Methods and devices for physical access control systems

A method for an access control system, the method comprising:

• forming a first network that enables communication between a plurality of physical access control readers;
• forming a second network that enables communication between the plurality of physical access control readers and a plurality of mobile communication devices;
• and
• exchanging, over the first network, status information for the plurality of physical access control readers and for the plurality of mobile communication devices.

A device, comprising:

• a first interface to communicate with first devices according to a first communication protocol over a first network;
• a second interface to communicate with second devices according to a second communication protocol over a second network, wherein the second communication protocol is different than the first communication protocol;
• a memory including executable instructions;
• and
• a processor to execute the instructions to control the exchange of status information for the first devices and the second devices over the first network.