Ripple network access control system

An access control device, comprising:

• a locking member operable to move between a locking position and an unlocking position to adjust a locked/unlocked state of the access control device;
• a lock state selector operable to cause the locking member to move between the locking position and the unlocking position to thereby adjust the locked/unlocked state between a locked state and an unlocked state;
• an electronic actuator configured to drive the locking member from the unlocking position to the locking position in response to receiving a lock signal;
• a controller in communication with the actuator and configured to transmit the lock signal in response to receiving a lockdown command;
• and
• a wireless transceiver in communication with the controller and configured to selectively establish a wireless communication connection with an external device, the wireless transceiver having a higher-power mode in which the wireless communication connection is established, the wireless transceiver having a lower-power mode in which the wireless communication connection is not established, wherein the wireless transceiver is operable to receive the lockdown command from the external device while operating in the lower-power mode;
• wherein the access control device has a standalone mode in which the access control device operates the wireless transceiver in the lower-power mode and the locked/unlocked state of the access control device is controlled locally;
• wherein the access control device has a networked mode in which the access control device operates the wireless transceiver in the higher-power mode and communicates with the external device via the wireless communication connection;
• wherein the access control device is configured to remain in the standalone mode in response to operation of the lock state selector;
• and
• wherein the access control device is configured to transition from the standalone mode to the networked mode in response to receiving the lockdown command.