jameswilson's Blog

IMO the more we do, the less we have. There will no longer be a security installation company and it will become more grey then ever.

cant say i disagree but isnt that progress, ie change or die.

Id also say that if we (the security sector) dont embrace this then someone else will and they will be the security provider. No-one is better placed than us to offer this package. Granted we are not there yet, but we dont have compliant product so we cant. As has been seen by the consumer appliance manufactures just with wifi as an example. The N std was ratified but they were all making gear to its draft. We wouldnt dream of doing that for the right reasons, but we need to wake up IMO and see the future.

We have made some progress, UDL, wireless etc, but compared to other sectors we are so behind the times its shocking.

To incorperate other stuff into the alarm system, i agree with, automation, touch screen rkp displaying cctv images, diary / email ect... , intergration as you mention, to use mobile to control panel BUT face **** - one step to far.

To think the security industry is lagging behind because it dosent incorperate that *****, makes you a nutter

facebook is just one thing, im mainly meaning integration with the web and web services. If the framework exisited to make little plugins for these things then it would be possible for them to written outside of the manufacturer.

What do you want included in your Touch screen keypad.

Java app (CCTV)

Phone (great engineer tool)

SD slot

Blue tooth

Zigbee (do we really need Bluetooth)

IPhone app

All this has been prototyped and is available market research says there isnt a market

We had ours connected to our panel on our network I can change the screen real time to any background I choose. The prototype was shown at IFSEC 2008 responce was negative

Sale price of Keypad only was expected to be circa £650

The cost is a critical point. But with the flood of cheap mobiles with decentish screens there must be a way of using them?

The phone id expect to be integrated into the control panel, and this would be used (as already is in some panels) for 2 way comms with the engineer, the arc etc. Id want the voice to be available when doing udl somehow.

Need bluetooth only if bluetooth is going to be used as an interface point. I dont think it has the range for us.

If panels had wifi or ethernet then an adhoc wifi link would be more beneficial for small stuff and if there is a router could be infrastructure mode. IMO using wifi, pstn and gprs for comms would be a good mix.

SD slot not needed IMO would prefer to be able to upload images to the panel software. That way of you have mutliple keypads it would be easier.

Depending on the OS of the keypad (phone os android etc) then it might allow 'apps' and an exisiting development environment. That way anything could be integrated, but i think early days a cctv app and a means to get video (or ipcams) on the keypad and through the ip web i/f of the panel would be fine.

re using keypads as wall mounted picture displays, it would need an sd card somewhere to hold these but id also like the option of logging into facebook and picasa etc and showing pictures from there. No point in loading pictures from everywhere.

Android as a keypad OS might be a good idea. Especially with google tv, android phone handsets, chrome laptops etc. Would allow an easier integration path for the manufacturer. Imagine getting your security system up on your google tv and it communicationg via IP picking up alarm info, logs, cctv images, access control etc.

From a HA point of view i personally want the HOME CONTROL PANEL to run my heating and lighting etc. Then it can learn my usual lighting habits. Then it can easily replay them when its set.

Problem as i see it, if our industry doesnt do it then another will.

Id also advice the comms is modular, ie if i want zigbee i buy a zigbee portal. If i want c bus i buy a c-bus portal, if i want cctv i buy that etc etc.

I ran it past my friend. He informs me that the trend is to change. Alarm system manufacturers are not pushing HA in a way you would exspect, The market is to be driven by apps that intergrate the alarm rather than the way we discussed. His explanation made sense. why compete? He already has apps that intergrate his phone to some popular alarms systems as part of HA. Problem! Its unlikely these product will be major in the UK.

I get to see working kit in the new year he is using a mac book to control and mimic his alarm. this app gives him all the controls we are discussing and removes the cost of touch screen.

The last alarm touch screen demo i saw had weather and SAT NAV, WTF. handy if you want to plan a trip LOL,

ONE OTHER THING

The IP age is upon us. join it soon or retrofit.

This can be done look up inner range.

With standardised chargers now being implemented for mobiles and the "optimal" phone designs now settling in, I would like to see a system where my phone docks into a cradle to form the keypad / home control unit or docks in my vehicle dash when out and about to act as my satnav etc.

These things are possible already but I want a more seamless and intuitive integration that just works.

Once you remove the shackles of sticking to conventions and assuming that the old way was always the right way you can really start to explore truly ergonomic solutions.

The only thing to be careful of is that not all change is good change - so research carefully and test fully.


P.S. - Trifactor authentication based on:

• Physical device (Phone)
• Code entry (Keypad displays on insertion into dock)
• Iris / facial recognition (Using camera built into phone)

Could be a useful way to provide further authentication without requiring a lot of time or equipment which could work for several applications.