Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, an access control system that comprises an access control panel coupled to an access control expansion box. The access control panel includes one or more access control boards disposed within a first rack-mount enclosure, each control board providing at least an interface for monitoring and/or controlling access to one or more building entry points or zones via associated sensors and/or intrusion prevention devices, collectively, “security devices.” The access control expansion box includes a plurality of input/output (I/O) boards disposed within a second rack-mount enclosure. The I/O boards provide an interface for at least (i) sending signals received from one or more additional security devices to the control boards, and/or (ii) sending signals received from the control boards to one or more of the additional security devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an access panel that comprises one or more access control boards, each of which provide at least an interface for controlling access to one or more building entry points or zones (via associated sensors) and for monitoring intrusion prevention devices. The access panel includes at least one connector that provides communications coupling between at least one of the control boards and the aforementioned sensors or intrusion prevention devices (e.g., detectors, electrified locks, etc.). That connector permits that coupling without requiring that a field technician, or other person installing the panel at a site, pass wire through the enclosure in order to establish that communications coupling.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a wall-mounted access control panel that includes one or more access control boards, each of which provides at least an interface for monitoring and/or controlling access to one or more building entry points or zones via associated sensors and/or intrusion prevention devices, collectively, “security devices.” The access control panel includes at least one connector disposed internal to the panel that provides communications coupling between at least one of the control boards and the aforementioned security devices (e.g., detectors, electrified locks, etc.). That connector permits such coupling without requiring that a field technician, or other person installing the panel at a site, pass and/or connect wires directly to the control boards from the security devices in order to establish that communications coupling.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, an access control system that comprises an access control panel coupled to an access control expansion box. The access control panel includes one or more access control boards disposed within a first rack-mount enclosure, each control board providing at least an interface for monitoring and/or controlling access to one or more building entry points or zones via associated sensors and/or intrusion prevention devices, collectively, “security devices.” The access control expansion box includes a plurality of input/output (I/O) boards disposed within a second rack-mount enclosure. The I/O boards provide an interface for at least (i) sending signals received from one or more additional security devices to the control boards, and/or (ii) sending signals received from the control boards to one or more of the additional security devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an access panel that comprises one or more access control boards, each of which provide at least an interface for controlling access to one or more building entry points or zones (via associated sensors) and for monitoring intrusion prevention devices. The access panel includes at least one connector that provides communications coupling between at least one of the control boards and the aforementioned sensors or intrusion prevention devices (e.g., detectors, electrified locks, etc.). That connector permits that coupling without requiring that a field technician, or other person installing the panel at a site, pass wire through the enclosure in order to establish that communications coupling.