Access System

A controller for a product inspection apparatus located in an inspection area, comprising:

• an input configured to receive, from an RFID reader, identification data indicative of an external RFID tag;
• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory configured to store authorised RFID data corresponding to one or more RFID tags each associated with an authorised user;
• the memory storing computer executable instructions therein which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• determine whether the external RFID tag is associated with an authorised user;
• and
• in dependence on the determination, output a control signal to enable access to one or more functions of the product inspection apparatus;
• wherein the authorised RFID data is shared with an area access controller for controlling access to the inspection area.

A computer-implemented method for controlling access, the method comprising:

• reading, at a first RFID reader, an external RFID tag of a user;
• receiving, at an area access controller, first identification data indicative of the external RFID tag from the first RFID reader;
• retrieving, by the area access controller, authorised RFID data corresponding to one or more RFID tags each associated with an authorised user;
• determining whether the external RFID tag is associated with an authorised user;
• in dependence on the determination, outputting a control signal to an inspection area access means to enable access to an inspection area;
• reading, at a second RFID reader, the external RFID tag of the user;
• receiving, at a product inspection apparatus controller, second identification data indicative of the external RFID tag from the second RFID reader;
• retrieving, by the product inspection apparatus controller, the authorised RFID data;
• determining whether the external RFID tag is associated with an authorised user;
• and
• in dependence on the determination, outputting a control signal to enable access to one or more functions of a product inspection apparatus within the inspection area.