Friday, May 05, 2017

2N Helios IP Force and CUCM IP Phone Services

Client acquired several 2N Helios IP Force door phones with integrated cameras with the intention of using them to open door locks nearby.  In addition to the normal DTMF triggering method, they wanted to have the ability to unlock them without calls to the door in progress.  The plan was to use the Helios automation features to respond to CUCM device Service URL button pushes.

The Helios units require the "Enhanced Integration" or "gold" license to use the automation features.
Navigate to System | License and check the License Status area to confirm you have it available.


In my environment we will be using the first relay on the Helios device to trigger an electronic door lock.  We need to flip the Helios relay for 5 seconds, which will unlock the door, and then flip it back to allow the lock to re-engage.

Navigate to Hardware | Switches and the Switch 1 tab.
Confirm "Switch Enabled" is checked.
Confirm Switch Mode is Monostable.  This means it will flip on and stay on for X amount of seconds, then flip off. 
Set Switch-On Duration to however many seconds you need the switch on.
Assuming you have already wired the door lock to activate via this switch, you can press the Test the Switch button here and verify it works.


Navigate to Services | Automation
Pick a function tab and confirm "Function Enabled" is checked
On row ID 1, change OBJECT TYPE to Event.HttpTrigger.  On the same row in the PARAMETERS field enter "Name=opendoor" 

 This now defines a trigger for a function that the Helios IP Force will perform when it handles an HTTP request.  The word "opendoor" on the HTTP URL is what triggers this particular function.

Now make your function actually do something.  Our something is pretty simple.

On row ID 2, change the OBJECT TYPE to Action.ActivateSwitch.  On the same row in the PARAMETERS field enter Switch=1;Event=1.

The Event=1 parameter means do something when the event on row 1 happens (our opendoor HTTP trigger above).
The Switch=1 parameter means do something to the switch number 1 on your Helios unit (different units may or may not have the same number of switches).
The Action. ActivateSwitch is similar to pressing the Test the Switch button above.  Depending on how your switch is configured (i.e. Monostable) defines what ActivateSwitch actually does. 

Again, because the HttpTrigger (opendoor) happens on row one (ActivateSwitch and Event=1), switch number one is turned on (ActivateSwitch and Switch=1) for five seconds (Switch-On Duration) and then turned back off (Switch Mode is Monostable).

In a browser enter http://<IP address of Helios endpoint>/enu/trigger/opendoor

Navigate to Status | Events to see the Helios responding and check your work.  You should see switch=1 changing to true and then five seconds later to false.


If this works, you can now have CUCM users (receptionists, safety staff, etc.) perform this function from a button on a phone.

In CUCM navigate to Device | Device Settings | Phone Services
Add a new service using the Service Category "Web Link" and the Service Type "Standard IP Phone Service"


In CUCM navigate to Device | Phone and find the phone that will press a button to open the door.
Choose Subscribe / Unsubscribe Services from Related Links.  Choose the Service you created above.



On the same device, add a Service URL button and configure with the subscribed service.



Pressing that button should now trigger the HTTP Event and function that turns on the Helios switch 1, opening the attached door.


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