Facilities management system with server-independent enclosures

• US 7,068,164 B1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Network Security, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global Network Security, Inc.
• Inventors: Duncan, David, Johns, Timothy A., Sharif, Ray, Seghers, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings, Travis R.
• Application Number:
  US10/651,846
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 340/506, 340/539.16, 709/223, 709/224, 707/10
• US Class Current: 340/539.16
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration

Abstract

An embodiment of an access control system is disclosed herein that is easily customized by a user. A user defines cardholders, clearance levels, and logic scripts that dictate how the system will operate. User-entered changes propagate through the system automatically. The disclosed embodiment includes personality modules coupled to both field devices and a server. However, the personality modules operate autonomously from the server. Personality modules can also be added to the system dynamically and are auto-configuring. Display modules may also be included for locally and remotely programming, testing, managing, and operating personality modules and field devices. The system may include an intelligent display station that includes a reader and a display, displaying information in an interactive user interface in accordance with an individual'"'"'s clearance level. Because the personality modules contain their own operating system, they can execute applications that allow direct interface to third-party systems.

Claims

1. A system for facilities management control, comprising:

a server;

a client; and

a personality module, the personality module including at least one port for communicating with at least one field device, the personality module adapted to communicate with the server;

wherein the personality module is coupled to the client and the server, and

wherein the personality module operates autonomously from the server, the personality module includes resources comprising;

a processor;

a local memory;

facilities management information stored on the local memory; and

an application stored on the local memory and executed by the processor, the application operable to receiving communications from the at least one field device, accessing the facilities management information, and issuing commands to the at least one field device independent of the server;

wherein at least some event and alarm information is gathered at the personality module;

wherein when the server is available, the personality module communicates the event and alarm information to the server; and

wherein when the server is unavailable, the personality module communicates the event and alarms information to the client.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the personality module includes stored information, the stored information including clearance level information, logic scripts, and cardholder information.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the resources are stored in a local database and are downloadable from the server.

4. A system for facilities management, including:

a server;

a client coupled with the server;

a database coupled with the server; and

a personality module coupled with the server;

wherein the personality module includes at least one port for communicating with at least one field device;

wherein the personality module includes resources for operating autonomously from the server, the resources comprising;

a processor;

a local memory;

facilities management information stored on the local memory; and

an application stored on the local memory and executed by the processor, the application operable to receiving communications from the at least one field device, accessing the facilities management information, and issuing commands to the at least one field device independent of the server.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the facilities management information includes clearance level information, logic scripts, and cardholder information.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the resources are stored in a local database and are downloadable from the server.

7. A system for facilities management, including:

a server;

a client coupled with the server; and

a personality module coupled with the server, the personality module including;

an associated processor;

an associated memory;

all facilities management information associated with any field device coupled to the personality module, the facilities management information stored on the memory; and

a personality module management application stored on the memory, wherein the personality module management application is operable to receiving communications from any field device, accessing all facilities management information, and issuing commands to any field device independent of a system server.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the personality module further includes;

an operating system.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the personality module includes stored information, the stored information including clearance level information, logic scripts, and cardholder information.