Abstract: The access control system according to the present invention provides for the centralized control of the system operating parameters, including all times, access codes, alarms, error messages, and pass-coded indications. The access control system communicates with a plurality of remote card readers, at which point the user enters a code to gain entry into the protected areas. The access control system according to the present invention selectively stores limited information at each card reader location, wherein access control is still maintained, even if the central data system becomes inoperative. Moreover, the communication between the central data system and the plurality of card readers includes data transfers through a plurality of subsystems, each having a data processing program therein. The system according to the present invention provides for efficient communication between asynchronous operating subsystems through the controlled use of a first-in-first-out (FIFO) data register pair.