Remote Application Execution on Access Control Readers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security systems require frequent configuration and reporting, often necessitating administrator intervention, limiting user access and control, especially in distributed office environments where access control readers need to be configured and reconfigured over their operational lifetimes.
Innovation Solution
Enabling users to run remote applications on access control readers, allowing system administrators to create groups with varying access levels and assign applications, enabling users to invoke and execute these applications directly on the devices, thereby providing localized control and reporting capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If administrators configure access control readers remotely, then user autonomy is reduced and administrative burden increases, but system security and control are maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides application functionality into separate modules that can be independently assigned to different user groups. Each remote application represents a segmented functional unit (e.g., reporting, configuration, monitoring) that can be selectively enabled or disabled for specific user groups, allowing granular control without requiring full system access for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
Different user groups are assigned different sets of remote applications based on their specific needs and security clearances. The access control reader dynamically loads and displays only the applications relevant to the authenticated user, providing localized functionality tailored to each user's role while maintaining centralized security management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple user groups with different access levels are supported, then system versatility improves, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access control reader is designed with universal capability to support multiple user groups with different access levels. The system includes a universal application server that can host multiple remote applications and a configuration mechanism that works across all user groups, allowing the same hardware platform to serve diverse functional requirements through software configuration rather than hardware differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
User groups and their associated remote applications are pre-configured on the application server before users need access. The system administrator can set up multiple user groups, define their access levels, and assign appropriate remote applications in advance. When users authenticate, the system automatically retrieves their pre-assigned applications without requiring real-time configuration decisions.
3Ease of operation
If remote applications are executed on the access control reader, then user control capability improves, but device processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The application server acts as an intermediary between the user and the access control reader. Instead of executing complex applications directly on the resource-constrained reader, the system transmits lightweight remote application interfaces to the reader, which then communicate with the full-featured application server for actual processing. This architecture enables rich user control capabilities while keeping the reader's processing requirements minimal.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for enabling users to run remote applications on access control readers located throughout office buildings. A system administrator creates different remote applications groups such as admin, engineer or cardholder and then assigns users to one of the remote application groups. Users are then able to run the remote applications assigned to their remote application group from any of the access control readers located throughout the office building.