Cloud secure channel access control
View Patent ↗Methods and systems are described herein for providing configuration and access control of a card reader using a secure channel between the card reader and a remote computing device. The card reader transmits a request for service to the remote computing device via a cloud-based communications network. The remote computing device receives the request for service via the cloud-based communications network and generates service instructions based on the received request for service. The remote computing device transmits the service instructions to the card reader via the cloud-based communications network. The card reader receives the service instructions from the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network and configures operational settings based on the received service instructions.
1. A computerized system for providing configuration and access control of a card reader using a secure channel between the card reader and a remote computing device, the system comprising:
a card reader coupled to a secure authentication module (SAM) storing one or more keys;
a remote computing device; and
a cloud-based communications network coupled to the card reader and the remote computing device;
wherein the card reader is configured to:
transmit a request for service to the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network;
receive service instructions from the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network, wherein the service instructions comprise programmatic information to maintain operational performance of the card reader; and
configure operational settings based on the received service instructions, comprising interpreting the service instructions and determining one or more changes to the operational settings based upon the service instructions;
wherein the remote computing device is configured to:
receive the request for service from the card reader via the cloud-based communications network;
generate service instructions responsive to the request for service, wherein the service instructions comprise programmatic information to maintain operational performance of the card reader; and
transmit the service instructions to the card reader via the cloud-based communications network;
wherein the card reader communicates with the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network with messages encrypted using the one or more keys of the SAM.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control panel coupled to the card reader via a Wiegand interface.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control panel coupled to the card reader via a serial, parallel, or networked communications interface.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control panel coupled to the card reader via a serial, parallel, or networked communications interface through which the reader communicates to the cloud-based communications network and to the remote computing device.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a database coupled to the remote computing device, wherein the database contains information for use by the remote computing device in generating the service instructions.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the service information includes instructions to update active card numbers and inactive card numbers used by the card reader.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the card reader stores the active card numbers and inactive card numbers in a memory module coupled to the card reader.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the service information includes an updated code file to resolve an internal error at the card reader.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the physical form of the SAM is a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the physical form of the SAM is a smart card.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the SAM is coupled to the card reader via a physical interface.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the SAM is embedded within the card reader.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the remote computing device is a virtual server existing on a shared web service.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the operational settings include activation of a beeper and activation of a light-emitting diode (LED).
15. A computerized method for providing configuration and access control of a card reader using a secure channel between the card reader and a remote computing device, the card reader being coupled to a secure authentication module (SAM) storing one or more keys, the method comprising:
transmit, by the card reader, a request for service to the remote computing device via a cloud-based communications network;
receive, by the remote computing device, the request for service via the cloud-based communications network;
generate, by the remote computing device, service instructions based on the received request for service, wherein the service instructions comprise programmatic information to maintain operational performance of the card reader;
transmit, by the remote computing device, the service instructions to the card reader via the cloud-based communications network;
receive, by the card reader, the service instructions from the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network; and
configure, by the card reader, operational settings based on the received service instructions, comprising interpreting the service instructions and determining one or more changes to the operational settings based upon the service instructions;
wherein the card reader communicates with the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network with messages encrypted using the one or more keys of the SAM.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the card reader is coupled to a control panel via a Wiegand interface.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein a control panel is coupled to the card reader via a serial, parallel, or networked communications interface.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein a control panel is coupled to the card reader via a serial, parallel, or networked communications interface through which the reader communicates to the cloud-based communications network and to the remote computing device.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the remote computing device is coupled to a database containing information for use by the remote computing device in generating the service instructions.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the service information includes instructions to update active card numbers and inactive card numbers used by the card reader.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the card reader stores the active card numbers and inactive card numbers in a memory module coupled to the card reader.
22. The method of claim 15 , wherein the service information includes an updated code file to resolve an internal error at the card reader.
23. The method of claim 15 , wherein the physical form of the SAM is a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.
24. The method of claim 15 , wherein the physical form of the SAM is a smart card.
25. The method of claim 15 , wherein the SAM is coupled to the card reader via a physical interface.
26. The method of claim 15 , wherein the SAM is embedded within the card reader.
27. The method of claim 15 , wherein the remote computing device is a virtual server existing on a shared web service.
28. The method of claim 15 , wherein the operational settings include activation of a beeper and activation of a light-emitting diode (LED).