ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

An access control system, for buildings, networks, and equipment or the like, that is responsive to photographic badges or other tokens of identification. A visitor or user of the disclosed system can make their own badge in advance, at a location remote from the facility, network or equipment. The badge can include a photograph of the visitor (e.g., obtained from an image database maintained by a state or federal agency, such as a state department of motor vehicles, or another trusted source), and can also include a machine-readable access code. This code, provided to the visitor or user in advance of the visit or use, can define certain privileges that the visitor or user is authorized to enjoy a the building, etc., including unescorted access to certain areas, access to certain computer resources, permission to operate equipment, etc.