An access system includes an input device which is accessible to a user and capable of reading an authentication and/or identification information provided by the user. The access system further includes a Wiegand control panel ( 12 ) connected to the input device for evaluation of the information provided by the user. The control panel ( 12 ) is located in a secure area ( 14 ) remote from the input device. The access system further includes a converter ( 18 ) connected to the input device and to the control panel ( 12 ). The input device includes encryption means to encrypt the information provided by the user. The converter ( 18 ) is capable of converting the encrypted information into a standard Wiegand signal.
1. An access system, comprising an input device which is accessible to a user and capable of reading an authentication and/or identification information provided by the user and encrypting the information provided by the user; control panel for evaluation of the information provided by the user, the control panel being located in a secure area remote from the input device and capable of processing data or signals in a Wiegand format; and a converter connected to the input device and to the control panel and being capable of converting the encrypted information into a standard Wiegand signal;
characterized in that the access system further comprises a host computer connected to and located remote from the input device; and
further characterized in that the host computer:
is also connected to the control panel;
defines a type of input device required to gain access; and
changes the type of input device required to gain access.
2. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the converter is co-located with the control panel in the secure area.
3. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the input device comprises a smart card reader.
4. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the input device comprises at least one of a PIN pad and a biometric device.
5. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the encrypted information is transmitted from the input device to the converter using one of a RS485 and a TCP/IP protocol.
6. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the data between the input device and the host computer is transmitted using one of a RS485 and a TCP/IP protocol.
7. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the control panel is a Wiegand control panel.
8. The access system according to claim 3 , characterized in that the smart card reader is a contactless smart card reader.
9. The access system according to claim 3 , characterized in that the smart card reader is a contact smart card reader.
10. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the host computer defines a plurality of types of input devices required to gain access.
11. An access system, comprising an input device which is accessible to a user and capable of reading an authentication and/or identification information provided by the user and encrypting the information provided by the user; control panel for evaluation of the information provided by the user, the control panel being located in a secure area remote from the input device and capable of processing data or signals in a Wiegand format; and a converter connected to the input device and to the control panel and being capable of converting the encrypted information into a standard Wiegand signal;
characterized in that the access system further comprises a host computer connected to and located remote from the input device; and
further characterized in that the host computer:
is also connected to the control panel;
changes the plurality of type of input device required to gain access.
12. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the host computer has verification means for verifying that a control panel operation has been successfully executed.
13. The access system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the host computer has identification means for identifying a malfunction of the control panel.
14. The access system according to claim 13 , characterized in that the identification means use test signals.