Customer Experience

Personnel Management Solution kiosk verifies temperature, ID to help locations control visitor access

One way retailers, restaurants and other establishments are addressing temperature and security concerns is with contactless kiosks that automatically identify a consumer and conduct a temperature check before granting access to the premises.

April 29, 2020 by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

While businesses and consumers look forward to the eventual lifting of the stay-at-home mandates prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, there is a good chance consumers will emerge from the pandemic with a higher level of caution about potential exposure to viruses.

That impact is driving big and small enterprises to undertake new measures. Bob Iger, chairman and former CEO of Walt Disney World, told Barron's that having temperature checks could be one way parks can help people feel safe in a post coronavirus world.

But temperature checking needs to be as safe and quick as possible in the amusement and entertainment setting and that's where contactless kiosks, that automatically identify a consumer and conduct a temperature check before granting access to a premise, can play a huge role.

The Personnel Management Solution from Meridian features check-in and temperature verification capabilities that protect the health and safety of employees and guests.

Meridian offers a solution

The Personnel Management Solution from Meridian is a prime technology example as it features check-in and temperature verification capabilities that protect the health and safety of employees and guests. The system checks the body temperature of anyone permitted to enter the facility.

"The majority of the inquiries we have received as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have been more interested in temperature verification and facial recognition rather than more traditional check-in capabilities," Chris Gilder, Meridian CEO and founder, told Kiosk Marketplace.

Persons with normal temperatures are permitted to enter the facility when the kiosk is in "guest" mode. Guest mode can also recognize employees by their facial features, but access is granted to anyone who does not have a fever.

"Recognition" mode, however, only grants access to recognized visitors. The LED light at the top of the kiosk becomes green for a person who passes the face recognition and temperature check. The light becomes red with a message saying access is denied if the person is not recognized or has a high temperature.

The system, available in freestanding and countertop configurations, uses infrared technology to illuminate the face and analyze the person's facial features. Employees and regular visitors can register for repeat access to the facility by providing an ID, name and photo.

In addition, audio alarms can be programmed to sound when persons above a temperature threshold and those without access attempt to enter.

"The kiosk is equipped with an alarm that can be triggered to sound when an individual's temperature exceeds the acceptable threshold or when an unauthorized person attempts to enter," Gilder explained. "The audio aspect of the alarm is built into the head unit of the kiosk and can be silenced if desired."

Users can have their pictures taken and load their photos into the system in 15 to 30 seconds. The user enters their name and gender in the ID field. Once they have registered, their photo appears every time they check in, along with their temperature. The location staff can then review all users by name and photo ID.

"You can quickly register faces at the device itself," Gilder said. "If connected to Mzero Manage, the database is shared through all devices on the client's network. Visitors will be able to register remotely in future releases. You can set the device to allow access to strangers if desired."

Technology benchmarks

"While the technology was certainly available previously, the Personnel Management Kiosk is the first time Meridian has incorporated no-contact temperature verification capabilities into our kiosks," Gilder said.

The Personnel Management Solution also marks Meridian's entry into facial recognition.

Versatile usability

The location has the option of using the check-in screen for temperature only.

The staff can also use the system's "dry contact" loop with an existing badge scanning system so that both temperature check and badge scanning are needed to open the door.

While the system can record the face of the person seeking access, the company advises customers to make sure it complies with privacy laws when using the facial recognition function.

The system does not record any data when a person is denied access, nor does it log access denials.

Versatile connectivity

The system can be plugged into a LAN. It can also connect to a Wi-Fi network, however, the company recommends against using a public Wi-Fi for any self-service device due to the potential lack of security protocols.

To connect to a building security system, a "wiegand pigtail" connector at the bottom of the unit can connect to many door access and security systems.

The system also includes a "dry contact relay" that closes a circuit to trigger a door or a gate. This is separate from the "wiegand pigtail."

The system also supports MiFare contactless cards.

The system has not been HIPAA validated and is not intended for patient diagnosis.

In an era where customer and employee safety are becoming more critical to business, government and leisure facilities, temperature control and facial recognition technologies are taking on greater importance.

Images courtesy of Meridian.

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Meridian's Personnel Management Kiosk
Designed to help protect the health and safety of both employees and guests, Meridian's Personnel Management Kiosk features check-in and temperature verification capabilities. The solution can also be programmed for facial identification. Learn More