Intelligent vehicle access control system

An apparatus for automatically inspecting a vehicle being driven into a first area, the apparatus comprising:

• database means containing:
• driver identification data identifying drivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into the first area;
• number plate data identifying vehicles which are permitted into the first area;
• and
• data identifying which driver is permitted to bring which vehicle into the secure site;
• means for capturing identification data about a driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area;
• number plate recognition means for capturing number plate data about the vehicle being driven into the first area;
• and
• means for interrogating the database means based on the captured identification data about the driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area and based on the captured number plate data to determine whether the driver is permitted to drive the vehicle into the first area.

A vehicle access control system comprising a plurality of apparatuses for automatically inspecting vehicles being driven into different first areas, wherein

• the apparatuses are networked together;
• and
• each apparatus comprises:
• imaging means for capturing an image of an undercarriage of a vehicle as the vehicle is being driven into the respective first area;
• database means for storing images of undercarriages of vehicles which are permitted into the respective first area;
• and
• means for comparing the captured image of the undercarriage of the vehicle being driven into the respective first area with at least one of the stored images of the undercarriages of vehicles on the database means.

A method for automatically inspecting a vehicle being driven into a first area, the method comprising:

• capturing identification data about a driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area;
• reading a number on a vehicle number plate of the vehicle being driven into the first area;
• and
• based on captured identification data about the driver who is driving the vehicle into the first area, captured number plate data, and driver identification data identifying drivers who are permitted to drive vehicles into the first area, determining whether the driver is permitted to drive the vehicle into the first area.

A method of controlling vehicular access to a first area having at least one entrance with a plurality of inspection zones, each inspection zone being contiguous with at least one other inspection zone and at least one inspection zone being contiguous with a secure site, the method comprising:

• permitting a driver to bring a vehicle attempting access to the first area to enter into a first one of the inspection zones;
• conducting at least one inspection process on the vehicle in the first inspection zone;
• wherein allowable outcomes of the at least one inspection process in the first inspection zone comprise:
• (i) the vehicle failing the at least one inspection process and:
• (a) the vehicle not being permitted to move out of the first inspection zone;
• or
• (b) the vehicle being allowed to leave without proceeding into the first area;
• and
• (ii) the vehicle passing the at least one the inspection process and being permitted to move out of the first inspection zone into a second one of the inspection zones;
• and
• if the vehicle has entered the second inspection zone conducting at least one other inspection process on the vehicle in the second inspection zone;
• wherein allowable outcomes of the at least one other inspection process in the second inspection zone comprise:
• (iii) the vehicle failing the at least one inspection process and:
• (c) the vehicle not being permitted to move out of the second inspection zone;
• or
• (d) the vehicle being allowed to leave without proceeding into the first area;
• and
• (iv) the vehicle passing the at least one other inspection process and being permitted to move out of the second inspection zone.