Smartcard Offline Access Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physical access control systems (PACS) face challenges in updating access control information at offline entry/exit points, which is cumbersome and often requires manual updates, leading to inefficiencies and potential overload of controllers.
Innovation Solution
A PACS design that includes an online and offline portion, with a smartcard capable of transferring access control information between the two, allowing for automated updates and reducing the need for manual database modifications at each offline reader.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access control information is stored centrally in an online PACS database, then security and control are improved, but updating offline readers becomes cumbersome and requires manual database modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads access control information from the central online database into offline readers before they are needed at remote locations. This preliminary action allows offline readers to have up-to-date access control data without requiring real-time connection or manual updates, resolving the contradiction between centralized security control and ease of offline operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (portable storage device or communication interface) that transfers access control information from the online database to offline readers. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling automated information synchronization without requiring direct manual intervention at each offline reader location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If offline readers are equipped with replicated master databases, then offline access control capability is improved, but device complexity and update difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary access control information from the full master database and transfers it to offline readers in a simplified format. This extraction approach provides offline readers with sufficient capability to perform access control functions without burdening them with the complete database structure, thus improving offline capability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified copies of access control data specifically tailored for offline readers, rather than replicating the entire master database. These copies contain only the essential information needed for offline operation, improving versatility while keeping the offline reader structure simple and manageable.
3Extent of automation
If controllers are used to manage access control information, then centralized control is improved, but controller overload occurs during updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control information update process into multiple smaller transactions distributed across different time periods and locations. Instead of updating all offline readers simultaneously through the central controller, the system divides the update task into manageable segments that can be processed sequentially or in parallel, preventing controller overload while maintaining centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic updates of access control information to offline readers rather than attempting single-batch updates. This periodic action allows the central controller to distribute update tasks over time, avoiding overload conditions while maintaining automated centralized control of the access control system.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved physical access control system has an online portion and an offline portion. A smartcard is configurable to transport access control information between the online portion and offline portion. The smartcard is further configurable to receive an offline reader identifier from an offline reader, and to control access of the smartcard holder to an offline entry/exit point. The smartcard is further configurable to carry a revoked list that is transmitted to each offline reader accessed. Methods of operating the improved physical access control system are also disclosed.