Communications system providing personnel access based upon near-field communication and related methods
A security system may include an access control device associated with a personnel access position. The access control device may include a first Near-Field Communication (NFC) sensor, and a first controller configured to selectively grant personnel access based upon receiving a valid security code from the first NFC sensor, and to deny personnel access and generate an access denial electronic message(s) based upon receiving an invalid security code from the first NFC sensor. The system may also include a mobile wireless communications device(s) including a second NFC sensor and a second controller, which may be configured to communicate a security code via the second NFC sensor to the first NFC sensor based upon proximity therewith, and to receive a corresponding access denial electronic message from the first controller based upon the security code being invalid.
1. A mobile wireless communications device comprising:
a Near-Field Communication (NFC) sensor configured to communicate with an access control device;
a wireless transceiver also configured to communicate with the access control device, the access control device being configured to grant access based upon receiving a valid code via said NFC sensor and valid additional authentication data via said wireless transceiver, and to deny access and generate an access denial message based upon receiving an invalid code or invalid additional authentication data; and
a controller configured to communicate an access request including a code via said NFC sensor to the access control device based upon proximity therewith, to communicate additional authentication data to the access control device via said wireless transceiver, and to receive a corresponding access denial message from the access control device based upon the code or additional authentication information being invalid.
2. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein the code comprises a single-use code.
3. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein the additional authentication data comprises at least one of biometric data, password data, and personal identification number (PIN) data.
4. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to receive the code via said NFC sensor.
5. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to receive the code via said wireless transceiver.
6. An access control method using a mobile wireless communications device comprising a controller, a Near-Field Communication (NFC) sensor, and a wireless transceiver both coupled to the controller and configured to communicate with an access control device, the access control device configured to grant access based upon receiving a valid code via the NFC sensor and valid additional authentication data via the wireless transceiver, and to deny access and generate an access denial message based upon receiving an invalid code or invalid additional authentication data, the method comprising:
operating the controller to communicate an access request including a code via the NFC sensor to the access control device based upon proximity therewith, to communicate additional authentication data via the wireless transceiver to the access control device, and to receive a corresponding access denial message from the access control device based upon the code or additional authentication information being invalid.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the code comprises a single-use code.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the additional authentication data comprises at least one of biometric data, password data, and personal identification number (PIN) data.