Abstract: The present invention is directed to an access control apparatus and method. Enrollment is conducted at a centralized server and enrollment data, such as identification data is downloaded to plural local access units at respective entrances to a restricted area. The local access units then collect data of a person upon an attempted entry in to the area and compare the data with downloaded enrollment data to determine if the person is authorized for access. If the person is authorized, an access control device is operated to open a door, gate, or the like of the entrance. The enrollment data can be primary biometric data or primary and secondary biometric data, said secondary biometric data can be collected at the local access units. If a secondary type of biometric data is collected at the local access units and is correlated to data stored on the local access unit, data of the same type is compared to the downloaded data for access control.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an access control apparatus and method. Enrollment is conducted at a centralized server and enrollment data, such as identification data is downloaded to plural local access units at respective entrances to a restricted area. The local access units then collect data of a person upon an attempted entry in to the area and compare the data with downloaded enrollment data to determine if the person is authorized for access. If the person is authorized, an access control device is operated to open a door, gate, or the like of the entrance. The enrollment data can be primary biometric data or primary and secondary biometric data, said secondary biometric data can be collected at the local access units. If a secondary type of biometric data is collected at the local access units and is correlated to data stored on the local access unit, data of the same type is compared to the downloaded data for access control.