AU2004100358A4

AU2004100358A4 - Dual Wiegand Reader

Info

Publication number: AU2004100358A4
Application number: AU2004100358A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher Ian Blake
Original assignee: BQT Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BQT Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-14
Filing date: 2004-05-13
Publication date: 2004-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2012-05-13
Also published as: AU2004100358B4

Description

S&F Ref: 673750

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: BQT Solutions Pty Ltd, an Australian company, ACN 072 066 641, of Unit 12-18 Victoria Street East, Lidcombe, New South Wales, 2141, Australia Christopher Ian Blake Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Dual Wiegand Reader The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5843c Dual Wiegand Reader FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to security readers, and in particular to such readers that utilise Wiegand outputs.

BACKGROUND

Smartcard readers, proximity readers, and Wiegand readers are all examples of security readers used for controlling access points. Such devices are used to read badges, smartcards, and other like types of security identification mechanisms.

Further, biometric data is increasingly used as a mechanism of security identification, with the security reader having a biometrics sensing device. Biometrics sensor systems recognize a person based on the person's physical or behavioural characteristics. A number of different encoded signals are produced as outputs of such security readers. The output formats produced by security readers include Standard Wiegand Output, and Single Wiegand Output, amongst others.

Security readers that utilise either Standard Wiegand Output or the older Single Wiegand Output can be readily integrated with many existing access control systems. Accordingly, many biometrics-based security systems have been developed utilising either one of these protocols.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating conventional security readers and controllers and their compatibility in terms of Wiegand Outputs. A security reader 130 provides Single Wiegand Output (SW) to a compatible controller 140 that only accepts this old Wiegand input Further, a security reader 110 providing Standard Wiegand Output (WO, W1) is compatible with a controller 120 that has Standard Wiegand Inputs (WO, W1).

[I:\ELEC\BQTSolutiofls\673750I67375O9Spec-final.doc:sdb Fig. 2 contains three timing diagrams. The top-most, middle, and bottom timing diagrams shows the Standard Wiegand 0 (WO) output, Standard Wiegand 1 (Wl) output, and Single Wiegand Output signals, respectively.

The Standard Wiegand format is described as follows: It has 2 lines: Wiegand 0 and Wiegand 1.

The existing format requirements are: Pulse width 50us to 100us, Period 1ms to 1.2ms, and +5V is the steady state, going to OV as active.

The Single Wiegand protocol is described as follows: There is only a single line for Wiegand information (SW).

The existing format requirements are: Pulse width 50us to l00us, Period lms to 1.2ms, and +2.5V is the steady state, going high to +4.8V for a data 0 and low to +0.2V for a data 1.

A significant disadvantage of these security readers 110, 130 is that they are not interchangeable, and require separate installations, since the controllers 120, 140 are incompatible with the security readers 130, 110, respectively. In large security systems for large organisations, there may be a number of older security readers with Single Wiegand Output for corresponding controllers, as well as a number of security readers with Standard Wiegand Output for corresponding controllers. This results in a proliferation of security readers and associated installation and maintenance costs.

Currently, security readers are produced using Standard Wiegand (WO, Wl).

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a Standard Wiegand output board 300. A microcontroller 310 produces negated Wiegand 0 and Wiegand 1 at its output, which [I:\ELEC\BQTSolutions\67375016737509SpcC_final.doc:sdb is coupled to a buffer 320. The buffer 320 produces Wiegand 0 and Wiegand 1 at its output. This is implemented as a single unit.

Single Wiegand readers are not regularly produced any longer, but Single Wiegand controllers are still common. Instead, the newer format "Standard" Wiegand readers are produced. A separate converter may be used to convert the current Standard Wiegand to Single Wiegand format to install new readers with the older controllers.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a converter 500 used to convert the Standard Wiegand to Single Wiegand format. This separate device would be connected to the Standard Wiegand output board 300 of Fig. 3. The WO and W1 outputs of the reader 310 are provided as input to a filter 520. The Wiegand lines coming from the Standard Wiegand reader may be over a length of line. That length of line picks up interference and harmonics. Therefore, filtering circuitry 520 is used to 'clean' up the Wiegand output. The output of the filter 520 is buffered by buffers 530, before being converted to Single Wiegand (SW) output by component network 540. The buffers 530 and the component network 540 change the 2 5V steady state WO and W1 signals to a single signal that is steady state at 2.5V and goes high or low with WO or W1. As indicated in Fig. 5, a regulator 510 regulates power to the elements of the converter 500. This is the method by which a party or organisation attempts to overcome installing newer Standard Wiegand readers with older Single Wiegand controllers.

Disadvantageously, if a converter is used, a power supply is required to supply the converter 500. If the same power supply is not used, grounding issues exist if the installers are not previously briefed on the grounding issues.

Thus, a need clearly exists for an improved security reader capable of providing both Single and Standard Wiegand Outputs.

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SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a dual Wiegand reader, comprises a processing unit producing both Standard Wiegand output (WO, Wl) and a mechanism for producing Single Wiegand output The processing unit is preferably a microcontroller. The dual Wiegand reader also comprises buffers coupled to the microcontroller for buffering the output of the microcontroller to provide the Standard Wiegand output. A network of electrical and/or electronic components may be coupled to the buffers to produce the Single Wiegand output.

The reader comprises an interface adapted for coupling to a controller having Standard Wiegand inputs, Single Wiegand inputs, or both. The dual Wiegand reader is implemented as unitary device in a housing, and is implemented using a single printed circuit board (PCB).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A small number of embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating conventional security readers and controllers and their compatibility in terms of Wiegand Outputs; Fig. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating the Standard Wiegand 0, Standard Wiegand 1, and Single Wiegand Output signals; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a Standard Wiegand Output board; Fig. 4 is block diagram of a dual Wiegand reader in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a converter; [I:\ELEC\BQT~olutiofls\6737501673750Q5pec_fmnal.doc:sdb Fig. 6 is a block diagram of security reader having dual Wiegand Output in accordance with the embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the buffers and the component network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A dual Wiegand reader is described hereinafter. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, from this disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and/or substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In other circumstances, specific details may be omitted so as not to obscure the invention.

The dual Wiegand reader in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is designed to output both the current standard Wiegand (WO and Wl) and the single Wiegand (SW) protocols, within the same security reader. This dual Wiegand reader is applicable to all security readers, including contact, contactless, proximity, and smartcard readers. The only requirement is that the security reader provide Wiegand output. For example, the dual Wiegand reader may be used with contactless Mifare Smartcard technology.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a dual Wiegand reader in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. A processing unit produces Standard Wiegand output (WO, Wl). Preferably, the processing unit includes a microcontroller 410 that produces negated WO and W1 output. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, the microcontroller is implement using an 8052 series microcontroller. However, any of a large number of microcontrollers may be used. There is not much restriction on the range of microcontrollers that may be practiced. Buffers 430 are connected to the WO and W1 outputs of the microcontroller 410. The dashed line in block 430 indicates that some of the buffers on a buffers chip are used for the initial output, which is WO and Wl. The buffers are inverters. They change a OV to a 5V or visa versa, so initially the buffers change the inverted Wiegand 0 (0V) to Wiegand 0 To obtain the [:\ELEC\BQT~olutions\673750]673750Q5pec_final.doc:sdb desired levels for the single Wiegand, the buffers are used to obtain a buffered Wiegand 1 (5V steady state, 2 inverters negate each other, but ensure the signal is isolated from the outputs) and an inverted Wiegand 0 (0V steady state, 3 inverters are used here. The buffers 430 buffer the output of the microcontroller 410 to provide the Standard Wiegand output (WO, W1).

The network of electrical and/or electronic components 420 is connected to an output of the buffers 430 as a mechanism to produce the Single Wiegand output. W1 and an inverted WO are produced by the buffers and provided as input to the network 420.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration 700 of the buffers 430 and the component network 420. In Fig. 7, the relevant buffers 430 of Fig. 4 are surrounded by a dashed line, with inputs W1 and WO. The W1 input passes through two buffers to produce W1 and the WO input passes through three buffers to produce the inverted WO. W1 and inverted WO are provided to resistances Ry and Rw, respectively. The other terminals of resistances Ry and Rw are coupled together to form a node. A resistance Rx is coupled between the node and a voltage supply Another resistor Rz is coupled to the node and the other terminal of the resistance Rz provides the Single Wiegand output which has a steady state value of The resistances may be implemented using conventional resistors with appropriate values.

The dual Wiegand reader 400 comprises an interface adapted for connecting the reader to a controller having Standard Wiegand inputs, Single Wiegand inputs, or both. The dual Wiegand reader 400 is implemented as unitary device in a housing, and using a single printed circuit board (PCB). This reader 400 is described further in relation to Fig. 6, which shows an application of the reader 400.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a configuration 600 of a security reader 610 having a dual Wiegand reader 400 of Fig. 4. The security reader 610 provides dual Wiegand output (SW, and W0 and W1) as a single unit. The reader 610 is fully [I:\ELEC\BQTSolutiofls\67375O]673750-Spec_final.doc:sdb compatible with both Standard Wiegand and Single Wiegand controllers 620 and 630.

Thus, the reader 610 can be connected to the Standard Wiegand controller 620 with WO and W1 inputs, and to the Single Wiegand controller 630 with SW input ("old Wiegand input").

The dual Wiegand reader may be used by businesses and organisations, amongst others, that have installed old technology controllers such as the Cardax Controller. The "old" controllers only accept Single Wiegand information. The dual Wiegand reader in accordance with the embodiment of the invention provides this output. The reader however also provides Standard Wiegand output from the same unit.

Previously, a person or organisation would need to buy a new Wiegand format reader and also buy a "Standard Wiegand to Single Wiegand converter". The dual Wiegand reader in accordance with the embodiments of the invention eliminates the need to purchase such a converter, and also assists in installation as there is only one piece of hardware to be installed rather than two.

A benefit of having both Wiegand formats available on the one reader is for logistic purposes. A party need purchase only one dual Wiegand reader and be assured when upgrades are occurring, that the readers are suitable.

In the embodiment of the invention, the Dual Wiegand Reader has both Standard and Single Wiegand outputs, WO W1 and SW, on the same printed circuit board (PCB), which has benefits as there are no or significantly reduced interference problems. When using a converter that takes WO W1 and sends SW, there is a distance where interference can be induced on the wires.

Further, if a converter is used, a power supply is required to supply the converter. If the same power supply is not used, grounding issues exist if the installers are not previously briefed on the grounding issues.

[I:\ELEC\BQTSolutiofls\673750]673750Q5peC_final.doc:sdb Advantageously, the embodiment of the invention does not require additional filtering circuitry when both Wiegand outputs are provided on the same reader. In contrast the conventional separate converter needs the filtering due to interference picked up on the Wiegand lines that must be cleaned up before manipulating the signals.

In the foregoing manner, a dual Wiegand reader has been disclosed. While only a small number of embodiments are described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or substitutions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

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Claims

1. A dual Wiegand reader, comprising: a processing unit producing Standard Wiegand output (WO, Wl); and means for producing Single Wiegand output (SW) coupled to said processing unit.

2. The dual Wiegand reader according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit is a microcontroller.

3. The dual Wiegand reader according to claim 2, further comprising buffers coupled to said microcontroller for buffering the output of said microcontroller to provide said Standard Wiegand output.

4. The dual Wiegand reader according to claim 3, further comprising a network of electrical and/or electronic components coupled to said buffers to produce said Single Wiegand output. The dual Wiegand reader according to claim 4, further comprising an interface adapted for coupling to a controller having Standard Wiegand inputs, Single Wiegand inputs, or both. DATED this 13 th Day of May, 2004 BQT Solutions Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON [1:\ELEC\BQTSolutiofls\67375O] 6 7 3 75 O-Spec_ final.doc:sdb