MSCP

Zoneˇs Multi Sensor Control Platform (MSCP) has been designed to suit both Government and Commercial markets alike. MSCP incorporates a new redundant network architecture and extensible sensor library, capable of meeting the ever increasing needs of security, site and building managers. MSCP allows users to integrate all facets of onsite security, including third party systems into one common easy to use control platform.

The key to MSCP is that the system is designed as a Manufacturer Agnostic control platform, capable of controlling devices from any manufacturer. The open design philosophy provides the user with the freedom to use best of breed systems and combine those systems to provide a complimentary totally integrated Security solution.

The Technology

MSCP has been designed to utilise the new IPv6 standard, making it a future proof system. IPv6 is a 128 bit addressing scheme and is the next Generation Internet addressing scheme. MSCP will also run on current IPv4 networks.

In parallel with new network architecture, Zone is also proposing a new physical layout of the security data centre, by emphasising the use of network enabled devices. It is now possible to connect cameras, digital video recorders, serial and parallel ports, digital I/O devices etc directly to the MSCP network. A network containing MSCP workstations and security devices is called a MSCP cloud. Provided each MSCP workstation is connected to a common network or is capable of being bridged into a MSCP network cloud, it can view any security device connected or bridged to that network. A major benefit of Zoneˇs architecture is that control of site security can be performed both onsite and from remote locations. Other benefits of Zoneˇs MSCP network technology allow simple connection to existing MSCP networks, whereby site information is automatically passed to new authenticated connections. All site information can then be passed between workstations seamlessly, providing each user with up to date visual and data indicators of the secured site.

The system is unique in the security industry, as it provides the security manager with a secure, redundant and scaleable system that can be used for the largest and most demanding security management tasks. To the security systems integrator it provides a single platform and interface for a limitless range of devices and sensors.

Redundancy

A direct advantage of Zone supporting the IPv6 network architecture is that MSCP is redundant in its simplest form. Many systems are designed as Servers and Clients, the Server being the device that communicates to any security device and the Client being the operators interface to view information collected and held on the server. Whilst this architecture may be suitable for Email and Video systems, the Management Layer requires another level of redundancy all together. This can be delivered in the form of redundant hardware servers and or Server Clusters, however, these solutions by their very nature are expensive and generally require IT staff involvement to facilitate a change over in the event of a server failure.

MSCP does not require a dedicated hardware server to control communications or field devices, all Management layer redundancy is delivered by the MSCP system software. Any operator workstation belonging to the management layer can effectively become the System Controller automatically, without the need to involve IT staff to facilitate a server changeover. This type of Software system can be compared to Peer to Peer class systems.

Control

MSCP is capable of controlling and connecting to the following classes of security product:

 Digital Video Recorders and subsequent composite CCTV cameras

 Digital CCTV cameras and IP Security Cameras

 Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras

 IP video Servers

 Alarm Devices

 Ground Based Radar Systems

 Low Altitude Aircraft Detection Radar

 Spatial recognition and detection systems

 Fence based Perimeter Systems

 Counter Sniper Systems

 Sonar based Anti Swimmer systems

 Millimetre Wave screening systems

 Access Control devices

 Point of Sale systems

 Facial Recognition Systems

 Object and Pattern Recognition systems

 Building Management Systems

MSCP has been designed to control a vast range of systems, using standard computer network protocols and networks. Many legacy systems deployed, will not support IP connections. To control devices that do not support standard IP network interfaces, Serial to IP converters would be used. This type of device allows any legacy device to become an IP enabled device capable of being controlled by MSCP.

The Graphical User Interface

Information will be displayed to the user through a Map based GUI, outlining the location of all devices like cameras, alarm detectors and physical structures. Control of devices depicted on the maps, can be instigated by the double click of a userˇs mouse.

Once alarm activity is detected, the GUI will highlight the location and detector in alarm. Upon alarm activation, video alarm windows will be displayed on any available alarm monitor. During periods of high alarm traffic, MSCP Video alarms are cascaded to each subsequent alarm monitor connected to the MSCP Network.

Alarm data is also displayed in text form, including

 Detector Name

 Alarm Time & Date

 Action Status, New Alarm, Actioned or Viewed

 Operator ID

 Users can also replay alarm video by selecting the play alarm video option.

All GUI windows are detachable meaning that they can be moved to different monitors or minimised should the user require it. For example, each MSCP PC may have 3 monitors attached, where one monitor would display the Map, a second any Video and the third Alarm database information. Subsequent MSCP Operators may choose to display their information in a totally different manner, without affecting the performance of their peers. Of course System Administrators may specify the manner in which the information monitors display the data.

Multi Level Mapping

MSCP uses and users will vary in size, hence the mapping-GUI component of MSCP has been designed to allow multiple levels of maps and more importantly provide scalability. Sites that cover large areas will generally require multiple maps to allow the user to zoom in on the map to provide greater detail. In addition to providing the ability to zoom in/out, a master map can be provided to act as Home map with many daughter and sub daughter maps sitting below the Home map. Users can fly to daughter maps by double clicking on an area of interest on a map. The mapping interface also allows any map to be rotated whilst always displaying North relative to map rotation.

Virtual Video Matrix

Many large scale CCTV installations use video Matrix Switchers to enable the display of multiple CCTV cameras on numerous video monitors. With the advent of Digital Video Recorders, Network Video Servers and Network cameras, it is now feasible to replace the analogue matrix switcher with a software based alternative. Communications between the Network Video Servers/DVRˇs is via the TCP IP network.

Users can select the camera of choice and the desired display monitor, in single camera or multi screen format. This functionality allows the user to create video walls via the click of their mouse.

Fig6 - Camera Control Functions

Programmable Alarm Logic

MSCP provides the user with the ability to not only connect security devices, but to program reactions to device stimuli. Be it sending a PTZ camera to a preset or turning on a strobe light, the user is provided with an interface to react to each event in multiple ways.

Integration and Custom Design

The benefit of the MSCP system is that it is designed to integrate with third party devices to complete a security system. The key to doing this is providing users with control libraries that allow high level interfaces to be written on a job by job basis.

Zone will provide custom integration of third party devices and design of maps on a cost basis.