Smart security sensor system sends out the alert

Getting the right warning message to the right person just became easier with a smart sensor system to monitor plant environment and security.

Thailand-based AKCP's Sensor Notification Matrix system is able to send alert messages to the correct department when such parameters as temperature changes.

It will also take photographs of anincident for record keeping and evidence.

Rapid alert sensor technology systems are increasing in demand at today's automated food processing plants as managers attempt to keep a closer eye on the quality of their products.

Speedy alertsystems can save on shut down time and wasted product that falls below the quality standard set by the company.

The company's Sensor Notification Matrix is the software package behind AKCP's CameraProbe8 and SensorProbe8Linux sensor systems.

Up to four cameras can be connected to either system.

Sensor Notification Matrix can send alerts via e-mail, SNMP trap, SMS, MMS, Text to Speech, and telephone calls.

Managers can use an optional external modem and telephone to notify targeted personsof any changes with customized text-to-speech software.

Users can also create your own personal scripts, which can be run whenever specific events arise.

If the Ethernet is down, the modem can be used to dial into an ISP and deliver information viae-mail.

Each individual sensor may have different settings which can execute any alarm.

Alarms can also be escalated so that different people are notified with different messages.

An e-mail alarm for a temperature sensor could be set up to be sent to the maintenance staff, while an alarm from the security sensor will be sent via telephone to the security officer.

The alert system can be adjusted for individual sensors.

An alarm for a voltage sensor can be sent via SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) over the computer network.

An alert for a drycontact on another port can be sent via both e-mail and SNMP trap.

The configuration can even be modified per sensor status.

For instance, the SMS text notification settings for humidity sensor three can use one set of mobile phone numbers for a "highwarning" and another set of phone numbers for "high critical" status.

Expensive MMS and SMS messages can be limited depending on the sensor type, the severity status of the sensor, the time of day, the duration of the error, and the day of week, AKCP stated.

For additional security SMS and MMS messages can be sent with an optional external mobile phone allowing messages to be sent when the Ethernet is down or when the modem cannot dial out.

To protect against excessive alerts users can set conditions to filter every type of notification.

An alarm can delayed for a certain period of time before being sent out.

The system also has an option to limit notifications in accordance with specific time of day and day of week.

The CameraProbe8 option includes an integrated digital camera and supports up to three additional external analog security cameras.

The SensorProbe8Linux allows the connection of up to fouradditional external analog security cameras.

Pictures can be recorded whenever a sensor event occurs.

The Sensor Notification Matrix allows each sensor event to be customised so that the camera and the number of pictures can be configured.

For example, users can set the security sensor to keep a photograph two seconds prior to the opening of a front door and then for five seconds afterwards.

When a motion detector indicates thatsomeone is in the main computer room a single picture can be made, but only if that motion occurs at night or on the weekend.

Pictures may be stored in the internal flash disk drive.

An unlimited number of pictures may be automatically saved to an external server.

Pictures from any or all of the four cameras may be sentattached to an e-mail or an MMS message.

External links to companies or organisations mentioned in this story: AKCPinc