Patent attributes
An apparatus is provided that includes an access door of a secured area, a lock that controls access into the secured area through the door, a controller coupled to the lock, and a portable wireless device proximate the door, wherein the portable wireless device wirelessly retrieves an identifier from the door and wirelessly transfers the identifier of the door and a personal identifier of a person carrying the portable wireless device to the controller, and wherein the controller compares the received personal identifier with a list of identifiers of persons authorized to enter the secured area, determines that the received personal identifier matches an identifier of the list of identifiers, and activates the lock, thereby allowing physical entry by the person into the secured area.