Internet-based card access and security systems and methods

Abstract

An Internet-based card access and security system and method, the system comprising at least one Internet client station, at least one Internet host center and an intelligent card access controller with related hardware components. The Internet client station is linked to an Internet cloud, and provides a connection and user interface for an individual who is using the Internet client station. The Internet host center is also linked to the Internet cloud and provides the data repository for the card access and/or security system along with the logic for handling access and security inputs and for processing, interpreting, filtering, disseminating, and storing the source of inputs and resulting actions according to the configured rules. The Internet host center is linked to one or more Internet clients as well as multiple controllers representing different customers and different installations. The Internet host center, having records of one or more enrolled customer sites, provides for multiplexing of the input data with selected instances of the handling logic and data records. The method comprises the steps of (i) establishing parameters associated with the operational characteristics to be used with this particular instance; (ii) acquiring, at the Internet client station, requests for information and associated system operation commands; (iii) receiving, at the Internet host center, messages from card access controllers that includes security and access data; (iv) multiplexing, at the Internet host center, one or more messages to the appropriate handler for this instance from among the multiple instances being handled; (v) processing the messages according to the rules set for this instance, and (vi) responding to the Internet client request with results, reports, and alarm data on a real time manner and selected by client station and operator. The system and method provide for complete system integrity and operation and user access from any convenient and non-dedicated location that has an Internet connection and Internet browser.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.