FingerTec News  05/12/2016
BLE I/O Device
Promoting Wireless Access Security in the Connected World
 
Access control security has always been linked sets of hardware, installation, wiring, system deployment training and commissioning, something that is complex and requiring expert in the field to get it done. The usual practice is, the control of the sensors will be done at its own control panel and very unlikely, done remotely. But what if one could control access control through one’s laptop or a smartphone? Wouldn’t that be convenient? In fact, the security industry is moving to incorporate the cloud solution into access control where users can open/lock doors through mobile, press panic button, block unauthorized entry and many other functions. How is this possible? This article will explain on one design that involves a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) I/O device.
 
 
  Something blue is cooking
At TimeTec, we are designing a Bluetooth Low Energy I/O device that functions as a monitoring station for alarm sensors, which include passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor), smoke detector, motion detector and many more. Most of the sensors available in the alarm industry are either relay contact or power contact and the BLE I/O is devised to monitor these outputs from these kinds of sensors.

This is an example of how a BLE I/O device could work. You need to install a motion detector and pair it to a BLE I/O unit. In normal circumstances, the detector will continuously output its relay signal through its wire and simultaneously, the BLE I/O unit receives this signal constantly in real-time. However, when that detector senses movement in the monitored space, its relay signal will change and the BLE I/O unit will pick up this change in signal instantaneously and emit the status to the mainboard to activate the siren.

  The story of the BLE I/O mainboard
The mainboard has a CPU that stores configurations and alarm setup but it is not designed to store any user information or access rules for security reasons. The communication between BLE I/O and the mainboard is linked through Bluetooth (BLE 4.1) and WiFi for the Internet to link the data to the cloud server. And this mainboard works as a platform to connect and monitor the statuses of all the BLE I/O units connected to it.

By using a mobile app, users could access to the mainboard for rules configuration and monitoring of each BLE I/O unit. In any events where the alarm sensor that is connected to the unit reported flaws, the BLE I/O unit will direct the mainboard to trigger the alarm.

This mainboard connects to the Cloud server through the Internet where all records from each BLE I/O unit is recorded under individual account. With this remote connectivity, users can access to view and monitor his space and premises through a mobile app, remotely.

  Benefits of the BLE I/O
With this brilliant design, customers can purchase any generic brands of alarm sensor that provides either relay or power output, and pair it with an alarm system. The DIY concept of BLE I/O units gives customers an easy decision about the quantity of sensors they require for their space without having to worry about the inflated cost for the expert installations. The configuration of this BLE I/O unit can be accomplished in mobile app for user convenience and all set ups will be stored in the cloud server securely, leaving the total control in the hands of the users.
  TimeTec Access and BLE I/O
Customers can also choose to mount FingerTec access terminals to the BLE I/O unit, and setup the mainboard to recognize it as an access control point. Therefore, users can install electronic door lock system to the mainboard to control the doors. On the control part, a system administrator needs to be assigned to configure access rules and assign users accordingly through a mobile app. And each user can access to the system through his/her own mobile app account to open and lock door according to the authority assigned to him/her.

With this design, the wiring part of the installation can be reduced significantly, making it a sleek system, and the rules setup can be applied differently to different users, and there is also an option to connect to different devices at a time, providing control and convenience at its best to all customers.

 
TimeTec BLE I/O device will meet the market in 2017.