What is turnstile gate software?
The turnstile gate software (turnstile gate management system) is a professional application system that uses a software platform to uniformly control, configure permissions, and perform data statistics on pedestrian or vehicular gates. The turnstile gate machine integrates various types of software with the turnstile gate machine through linkage with the industrial PC.
Core Functions
- Permission management: supports the issuance and group authorization of various access credentials such as facial recognition, ID card recognition, IC card recognition, QR code recognition, etc.
- Status monitoring: Real time viewing of gate switch status, traffic records, and abnormal alarms such as illegal intrusion.
Data statistics: Automatically aggregate data such as traffic volume and travel time to generate attendance or passenger flow reports. - Remote control: Supports administrators to remotely open turnstile gates and modify configurations through mobile or computer management backend.
Customization function: Supports various customization functions, forming various special functions through the linkage between industrial control computers and turnstiles.
What is an industrial PC?
Industrial control computers are like special forces computers in the industrial sector, designed specifically for harsh environments. Unlike ordinary computers, it has characteristics such as anti electromagnetic interference, dust and moisture resistance, and can operate stably in the temperature range of minus 20 ℃ to 60 ℃. The core function is to control production line equipment in real-time, collect sensor data, and execute preset automation programs.
The access control turnstile gate (swing turnstile gate, flap barrier gate, tripod turnstile gate, full height turnstile gate, speed gate turnstile, etc.) itself is only an executing mechanism, responsible for opening, closing, anti-pinch, and alarm; The industrial computer is the core brain of the entire traffic management system, responsible for data computation, permission judgment, equipment scheduling, data storage, video linkage, and third-party system integration.
Simple understanding: The card reader/facial recognition machine collects personnel information → transmits it to the industrial control computer → verifies the permission of the industrial control computer → issues a turnstile gate opening instruction to the intelligent turnstile gate controller → the turnstile gate executes release; At the same time, the industrial computer collects real-time turnstile gate status, traffic records, and fault signals.
The Three Core Characteristics of Industrial Control Computers
Reliability priority: Using industrial-grade components, the average time between failures can reach over 50000 hours
Strong scalability: Reserved PCI/PCIE slots can be used to connect professional modules such as motion control cards and visual acquisition cards
Rich interfaces: Standard industrial communication interfaces such as RS485 and CAN bus, making it easy to connect with PLCs and instruments
The key role of industrial control computers in the turnstile gate industry
Have you ever thought about the important role that industrial computers play in the technological world behind turnstiles? In the cities and buildings we live in daily life, turnstiles are a common device used to manage personnel entry and exit, control passage, and ensure safety. However, the technology behind the turnstile gate is not simple. As high-performance computing devices, industrial control computers play a crucial role in the turnstile gate industry. They are not just simple mechanical devices, but also a combination of advanced technology and intelligent functions.
Firstly, industrial computers provide powerful computing power and stability, capable of processing large amounts of data and complex algorithms. Industrial control computers that use industrial-grade hardware and operating systems have characteristics such as anti-interference and anti-vibration, and can operate stably in various harsh environments. This ensures that the turnstile gate system can operate stably for a long time without interference from external factors, ensuring smooth and reliable passage.
This enables the turnstile gate to achieve efficient recognition and identity verification functions, such as facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, etc., ensuring that only authorized personnel can pass through the turnstile gate. At the same time, industrial computers can also connect with other systems to achieve seamless integration with access control systems, security systems, etc., providing comprehensive security protection.
Industrial control computers have a high degree of customizability and scalability. The demand of the turnstile gate industry is diverse, and different scenarios and applications require different functions and configurations. Industrial control computers can be customized and upgraded according to actual needs to meet specific requirements of turnstile gate systems. Whether in airports, subway stations, shopping malls, or office buildings, industrial computers can provide stable and reliable performance to cope with complex working environments.
The widespread application of industrial computers has brought many advantages to the turnstile gate industry. They not only enhance the intelligence level of the turnstile gate system, but also improve safety and convenience. With the continuous development of technology, industrial control computers will continue to play an important role in the turnstile gate industry, bringing more convenience and security to our lives and work.
Hardware connection method (industrial computer connected to turnstile gate)
1. TCP/IP network communication (most mainstream)
Wiring: The turnstile gate controller and facial/card recognition terminal are connected to the switch, and the industrial computer is also connected to the local area network through network cables.
Protocol: TCP Socket, HTTP, some proprietary protocols of gateway manufacturers; It also supports standard ONVIF (video).
Features: Simple wiring, long-distance transmission, one industrial computer can manage dozens of turnstile gates at the same time; Can upload data to the cloud, suitable for large-scale projects.
2. RS485 serial communication (traditional stable solution)
Wiring: Extend the RS485 serial port card of the industrial computer and connect multiple gate controllers with a two-core shielded wire bus.
Features: Strong anti-interference ability, suitable for industrial environments; The transmission distance is long, but the speed is low, and the number of channels cannot be too many. It is mostly used for factory and outdoor turnstiles.
3. Dry contacts (relay signals, switch values)
Wiring: Connect the output contacts of the gate controller relay to the IO acquisition card of the industrial computer; The IO output relay signal of the industrial computer triggers the opening of the gate.
Principle: Passive switch signal, does not transmit complex data, only transmits simple instructions: opening signal, gate in place signal, gate failure, anti-tailgating alarm.
Features: The strongest compatibility, supported by all gates; only transmits switch status, not personnel access records or photos. Usually used in conjunction with TCP/IP as a hardware backup.
Combination scheme (most commonly used in projects): TCP/IP for data exchange+dry contacts as hardware linkage backup. When the network is disconnected, the dry contact can still transmit alarm and gate status signals.
4. USB (less commonly used for gate main communication)
It is commonly used for external USB cameras and ID card readers on industrial control computers to assist in collecting identification information, without directly controlling the turnstile gate mechanism.
Complete linkage workflow
Identity collection: facial/fingerprint/IC card/QR code devices read personnel identity information;
Information upload: Identify the terminal and send identity information to the industrial computer;
Permission verification (core of the industrial control computer): The industrial control computer reads the local permission library to determine whether the person has permission to pass and whether the passage period is legal;
Issue the instruction to open the circuit breaker
Permission: The industrial control computer issues a gate opening command (network command+dry contact signal) to the gate controller; The gate motor drives the door to open;
No permission: The industrial computer does not send an opening signal, triggers an audible and visual alarm, captures photos and saves them;
Status feedback: The gate machine sends real-time signals to the industrial control computer regarding the opening and closing of the gate, prevention of tailgating, forced entry, and motor failure;
Data archiving: The industrial control computer automatically records: passing personnel, time, channel number, and captured pictures; Can synchronize with ERP, access control, and security platforms;
Automatic reset: After personnel access is completed, the gate will automatically close and lock, waiting for the next recognition.
The core functions that can be achieved
✅ Basic traffic management
Multi-channel centralized control: One industrial computer manages multiple gates uniformly, configuring permissions, passage time periods, and holiday rules uniformly;
Traffic log storage: Save traffic records, capture pictures, support querying and exporting by personnel, time, and channel;
Permission grouping: Different personnel are assigned different channel permissions (such as employees using gate A and visitors using gate B).
✅ Status monitoring and fault warning of gate equipment
Real time polling of the turnstile gate by industrial computer: motor failure, door jamming, power supply abnormality, infrared sensor failure. Automatic pop-up alarm for faults and recording of fault logs.
✅ Security linkage (key advantages of industrial control computers)
Anti-tailgating linkage: When the turnstile gate detects tailgating through infrared, it immediately sends a signal back to the industrial computer; the industrial control computer triggers sound and light alarms, captures videos, and pops up to remind security personnel;
Gate breaking alarm linkage: forcibly crossing/colliding with the gate, uploading the gate dry contact signal to the industrial computer, automatically linking the camera recording and pop-up alarm;
Fire linkage: The fire control host signal is connected to the industrial computer. After the fire alarm signal is triggered, the industrial computer issues a one-click full opening command, and all gate bodies are unlocked to ensure evacuation.
✅ Multi device fusion linkage (difficult to achieve with embedded gate motherboards)
Facial recognition/ID card/QR code/temperature measurement multi-recognition device access;
Docking cameras: capturing traffic and overlaying traffic information with videos;
Docking with third-party systems: OA, ERP, visitor system, attendance system, smart park platform;
For example, factory employees swipe their faces to pass through the gate, and the industrial computer synchronously pushes the access data to the attendance system for automatic clocking in; Visitors can make online reservations, and the reservation information will be sent to the industrial computer. Visitors can enter with a QR code.
✅ Advanced business functions
Visitor management: Register visitors with industrial computers, grant temporary authorization, and automatically expire upon expiration;
Flow statistics: real-time counting of the number of people entering and leaving, and alarm for exceeding the limit of the number of people in the area;
Blacklist: Blacklist personnel are prohibited from passing and reported to the police after identification; Quick release of whitelist;
Remote management: The industrial computer supports remote viewing of gate status and remote opening of turnstile gates;
Offline operation: The industrial computer saves the permission library locally, and the turnstile gate still verifies the passage normally when the external network is disconnected. After the network is restored, it automatically synchronizes and records.
Main application industries and fields
Industrial plant area, intelligent manufacturing factory scene: workshop entrances and exits, factory gates, dust-free workshop passages; Requirements: Personnel attendance, visitor control, workshop access permissions, crowd flow statistics, fire evacuation linkage; Often paired with full height turnstile gates and swing turnstile gates.
Smart park, office building, commercial building scene: lobby quick access door, building passage; Requirements: Employee access, visitor reservation, video capture, integration with building BA system.
Scenes of rail transit, airports, and high-speed railway stations: station AB doors, employee passages; Requirements: High security level, anti-tailgating, multi-person verification, and multi-system integration.
Hospital scene: medical passages, ward entrances and exits; Requirement: Distinguish between medical staff and patients, and control access to sensitive areas.
Venue, Convention and Exhibition Center, Sports Center Scene: Ticket Turnstile Gate; The industrial computer verifies the QR code of the ticket and counts the number of attendees.
Scenes of prisons, detention centers, and classified units: full-height turnstile gates; high-security measures, dual-person verification, blacklist, gate-breaking alarm, and long-term retention of logs.
School (university, vocational school) scene: school gate, dormitory passage; Students brush their faces to pass, strangers break in to alert, and statistics show arrival and departure from school.
Data center and computer room scenarios: computer room entrances and exits; high-level permission management, access record audit.
Comparison with Turnstile Gate System Comes with Motherboard Solution
| Item | Turnstile Built-in Embedded Mainboard | Industrial PC for Centralized Control |
|---|---|---|
| Management Scale | Single/small number of turnstiles | Multi-channel cluster, unified management of dozens of turnstiles |
| Computing Power | Low, only supports basic access functions | Powerful, supports video snapshot, AI recognition, big data statistics and multi-system integration |
| Stability | Suitable for small projects | Industrial-grade wide temperature range, anti-interference, applicable for harsh environments such as factories and machine rooms |
| Expandability | Poor, difficult to integrate with third-party systems | Abundant IO, Ethernet and serial ports; expandable with cameras, capture cards and peripheral devices |
| Cost | Low | Relatively high, preferred solution for large and complex projects |
Recommended selection: For simple access control with less than 4 channels, the turnstile gate machine can come with its own motherboard; For channels exceeding 4 and requiring security linkage, visitor, attendance, video capture, fire linkage, and multi-system integration, priority should be given to industrial computer solutions.