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SAFR SCAN card format formats behavior

This article explains how SAFR SCAN converts credentials (Card # and Facility ID) into and from binary format.

SAFR SCAN is different than typical card readers in how it processes credentials.  Card only readers do not store user credentials on the device.  They simply read the binary card data from the card and pass this information along to the panel.  They never parse the data.

SAFR SCAN however behaves more like a panel with respect to handling credentials.  SAFR SCAN stores the card number and facility code of an identity.   When reading cards, SAFR SCAN must take the binary data from the card and convert this to decimal card # and facility id.  Conversely, when preparing to send credentials to the panel, SAFR SCAN must convert the decimal number to binary for transmission over the wire.

This behavior varies depending on if SAFR SCAN is authenticating only the card or multiple factors.  Following describes this behavior: 

Face or 2FA - SAFR SCAN use the face (and possibly card as 2nd factor) to find a person record.  Then sends the credentials (card#, facility id) to the panel.  2FA can be any combination of credentials such as Face+Card, Face+PIN, or PIN+CARD.
  1. Find person record.
  2. Get card# and facility.
  3. If card format in person record
    1. see if that format is defined by name.  If so, use that format to convert to binary and transmit.
  4. Else get first card format defined on reader
  5. Use that format to convert to binary and transmit
Card only or Pass thru card support - SAFR SCAN is transmitting credentials from card directly to the panel in a pass through fashion.
  • Read binary value off card
  • For each card format defined on reader config:
    • Get first card format off reader config and convert binary to decimal
    • Look for that number in person records
    • If doing face+card, then we only search the list of matching faces
    • Do this for all other card formats defined on reader
  • If no matches for card found (AND pass thru mode not enabled), then STOP
  • If pass thru mode enabled or match above, send card binary data as-is to the panel
    • i.e. even if person record in SAFR, we send binary value from card - we don't re-format but this is only for Single factor auth (card only)