Articles

Open the door to better Access Control Systems Made Easy with EVE

4 Apr 2024 – 

Door Access Controls

The humble door access system stands guard in all weathers, bringing an often-unappreciated security and reassurance to residents. For decades, they have been invaluable in controlling access to all types of dwelling, from detached homes to apartment blocks through to large condos, and even commercial premises.

Basic intercom-style units consist of an external calling point, where the visitor presses a button to alert the intended resident, and an internal console with handset and door release pushbutton in each residence.

Intercoms are so ‘yesterday’

Door Access systems have ‘evolved’ including the addition of external cameras, linked to a dedicated video screen on the internal console. Originally a feature of high-end systems, widespread availability and falling costs of miniature cameras and colour display panels have allowed mid-range units to offer these features.

Whilst smartphone-based security devices are available, having a local display (or a local display in addition to smartphone capability) adds value and convenience in many ways including:

  • Providing real-time monitoring capabilities with an immediate and continuous video feed
  • Always available without dependency on a smartphone which might not be accessible
  • User-friendly for a wider range of users of different ages
  • Larger displays can be used compared to a smartphone making it easier to identify visitors
  • Possibility to integrate the system with other Smart Home Systems

Intelligent Graphics Controllers for better User Controls

Video door entry systems often use the screen for the video image only, with traditional buttons for the user controls. This lacks the flexibility to provide user controls for advanced features.

Integrating an intelligent graphics controller such as the Embedded Video Engine (EVE) from Bridgetek allows designers to combine the display and touch-screen control, opening the door to significant product improvements.

Door Access Graphical Touch Display Challenges

  • Display panel limitations – Video door entry screens often support small displays which can show the video image only.
  • User interface limitations– The use of mechanical buttons forces a compromise between having a simple feature set or complex navigation around menus and features.
  • Limited flexibility – The user interface is not able to accommodate controls for new features, limiting any enhancement of the overall product.

Solutions to Door Access Graphical Touch Display with Embedded Video Engine (EVE)

  • Display panel – EVE supports full colour displays ranging from 3.5″ (480×272) and smaller, up to 10.1″ (1280×800) with the latest BT817, in different shapes such as rectangular, circular etc.
  • User interface – EVE allows designers to enhance their user interface by overlaying information and controls on the same screen used for the video
  • Flexible – EVE connects to your preferred MCU over Quad SPI, offering a 3-in-1 solution with graphics, touch and audio capabilities allowing a fully integrated and flexible user interface

Some examples of features which can be enabled by EVE include:

  • Leave messages for couriers via full on-screen keypad
  • Customise the display control layout, style and background
  • Enhanced status information (e.g. is the door fully closed)
  • Review caller times / history
  • Scrollable / searchable directory for large complexes
  • Provide keycode access on the external screen
  • Display status of an attached RFID reader

Solving Challenges in Internal and External consoles

The following points show how an EVE-based graphics solution helps solve challenges in the internal and external units used in Door Access systems.

Innovate with EVE!

The user interface is an important aspect of a door access system.  On traditional door access systems, it can limit the devices functionality and feature set.

However, help is at hand in the form of an EVE-enabled touch graphics display solution from Bridgetek. By using the right platform to implement the user interface, designers can free themselves from these constraints, and proceed to differentiate their product with innovative features. The EVE devices make this process much easier with their wealth of graphics, touch and audio features, including:

  • Simple to add to your preferred MCU via a SPI connection
  • Display Motion JPEG video along with user controls on the same display
  • Support a huge range of displays with backlight dimming PWM
  • Implement touch controls easily with minimal MCU workload
  • Custom Touch (BT88x onwards) supports panels with thicker glass/splash tolerance
  • Unicode support for multi-language user interfaces (BT81x onward)
  • Easy audio tone generation with minimal MCU workload

What’s more, you can achieve even greater resolution and performance with the new 5th generation BT820 device from Bridgetek. Coming soon!

Get in touch with us at marketing@brtchip.com to find out how EVE can help you enhance your door access system design, or indeed similar applications such as keypad lock systems and many more…

Newsletter








    Do not show this pop up again.