Wireless credential proximity control

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by an access control device, credential information from a credential device;
• evaluating, by the access control device, the credential information to determine whether the credential device has authorization to pass through a controlled opening secured by the access control device;
• detecting, by the access control device, that a switching device of the access control device has been physically activated;
• and
• automatically unlocking a lock mechanism of the access control device in response to determining that the credential device has authorization to pass through the controlled opening and detecting that the switching device has been physically activated within a predetermined time period from authorization of the credential device.

An access control device, comprising:

• a switching device;
• a lock mechanism;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, causes the access control device to:
• receive credential information from a credential device;
• evaluate the credential information to determine whether the credential device has authorization to pass through a controlled opening secured by the access control device;
• detect that the switching device has been physically activated;
• and
• automatically unlock the lock mechanism in response to a determination that the credential device has authorization to pass through the controlled opening and detection of physical activation of the switching device within a predetermined time period from authorization of the credential device.