of alert in case said living-being is non-identifiable within any zone
associated with the premises and the entry is regarded spurious in nature.
Considering an example, if a person enters some area restricted for all (for example store room etc.
in a school), despite carrying a valid RIFD card otherwise recognizable at the rest of premises, the
gaining of entry by said person may be detected by the motion sensors present within the sensors,
and an alarm can be generated. Such alarm may be more vigorous and of a different type in case
7
the entry is gained by a person not having a valid RFID card at all, i.e. a complete stranger to the
premises and the entry is regarded spurious in nature.
Further, the method comprises registering (step 106) an entry or exit in respect of said living being
having approached said at least two sensors, said entry or exit being determined based on a
sequence of sensing by said at least two sensors. More specifically, the registering of said entry and
exit comprises recording at least two time-stamps by said at least two sensors in respect of said
living-being going past said at least two sensors for gaining entry within the premises. These two
time stamps are compared with each other to determine a time-sequence of sensing by said at least
two sensors. Accordingly, based on said comparison, a passage of said living-being across said at
least two sensors is proclaimed as either entry or exit, based on said determined sequence.
Considering an example of a school, wherein two sensors A and B are spaced apart from each other
such that A is closest to the entrance of a classroom, while B is separated from the sensor A and
disposed inside the classroom. If time noted by sensor A < time noted by sensor B for a particular
student, then the movement exhibited by the student is regarded as entry into the classroom.
However, if the time noted by sensor B < time noted by sensor A, then the movement as exhibited
by the student is regarded as an exit from the classroom.
Further, based on the registered entries and exits for a classroom, a count of living beings as
present within the premises for any given time is determinable.
Fig. 2 illustrates a detailed internal construction of a system 200 in accordance with the
embodiment of the present invention. The system 200 includes sensors 202 that perform the step
102, while an indicator 204 performs that step 104. A processing module 206 performs the step
106. Likewise, there may be other modules within the system 200 that facilitate the operational
interconnection among the sensor 202, the indicator 204 and the processing module 206, and
perform other ancillary-functions.
Now referring to Figure 3, it can be seen that the present invention provides a method of recording
attendance with respect to a premises, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention. The method comprises: ascertaining (step 302), by at least two sensors, approach and
identity of at least one living-being; providing optionally (step 304), an indication of said
ascertainment; and registering (step 306) an entry or exit in respect of said living-being having
approached said at least two sensors, said entry or exit being determined based on a sequence of
sensing by said at least two sensors. The method step 302, 304 and 306 are analogous to steps 102,
8
104 and 106 of the method as depicted in Fig. 1. Accordingly, the exemplary implementations with
respect to the method steps in Fig. 1 are also applicable to the present method steps 302, 304 and
306.
The method step as depicted in Fig. 3 further comprises: capturing attendance (step 308) in respect
of a specific time-frame for said at least one living-being, said capturing at least based on said
registered entry satisfying a pre-determined criteria and establishment of said identity. Such predetermined
criteria is satisfied in case said registered entry is secured within a pre-defined time
period since the start of the time frame. In other embodiment, the pre-determined criteria may also
be considered as fulfilled in case the registered entry is made with respect to the time-frame as
authorized for the living being.
Considering an example of a school-classroom, the specific time-frame may be a class-room period
in respect of which the attendance is captured for each student. Further, said attendance will be
captured in case the pre-determined criteria has been satisfied with respect to a teacher and student
acting as the living being(s), upon their arrival into the classroom. Such capturing of attendance is
based on identification of the student or teacher through a valid RFID card as would have been
carried by the student while entering, i.e. a successful identity establishment has already happened.
Moreover, the attendance is held captured in case the entry is registered within a pre-defined time
period (15 or 20 minutes) from the start of class-room period.
In a further example, students and teachers may be eligible to attend only selected class-room
periods owing to their selected streams of education and subject-expertise, respectively.
Accordingly, in such a scenario, the capturing of attendance may additionally take into account
whether the living being (student or teacher) is authorized to attend the specific class-room period?
In case of non-authorized class room period, the student or teacher may be allowed to gain entry
into the class, without sounding of any alarm. In an example, the student may be attending the nonrelated
class-room period due to mere interest or some extraneous requirement, or the teacher may
be undertaking non-related class-room periods as a substitute teacher or a guest faculty. In both of
such scenarios, the attendance-capturing may not take place, while access may be permitted.
In other scenario, where the teacher has not arrived to undertake her designated class-room period
after a substantial elapse of time period from the onset of the class-room period, an alert may be
sent to a central authority (say principal office or head of deptt’s room). Accordingly, either the
concerned teacher may be reminded or a substitute teacher may be sent to take over the
proceedings. In other scenario, where a majority of the students are missing from the class since the
9
start of the class-room period (e.g. 20 minutes past the start of class-room period), then also an alert
may be sent to the principal or head of department.
Further, the attendance as have been captured for a particular living being may be rendered
cancelled for the specific time-frame (i.e. a particular academic period), in case said registered
entry is immediately followed by a registered exit in respect of said living-being, with no
subsequently registered entry of said living-being till the elapse of said time-frame. In an example,
in respect of the classroom, in case the student registers an exit immediately after (say after 15
minutes) having gotten an attendance, the attendance may be deemed as cancelled, unless the
student re-appears at the classroom within a pre-defined time period (say within 5 or 10 minutes).
However, in a particular scenario, a single registered entry may be converted into attendance for
subsequent periods as well, in case the ‘once entered student’ never made an exit till the conclusion
of second or third class-room period. Likewise, a teacher undertaking lecturers in succession
(owing to specific requirements) may be awarded more than one attendance.
Further, based on the captured attendance, a count of all living beings in respect of whom
attendance has been captured, is determined with respect to said at least one time-frame or
academic period. Based upon said count, further attendance-logs may be generated for a given
number of days, either with respect to a particular living being or a student or for a particular
academic period say Chemistry, Maths etc, or in respect of lectures conducted by a particular
professor or a teacher. Such logs may be analysed to generate corresponding attendance patterns in
the form of reports.
In an example, the reports may be a daily attendance report of each academic period, student wise
report, teacher report, time duration of delivered-lectures with respect to a particular academic
period, etc. Based on such reports as have been generated online or offline, attendance data may be
compared among the schools, genders, subjects, etc as a part of educational and school-related
surveys as conducted by various government or non-government agencies.
Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed internal construction of a system 400 in accordance with the
embodiment of the present invention. The components 402, 404 and 406 are similar to the
components 202, 204 and 206. The acquisition module 408 discharges the step 308. Likewise,
there may be other modules within the system 400 that facilitate the operational interconnection
among the components 402, 404, 406 and 408, and perform other ancillary-functions.
10
Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the present invention. However, the present
implementation as presented shall not be construed as limiting and various other type of exemplary
implementations are also permissible while remaining within the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
The present implementation takes into account a class-room environment comprising a teacher T
and students S1 to S10. A, B are sensors, such that A is located closest to the entrance or at the
entrance itself, while B is positioned a bit inside the classroom. Accordingly, if the time noted by
sensor A during sensing is less than the time noted by sensor B for a particular student, then an
entry is recorded, else an exit is recorded.
Each student and teacher may be given unique access cards. . While student access cards have
information like name, class, roll no, gender, etc, teacher access cards may contain information like
name, subject, gender etc. In operation, presence of any ‘passing by’ living being (student) is
sensed by the sensors through sensing motion. Simultaneously, identity of said passing by living
being is attempted to be ascertained. In case the identity of said passer-by is not established, then
an alarm is sounded. The alarms may be of particular-type depending upon whether the passer-by
is otherwise identifiable in other parts of school or is altogether a complete stranger. Accordingly,
any tailgating person may also be brought into notice instantly
The entry and exits are noted based on the criteria as explained with respect to preceding figures.
The aforesaid registration of ‘entry’ will lead to attendance capturing, in case said entry falls within
a given time frame and prior presence of a teacher. For example, 9 am till 9 15 am may be the time
frame for the ‘first academic’ period that starts at 9 AM. Accordingly, while any authorized student
entering beyond 9:15 am will be permitted to enter the class, however he will be still marked
absent for that first period. In addition the aforesaid attendance capturing may also take into
account whether the particular class-room period is authorized to be attended by the student.
Likewise, the attendance capturing for teacher may also take into account the permitted timelines
(e.g. 9 AM till 9.20 AM) as well as authorized class-room periods to be undertaken by the teachers.
Likewise, as already explained with respect to Fig. 3, alerts may sent to principal or head of deptt
in case the teacher has not arrived at the classroom within 15 minutes of the start or a majority of
the students are missing from the class-room.
Further, once an exit has been recorded, a further entry or re-entry is required in a given time
frame after the start of a subsequent ‘academic period’ to record attendance for that subsequent
academic period. In other words, any person having been recorded as present for first two academic
11
periods may be marked absent for third academic period, in case an exit has been recorded at the
end of second academic period and no entry has been recorded within a given time frame after the
start of third academic period. Accordingly, a single registered entry not followed by any exit for
the subsequent two or three class-room periods may lead to attendance for the subsequent periods
Referring to figure 6, yet another typical hardware configuration of the system 200,400 in the form
of a computer system 600 is shown. The computer system 600 can include a set of instructions that
can be executed to cause the computer system 600 to perform any one or more of the methods
disclosed. The computer system 600 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g.,
using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.
In a networked deployment, the computer system 600 may operate in the capacity of a server or as
a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in
a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system 600 can also be
implemented as or incorporated across various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet
PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a
desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a web
appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of
instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further,
while a single computer system 600 is illustrated, the term "system" shall also be taken to include
any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets,
of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.
The computer system 600 may include a processor 602 e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a
graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor 602 may be a component in a variety of
systems. For example, the processor 602 may be part of a standard personal computer or a
workstation. The processor 602 may be one or more general processors, digital signal processors,
application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital
circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for
analysing and processing data The processor 602 may implement a software program, such as code
generated manually (i.e., programmed).
The computer system 600 may include a memory 604, such as a memory 604 that can
communicate via a bus 608. The memory 604 corresponds to the memory 206 of the previous Fig.
2 and may be a main memory, a static memory, or a dynamic memory. The memory 604 may
include, but is not limited to computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and
12
non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only
memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory,
electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the
like. In one example, the memory 604 includes a cache or random access memory for the processor
602. In alternative examples, the memory 604 is separate from the processor 602, such as a cache
memory of a processor, the system memory, or other memory. The memory 604 may be an
external storage device or database for storing data. Examples include a hard drive, compact disc
("CD"), digital video disc ("DVD"), memory card, memory stick, floppy disc, universal serial bus
("USB") memory device, or any other device operative to store data. The memory 604 is operable
to store instructions executable by the processor 602. The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the
figures or described may be performed by the programmed processor 602 executing the
instructions stored in the memory 604. The functions, acts or tasks are independent of the particular
type of instructions set, storage media, processor or processing strategy and may be performed by
software, hardware, integrated circuits, firm-ware, micro-code and the like, operating alone or in
combination. Likewise, processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel
processing and the like.
As shown, the computer system 600 may or may not further include a display unit 610, such as a
liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid
state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, a printer or other now known or later
developed display device for outputting determined information. The display 610 may act as an
interface for the user to see the functioning of the processor 602, or specifically as an interface with
the software stored in the memory 604 or in the drive unit 616.
Additionally, the computer system 600 may include an input device 612 configured to allow a user
to interact with any of the components of system 600. The input device 612 may be a number pad,
a keyboard, or a cursor control device, such as a mouse, or a joystick, touch screen display, remote
control or any other device operative to interact with the computer system 600.
The computer system 600 may also include a disk or optical drive unit 616. The disk drive unit 616
may include a computer-readable medium 622 in which one or more sets of instructions 624, e.g.
software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions 624 may embody one or more of the methods
or logic as described. In a particular example, the instructions 624 may reside completely, or at
least partially, within the memory 604 or within the processor 602 during execution by the
computer system 600. The memory 604 and the processor 602 also may include computer-readable
media as discussed above.
13
The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions 624 or
receives and executes instructions 624 responsive to a propagated signal so that a device connected
to a network 626 can communicate voice, video, audio, images or any other data over the network
626. Further, the instructions 624 may be transmitted or received over the network 626 via a
communication port or interface 620 or using a bus 608. The communication port or interface 620
may be a part of the processor 602 or may be a separate component. The communication port 620
may be created in software or may be a physical connection in hardware. The communication port
620 may be configured to connect with a network 626, external media, the display 610, or any
other components in system 600, or combinations thereof. The connection with the network 626
may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection or may be established
wirelessly as discussed later. Likewise, the additional connections with other components of the
system 600 may be physical connections or may be established wirelessly. The network 626 may
alternatively be directly connected to the bus 608.
The network 626 may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or
combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11,
802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q or WiMax network. Further, the network 626 may be a public network,
such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize
a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to
TCP/IP based networking protocols.
In an alternative example, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific
integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to
implement various parts of the system 600.
Applications that may include the systems can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer
systems. One or more examples described may implement functions using two or more specific
interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be
communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific
integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware
implementations.
The system 600 described may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer
system. Further, in a non-limited example, implementations can include distributed processing,
14
component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer
system processing can be constructed to implement various parts of the system.
The system is not limited to operation with any particular standards and protocols. For example,
standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP,
HTML, HTTP) may be used. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient
equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and
protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed are considered equivalents
thereof.
At least by virtue of the present invention, not only the system is able to detect in real-time identity
and physical presence of a person simultaneously, but also the entries and exits are recordable
automatically while ensuring that the person has actually entered or exited. Moreover, the entries to
the restricted or non-permissible zones are also indicated through generating various types of alerts
for different categories of persons, i.e. strangers and non-strangers.
In addition, the present invention is able to provide not only an automated attendance–capturing
system, but also an improved system as the attendance-capturing is based on satisfaction of certain
parameters. Accordingly, chances of proxies or fake attendance are highly curbed. Moreover, any
type of statistical analysis can be done over gathered attendance data, and reports related to
attendance pattern can be generated as and when required. This aids conduction of surveys and
research in respect of attendance at various establishments and organizations.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account
of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working
modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught
herein.
The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single
functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements.
Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of
processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein.
Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all
of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts
may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited
15
by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or
not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of
embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to
specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more
pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any
or all the claims.

We Claim:
1. A method of logging entries and exits with respect to a premises, the method comprising:
ascertaining (step 102), by at least two sensors, approach and identity of at least one livingbeing;
providing optionally (step 104), an indication of said ascertainment; and
registering (step 106) an entry or exit in respect of said living being having approached said
at least two sensors, said entry or exit being determined based on a sequence of sensing by said at
least two sensors.
2. A method for recording attendance with respect to a premises, the method comprising:
ascertaining (step 302), by at least two sensors, approach and identity of at least one livingbeing;
providing optionally (step 304), an indication of said ascertainment;
registering (step 306) an entry or exit in respect of said living-being having approached said
at least two sensors, said entry or exit being determined based on a sequence of sensing by said at
least two sensors; and
capturing (step 308) attendance in respect of a specific time-frame for said at least one
living-being, said capturing at least based on said registered entry satisfying a pre-determined
criteria and establishment of said identity.
3. The method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein at least one of the sensor further comprises a
motion sensing mechanism to sense said approaching living-being.
4. The method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein each of said at least two sensors is positioned
separately from other sensor and comprises an RFID reader to identify said at least one livingbeing
carrying a pre-registered RFID card.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein registering said entry and exit comprises:
recording at least two time-stamps by said at least two sensors in respect of said livingbeing
going past said at least two sensors;
comparing said timestamps with each other to determine said sequence of sensing by said at
least two sensors; and
proclaim a passage of said living-being across said at least two sensors as entry or exit
based on said determined sequence.
6. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pre-determined criteria is satisfied in case said
registered entry is secured within a pre-defined time period starting from the onset of said specific
time-frame.
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7. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pre-determined criteria is satisfied in case said
registered entry is secured for a specific time-frame that has been held as authorized for said living
being .
8. The method as claimed in claims 6 or 7, wherein said attendance-capturing for said specific
time-frame further comprises deleting a captured attendance of said living-being for said specific
time-frame in case said registered entry is immediately followed by a registered exit in respect of
said living-being, with no subsequently registered entry of said living-being till the elapse of said
time-frame.
9. The method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein in case of non-identification of said living
being during said ascertaining, said providing comprises sounding at least one of:
a first type of alert in case said living-being is identifiable at another at least one zone
associated with said premises;
a second type of alert in case said living-being is non-identifiable within any zone
associated with said premises.
10. The method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein in case of said living-being ascertained as
approaching a no-entry zone within the premises, said providing comprises sounding at least one
of:
a first type of alert in case said living-being is identifiable at another at least one zone
associated with the premises; and
a second type of alert in case said living-being is non-identifiable within any zone
associated with the premises.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
determining a count of living beings, in respect of whom said entries have been registered,
with respect to said time-frame;
12. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
determining a count of living beings in respect of whom attendance has been captured, with
respect to said at least one time-frame; and
generating at least one log of attendance for a given number of days in respect of said at
least one living-being and said specific time-frame.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising analysing said logs to determine an
attendance-pattern with respect to said living-beings or said specific time-frames.
14. A system (200) for logging entries and exits with respect to a premises, the system comprises:
at least two sensors (202) to ascertain approach and identity of at least one living-being;
an indicator (204) to provide optionally, an indication of said ascertainment; and
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a processing means (206) to register an entry or exit in respect of said living being having
approached said at least two sensors, said entry or exit being determined based on a sequence of
sensing by said at least two sensors.
15. A system (400) for recording attendance with respect to a premises, the system comprising:
at least two sensors (402) to ascertain approach and identity of at least one living-being;
an indicator (404) to provide optionally, an indication of said ascertainment;
a processing means (406) to register an entry or exit in respect of said living being having
approached said at least two sensors, said entry or exit being determined based on a sequence of
sensing by said at least two sensors; and
an acquisition means (408) for capturing attendance in respect of a specific time-frame for
said at least one living-being, said capturing at least based on said registered entry satisfying a predetermined
criteria and establishment of said identity.