Home Security Products w/ Software APIs?

[JeffT]

Hi all,
I am new to CocoonTech.com and to Home Security in general. I have been tasked with researching / protyping a software application that can interface with some existing home security products. I have looked at GE NetworX, Honeywell products, etc. I am not sure if any meet my need. Does anyone know if there are commercial products available that will allow me to query their status and possibly update their state with my custom software application? If so, is there an API or interface documentation available?

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance for you assistance.

Jeff

 

[DavidL]

Hi Jeff,
There are quite a few software applications that exist that interface with many of the controllable security system. Note that many are NOT controllable externally. Of the ones that are, they document their protocol and it's not hard to get access to the documentation.

Of the software flavors that exist, many of them support 2 way communication with the hardware devices that support 2 way communications.

Each hardware company has their own protocol, even though the capabilities are similar as there is no industry specification embraced that creates a standard. So, every integration is a one off.

Most of the controllable security panels talk RS232 / RS485 (485 usually on it's internal network between panel / keypads / expansion modules). Several of them support TCP (ethernet).

Are you able to outline your needs / wants publicly? If so, please do as there may be a direct fit for what you are tasked to do. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to discuss openly.

 

[JeffT]

Hi David,
Thank you for your response. At this time, I am looking for something with the following features:

- has wireless sensor components (minimally a door and/or window sensor will do).
- supports TCP interface
- has a documentation describing their protocol for either one way or two way communication

Even if software applications are available, we will eventually be looking to tie these products into our existing software products, so custom software integration capability is the primary concern. If there are a number of products from different vendors, excellent. I am interested in all of them as we may eventually support more than one.

Please let me know if you have any suggetions. I have had no luck finding any interface documentation. Feel free to PM me you want my direct contact info.

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[jwilson56]

Hi David,
Thank you for your response. At this time, I am looking for something with the following features:

- has wireless sensor components (minimally a door and/or window sensor will do).
- supports TCP interface
- has a documentation describing their protocol for either one way or two way communication

Even if software applications are available, we will eventually be looking to tie these products into our existing software products, so custom software integration capability is the primary concern. If there are a number of products from different vendors, excellent. I am interested in all of them as we may eventually support more than one.

Please let me know if you have any suggetions. I have had no luck finding any interface documentation. Feel free to PM me you want my direct contact info.

Thanks!
Jeff

I think the Elk M1 system fits that fine.

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...=376&page=1

I am using the Elk M1EZ8 version with Girder as the home automation application and Netremote as the GUI front end. You will find that the Elk is very popular here at Cocoontech and its a great unit that has lots of automation capabilities by itself but also can be used with external software and is widely supported by many packages. The protocol is very well documented also so you could do your own.

I use the ELK-M1XRF2G wireless receiver and NX-650 wireless sensors for my door and windows.

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...=340&page=1

You can check my showcase out which shows my Netremote screens for my Now Playing 2008 project including the ones for my lighting and security (which is handled by the Elk).

http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showto...t=15#entry85610

 

[JeffT]

Thanks John! I'll check it out.

Anyone other recommendations?