Security technology is evolving to bring ever greater capabilities to access control and surveillance. Here are a few terms you will hear when wireless is discussed, and what those terms mean.
Bluetooth: Uses radio waves instead of wires. Typical Bluetooth products are computer mouse and headphones. Bluetooth has also been adapted to allow smart devices to be used as credentials in access control.
Communication between Bluetooth devices happens over short-range, ad hoc networks known as piconets. A piconet is a network of devices connected using Bluetooth technology. When a network is established, one device takes the role of the master while all the other devices act as slaves. Piconets are established dynamically and automatically as Bluetooth devices enter and leave radio proximity. This limited range is actually a feature which makes Bluetooth useful for adapting smart devices as access control credentials.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is the popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections. Wi-Fi is not short for "wireless fidelity.”
Radio Frequency: Wi-Fi networks have no physical wired connection between sender and receiver by using radio frequency (RF) technology -- a frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space.
The cornerstone of any wireless network is an access point (AP). The primary job of an access point is to broadcast a wireless signal that other devices can detect and "tune" into.
Hot Spot: Wireless (or wi-Fi) hotspots are essentially wireless access points providing network and/or Internet access to mobile devices. Uses include enabling mobile devices to access the Internet, establish dedicated networks to allow devices to operate in a proprietary network environment.
A novel application is putting a hotpot into a wireless device such as an IP camera which allows local wireless connections between the camera and smartphone clients over a limited range, when no wifi network is available or when wide distribution of the shared data is not desired.
Typical wi-fi hotspot venues include cafes, libraries, airports, and hotels, but devices with integral hotpots can setup a proprietary wi-fi network as already described
Here are some interesting wireless access control products for your consideration.
Schlage® LE Wireless Mortise Locks
The Schlage® LE Wireless Mortise Lock is the latest product from Schlage featuring ENGAGE™ technology LE locks are designed to be easy to install, connect, manage and use. And with the ENGAGE cloud-based web and mobile apps, it’s easy to configure lock settings, add users, and view audits and alerts from anywhere.
Schlage LE suites with the most popular Schlage L Series decorative levers, keyways, and finishes, providing attractive options to meet the requirements of nearly any facility. Designed to affordably extend electronic access control deeper into the building, LE locks are ideal for office and suite entries, conference rooms, common area doors, resident units and sensitive storage areas with a mortise door prep.
The LE is ideal for commercial real estate, K-12, higher education, assisted living, medical offices, or multi-family applications. Facilities can benefit from the enhanced security, efficiency and convenience of upgrading to electronic credentials.
Features:
- Up to 2 years of battery life
- Weather-resistant design for use on perimeter doors
- Suites with mechanical L Series with 28 lever and 2 knob designs
- MS mortise with indicator, MB mortise with push button, and MD mortise deadbolt available to configure applications for storeroom, privacy, apartment and office
- Lever handing is field changeable on most styles (See price book)
- Innovative integrated door position switch requires no additional door prep (Door position switch requires additional prep for mortise deadbolt applications)
- Built-in Bluetooth® enables wireless configuration from smart phones and tablets
- Built-in Wi-Fi® enables automatic daily updates sent directly from host software
- Enables networked real-time communication with the ENGAGE Gateway and software alliances
- ANSI/BHMA A156.25 (indoor/outdoor), ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, UL 294, ULC S319, UL10C (3-hour
More Info: www.allegion.us
3xLOGIC Multi-Sensor VX-2S-CPIR-W-S-S64
The 3xLOGIC 2MP indoor Multi-Sensor camera goes far beyond being an IP video camera. The Multi-Sensor boasts the ability to host VIGIL Server, allowing the camera to record video to the onboard SD card, with full search capabilities in VIGIL Client and in the View Lite II and Infinias mobile apps. Use VIGIL Central Management (VCM) to monitor online/offline and recording status as well as number of days of recorded footage.
A true all-in-one solution, built-in Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors, 2-way audio with VIGIL Server, and digital I/O allow the Multi-Sensor to be an alarm annunciator, audio system, and video recorder in one, small unit. Paired with an eIDC32 and inifinias CLOUD, users can achieve a completely serverless access control and video system without having to store video in the cloud.
Using combinations of features, security professionals can unlock the true potential of the Multi-Sensor. Combine PIR and pixel-based motion detection to decrease false motion alarms. Use the onboard VIGIL Server combined with a VIGIL Server onsite for redundant recording. When an alarm is triggered into the digital I/O, use 2-way audio to communicate with site. Receive push notifications to the View Lite II mobile app from any alarm using VIGIL Connect.
The Multi-Sensor was also designed with the installer in mind. Use the 3xLOGIC All-in-One PC Setup Utility for auto-detection and setup or the mobile VSX Setup app for a simple Scan-and-Setup interface. These tools along with the ability to connect with wireless networks using WPS, allow a single installer to get the camera positioned and recording in a matter of minutes, instead of hours.
More Info: www.3xlogic.com
FLIR FX
As you probably know, FLIR makes IR sensor cameras used by the military. They’ve broadened out to offer products to the civilian market, and this camera caught my attention. When it arrived, it not only caught my attention, it won me over.
The product is available through many vendors including directly from Flir.
I have been experimenting with inexpensive IP cameras for a while, and this camera is a winner. Really there is no comparison between this product and the stuff I usually get on eBay.
This is truly a wireless camera if you want it to be. It has on board batteries and can run for several hours on battery. But it also comes with a power cord and power supply, and can be used that way as well.
It has an on board micro chip for recording.
Another feature is the 1080 resolution. This is HD and it affords you a very usable quality image. Along with an extremely wide angle view, this is a very useful and handy tool.
The word ‘cloud’ is used in connection with this camera. Generally when you see the word “Cloud” there is a paid subscription required to use the product.
Not this one. Although they do offer a cloud plan, this camera delivers the majority of its features using a free account.
Additionally, this camera does not require wi-fi. It does have a wi-fi mode, but also has the ability to work in the absence of wi-fi, and is designed to be viewed on a mobile phone or tablet.
There is also a Windows client which enables the use of several handy features.
The camera arrived on schedule, and I was blown away by the quality of the packaging and the class of the presentation. But then I discovered the downloadable manual which is 116 pages, and rivals the best documentation I’ve ever used for any video surveillance product. Tech support and customer service also exceeded my expectations, with a hotline that operated 6 days a week well into the evening.
The mobile app has a very usable highly intuitive user interface. I’m just getting familiar with this device, but I was so impressed I wanted to share my experience with readers who are tired of being disappointed with inexpensive IP cameras ordered online.
Specifications:
- Image sensor: 1/3" 4 MegaPixel CMOS
- Resolution: Up to 1080p (1920 × 1080)
- Frame rate: Up to 30 fps
- Lens: 2.45mm / F2.5
- Field of view (diagonal): Up to 160°
- IR cut filter: Yes
- Wireless interface: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n compliance, 2.4GHz band
- Mobile app: iPhone® / iPad® / Android™
- microSD card: 8GB to 64GB - microSDHC or microSDXC; class 10 or higher (an 8GB comes with it)
- Video compression: H.264
- Recording file format: Video: MP4
- Image: JPG
- WI-FI hotspot range: Up to 500ft (150m) (It is its own hotpot if you don’t have wifi, like in your vehicle)
- IR LED: 6 IR LEDs
- Night vision range: Up to 20ft (6m) indoor
- Buttons: Power, WiFi, Record (very straightforward to control)
- Speaker: Yes
- Microphone: Yes
- Temperature sensor: Yes (Tells you the temp in real time)
- Humidity sensor: Yes (Tells you the humidity in real time)
- Environmental rating: Indoor only
- Operating temperature: 32 ~ 104°F / 0 ~ 40°C
- Battery life: Up to 2 hours (camera only), up to 4 hours (camera & indoor stand) (separate batteries in the camera AND in the detachable base; very cool)
- Battery: 3.7V DC 1130mAh
- Power adapter: 5.0V DC 2.0A / Micro-USB type
- Motion sensing and notifications
The camera also has some noteworthy optional features. The outdoor option includes commercial-grade infrared illumination to see up to 65 feet at night. Waterproof, submersible sport housing accessories capture action in HD. And the dash mount option uses the built-in accelerometer to automatically record when your vehicle is in motion or in an accident
*Cloud subscription required, 30-day free trial included
More Info: www.flir.com
Viking Custom Voice Alerts
The Viking K-2000-DVA is a programmable auto dialer and digital announcer. Easily record and store alert tones and voice announcements for on-demand play back and emergency notification.
“The K-2000-DVA is a quick and easy way to deliver important messages to the right people, right away.” – Paul Speltz, Viking Electronics.
The K-2000-DVA gives the user eight inputs for recording and storing alert tones and custom voice recordings. Each input can be individually activated by a relay contact. Messages and tones can be recorded locally or remotely from a touch tone phone or use the built-in audio input jack. If the K-2000-DVA loses power, all recordings and alert tones will remain unaffected.
The versatile K-2000-DVA offers two different modes so users can choose which will work best for their application.
The Store Caster mode on the K-2000-DVA plays messages over an existing paging system. Use store caster mode to signal customers that the store will be closing soon, play in-store advertisements, signal an emergency, and more. The K-2000-DVA’s audio output will interface with nearly any paging system.
The Voice Alarm Dialer mode is used to alert emergency personnel by phone. Connect each input of the K-2000-DVA to a contact output on: industrial machinery, environmental sensors, security alarms, etc. Each input will dial up to 8 phone numbers when activated, deliver the recorded message, and then hang up.
More Info: https://www.vikingelectronics.com/product-details.php?pid=164
