Door Lock Machine Integration for Card Encoding Overview

We have two different door lock machines (hardware devices) with their own SDKs and documentation. Each machine can encode data on RFID door cards, but they differ in capabilities, communication protocol, and data format.

Machine A (Advanced)

Interfaces via COM port (e.g., COM1)

Accepts data in hexadecimal format

Supports multiple operations: initializer, encoder, dispenser

Machine B (Simple)

Interfaces via USB

Accepts data in ASCII format

Only supports encode operation

Currently, Machine B encodes cards directly with ASCII data, but we want to replicate the same card encoding process on Machine A so that both machines produce cards that are compatible/identical.

Goal

Implement an encoding function using Machine A’s SDK so that the encoded cards behave exactly the same as those produced by Machine B.

Handle data conversion: ASCII (Machine B) → Hex (Machine A)

Ensure the output card works seamlessly with the existing door system.

Deliverables

A working encoding script/application (Python) that uses Machine A to encode cards exactly like Machine B.

Clear documentation on how to run the script, dependencies, and usage examples.

Any necessary data conversion utilities (ASCII ↔ HEX).

Basic testing procedure to validate encoded cards.

Requirements

Strong experience with serial communication (COM/USB ports)

Familiarity with hex vs ASCII data encoding

Ability to work with SDKs and vendor documentation for hardware devices

Experience with RFID / MIFARE / hotel lock systems

Notes

Both machines’ SDKs and documentation will be provided.

You will have access to test code we already use with each machine.

The task focuses only on the encoding part using Machine A to match Machine B.