Webcat Demonstration One - Leisure Hall

Outline

The system demonstrated here is one that might be typically used in a leisure complex such as a gallery or casino where it is required to know the occupancy of the building, either for commercial or fire safety reasons.

The heart of the system is a Webcat controller. This unit monitors the coming and going of clientele either by radio linked turnstiles or optical portals. The Webcat is connected to one or more personal computers, either by means of the building IT network, dedicated cable or IEEE 802.11b radio link. Each connected computer may monitor and control the system by means of a standard web browser.

Features and Benefits

• Control from any network - connected computer
• Radio links reduce cabling costs
• Web interface reduces training costs and operational errors
• Industrial strength software for high reliability
• Reduced TCO

The Demonstration

The demonstration comprises a simulation of the Webcat output from the system, and an additional page providing a simulation of a pair of access control gates, allowing entry and exit events to be presented to the system.

For best results, use two computers with fast internet connections. Open the Webcat Display on one, and the Gate Simulator on the other. It is then easy to see how changes made to the system on one interface are reflected on the other.

This is a public demonstration and uses one set of data; if you see, for example, the counters reset for no apparent reason, it was most likely someone using the demonstration at a different location.

Webcat Display

The Webcat Display is the web page sent to a remote operator's computer by the Webcat. The operator may monitor and control the system by means of this display.

This link will take you to the Webcat display.

The upper pane of the display provides details of the two access control units in the demonstration.

The first two fields of the top data line show that unit g1 is an optical portal. As it is connected to the Webcat via RS-422, the device may be switched on or off and therefore the mode indication in the next field is a toggle button which may be clicked to toggle the device on or off. The next two fields are totaliser counts of the number of entries and exits through the device. The final field is a reset button, which resets the totalisers.

The first two fields of the second data line show that unit g2 is a radio turnstile. As it connected to the Webcat via a one - way radio link it is not possible to switch the device on or off and therefore the mode indication in the next field merely shows the state of the link receiver. The next two fields are totaliser counts of the number of entries and exits through the device. The final field is a reset button, which resets the totalisers.

The lower pane of the display provides information about the area under supervision.

To the left is the output of the security webcam monitoring the access control devices.

To the right are several indications and controls. The first indicates the last time data was received from the Webcat. This indication is in universal time. Next, the display indicating the occupancy of the area. This is followed by the foyer lighting control. The result of toggling this may be seen on the webcam display. The final buttons play two recorded announcements and sound an alarm by means of the Webcat's PA system. These have no noticeable effect in the demonstration other than that the alarm state is shown on the gate simulator screen.

Gate Simulator

The Gate Simulator is not a part of the system and only provided here as a convenient means to see the system functioning.

This link will take you to the gate simulator.

The upper pane of the display comprises a bank of two buttons - entry and exit - for each gate. The buttons on gate g1 are only active when the gate mode is set to 'on' - otherwise they are greyed out and do nothing. Gate g2 is always active hence the buttons are always available.

The lower pane of the display indicates the status of the lighting and alarm functions.

System Components

Webcat

The Catnip Controls Webcat is a sophisticated device which allows any device found in an industrial control setting to be controlled via a web interface. The device receives incoming data in a variety of forms:

• Radio link
• RS-485 serial link
• RS-232 serial link
• Ethernet
• Logic inputs or switch closures
• USB and IEE1394

Outputs include

• Video for video signs
• Audio for public address, background music playout and alarms
• RS-232 for varible signs
• Digital switch outputs for power control
• Ethernet or IEEE 802.11b wireless networking

Typical devices and systems that may be controlled include:

• Vending Machines
• Point Of Sale Terminals
• Access controlled doors and turnstiles
• Car park barriers
• Heating and Ventilation
• Lighting
• Security cameras
• Variable signs and video displays
• Process Control and SCADA systems

The output from the Webcat is either by standard 10Base100/10t network connection or by wireless networking.

The Webcat is equipped with a powerful HTTP web server and database system which leverages AJAX techniques to enable complex interfaces to be presented to the user in readily understandable form, thus reducing staff training time and operational errors.

Because the Webcat uses an industrial strength operating system, system data is secure from intrusion and virus problems, whilst remaining readily accessible from inexpensive office computers.

Radio Gates

Radio gates count the passage of people in locations which are difficult to wire, such as lobbies with solid concrete floors and high ceilings.

Radio gates comprise a standard turnstile mechanism linked to a battery operated radio transmitter. The transmitter signals each passage of a person through the gate aisle to the Webcat via a short range UHF link.

Optical Gates

Optical gates count the passage of people in high profile locations where the minimum intrusion into the flow of people and into the aesthetics of the architecture is required.

When the gates are 'on' people may freely pass through the aisles where a sensor array and detection algorithm accurately count their passage. Alternatively the gates may be switched to the 'off' position where a red indication is displayed forbidding passage, and an alarm sounds if passage is attempted.

Optical gates are connected to the Webcat using an industry standard RS-485 link, which may be up to one kilometre in length.

Webcam

The webcam is a standard off the shelf product connected to the Webcat via the USB interface.

Audio

The Webcat is equipped with a stereo audio output suitable for feeding powered speakers for local public address, music and alarm applications.

Lighting

The Webcat is equipped with digital outputs for driving relays to control power loads such as lighting.

Network

The Webcat must be connected to the user computer(s) by means of any standard TCP/IP network. A standard building network may be used in which case the Webcat may be configured to a fixed address or it may obtain an address by DHCP. If no network exists, the Webcat may be connected to the user computer by a single network cable or by means of a wireless network link. In either case the Webcat will act as a DHCP server and the user computer should be set up as a DHCP client.

User Computer

The user computer may be any computer with a network connection and an AJAX - capable web browser. We recommend the Firefox browser which is available for GNU/Linux, Macintosh, Solaris, Windows and most other popular platforms. Microsoft Internet Explorer is also supported.