Synopsis

A prototype super-lock node that allows for CCTV switching, etc., is currently available to form the basis of a Super-Lock. The purpose of this new type of lock node is to allow for the addition of CCTV and voice comms to the basic loack function. The new lock is intended primarily as a remote door-entry for staff and office areas and allows a 'visitor' to 'knock' on, say, a staff door even though that door may lie beyond a common, locked, entrance. The member of staff could see and communicate with the visitor through a video and voice comms link. The door would be unlocked remotely by the PC when the member of staff allows the visitor entry.

The novel hardware aspects of this project will be the investigation, design, and implementation of the voice comms link to enhance the current prototype.

The novel software aspects of the project will involve the integration of the super-lock node with the staff member's PC so that the video image of the visitor can be viewed on the PC. Similarly, the two-way voice interface and the remote control software to unlock the door from the PC needs to be developed.

Background

The above project is based on the LonWorks interoperable control network system made by http://www.echelon.com. The individual hardware components are nodes - small computers with powerful I/O interfaces.

An example of the capabilities of LonWork nodes can be found in the electronic lock systems used throughout the CS Department.

Gerry Haran in System Support has extensive experience of developing LonWorks-based devices and he has kindly offered to be a source of information, knowledge and expertise on LonWorks development.

The circuit for a node is drawn at the same time as the "Neuron C" program is written. (Neuron C is close to, but not quite, ANSI C) . The environment in which the code is written is called "NodeBuilder" and has a hardware emulation device for testing purposes. There is a Pentium 75 currently dedicated to LonWorks and it is occasionally used to repair/upgrade and monitor our lock system. This computer could be assigned to project use but, although the files required for the lock system are kept on UNIX, the PC may be temporarily requisitioned for lock system use.

Each node may be stand-alone, but if two or more are built, they can be networked and have variables "bound" to variables in other nodes. This "binding" is performed by a combination of two tools - "LonProfiler" and "LonMaker".

http://demo.echelon.com/layout.htm for interactive demo. This ia a room in Palo Alto which has various components attached to the web. Others may be using it too...

http://www.lonworks.com/Company/press/stockSaleEnel.htm This (rather dry) press release desribes how Italy is about to be networked - All 27 million homes!

http://www.cs.strath.ac.uk/local/lab_temperatures/interesting_graphs.html shows temperature graphs derived from data collected on the LonWorks net in the dept.

Language(s)

Neuron C

Platform(s)

LonWorks - developed using a PC-hosted development environment.

References

See Background