Kisi Reader Pro 1
The Kisi Reader Pro is Kisi’s first Pro generation access control reader for organizations of any size wishing to provide modern access control solutions to their members.
The user experience is simple yet effective: whenever a user presents an NFC card or a smartphone to the reader, information about the credential is transmitted to the Kisi Controller through the cloud or the local network. The Kisi Reader provides visual feedback through an LED strip, its colors differing depending on the result of the unlock attempt.
Decentralized, scalable network of controllers and readers
On your local network, Kisi operates as a decentralized system, distinct from traditional hardwired systems, and utilizes modern network protocols. Kisi allows for the connection of up to four doors per controller, but the number of readers per door is not limited by the doors' connection to a controller. This design enables Kisi to be scalable, ranging from configurations for a single door to systems for thousands of doors, with the flexibility to have varying numbers of readers per door.
Key features
- Credentials: Physical (NFC) and mobile (BLE, NFC)
- Users: Unlimited (depending on license)
- Cloud management: Cloud-based web app with cloud updates and edge cache
- Updates: Over-the-air (OTA) updates that complete within seconds
- Security: Secure boot, Secure OTA, secure memory and secure connectivity
- Ingress protection: KRP80 for outdoor use / KRP50 for indoor use
Credentials
- Android and iOS smartphones (BLE, NFC)
- High frequency encrypted Kisi cards, fobs and tags (NFC)
Power consumption
- About six watts with 0.5 ampere at 12 volts of direct current
- 48 volts at PoE with about 0.125 ampere
Communication and connectivity
- Internet: Ethernet (PoE supported), Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- NFC read range: Up to 0.75 inches (1.9 cm)
- BLE Tap to Unlock range: Up to 9 inches (23 cm)
To connect the Kisi Reader Pro to the internet, please consider the following two hardware features: a receiver that receives network credentials, and a status indicator that visualizes a reader's connectivity status.
- BlinkUp receiver: receives wired and wireless network (Wi-Fi) credentials transmitted from mobile devices encoded through changes (increases and decreases) in the mobile device's screen brightness. For most Ethernet setups, BlinkUp will not be needed as readers can just be plugged in and connect automatically.
- BlinkUp status indicator: indicates the reader's connectivity status through a multi-color LED.
For more information on connecting Kisi devices to the internet, please refer to Get Started - Connect to the internet. For more information on BlinkUp, please refer to the BlinkUp article.
As an internet protocol based access control system, Kisi does not require controllers and readers to be directly wired to each other. However, controllers and readers must be on the same local network for optimum performance, including offline support. Should local network communications be unavailable, controllers and readers will communicate through the internet.
Feedback
This section outlines the various front LED feedback colors of the Kisi Reader Pro 1.0, grouped by events and scenarios.
When connecting the Kisi Reader Pro 1.0 to the internet, please refer to additional feedback states of other LEDs here.
Access attempt
| Scenario | Details | Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Idle | Blue | |
| Phone is close enough | No access rights | Blinking > Red > Idle |
| Has access rights | Blinking > Green > Idle | |
| Kisi/3rd party HF card | No access rights | Blinking* > Red > Idle |
| Has access rights | Blinking* > Green > Idle |
Configuration
| Scenario | Reaction |
|---|---|
| Reader offline and can connect to its controller | See Idle |
| Reader offline and cannot connect to its controller | Red |
| Reader assigned to a resource | Bright Blue |
| Reader not assigned to a resource | Dim Blue |
Alarms
| Scenario | Reaction |
|---|---|
| Door held open alarm | Alternating Green And Yellow |
| Intrusion detection | Alternating Blue And Red |
Dimensions, color, material
- Height: 5.8 in (14.7 cm)
- Width: 2.95 in (7.4 cm)
- Depth: 1.65 in (4.1 cm)
- Color: graphite gray
- Material: highly durable plastic
Environmental specifications
- Operating temperature: 14°F to 122°F (-10°C to 50°C)
Controller compatibility
- Kisi Controller Pro 1
- Kisi Controller Pro 2
Mounting
- Screw-in wall
- Optional wall plate at 4 in x 8 in (10.16 cm x 20.32 cm)
Troubleshooting guide
Status LED color codes
The status LED light can be found inside the Kisi Reader. The pattern of this LED light will show you the progress of the device’s attempt to connect to the network.
For additional information, please refer to the following articles:
Common BlinkUp problems
BlinkUp process gets stuck at ‘No Wi-Fi settings’ (long amber flash)
The imp hasn’t received any BlinkUp settings — try to blink-up again. Try to block out any direct bright lights, or perform a blink-up in the shade, and hold the device still during the process.
Stuck at ‘Searching for Wi-Fi network’ (long red flash followed by two short
red flashes)
Check that your network name (SSID) has been entered correctly, making sure that you observe capitalization, special characters etc. Devices can connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks.
Stuck at ‘Joining Wi-Fi network’ (long red flash followed by three short red
flashes)
Check that your network password has been entered correctly, making sure that you observe capitalization, special characters etc.
Stuck at ‘Getting IP address’ (alternating short red and amber flashes)
Ensure that DHCP is active on your router and has sufficient IP addresses for all of your devices, including your imp-enabled device. Also check that MAC address filtering isn’t enabled, or if it is that it isn’t denying the imp access to the network. If your reader is looking for an IP address, we recommend unplugging the reader and plugging it directly to the switch, to another port. If this brings the Kisi Reader online, it could be a cable issue and we recommend replacing the cabling. Try to take another Ethernet cable and plug the device directly to the switch, to either a working port (from another device) or a new port.
Stuck at ‘Resolving server name’ (alternating short amber and red flashes)
Check the DNS settings on your router. Devices still running early versions of impOS™ may be confused by the ‘DNS Relay’ mode on some routers — try disabling this mode.
Stuck at ‘Connecting to server’ (alternating long amber and short red
flashes)
Check the firewall settings on your router. The imp needs to make a TCP connection to port 31314; ensure this is not blocked. Only TCP 31314 needs to be open; UDP 31314 can remain closed.
Flashing red rapidly in a manner inconsistent with error patterns defined
above
This indicates a power supply issue. The device boots, turns the red LED on and then tries to activate Wi-Fi. However, the Wi-Fi power draw reduces the onboard imp’s operating voltage below tolerance and the imp resets. This continues ad infinitem. Check the power supply feeding your device.
Common questions
Why does the Kisi Reader Pro show red LED lights on the front despite Ethernet cable plugged in?
Red LED lights indicate that the reader is offline. Please check if:
- The Ethernet connection is a live one. A simple test would be to plug it into a computer to see if you can surf the internet with that network connection
- Make sure the necessary ports are open on your firewall.
The LED light on the front of the Kisi Reader Pro is blue, but when I tap a card against it, the lights turn red?
Blue LED lights indicate the reader is online. The red LED is an error, which could mean certain settings are not set right:
- Unlock with a card
- Unlock using Tap to Unlock
- Card not activated
- Please make sure the user activates the card using the link in the card activation email.
- User does not have valid access rights and/or Kisi account
- Make sure the user has a Kisi account and valid access rights.
- User does not have the correct settings enabled in their Kisi app
- Confirm iPhone users have both Bluetooth and Location services enabled, and Android users have both NFC and Location services enabled.
- The Kisi Reader Pro is not associated to any door
- Go to the Kisi web dashboard > Hardware > Readers. Confirm the relevant reader is associated with the correct door. If not, please associate it to a door.
Why does the LED light on the front of the Kisi Reader Pro does not turn on
(remains grey)?
- Check that all connections going into the Kisi Reader Pro are secure and there is power coming from the main source.
- Disassemble the Kisi Reader and check the Blinkup LED on the PCB. If the LED is dark, power cycle the reader since it turns off after a few minutes of inactivity. Here is the location of the Blinkup LED:
Why are the blue LED lights on the Kisi Reader Pro 1 dimmed?
The LED lights dim when there is a weak Wi-Fi signal. Try positioning the Kisi Kisi Reader Pro in a spot where the Wi-Fi signal is strong and steady.