Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] Serial-byte Jerry Swords Tue, 22 Feb 2000 23:25:34 -0500

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Hi Kevin,

Sorry about the delay in responding...out of town for the weekend.  I am using
low current outputs to tell ECS when someone has armed or disarmed the alarm.  I
use this information to have my TC+ relay outputs "press" the buttons on a
hacked keyfob remote for the Titan AccessOne deadbolts I have.  It works great
for allowing anyone with an alarm code to enter the premises.  However, the DSC
only puts out user specific openings and closings through the serial printer
board.  For added security, I would like to be able to let ECS use that
information to open the deadbolts only at specific times (ie: pest control guy
or cleaning lady).  If it isn't their day and time, ECS will not open the
deadbolts, and could immediately re-arm the security system, as well as notify
me that someone using that code is attempting entry when they aren't supposed
to.

Through testing, I've been able to read the output of the serial printer card
using COMIO, and the alarm system puts out exactly the same information and
format that is stored in the event buffer.  I just need to figure out how ECS
receives the info over the com port, decode it, and write events that will do
what I want.  Using your hints, and the "temperature" events that Glenn Zupsic
posted awhile back, I'll stumble my way through eventually.  Unfortunately, I've
never attempted to use com port information before, so it may take a while.
I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,
Jerry

Kevin Keast wrote:

> Hi Jerry,
>
> Just a thought here.  I may be mistaken but If you have the low current
> output board for the DSC 832, I think you can program outputs to be
> command-outputs that require the user to enter a passcode so as to trigger
> the outputs and open deadbolts that way.  ECS could be updated of this if
> you have a controller such as HV where you also run the output into an input
> on the HV.
>
> Just an idea if the serial byte idea crashes or is too difficult.
>
> Kevin
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Jerry Swords [mailto:nitewind@bellsouth.net]
> Sent:   Friday, February 18, 2000 1:09 AM
> To:     ECS
> Subject:        [ECS] Serial-byte
>
> I'm trying to interface a serial printer output on my alarm system to
> ECS.  Using COMIO in DOS, I have been able to read the output of this
> port, and it appears quite easy to understand (ie: "02/17/00 10:33pm
> Opening User 1").  My problem is getting this information from the
> serial port to ECS.  Once I can isolate which user is trying to disarm
> the alarm system, ECS can determine whether to unlock the deadbolts.
>
> I have read what ECS help says about serial-byte type, but do not
> understand how to retrieve the information sent by the alarm system.
> Will ECS understand what is being sent by the alarm system as the common
> words that COMIO displayed, or can I expect a bunch of numbers?  How do
> I put this information into a state holder, so that I can check it
> against a list of expected serial inputs?  I know these are newbie
> questions, but I've never worked with the serial-byte type before, and
> don't know just what I'm attempting to do, here.  A nudge in the right
> direction would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Jerry

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