Method and apparatus for controlling access to a vehicle

摘要

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for controlling access to a vehicle, for example an ambulance, using combined biometric authorisation of a person and detection of a patient transport apparatus to actuate vehicle doors to unlock. The method comprises: capturing an image of an area in the vicinity of the vehicle 225; analysing the captured image; detecting if the captured images contain both at least one person 205 and a patient transport apparatus 215; determining if the at least one person is authorised to access the vehicle; selectively controlling a locking mechanism of the vehicle if an authorised person and a patient transport apparatus are both detected. The patient transport apparatus may be a stretcher, wheelchair or dolly, and a ramp may be extended or a lift lowered depending upon the type of patient transport apparatus detected. An internal parameter of the vehicle, such as the temperature, may be controlled depending upon the detection of the authorised person or an external environment parameter. The correct positioning and harnessing of the person on the patient transport apparatus may also be detected, with a log kept in a memory of any breaches of protocol.