Visitor management systems and methods

Abstract

Various apparatus, methods, techniques and systems are disclosed for admitting, tracking, monitoring and processing data about visitors and vehicles that visit an access-controlled environment. A network having one or more greeting stations and a number of linked answering stations collects and manages data concerning visitors and/or vehicles in the access-controlled environment, and can manage or assist individuals in managing granting access to the access-controlled environment, monitoring visitors and vehicles present in the access-controlled environment, limiting movement and access to certain areas in the access-controlled environment and generating records and other data about each visit. Some embodiments of the network are also adaptable for use in providing traveler assistance and consular services for various types of individuals.

The application is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling access to an access-controlled environment, the system comprising:
 a network comprising one or more server devices and a memory device;   a visitor access point comprising a greeting station connected to the network, wherein the greeting station is configured to collect visitor data; and   a plurality of answering stations, wherein each answering station is configured to present an answering station operator with a plurality of options for dealing with a visitor calling from the greeting station, the plurality of options comprising granting a visitor access to the environment,   wherein the network is configured to prioritize available answering stations in the plurality of answering stations based on collected visitor data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a phone system connected to the network, wherein the phone system is included in the prioritization of available answering stations. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the visitor data comprises at least one of the following: a visitor name, a visitor company affiliation, one or more physical disabilities of a visitor, language limitations of a visitor, visitor biometric data, and scanned document information. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first area inside the environment; 
 a second area inside the environment; 
 a vehicle access point configured to collect vehicle data from a vehicle at the vehicle access point; 
 wherein vehicle data collected at the vehicle access point is stored in the memory device, 
 further wherein, based on vehicle data, the vehicle access point either refuses vehicular access to the environment, or grants vehicular access to the first area, or grants vehicular access to the second area. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the first area is configured to perform at least one of the following: collect visitor data, collect vehicle data, register a vehicle, and register a visitor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of signs configured to provide instructions to vehicles and vehicle operators inside the environment, the plurality of signs being connected to the network and the instructions being based on at least one of vehicle and visitor data. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a plurality of responders, wherein each responder has a unique identification signature; and 
 a plurality of scanners situated in the environment, wherein each scanner is configured to detect a responder identification signature and to provide position data about the position of each responder to the network. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a scanner matrix inside the environment, the scanner matrix connected to the network; 
 a plurality of responders, wherein each responder comprises a unique identification signature; 
 wherein the system is configured to collect tracking data for each responder, the tracking data comprising; 
 positional data comprising mapping each responder's position in the scanner matrix; and 
 temporal data comprising timestamps associated with the positional data; 
 wherein the combination of positional data and temporal data provides a record of movement of each responder throughout the scanner matrix and any departures of a responder from the scanner matrix; 
 a display connected to the network, wherein the display is configured to display the position of each responder in the environment. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the scanner matrix comprises at least one of the following: a 3-dimensional matrix in one or more buildings; an array of scanners along roads and paths traveled by vehicles in the environment. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising digital signage inside the environment, wherein the digital signage is configured to provide assistance and instructions from the network in response to detection of a specific responder by the scanner matrix.