Patent Publication Number: US-10311664-B2

Title: Multifunctional access control device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/786,103, filed on Oct. 17, 2017 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,083,560, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/886,853, filed on Oct. 19, 2015 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,792,747, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/183,091, filed Jun. 22, 2015, the contents of each application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to multifunctional access control devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present invention relate to access control devices that are adaptable to being configured to be programmed using a plurality of modes of electronic communication. 
     Security management systems often utilized a variety of access control devices to control ingress and/or egress through an entryway. The operation and management of such security management systems typically involves the transmission and/or receipt of certain electronic communications to, as well as between, different access control devices. For example, verification of authorization to unlock an electronic lock device may involve electronic communications being received or retrieved by access control devices from other devices or components of the security management system. Depending on how a particular access control device operates, the security management system may utilize several different devices or components of the security management system that are not part of that access control device in the performance of a function by the access control device, including, for example, other access control devices, an access control panel, and/or wiring, among other devices. Further, in certain situations, the operation and management of a particular access control device may involve electronic communications from several different types of integrated access control devices. However, different components of the security management system may communicate using different communication modes, including, for example, different communication protocols. Accordingly, limitations in the types of communication modes in which an access control device may receive, or retrieve, and/or transmit, information may limit the devices that can communicate, or the manner in which the devices can communicate, with the access control device, and thereby limit which security management systems may use the access control device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is an access control device for controlling the displacement of an entryway device. The access control device includes a plurality of wireless transceivers and a memory for storing instructions, at least a portion of the instructions relating to the displacement of the entryway device. The access control device further includes a processing device that is coupled to the memory. The processing device is adapted to select from three or more of the following programming modes for programming of the access control device: (a) a manual program mode, (b) an off-line managed mode, (c) a wireless off-line management mode, (d) a wireless real-time mode, and/or (e) off-line real-time mode. 
     Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is an electronic lock device that includes a lock mechanism, at least a portion of the lock mechanism being selectively displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The electronic lock device also include an input/output device that is adapted to receive instructions from two or more external devices for execution by a processing device of the electronic lock device in three or more of the following programming modes: (a) a manual program mode, (b) an off-line managed mode, (c) a wireless off-line management mode, (d) a wireless real-time mode, and/or (e) off-line real-time mode. 
     Additionally, an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is an access control device that includes a credential reading interface structured to read at least one type of credential. The access control device also include an input/output device that is adapted to receive instructions from two or more external devices for execution by a processing device of the access control device in three or more of the following programming modes: (a) a manual program mode, (b) an off-line managed mode, (c) a wireless off-line management mode, (d) a wireless real-time mode, and/or (e) off-line real-time mode. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description herein makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary security management system. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic representation of various possible connections between components of the exemplary security management system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic of an exemplary access control device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary procedure for configuring an access control device to communicate in at least one of a plurality of communication modes. 
     
    
    
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     Certain terminology is used in the foregoing description for convenience and is not intended to be limiting. Words such as “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “first,” and “second” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one of” followed by a list of two or more items, such as “A, B or C,” means any individual one of A, B or C, as well as any combination thereof. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary security management system  100 . As illustrated, the security management system  100  includes a plurality of access control devices  102 , which in this example can include one or more lockset devices  104 , door closers  106 , and reader devices  108 , and/or a combination thereof. However, the number and types of access control devices  102  may vary for different security management systems  100 . For example, according to certain embodiments, the security management system  100  can also include, in addition to or in lieu of other access control devices  102 , one or more exit devices and/or payment terminals, among other access control devices  102 . 
     At least some types of access control devices  102  may be involved with controlling, managing, and/or facilitating the displacement, including authorization to displace, an entryway device  110  from closed position to an open position, and/or from an open position to a closed position, and thereby at least assist in controlling ingress/egress through the associated entryway(s)  112 . For example, according to certain embodiments, at least one access control device  102  may be a lockset device  104 , such as, but not limited to, an electronic lock device, that includes a lock mechanism  114  that may include, for, example, a displaceable bolt and/or a latch, that is displaceable between locked and unlocked position to selectively lockingly engage the adjacent door frame, wall, and/or mating components that are coupled or mounted to/in the adjacent door frame and/or wall. Similarly, according to other embodiments, the access control devices  102  may include of an exit device having a push bar or push pad that is coupled to a lock mechanism that includes a latch assembly. According to such an embodiment, the operable displacement of the push bar or pad can facilitate the displacement of a latch of the latch assembly from an extended, locked position to a retracted, unlocked position. 
     The door closer  106  can be configured to at least provide a force that assists in the displacement of the entryway device  110 . For example, the door closer  106  may provide a force that at least assists the displacement of the entryway device  110  from an open position to the closed position. Thus, certain door closers  106  may be structured to automatically return an opened, or partially opened, entryway device  110  to the closed position, and thereby remove the need for manual closing by a user. Conversely, according to certain embodiments, the door closer  106  may be set to resist the displacement of the entryway device  110  from at least one of the open and closed positions by a user. 
     The reader device  108  may receive or detect identification information in connection with a determination of whether displacement of the entryway device  110  and/or ingress/egress through the entryway  112  generally is, or is not, authorized. According to certain embodiments, the reader device  108  is a credential reader that retrieves or detects credential information on or from a credential device  116 , such as, for example, a credential on a card or badge, among other credential devices  116 . For example, certain reader devices  108  may include a credential reading interface structured to read at least one type of credential, including, but not limited to, a prox and/or NFC (i.e., smart card). However, the reader device  108  may receive identification information in a variety of other manners, including, for example, through the use of a fingerprint or retinal scan, keypad entry, and/or wireless communication. The identification information provided to, or retrieved by, the reader device  108  may be evaluated by the reader device  108  or another device of the security management system  100  in connection with determining whether the credential and/or associated user has permission or authorization to operate components of the security management system  100 , such as, for example, to unlock the lock mechanism  114  of an associated access control device  102  and/or to displace the entryway device  110 . 
     The security management system  100  may also include a server  118  that may comprise one or more servers that may communicate with one or more of the access control devices  102  in a variety of different manners, including, for example, over a wide area network (WAN) (e.g. the Internet), a cellular data network, a local area network (LAN), or any combination thereof. According to certain embodiments, the server  118  may include, or comprise, a cloud-based server. However, a variety of other different types of servers may also be used for the server  118 , including, for example, a web-based server. Further, according to certain embodiments, different servers  118  may be used for different purposes, such as, for example, a cloud-based server for installation, maintenance, and/or management of, or relating to, the security management system  100 , the reader device  108 , and/or the credential device  116 , and another, different server, such as, for example, a web-based server, may be used for other purposes, such as, for example, general, day-to-day usage and/or operation of one or more of the access control devices  102 . 
     The server  118  may be configured to store a variety of different information, including, for example, user lists, access logs, and information related to each credential device  116 , such as, for example, access permissions for each credential device  116  corresponding to each user in the user lists, a location, status, and/or type identifiers for each credential device  116  and/or reader device  108 , and/or any other information for the system  100 . As discussed below, according to certain embodiments, a portion of such information stored by the server(s)  118  may be received or retrieved by one or more of the access control devices  102  in connection with the programming the access control device  102 , including, for example, programming, updating, or operation of the access control devices  102 . The server  118  may further include non-transitory computer executable instructions to perform various operations in the form of an application. The various operations may include, but are not limited to, functionality to program one or more of the access control devices  102 , verify access permissions received from the credential devices  116  at each reader device  108 , determine a communication protocol or mode that is to be used to communicate information to devices of the security management system  100 , issue commands for the access control device  102  to establish a direct or indirect connection to the server  118 , and updating the server  118  user lists, access permissions, adding and/or removing reader devices  108  for/from the system  100 , among other operations. 
     The security management system  100  may also include one or more mobile or portable electronic devices  120  such as, for example, personal electronic devices, including, but not limited to, a smartphone and a tablet computer, and the like. The mobile electronic device  120  may be in communication with one or more of the access control devices  102  in a variety of different manners, including, for example, via a wireless communication protocol such as WI-FI and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The access control device  102  may send to the mobile electronic device  120  a variety of different types of information, such as, for example, device identification information, diagnostic results, usage data, and the like, among other types of information. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the mobile electronic device  120  may communicate with the server  118 . For example, the mobile electronic device  120  may send a variety of different types of information to the server  118 , such as, for example, identification information relating to the owner of the mobile electronic device  120 , information identifying the access control device(s)  102  to which the mobile electronic device  120  is communicating, or attempting to communicate, with, firmware updates, information regarding activation or deactivation of components or access control devices  102 , and/or information retrieved from the access control device  102 , among other information. 
     The security management system  100  may also include a host  122  that is used to control and/or manage the operations of the security management system  100 . The host  122  may include any type of computing device, such as, for example, a laptop or desktop computer, or a mobile electronic device, among other computing devices, that includes a memory and a processor sufficient in size and operation to store and manipulate a database and one or more applications for communicating with the other devices of the security management system  100 , as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 1B . For example, according to certain uses, a company, facility, or entity may utilize the host  122  to manage and oversee the operations of the security management system  100 , including, for example, establishing authorization of certain credentials and/or users, establishing times for access control devices  102  to seek updates, setting parameters regarding time periods during which entryway devices  110  may be displaced from their respective closed position, and/or monitoring and analyzing information pertaining to the usage of components of the security management system  100 . 
     According to certain embodiments, the security management system  100  may include a gateway  124  that may be used to establish communications between the host  122  and one or more of the access control devices  102 . According to the illustrated embodiment, the host  122  is a WAN/LAN-based host that communicates with the gateway  124  via an Ethernet WAN/LAN connection. Additionally, the gateway  124  can communicate with one or more access control devices  102  using one or more wireless protocols. For example, according to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the gateway  124  includes multiple transceivers that can communicate with one or more access control devices  102  using two or more wireless protocols, including, but not limited to, WI-FI, Bluetooth (including Bluetooth low energy (BLE)), Zigbee, Near Field Communication (NFC), and/or IEEE 802.15. Thus, according to certain embodiments, the gateway  124  may include at least a first transceiver  126   a  that communicates with one or more access control devices  102  via a first wireless protocol, and a second transceiver  126   b  that communicates with the one or more access control devices  102  via a second wireless protocol, the first wireless protocol being a different type of wireless protocol than the second wireless protocol. Thus, for example, according to certain embodiments, the first transceiver  126   a  may be a low energy Bluetooth (BLE) transceiver, while the second transceiver  126   b  is a WI-FI transceiver. The first and/or second transceivers  126   a ,  126   b , and thus the associated wireless communication protocol, selected for a particular communication with the access control device(s)  102  may depend on a variety of factors. For example, in at least certain situations, communications that may involve the transfer of a relatively large amount of data, such as, for example firmware updates, may be transmitted using the transceiver  126   a ,  126   b  that uses the wireless protocol that provides additional or larger bandwidth. Accordingly, in the illustrated example, communications that may involve a relatively large amount of data may be transmitted via the second, WI-FI transceiver  126   b  rather than the first, BLE transceiver  126   a , as the WI-FI connection, when compared to BLE, WI-FI may provide additional bandwidth. Another consideration, among others, in the selection of wireless protocol to use for a communication by may be the amount of energy or power that will be used in the connection and/or communication, particularly for access control devices  102  that are powered by a battery. More specifically, according to the illustrated example, in situations in which differences in available bandwidth may be less significant, the first, BLE transceiver  126   a , which can have lower anticipated power consumption than a WI-FI connection and/or communication, may be utilized for the connection and/or communication between the gateway  124  and the access control device  102 . 
     The circuitry in the various devices of the security management system  100  may also be configured to provide appropriate signal conditioning to transmit and receive desired information (data) from other devices used in or by the system  100 . Thus, for example, devices of the security management system  100  can include filters, amplifiers, limiters, modulators, demodulators, CODECs, digital signal processing, and/or different circuitry or functional components, among other components, that may facilitate the transmission and/or receipt of such communications. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic of an exemplary access control device  102 . As illustrated, the access control device  102  can include a processing device  128 , an input/output device  130 , operating logic  132 , and a memory  134  that may or may not be part of the processing device  128 . The input/output device  130  allows the access control device  102  to communicate with one or more external devices  134 , which may be any type of device that allows data to be inputted or outputted from the access control device  102 . For example, according to certain embodiments, the external device  136  may include a server  118 , host  122 , or mobile electronic device  120 , and/or other access control devices  102  of the security management system  100 . Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the external device  136  may be a switch, a router, a firewall, a server, a database, a networking device, a controller, a computer, a processing system, a printer, a display, an alarm, an illuminated indicator such as a status indicator, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch screen display. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the external device  136  may be integrated into the access control device  102 . It is further contemplated that there may be more than one external device  102  in communication with the access control device  102 . 
     According to certain embodiments, the input/output device  130  includes one or more transceivers  126   a ,  126   b , a network adapter, a network card, an interface, and/or a port, such as, for example, a USB port, serial port, parallel port, an analog port, a digital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI, FireWire, CAT 5, or any other type of port or interface. Further, the input/output device  130  may include hardware, software, and/or firmware. Additionally, it is contemplated that the input/output device  130  can include more than one of these adapters, cards, or ports. As shown in  FIG. 2 , according to certain embodiments, the input/output device  130  may include at least first and second transceivers  126   a ,  126   b  that are configured for communication with the host  122  using the previously discussed first and second wireless protocols. Additionally, as depicted in  FIG. 1B , according to certain embodiments, the input/output device  130  may also be structured to communicate with a server  118 , such as, for example, a cloud server, via an Internet Protocol (IP) connection over the Internet. 
     The processing device  128  of the access control device  102  can be a programmable type, a dedicated, hardwired state machine, or any combination of these. The processing device  128  may further include multiple processors, Arithmetic-Logic Units (ALUs), Central Processing Units (CPUs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), or the like. Processing devices  128  with multiple processing units may utilize distributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing. The processing device  128  may be dedicated to performance of just the operations described herein or may be utilized in one or more additional applications. In the depicted form, processing device  128  is of a programmable variety that executes algorithms and processes data in accordance with operating logic  132  as defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware) stored in memory  134 . Alternatively, or additionally, the operating logic  132  for the processing device  128  is at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware. The processing device  128  may include one or more components of any type suitable to process the signals received from input/output device  130  or elsewhere, and to provide desired output signals. Such components may include digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a combination of both. 
     The memory  134  may be of one or more types, such as a solid-state variety, electromagnetic variety, optical variety, or a combination of these forms. Further, the memory  134  can be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of these types, and some or all of the memory  134  can be of a portable variety, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge, or the like. In addition, the memory  134  can store data that is manipulated by the operating logic  132  of the processing device  128 , such as data representative of signals received from and/or sent to the input/output device  130  in addition to or in lieu of storing programming instructions defining the operating logic  132 , just to name one example. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the memory  134  may be included with the processing device  128  and/or coupled to the processing device  128 . 
     The access control device  102  is reconfigurable so that an administrator can configure or otherwise program the access control device  102  to operate in a plurality of modes of communication. More particularly, the access control device  102  may be adaptable to its environment, which can include its communication environment, such that the access control device  102  is able to be programmed, operated, and/or retrieve, receive, or communicate information in a variety of different modes or manners. In such situations, the adaptability of the access control device  102  to different modes of operation and/or communication may enhance the versatility of the access control device  102 , and thereby allow, for example, the access control device  102  to be used in a variety of different types of security management systems, adjust to changes in the associated security management system  100 , and/or increase the number and/or types of devices that the access control device  102  may communicate with, as well as accommodate for different modes of communication. 
     For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, the access control device  102  may be structured to be programmed in a first mode in which the access control device  102  is a manually programmed device. For example, in such situations, the access control device  102  can be manually programmed by a user or operator of the security management system  100 . Similarly, each access control device  102  that is operating in the first mode may be manually, and separately or individually, programmed. For example, with the access control device  102  operating in the first mode, a technician may program the access control device  102  by manually entering information into the input/output device  130  of the access control device  102 . Thus, in certain situations, the user or technician may utilize a keypad, touch screen, or other input mechanism of the input/output device  130  of the access control device  102 . According to other embodiments, when in the first mode, manual programming of the access control device  102  may include the user to technician manually entering information, such as, for example, codes on the mobile electronic device  120 , and that information being communicated from the mobile electronic device  120  by the access control device  102  that is being programmed. 
     According to the illustrated embodiment, the access control device  102  may be structured to be programmed using a second mode in which the access control device  102  is an off-line managed device that is managed via use of the mobile electronic device  120 . According to such an embodiment, information from the host  122  and/or server  118 , as well as information from the access control device  102 , may be stored on the mobile electronic device  120 . The information stored on the mobile electronic device  120  may have been retrieved and/or received by the mobile electronic device  120  in a variety of different manners. For example, according to certain embodiments, the information may have been communicated to the mobile electronic device  120  from the host  122  and/or the server  118 , including, for example, via a WAN/LAN connection. Further, when the access control device  102  is an off-line managed device, the mobile electronic device  120  may communicate the stored information from the host  122  and/or server  118  to the access control device  102 , as well as information from other access control devices  102 , in a variety of manners other than through a WI-FI connection. For example, according to certain embodiments, when the access control device  102  is in the second mode, information may be communicated to the access control device  102 , and/or between the access control device  102  and the mobile electronic device  120 , through the use of a wireless protocol(s) that may, when compared to WI-FI connections, utilize less electrical power. Accordingly, use of a wireless protocol other than WI-FI, such as, for example, BLE, may at least assist in conserving the energy consumed from a battery of a battery-operated access control device  102 . Further, according to certain embodiments, when in the second mode, the mobile electronic device  120  may communicate with more than one access control devices  102  using a wireless protocol(s) other than WI-FI. 
     A third mode for programming the access control device  102  may, like the second mode, be an off-line mode. However, with the third mode, the access control device  102  can be programmed via a WI-FI connection with the host  122  and/or the server  118 . For example, according to certain embodiments, the host  122  may, via the gateway  124 , communicate to/with the access control device  102  over a WI-FI connection. Further, such connections between the access control device  102  and the host  122  and/or server may be periodic. For example, such communications may be a pre-scheduled occurrence, or may be triggered by the occurrence of a particular event or command. By being periodic, programming or otherwise programming the access control device  102  via the third mode may at least attempt to minimize the energy consumed during the transfer of information and/or the associated communication(s) and/or programming. For example, according to certain embodiments, the access control device  102  may wake-up on a periodic schedule to download updated information from the host  122  and/or the server  118 , including information relating to authorization of credentials and/or users to operate components of the security management system  100 , among other information. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, use of the third mode for programming the access control device  102  may be initiated by an event, such as, for example, the access control device  102  receiving a command from the host  122  and/or server  118 . Alternatively, such a command may be received by the mobile electronic device  120  from the host  122  and/or server  118 , and communicated from the mobile electronic device  120  to the access control device  102 . Further, the event may be a situation or occurrence at one or more of the access control devices  102  of the security management system  100 , such as, for example, a credential being detected by a reader device  108 , among other events. 
     According to certain embodiments, a fourth mode used in programming the access control device  102  may be an online real-time mode in which the gateway  124  can communicate information from the host  122  and/or server  118  directly to the access control device  102 , and vice versa, via one of a plurality of available wireless protocols. According to such a mode, the host  122  and/or the server  118  may provide information, such as, for example, firmware or an access control database, among other information, that the gateway  124  communicates to the access control device  102 . Further, the access control device  102  may communicate status updates and other information to the gateway  124  in real-time. Further, as previously discussed, according to certain embodiments, communications between the access control device  102  and the gateway  124  may include the selection of a wireless protocol from a plurality of available wireless protocols. For example, as previously discussed, according to certain embodiments, the gateway  124  and the access control devices  102  may be able to communicate with WI-FI and BLE. According to such an embodiment, the WI-FI connection, and associated larger bandwidth, may be utilized for communications involving relatively large amount or size of information, such as, for example, firmware updates, and a BLE connection may, be utilized for communications of involving relatively same amounts or sizes of data, such as, for example, the access control device  102  communicating status updates. 
     According to certain embodiments, a fifth mode used in programming the access control device  102  may be an off-line real-time mode in which the mobile electronic device  120  may retrieve or receive, in real-time, information from the host  122  and/or the server  118 . The mobile electronic device  120  may then communicate the received information to the access control device  102 . Thus, according to such a mode, the mobile electronic device  120  may act as the network access point. For example, according to certain embodiments, the mobile electronic device  120  may pull or otherwise retrieve information in real-time from the host  122  and/or server  118 , and communicated the pulled or retrieved information to the access control device  102 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary process  300  for configuring an access control device  102 . The operations illustrated for all of the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and operations may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. 
     At operation  302 , the access control device  102  may, if not already, be powered on. At operation  304 , a determination maybe made that a connection is to be made between the access control device  102  and one or more devices of the security management system  100 , such as, for example, a connection between the access control device and the gateway  124 , the server  118 , the mobile electronic device  120 , the host  122 , and/or another access control device  102 . For example, according to certain embodiments, the determination may be the occurrence of a particular event and/or the arrival of a predetermined time at which the access control device  102  is to connect, either directly or indirectly, with another component of the security management system  100 . The determination to make a connection with the access control device  102  may also be made by a component of the security management system  100  other than, or in addition to, the access control device  102 . For example, the server  118 , host  122 , and/or the mobile electronic device  120  may determine that those devices, among others, of the security management system  100  have information that is to be received or retrieved by the access control device  102 . Thus, in such situations, those devices  118 ,  120 ,  122  may determine that a direct or indirect connection is to be established with the access control device  102  that will facilitate the transfer of information to, or from, the access control device  102 . 
     At operation  306 , the mode that is to be utilized in programming the access control device  102  may be selected. The selection of the mode for programming the access control device  102  may be based on a variety of different criteria, including, for example, the device(s) that will be connected to the access control device  102 , whether the connection of those devices to the access control device  102  is direct or indirect, the available communication protocols, the type, size and/or amount of information being communicate, the electrical energy or power that may (or may not) be consumed in the communication(s) and/or programming, whether the communication is to be (or is not to be) a real-time communication, and/or the time of the communication, among other considerations. Further, the selection of the mode that is to be used in programming the access control device  102  may be made by one or more devices of the security management system  100 , including, but not limited to, the server  118 , host  122 , gateway  124 , mobile electronic device  120 , and/or the access control device  102 . 
     At operation  308 , a connection may be established with the access control device  102  and one or more other components of the security management system  100 . At operation  310 , the access control device  102  retrieves and/or receives information for programming using one of the following, and previously discussed, modes: a manually programmed device; an off-line managed device via mobile device; a wireless off-line device via Wi-Fi; a wireless real-time device via gateway; and/or an off-line real-time device via mobile device. For example, at operation  310 , the access control device  102  receives or retrieves the configuration information according to one of the above modes selected from operation  306  and configures itself with the information. At operation  312 , the access control device  102  may utilized the information received to retrieved from the other devices from operation  310 , such as, for example apply and/or execute updated access information and/or firmware, among other information. Further, in at least certain instances, following operation  312 , the operation  300  may return to operation  304 , wherein the access control device  102  and/or other devices of the security management system  100  may await for the occurrence of a determination or event that may facilitate the connection of the access control device  102  with the same or other devices of the security management system  100 . Additionally, in at least certain situations, following operation  312 , the operation  300  may proceed back to operation  310 , wherein the access control device  102  may receive more configuration information, which may, or may not, occur in a mode that is the same or different with the mode selected from the prior operation  306 . 
     It is contemplated that the various aspects, features, computing devices, processes, and operations from the various embodiments may be used in any of the other embodiments unless expressly stated to the contrary. 
     The various aspects of the processes in the present application may be implemented in instructions or operating logic  132  as operations by software, hardware, artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, or any combination thereof, or at least partially performed by a user or operator. In certain embodiments, operations represent software elements as a computer program encoded on a computer readable medium, wherein the access control device  102  performs the described operations when executing the computer program. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under the law. Furthermore it should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one” and “at least a portion” are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.