M2M Solution's Homebox security gateway, an entirely new class of security systems, allows users to view real-time video on a mobile phone or PC, monitor security/safety sensors and take appropriate action, thus eliminating the expense of safety surveillance.

 

The compact Homebox unit, designed in only nine months, is powered by the OMAP3503 (a trademark of Texas Instruments (News - Alert)) processor and development infrastructure including evaluation boards, software and services from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI), a semiconductor company and developer of new electronics.

 

Arnaud Duclap, chief operating officer, M2M Solutions, explains that TI provided a complete system level solution with the OMAP 3 applications processor, RF transceivers, audio codecs and power-management devices.

 

He said that the TI development tools and Linux board-support package allowed time and money savings using open source codecs for MPEG-4 and H.263, allowing modification of base concepts to meet unique customer requirements. TI's OMAP3503 processor with its 600 MHz ARM (News - Alert) Cortex(TM)-A8 core provides all the computational power and I/O needed.

 

M2M Solution's Homebox security gateway measures 14 x 14 x 8 cm and uses motion and smoke detectors to read data, scans doors and windows and interacts with individuals in the secured area to determine if they are intruders. It has a 5MP camera that works in low light with a 140-degree angle that also accepts signals from WiFi (News - Alert) cameras, which is then transcoded by the processor as real-time images optimized for their mobile phones or PCs. Other features included are Ethernet, GSM for homes or facilities, WiFi for external cameras, an 868 MHz RF link to various security/safety sensors and even external sirens, Bluetooth and Zigbee ports.

 

"M2M has done a great job adapting our technology so they can break cost barriers and create a first-of-its-kind home security gateway that is exceptionally powerful, yet one that almost anyone can afford," comments Elizabete de Freitas, DSP Catalog business development manager, TI. "The high level of integration in the OMAP 3 processor results in a lower total bill of materials for the Homebox and M2M can quickly upgrade to more powerful OMAP 3 processors to add new features and tune systems to match the particular requirements of every customer."

 

M2M is registered as an official Texas Instruments Third Party Partner and is headquartered in Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, France. The company serves as a business-to-business supplier and develops complete security concepts, from hardware to ongoing services for major companies in the telecom, insurance and industrial security fields.

 

Marking a first-of-its-kind, Web-based, machine-to-machine (M2M) application, the OnAsset Platform provides customers with visibility into near-real-time asset information like operational condition, location, dwell time, route adherence, and two-way, over-the-air (OTA) device control capabilities.

 

The Homebox needs just one cable connection – power - that in turn lowers the power consumption i.e. less than 1W which is also important for if an intruder cuts off the power supply a backup battery runs the Homebox for four hours so it can send an intrusion alert, either with an e-mail message, text message, MMS or voice recorded call, and then responds to the owner's instructions. All functions are housed in a plastic enclosure that operates silently without any fans or even heat sinks. In addition, recordings of audio/video data are sent to the service provider's server bank so an intruder cannot permanently destroy them.

 

Several customers, such as MYXYTY the first European Security portal of its kind, who is introducing a home security gateway system for the consumer market, already adopt the Homebox. MYXYTY's new system will have security portals to monitor vehicles, children, seniors and even pets wearing special collars.