Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an access control system includes a data communications network, a first access device coupled to the network, a network switching device (switch) configured for operation on the data communications network with one or more access devices. The switch includes at least one processor configured to operate in accordance with firmware instructions, a first memory configured to store the firmware instructions, and a second memory configured to store access information. The firmware instructions are configured to cause the switch to, in response to a communication containing an access request including at least user identification information received from a first access device: make a comparison of the user identification information from the access request with access information stored in the second memory, make an access decision based on the comparison; and transmit the access decision to at least the first access device over the network.

Abstract: An event-based recording access control and security management system includes an access control system having one or more access control devices, a recording system having one or more recording devices, a first gateway configured to generate a message identifying time of occurrence of a hardware event representative of operation of an access control device, and an event video recorder (EVR) configured to command information capture by a recording device of the recording system based on the hardware event, and to associate the captured information with the message by including in the message a timestamp of the hardware event and of the information capture.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification system includes a transponder and a transponder reader. The transponder, responsive to an interrogation signal continuously transmitted by the transponder reader, generates a transponder signal modulated by an identification signal readable by the transponder reader. The identification signal includes a synchronization portion, a data portion, an output format identification portion, and an error detection portion. The output format identification portion is used by the reader to configure itself for communication with an attached controller. In another aspect of the invention, the transponder reader may be configured to read FSK as well as PSK encoded signals from the transponder.

Abstract: An access control device controller and method of operation are provided which provide in a first aspect of the invention, a novel way in which to set controller network addresses providing a visually perceivable digital readout to assist installers in setting the correct address, in a second aspect of the invention, automatic configuration of end of line termination resistors, line biasing resistors and earth ground connection to the network medium shield, in a third aspect of the invention, automatic configuration of a controller/host computer data communications link, in a fourth aspect of the invention, a novel method and apparatus for monitoring ambient RF noise levels, and in a fifth aspect of the invention, a novel method of detecting environmental conditions likely to lead to a system failure.