Configure Privacy Mode

This section explains how to create a user-intuitive naming scheme for all readers that are using privacy mode.

If you already created your reader name, then advance to the section to How to Configure Privacy Mode.

• Open Reader Properties screen: Configure > Hardware > Reader Ports

1. Select the Loop, Controller, that your reader is in.

2. Select the Reader name of the reader you want to assign the mode to.

3. Click Edit button.

4. Enter an intuitive custom Reader Name that does both ...

   (a) identifies the location of the reader or its purpose (i.e., Restroom, ...)

   (b) indicates privacy mode is assigned or available (i.e., privacy mode avail, or PM avail.)

   Abbreviate as you see fit. The goal is to use the same naming pattern at every reader using this mode so the operator can consistently identify every reader using this mode and know what door behavior to expect.
   

   Be aware that the name does not mean the mode is always active/on. It only means the mode is assigned to that reader and a person can activate privacy mode at the reader. (see picture example below)

NOTICE: The new name will appear in the Event screen and elsewhere. For diagnostics, the default system name is always displayed in the space above the reader name field. The system name shows the hardware mapping for the reader -- i.e., which 'Cluster #, Controller #, Board #, and Section # - Reader ID' the reader is connected to.

Comparing Behavior of Office and Privacy Modes

 

Behavior of Office Mode vs Privacy Mode

1. What behaviors to expect when the mode is active vs inactive:
   

   1. Starting office mode = unlocks the door until the mode is exited or expires. Anyone can open the door. Access credentials are not needed.

      Exiting office mode = locks the door. Valid access credentials can enter.

      • Office Mode requires an auto-unlock schedule to be assigned/active.

      • When the schedule expires, office mode will also expire or become inactive.

      • Operator Commands are valid and available at all times at this door.

   2. Starting privacy mode = locks the door and disables the reader.

      • Privacy Mode does not use a door schedule.

      • Only the person inside can open the door.

      • Operator Commands are not available while privacy mode is activated at the door.

      Exiting privacy mode = unlocks the door and enables the reader. Anyone can open the door.

      • The door returns to default operation and operator command for that status are valid.

 

Example of privacy mode: “Restroom (Privacy Mode avail.)” –

This name doesn’t mean Privacy Mode is always active, but it indicates that privacy mode can be engaged at this door.

 

Reader Properties: Custom Reader Name (Privacy Mode available)

 

 

Privacy Mode allows a person to lock the door from the inside (secure side), which disables the reader and prevents entry by another credential.

Important

• You cannot assign an unlock schedule to this door.

• A person can start or exit privacy mode at any time.

• Privacy mode does not expire.

• While privacy mode is active, no one can enter the door - not even with valid credentials.

• The system operator cannot override privacy mode.

• Only the person inside the room can unlock the door.

How Privacy Mode Works

Any person can start and stop privacy mode.

When a person starts privacy mode the door locks and reader is disabled from the outside. Therefore the door cannot be opened from the outside - not even with valid access credentials.

• Privacy Mode is not dependent on a schedule.

• When a person starts privacy mode the door locks and reader disables so that the door cannot be opened from the outside by anyone - even with access credentials.

• When a person exits privacy mode, the door unlocks and reader enables. The door can be opened from the outside.

• The system operator cannot override privacy mode with an operator command.

 

How to Start Privacy Mode

You start privacy mode by closing the door and pressing the inside-lock-button on the reader. The system logs an ‘Privacy Mode Entered’ event. The door will remain locked until the person exits privacy mode. An operator cannot override this lock.

 

How to Exit  Privacy Mode

Exit privacy mode by closing the door and pressing the inside-lock-button on the reader .  The system logs an ‘Privacy Mode Exited’ event and unlocks the door. 

 

How to Assign Privacy Mode to a Reader

• Open Reader Properties screen: Configure > Hardware > Reader Ports

1. Select the Cluster and Controller that your DSI Board is connected to. 

2. Choose the desired Reader from the Reader Name droplist;
   (you can identify Section# - Reader# by looking at the default system name).

3. Click the Edit button and select the General Tab.

4. Set the [Inside Push Button Mode] field to “Privacy Mode”. 
   

   Note: Unlock Schedules are not available for a reader using Privacy Mode

5. Click APPLY to save and update the controller.

    

Reader Properties: Configuring Privacy Mode

Disabled or grayed out options are not supported.

To test a reader for privacy mode, simply have someone start and exit privacy mode from inside the door while someone tests the door from outside.

1. Have one person go into the room and close the door.

2. Start privacy mode by pressing the inside lock button on the reader.
   

   The door should lock and reader should disable .
   

   The RED LED should start blinking.
   

   A Privacy Mode Entered message should be logged at SG Event Screen.

    

3. While privacy mode is active, try to open the door from the outside without a valid credential. Then try again with a valid credential.
   

   The door should not open and should remain locked.
   

   No event message logs at the SG Event screen.

    

4. Have the Operator issue a command to unlock the door or override or enable the reader.
   

   Operator should not be able to unlock door or enable the reader.
   

   No event message logs at the SG Event screen.

    

5. With privacy mode active, turn the inside handle to open the door from the inside.

   The door should open and privacy mode should release.

   The RED LED should stop blinking.
   

   The Privacy Mode Exited message should log at the SG Event screen.

    

VERIFY PROGRAMMING: If the test fails, then go back to the Reader Properties Screen and verify the Inside Push Button Mode field is set to the “none” value and click APPLY to save changes. Be sure you are in the correct reader screen (This may automatically update the reader/door. Retest to verify.)

LOADING DATA : You can use the GCS Loader Utility, to LOAD DATA to the appropriate controller. Remember you can refer to the reader's default system name shown in the Reader Properties screen, to confirm which controller panel you need to load. After you finish loading data, you can retest to verify.

DIAGNOSTICS: If test still fails after reasonable steps to correct the programming and load the controller, you can use the GCS Service Monitor tool to verify your controller is connected to the Event service.   Also you can use the Loop Diagnostics Screen verify that you can Ping Controller and Get Controller Information. Contact authorized technical support as needed.