Method and apparatus for a merged power-communication cable in door security environment

A method for controlling an access controlled door lock, the method comprising:

• providing a first electrical power from a merged power-communication cable to an access control identification mechanism of a door;
• providing a second electrical power from said merged power-communication cable to an access controlled door lock positioned on the door;
• and
• distributing part of the electrical power from the merged power-communication cable to a processing module positioned in said door;
• and
• operating said processing module to interact with said access control identification mechanism and with said merged power-communication cable to control said access controlled door lock.

A system for controlling access through a door, the system comprising:

• an access controlled door lock;
• an access control identification mechanism;
• a processing module coupled to said access controlled door lock and to said access control identification mechanism;
• and
• a power interface coupled to said processing module, said power interface for receiving electrical power from a merged power-communication cable and for managing said electrical power from said merged power-communication cable to said processing module, to provide a first electrical power from the merged power-communication cable to said access control identification mechanism, and to provide a second electrical power from the merged power-communication cable to said access controlled door lock, wherein said processing module interacts with said access control identification mechanism and with said merged power-communication cable to control said access controlled door lock.

An access control module for controlling access through a door, the access control module:

• a power interface coupled to a merged power-communication cable and controllably coupled to a processing computer in a processing module;
• said power interface providing electrical power to an access control identification mechanism;
• said power interface providing electrical power to an access controlled door lock;
• said power interface providing electrical power to a communication interface;
• and
• wherein said communication interface comprises:
• a communication interface computer;
• a communication interface memory coupled to said communication interface computer and coupled to said merged power-communication cable through said power interface;
• and
• a communications program system comprising at least one program step residing in said communication interface memory;
• wherein said processing module comprises:
• said processing computer accessibly coupled with a processing memory containing at least one program step of a processing program system directing said processing computer;
• said processing computer communicatively coupled with said communication interface coupled with said merged power-communication cable;
• said processing computer coupled with a peripheral interface coupled with said access control identification mechanism, with said merged power-communication cable, with a door position sensor, with a request-to-exist switch, and with said access controlled door lock;
• wherein said processing program system comprises the program steps of:
• managing said power interface to distribute said electrical power;
• and
• controlling said access controlled door lock based upon interactions with said access control identification mechanism, with said door position sensor, with said request-to-exit switch, and with said merged power-communication cable.

An access control module for controlling access through a door, the access control module comprising:

• a power interface to be coupled with a merged power-communication cable;
• a communication interface to be coupled with said merged power-communication cable;
• an access control identification mechanism coupled to said power interface and coupled to said communication interface;
• an access controlled door lock coupled to said power interface and coupled to said communication interface;
• a processing module coupled to said power interface, coupled to said communication interface, coupled to said access control identification mechanism and coupled to said access controlled door lock, said processing module comprising a processing program system, said processing program system comprising the step of directing said processing module to distribute part of said electrical power from said merged power-communication cable to said processing module, providing a first electrical power to said access control identification mechanism and providing a second electrical power to said access controlled door lock;
• a request-to-exit switch coupled to said processing module;
• and
• a door position sensor coupled to said processing module.

An access control module for controlling access through a door, the access control module comprising:

• a power interface to be coupled with a merged power-communication cable;
• a communication interface to be coupled with said merged power-communication cable, the communication interface comprising:
• a communication interface computer;
• a communication interface memory coupled to said communication interface computer and coupled to said merged power-communication cable through said power interface;
• and
• a communication program system comprising at least one program step residing in said communication interface memory;
• an access control identification mechanism coupled to said power interface and coupled to said communication interface;
• an access controlled door lock coupled to said power interface and coupled to said communication interface;
• a processing module coupled to said power interface, coupled to said communication interface, coupled to said access control identification mechanism and coupled to said access controlled door lock;
• a request-to-exit switch coupled to said processing module;
• and
• a door position sensor coupled to said processing module.