New Product: Free Flow Turnstile (dFlow)

By Brian Rhodes, Published on May 05, 2016

A new turnstile uses a totally different approach for access control than anything else on the market.  Instead of unlocking to let people through, it slams closed on unauthorized users.

However, the developer says this approach is fundamentally better than traditional units and claims security is just as good, if not better. And it uses high-tech sensors to support those claims.

In this note, we look at Digicon's dFlow Turnstile, examine how it differs from typical units, and see if it really is the game-changer it claims to be.

The '**** ****' **********

*** **** ******* *********** difference *** *** ***** optical ********* ** **** the ******** *** ******** open *** **** ***** when ** ************ ****** attempts ** **** ****:

*** ******* ***** ** this ******** ** ******, because "*** **** ******** of ***** **** ***** access ***********" *** ******* of ******* *** ******** of ***** ***** ** spend **** ********* * turnstile, *** ********* ******* open ***** ****** ** stop *** ******* ********.

**** ******** *** *** typically **** ***** * much ****** **********, *** company ******* ** "******* applications **** ** ** the **-** ***** *** minute, significantly ****** **** ******* ****/****** control *******" **** ******* 10-20 ***** *** ******.

Product ********

*** ************'* **** ***** below ***** *** ********* and ******* *********** ** the ******, **** ***** complex ********* **** ********** ** ********:

Key **********

***** ** ***** ** be ********** **** ********** compared **** *********** ***************** turnstiles:

**** ******: ***** ** ********* to ***** ***** **** quickly. *** * **” wide ****, *** ******* speed ***** ** ******* 0.4 *** *.* ***.

******** *****: ******* **** ******* speed ** * ******** of *** ********, ***** and ************ ** *** unauthorized **** ** *** gate. *** ******* ********* this ** **:

** ** ************ **** enters *** **** ******, the ***** ***** ******. If **** ***** *******, the ***** ***** ******. By *** **** *****, if **** **** ********* towards *** **** ********, the ***** **** **** faster ** ****** ** they *****.

*********** ********: *** ***** *** made ** * *********** polymer, ******* *** ****** of ****** ** ***. The ***** *** ******** with * ****** ****** which ****** *** ****** force.

**** ***********: ***** **** ** interface ***** ** ********* to ******** ****** ******* systems, ***** ********** ** Wiegand, ******, ****, ** Code *** ******. *** turnstile *** ********* *** RS-232, **** *** ******** (using ****), ** */* contacts *** ******* ***********.

**** ***** ********: *** **** ******** inputs *** *********** **** fire ***** *******, ** barriers *** **** **** for **** ****** ****** emergencies.

*****

*** **** ***** ** dFlow ** *** ** starts ** $**,***. ******* depends ** ******* ************* and *** **** ***** a ****** **** ** designed ** ***********.  **** than * ****** **** will ****** ** * higher *****.

Time ** ****** *****

** ***** ** ** responsive ** ******* *** detect *** ******** *** order ** ***** ****** invalid *****, **** ******** adjacent ** **** *****, dFlow **** * ***** type ** ********* ******: Time ** ******, ** ToF.

**** ****** ** ******* directly ******** ** *** turnstile, ** ** *** detect *** **** *********** inside *** *********. ** asked ******* ** ********* on **** ******** ******* of *********** *** ***** sensors:

**** ** ******* ******* at *** ******* ** FREE **** (******** **** gates) ** ******** **** the ******* ******** ********, point-to-point ** ******* *** not **** *** ********* resolution ******** *** ********* precise **** ********. ** we ******* ******* ** overhead ******* *** ******* on * ** ******. ToF ** **** ** this ****** ** *******. dFlow *** ***** ******** users (********** ** ***) within *** ***** **** with **** **** *********.

***** *** ** *** sensors ** ***** ********** new ** ********, *** technology *** **** ******* in ******** *********. **** this ****-********** ****** **** ***** *** *******'* ** **** ** Flight ******. ***** ******* ******** of **** ********** ** still *** *** ******* expensive ******** ** ***** sensor/detection *******, *** ***** **** ToF ** * ****** performing *** ********* ******** detection ** *******.

Company *******

********* * ********* ********* *** pedestrian **** ************ **** now ********* **** ********* markets. *** *******'* ******* line ******** ***** *** turnstiles (*******-********** *** *********) in * ******* ** models, **** ****** ********** (single *** ******) *** motorized *****. ***** ***** is *** ****** ********, the ******* ******* ** continue ******** *********** ********* products.

*** ******* ********* ***** through * ****** ******* to *** *****, ***** it ** ******* ** expand ****** ***** *******.

************** Access ******* ************

*****'* ************ ********* ******** to **** ****** **** not ** * *** everywhere **********, **** ***** optical **********, *** ******** used.  ** ***** ** physical ********, *** ***-****** construction *** *********** ******* panels **** **** * determined ************ **** *** simply *** **** ** force **** *** ******.

******, ***** *** ******** and ******* ***** ** fast, ** **** ******** access ***** ******* ** required, * ************ ****-****** turnstile ** ******** **** will ** ********.

*******, *** ***** ***** risks *** *** *** the **** ********** ** typically ****-********* **** ****** control, ***** ***** ***** a **** ********** ******* congestion-prone *********** ** * way **** *** ***** products *** *******.

Comments (21)

Konstantin Avramenko

05/05/16 02:11pm

Since 1961 this type of turnstile has been used at the USSR subway stations

I posted the first video I found. This one is broken but it shows how it works.

This type of turnstiles worked well but it was dangerous and a bit scary )

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/05/16 02:28pm

Holy cow, that thing looks like it could break legs.

I am curious how/why the turnbuckles close? A bad card/token read? Motion detectors?

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 05/05/16 02:44pm

It was painful but usually it closed before you reached the point when it could hit you.

It worked with coins, then tokens, then cards. You can see holes from each side these are sensors. And this retro video shows the process.

Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Brian Rhodes | 05/05/16 09:43pm

Ask dFlow if their fancy Terahertz scanner can put a stop to such low-tech exploits such as the one at the 2 minute mark in the retro video, one that is clearly vulnerable to mixed-pair figure skaters.

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 05/05/16 10:58pm

I would try it how it handles these situations:

Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 01:27am

One of the Soviet innovations that came from the Space Race no doubt.

We got Tang, they got state-of-the-art access control.

And this is technology that wouldn't be duplicated for another 50 years.

Konstantin, can you explain how this was supposed to be an improvement, at least in theory, on just opening on authentication?

With the dFlow it makes sense, since you can have multiple people going thru with little gap between them, but here since everyone has to present auth of some sort, and the gap between the "reader" and the gate is large enough and the gate closes quick enough, there seems ample time to open for each person.

Plus, the time saved from the reauth runaround process would make it even faster, no?

Sure, it might save energy, but was that the main objective?

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 05/06/16 01:51am

Konstantin, can you explain how this was supposed to be an improvement, at least in theory, on just opening on authentication?

Did I say somewhere that it is an improvement? Personally I see no serious difference between them. In theory dFlow can have higher throughput but I doubt that in real life there will be significant difference.

From a user point of view I think that scheme: "stop - present credential - see gates opening - start moving" is better than "present credentials on the go - be stopped by gates -try to reach the reader through the people stacked behind you".

Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 03:49am

Did I say somewhere that it is an improvement?

Did I say somewhere you did? :)

But, I am actually wondering what the Soviets had in mind when they rolled this thing out. Was it intended to speed things up, save power, or just whack people in the crotch at random to keep 'em guessing?

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 05/06/16 04:09am

It was chosen from 32 projects in 1957 and I believe this choice was based on the level of technology at that time.

Now it depends on a country and city. This photo is from the Moscow subway.

Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 04:38am

Why are they closed?

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 05/06/16 04:59am

Because it is a different type.

Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 08:00am

Although looking vaguely Egyptian, this is yet another Russian turnstile innovation, though a bit lower-tech.

Apparently most fare jumpers are male...

Avatar

Scott Gerrels

IPVMU Certified | 05/05/16 05:42pm

I like this approach where life safety codes make it difficult to put in a traditional turnstile

Avatar

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC
05/05/16 10:45pm

As a man, I'm not comfortable with anything flying towards my nether regions.

Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 05/06/16 12:51am

As a man, I'm not comfortable with anything flying towards my nether regions.

As Konstantin says above, it's only painful when it hits you.

As for the dFlow, it's an adaptive response based on real-time data from 3d sensors, so you should be fine. Anyway, if I'm not mistaken that board is sourced from the leader in the field, Johnson Controls, whose name speaks for itself.

Horace Lasell

05/06/16 12:32am

Eagerly looking forward to their Yosemite Sam trapdoor variant!

Avatar

Scott Gerrels

IPVMU Certified | 05/06/16 01:11am

Am I the only one who likes the potential in this approach? I have run into projects that life safety codes prohibited anything other than an optical approach rather than physical - this would probably work in that application.

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Scott Gerrels | 05/06/16 02:12am

Can you please clarify what difference from the point of life safety codes you see between this product and other turnstiles?

If it is Card In/Out then there has to be an emergency door (or alternative) because even dFlow wings are not closed they will close in front of a person without the right credential. If it is Card In only then again there is no difference between turnstiles because all of them will allow free egress.

Am I missing something?

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 02:17am

dFlow has a fire-alarm override contact and can be used in 'card-in' configurations only.

Avatar

Scott Gerrels

IPVMU Certified | 05/06/16 03:38am

The turnstiles in the dflow videos I saw look like they are meant to keep people from entering unauthorized and allow free egress - they aren't even deployed until approached without authorization- wonder if you even need to deal with an override in this setup.

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Scott Gerrels | 05/06/16 03:47am

If your customer does not want "physical" then you can propose them something like this

Read this IPVM report for free.

This article is part of IPVM's 6,593 reports, 889 tests and is only available to members. To get a one-time preview of our work, enter your work email to access the full article.

Already a member? Login here | Join now

Related Reports

Drain Wire For Access Control Reader Tutorial on Sep 23, 2020
An easy-to-miss cabling specification plays a key role in access control, yet...
The Insecure Verkada Access Control System on Jun 25, 2020
While Verkada touts the security of its system and that how their new door...
Sunell Panda Cam Body Temperature Measurement Camera Tested on May 14, 2020
Sunell is far less well known than its gargantuan domestic competitors Dahua...
Forced Door Alarms For Access Control Tutorial on Aug 17, 2020
One of the most important access control alarms is also often ignored....
Uniview Deep Learning Camera Tested on Jul 14, 2020
Uniview's intrusion analytics have performed poorly in our shootouts. Now,...
Verkada Speaks On Disrupting Security Sales Channel on Aug 28, 2020
Verkada's fast growth has taken the industry by storm and their enterprise...
US Startup Fever Inspect Examined on Aug 03, 2020
Undoubtedly late to fever cameras, this US company, Fever Inspect, led by a...
The Next Hot Fever Detection Trend - $100 Wall-Mounted Units on Jul 06, 2020
The first wave of the booming fever detecting market was $10,000+ cameras,...
WDR Cheat Sheet and Camera Tracking - 30 Manufacturers on Aug 26, 2020
Manufacturers are regularly cryptic about what WDR support they actually...
Exit Devices For Access Control Tutorial on Aug 25, 2020
Exit Devices, also called 'Panic Bars' or 'Crash Bars' are required by safety...
Injes Tiny Temperature Terminal Tested on Jul 17, 2020
While temperature terminals have trended bigger, the Injes DFace801 is...
Verkada Falsely Claims "First Native Cloud-based Access Control and Video Security Solution" on Jun 18, 2020
Verkada's false claims continue, this time to be the first native cloud-based...
Kentix SmartXcan Fever Screening Device Tested on Jun 22, 2020
German manufacturer Kentix has declared "FEVER-SCREENING REINVENTED" with its...
False: Verkada: "If You Want To Remote View Your Cameras You Need To Punch Holes In Your Firewall" on Jul 31, 2020
Verkada falsely declared to “3,000+ customers”, “300 school districts”, and...
TVT Temperature Measurement Terminal Tested on Jul 23, 2020
While Dahua and Hikvision get the most attention for China temp products,...

Recent Reports

ISC Brasil Digital Experience 2020 Report on Oct 23, 2020
ISC Brasil 2020 rebranded itself to ISC Digital Experience and, like its...
Top Video Surveillance Service Call Problems 2020 on Oct 23, 2020
3 primary and 4 secondary issues stood out as causing the most problems when...
GDPR Impact On Temperature / Fever Screening Explained on Oct 22, 2020
What impact does GDPR have on temperature screening? Do you risk a GDPR fine...
Security And Safety Things (S&ST) Tested on Oct 22, 2020
S&ST, a Bosch spinout, is spending tens of millions of dollars aiming to...
Nokia Fever Screening Claims To "Advance Fight Against COVID-19" on Oct 22, 2020
First IBM, then briefly Clorox, and now Nokia becomes the latest Fortune 500...
Deceptive Meridian Temperature Tablets Endanger Public Safety on Oct 21, 2020
IPVM's testing of and investigation into Meridian Kiosk's temperature...
Honeywell 30 Series and Vivotek NVRs Tested on Oct 21, 2020
The NDAA ban has driven many users to look for low-cost NVRs not made by...
Ubiquiti Access Control Tested on Oct 21, 2020
Ubiquiti has become one of the most widely used wireless and switch providers...
Avigilon Aggressive Trade-In Program Takes Aim At Competitors on Oct 20, 2020
Avigilon has launched one of the most aggressive trade-in programs the video...
Mexico Video Surveillance Market Overview 2020 on Oct 20, 2020
Despite being neighbors, there are key differences between the U.S. and...
Dahua Revenue Grows But Profits Down, Cause Unclear on Oct 20, 2020
While Dahua's overall revenue was up more than 12% in Q3 2020, a significant...
Illegal Hikvision Fever Screening Touted In Australia, Government Investigating, Temperature References Deleted on Oct 20, 2020
The Australian government told IPVM that they are investigating a Hikvision...
Panasonic Presents i-PRO Cameras and Video Analytics on Oct 19, 2020
Panasonic i-PRO presented its X-Series cameras and AI video analytics at the...
Augmented Reality (AR) Cameras From Hikvision and Dahua Examined on Oct 19, 2020
Hikvision, Dahua, and other China companies are marketing augmented reality...
18 TB Video Surveillance Drives (WD and Seagate) on Oct 19, 2020
Both Seagate and Western Digital recently announced 18TB hard drives...