Access control system having automatic download and distribution of security information

Abstract

A system for controlling access to areas of one or more buildings by automatically downloading transaction data from an external database to a central database, and distributing security information automatically from the central database to access controllers of the system in response to changes in the central database due to the downloaded transaction data. The transaction data represents changes or additions in employee and/or badge information stored in the external database. Each of the access controllers are coupled to one or more card readers. The card reader read data from badges and any pin number data entered at a keypad of the reader. The access controllers each make access decisions responsive to data from the card reader for controlling locking mechanisms to doors accessing areas of buildings. The system includes a programmed computer server for reading transaction data from the external database, and a central database into which the computer server automatically downloads and maps the read transaction data. When the information downloaded into the central database affects access to areas, the computer server automatically distributes security information from the central database to the access controllers through access control drivers which are each connected to one or more access controllers. Each of the access controllers makes access decisions to areas responsive to data received from the readers coupled to the access controller in accordance with received security information.