Patent Publication Number: US-9852557-B2

Title: Physical access control system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments herein relate to a physical access control system (PACS) and specifically to configuration of a reader in a PACS. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A typical PACS that is arranged at a site or building comprises a number of reader devices located at individual access points such as doors, gates etc. Other PACS components such as door contacts, electric strikes and exit buttons are usually arranged together with readers at access points. The readers are typically configured to be interacted with by means of an electronic tag that holds information related to a person that is in possession of the tag and the access rights and restrictions associated with the person holding the tag in the PACS. The electronic tag may be of several form factors, including a card. Tags and readers may operate according to any appropriate standard, including standards such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC). Readers are connected, possibly via intermediate devices such as control panels, to a control unit. Data processing takes place in the control unit when a person presents a tag to a reader and thereby provides information via the reader to the control unit. 
     Even though a major part of the data processing involved in access control takes place in the control unit, a reader comprises processing and memory circuitry that is necessary for the reader to operate in the PACS. For example, a reader may contain computer code in the form of so-called firmware as well as other configuration data that is needed for being able to, e.g., communicate with tags as well as providing status information such as a battery charging level or other self-diagnostics that the control unit may need in order to control the PACS in a desirable way. 
     From time to time, the configuration of a reader may need correction or updating. Such correction or updating is achieved in present day PACSs by means of designated, i.e. special, tags that contain corrected or updated information that the reader reads when the designated tag is presented to the reader. This means that an operator who desires to update or correct the configuration of one ne or more readers will have to visit each and every reader at respective locations and present the special tag to the reader. Needless to say this will mean that, in a large PACS with a large number of readers distributed over a large area such as a multi-story building, the operator will have to spend an undesirable amount of time and effort. 
     A prior art system and method for remotely assigning and revoking access credentials using a near field communication equipped mobile phone is disclosed in US patent application publication 2006/0224901. 
     Some prior art systems, such as the “RFID access control reader with enhancements” disclosed in US patent application publication 2013/0214899 and “Cloud secure channel access control” disclosed in the international patent application publication WO 2013/110074, involve equipping a reader with a communication capability such that the reader connects to a remote computer server that provides configuration information to the reader. A drawback of such a system is that it requires comparably advanced processing capabilities for handling such communication. 
     Another prior art reader device and associated method is disclosed in the European patent application publication EP 2800067. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to overcome or at least mitigate at least some of the drawbacks related to configuration of a reader in a PACS. 
     This object is achieved in one aspect by a method performed by a control unit in a PACS. The PACS comprises at least one reader and the method comprises a number of actions that begin with obtaining a first indication that the at least one reader requires reader configuration information. In response to the first indication, the control unit obtains the required reader configuration information. A protocol with which the at least one reader is capable of communicating with the control unit is determined and the required reader configuration information is then interpreted into protocol specific data. Using the determined protocol, the control unit then transmits the protocol specific data to the at least one reader. The protocol with which the at least one reader is capable of communicating with the control unit may in various embodiments be any of a Wiegand protocol and an open supervised device protocol, OSDP, based protocol as well as any proprietary or open protocol, clock/data based or message based protocol. 
     The obtaining of said first indication comprises reception, from a user interface in the control unit, user input that indicates that the at least one reader requires said reader configuration information. Furthermore, prior to the reception of the user input that indicates that the at least one reader requires said reader configuration information, an internet protocol, IP, address is provided to the at least one reader of the control unit for displaying in a user interface in the at least one reader. 
     That is, configuration of a reader in a PACS is achieved in a simple way without using a cumbersome and expensive distribution of special configuration cards, and unnecessary cost of electronic circuitry and infrastructure for communication with a computer server is avoided. This advantage is easy to appreciate, particularly in scenarios where a large and already existing PACS having a large number of older and, typically, simple readers are to be configured or updated with new firmware. For example, in older PACS the communication capability of readers does not enable the readers to communicate with computer servers due to the fact that there is no Internet protocol (IP) communication stack existing in such readers. 
     In some embodiments, the obtaining of the first indication may comprise receiving the first indication from the at least one reader. 
     The reader may display the IP address in a suitable way to a user who is present at the reader. The user may then, by using a portable computer, tablet or smartphone etc., communicate via an internet connection with the control unit and thereby perform actions related to the reader. An advantage of such a procedure can be appreciated when considering a large PACS. A large PACS may comprise hundreds of readers and several tens of control units. A user who is present at a reader may, in these embodiments, obtain direct information in the form of the displayed IP address about which of the control units the reader is connected to. 
     In some embodiments, the obtaining of the required reader configuration information may comprise retrieving information from a database connected to the control unit. 
     In some embodiments, the reader configuration information may comprise any of a set of computer instructions that are executable by a processor in the at least one reader and at least one parameter value for use by the reader when executing computer instructions. For example, reader firmware and smartcard/smart tag configuration. 
     In another aspect there is provided a control unit for use in a PACS, said PACS comprising at least one reader. The control unit comprises a processor, a memory and input/output circuitry. The memory contains instructions executable by the processor whereby the control unit is operative to obtain a first indication that the at least one reader requires reader configuration information, obtain, in response to said first indication, the required reader configuration information, determine a protocol with which the at least one reader is capable of communicating with the control unit, interpret the required reader configuration information into protocol specific data, and transmit, to the at least one reader, using the determined protocol, the protocol specific data. 
     The control unit is operative such that the obtaining of said first indication comprises reception, from a user interface in the control unit, user input that indicates that the at least one reader requires said reader configuration information. Furthermore, the control unit is operative to provide, prior to the reception of the user input that indicates that the at least one reader requires said reader configuration information, an internet protocol, IP, address to the at least one reader of the control unit for displaying in a user interface in the at least one reader. 
     In yet another aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor in a control unit, cause the control unit to carry out the method as summarized above. 
     In yet another aspect there is provided a carrier comprising the computer program as summarized above, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal and a computer readable storage medium. 
     These other aspects provide the same effects and advantages as the method aspects summarized above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a PACS, 
         FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a PACS, 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart, 
         FIG. 4  schematically illustrates a block diagram of a control unit, and 
         FIG. 5  schematically illustrates a block diagrams of a control unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates schematically a PACS  100  in which a control unit  101  is connected to a number of readers. A first reader  103  is of a first type, a second reader  105  is of a second type and a third reader  107  is of a third type. The different types of reader may be characterized by hardware features as well as software and communication capability features. For example, the first reader  103  is configured with a user interface  126  that comprises a card reader  127  that is capable of communicating according to, e.g., RFID or NFC standards. The first reader  103  is further characterized in that it is configured to communicate with the control unit  101  via a first protocol  128 . Processing and memory unit  122  controls the first reader in its operation. 
     The second reader  105  is similar to the first reader  103  having user interface, card reader etc. (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) with which a user or operator  160  may interact. A difference with respect to the first reader  103  is that the second reader  105  is configured to communicate via a second protocol  130 . The third reader  107  may be configured to operate and communicate via further protocols. Examples of the protocols  128 ,  130  include Wiegand and OSDP. 
     The readers  103 , 105 , 107  are connected to the control unit  101  via appropriate physical connections  109  that convey information coded according to the first and any second, third and further protocols. For example, the information may be conveyed via the physical connections  109  by means of a physical layer protocol RS-485, as exemplified with reference numerals  113  and  129  in  FIG. 1  as an option, which may carry information in embodiments where, e.g., an OSDP based protocol is utilized. Embodiments where communication takes place by use of a Wiegand protocol, which itself is a physical layer protocol, do not necessitate the use of RS-485. 
     The control unit  101  comprises a processor  102 , memory  104  and a user interface  106 . The control unit  101  further comprises a function block that comprises an interpreter  112  that interfaces a function  111  that provides the first protocol  108 , 128 , and the second protocol  110 , 130  and any number of further communication functions, such as further protocols. 
     As the skilled person will realize, the interpreter  112  and the function  111  that provides the protocols  108 ,  110  may be realized by the processor  102  and the memory  104 . Similarly the processor and memory  122  may realize the corresponding first protocol  128  in the first reader  103 . 
     The user interface  106  may be any suitable combination of software and hardware that provide a user, e.g. the user or operator  160  or any user located at the control unit  101  itself, access to PACS functions executed by the processor  102 , including the embodiments of methods as will be described in some detail below. The control unit  101  may comprise a database  114  that may hold configuration information for the readers  103 ,  105 ,  107  as will be described further below. 
     The control unit  101  is further connected to a communication network  140 , for example an internet connection. Users, such as the user or operator  160  may connect to the control unit  101  via a wireless communication device  162  that uses an interface  142 . As the skilled person will realize, the wireless communication device  162  and the interface  142  may, e.g., operate according to a third generation partnership project (3GPP) standard as well as any appropriate Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard. Moreover, although not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one or more further control units may be operating in connection with the PACS  100 . A system controller  181  may be connected to the PACS  100  and such a system controller  181  may comprise functionality related to the PACS  100 , including a database  115 , similar to the database  114  in the control unit  101 , which may hold configuration information for the readers  103 ,  105 ,  107 . 
     Needless to say, the PACS  100  may comprise a larger number of readers than the readers  103 , 105 , 107 , as indicated by further readers  153  of the first type, further readers  155  of the second type and further readers  157  of the third type. Although not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , other types of PACS devices, such as electric strikes, door contacts etc., may also be connected to the control unit  101 . Furthermore, the user or operator  160  may interact with any reader in the PACS  100  via the control unit  101  and other control units as will be illustrated below in connection with  FIG. 2 . 
     Moreover, now with reference to  FIG. 2 , another example of a PACS  200  includes a plurality of control units  201 ,  211 ,  221  that are connected via physical connections  209  to readers  203 ,  213 ,  223 . As  FIG. 2  attempts to exemplify, the number of readers that are connected to each control unit  201 ,  211 ,  221  is on the order of a few. In fact, a typical control unit in a PACS of the type described herein is connected to 5-10 readers and connected to a similar number of other PACS devices. The control units  201 ,  211 ,  221  are also connected to a communication network  240  via which users and operators may interact with the PACS  200 . Needless to say, a typical installation of a PACS in a building may comprise several hundreds of readers and several tens of control units. 
     The control units  201 ,  211 ,  221  may comprise similar function blocks as the control unit  101  described above in connection with  FIG. 1 , including an interpreter function, first and second protocol functions and an optional physical layer protocol such as RS-485. The readers  203 ,  213 ,  223  may comprise similar function blocks as the first reader  103  described above in connection with  FIG. 1 , including a first protocol function and an optional physical layer protocol such as RS-485. The control units  201 ,  211 ,  221  may operate in relation to the readers  203 ,  213 ,  223  in the same manner as that of the control unit  101  described above in connection with  FIG. 1 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3  and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a method in a control unit, such as the control unit  101  in the PACS  100  in  FIG. 1 , will be described in terms of a number of actions. The PACS comprises at least one reader, such as the first reader  103  in the PACS  100 . As will be illustrated below in connection with embodiments of a control unit  400  and a computer program, the actions of the method in  FIG. 3  may be realized by way of software executed by a processor such as the processor  102  in the control unit  101  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Action  302   
     A first indication that the at least one reader requires reader configuration information is obtained. 
     For example, the obtaining of the first indication may comprise receiving the first indication from the at least one reader. This may comprise a simple keying of a sequence of symbols on a keypad of the reader or it may also involve use of a smart-card inserted into the reader etc. 
     In some embodiments, the obtaining of the first indication may comprise receiving, from a UI in the control unit, user input that indicates that the at least one reader requires the reader configuration information. Such user input via the UI may be received via a system controller, e.g. the system controller  181  in  FIG. 1   
     In some embodiments, prior to such reception from the UI of the user input that indicates that the at least one reader requires the reader configuration information, an IP address of the control unit may be provided to the at least one reader as exemplified by an optional action  301 . 
     As mentioned above, a large PACS may comprise hundreds of readers and several tens of control units. A user who is present at a reader may, in these embodiments, obtain direct information in the form of the displayed IP address about which of the control units the reader is connected. 
     In any case, it should be pointed out that a typical scenario in which one or more readers are to be provided with configuration information is one where a user has decided that it is necessary to update the readers with up-to-date configuration information. A reason for such updating decision may be due to the simple fact that updated configuration information has become available following a finding that there are some error in the current configuration information or that functionality is to be deleted or added to one or more readers. Also, a reader may visualize (or in some other way) indicate to a user that the reader configuration should be updated. In such a typical scenario, the obtaining of the first indication is the actual trigger for commencing the sequence of updating the configuration information. 
     Action  304   
     In response to the first indication obtained in action  302 , the required reader configuration information is obtained. 
     For example, the obtaining of the required reader configuration information may comprise retrieving information from a database connected to the control unit. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , such a database  114  may be located in or at least close to the control unit  101  and also located at a more remote location accessible via a network such as the database  115  that is part of the system controller  181 . 
     The reader configuration information may comprise a set of computer instructions that are executable by a processor in the at least one reader. The reader configuration information may also comprise at least one parameter value for use by the reader when executing computer instructions. In other words, the configuration information may be so-called firmware as well as configuration information related to, e.g., a card or tag reader in the at least one reader. Examples include: specification of how personal identification numbers (PIN) are to be used, specification of blinking sequences of light emitting diodes (LED) for providing feedback to a user/operator, specification of audio feedback, specification of functionality of firmware blocks (encryption, complete sets of firmware etc.), specification of encryption keys, specification of types of cards and tags, specification of radio sensitivity (e.g. in terms of distances between card/tag and reader), etc. 
     Action  306   
     A protocol with which the at least one reader is capable of communicating with the control unit is determined. 
     For example, the protocol with which the at least one reader is capable of communicating with the control unit may be a Wiegand protocol, and it may also be an OSDP based protocol as well as any proprietary or open protocol, clock/data based or message based protocol. 
     Action  308   
     The required reader configuration information is then interpreted into protocol specific data. 
     For example, such an interpretation may be realized by way of so-called “manufacturer specific commands” within the context of OSDP, into which any information may be mapped, such as:
         expect package of size X, md5, receive data. Unpack data: of size key: value (blink:5 seconds)   start own custom protocol, communicate until finished with an escape signal (alternative protocol mode).
 
Action  310 
       

     Using the determined protocol, the protocol specific data is then transmitted to the at least one reader. 
     In some embodiments, communication may take place between, e.g., the first reader  103  and the control unit  101  such that the first reader  103  provides the control unit  101  with information. The first reader may thereby provide the user or operator  160 , with diagnostic information such as a current operational status, battery charging level and other information related to the first reader  103  that may be of interest. In such embodiments, the interpreter  112  operates to translate such diagnostic information from the first protocol  128 ,  108  into information that is suitable for the user  160 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a control unit  400  will be described in some more detail. The control unit  400  is for use in a physical access control system PACS, comprising at least one reader. The control unit comprises a processor  402 , a memory  404  and input/output circuitry  406 . The memory contains instructions executable by the processor  402  whereby the control unit  402  is operative to:
         obtain a first indication that the at least one reader requires reader configuration information,   obtain, in response to said first indication, the required reader configuration information,   determine a protocol with which the at least one reader is capable of communicating with the control unit,   interpret the required reader configuration information into protocol specific data, and   transmit, to the at least one reader, using the determined protocol, the protocol specific data.       

     The instructions that are executable by the processor  402  may be software in the form of a computer program  441 . The computer program  441  may be contained in or by a carrier  442 , which may provide the computer program  441  to the memory  404  and processor  402 . The carrier  442  may be in any suitable form including an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal or a computer readable storage medium. 
     In some embodiments, the control unit  400  is operative such that the obtaining of the first indication comprises:
         receiving the first indication from the at least one reader.       

     In some embodiments, the control unit  400  is operative such that the obtaining of the first indication comprises:
         receiving, from a user interface, UI, in the control unit, user input that indicates that the at least one reader requires said reader configuration information.       

     In some embodiments, the control unit  400  is operative, prior to the reception of the user input that indicates that the at least one reader requires said reader configuration information, to:
         provide, to the at least one reader, an internet protocol, IP, address of the control unit.       

     In some embodiments, the control unit  400  is operative such that the protocol with which the at least one reader is capable of communicating with the control unit is any of:
         a Wiegand protocol, and   an open supervised device protocol, OSDP, based protocol,   a proprietary protocol,   an open protocol,   a clock/data based protocol, and   a message based protocol.       

     In some embodiments, the control unit  400  is operative such that the obtaining of the required reader configuration information comprises retrieving information from a database connected to the control unit. 
     In some embodiments, the control unit  400  is operative such that the reader configuration information comprises any of:
         a set of computer instructions that are executable by a processor in the at least one reader,   at least one parameter value for use by the reader when executing computer instructions.       

       FIG. 5  illustrates schematically a control unit  500  that comprises:
         an obtaining module  502  configured to obtain a first indication that the at least one reader requires reader configuration information,   an obtaining module  504  configured to obtain, in response to said first indication, the required reader configuration information,   a determining module  506  configured to determine a protocol with which the at least one reader is capable of communicating with the control unit,   an interpreting module  508  configured to interpret the required reader configuration information into protocol specific data, and   a transmitting module  510  configured to transmit, to the at least one reader, using the determined protocol, the protocol specific data.       

     The control unit  500  may comprise further modules that are configured to perform in a similar manner as, e.g., the control unit  400  described above in connection with  FIG. 4 .