Aftek Zone

Highly configurable HMI platform with touchscreen

2010-10-15T13:00:00.003+05:30

Do you want to improve the productivity of your device, say a PLC? Maybe with an HMI that is readily available off-the-shelf? Aftek has made it easier and quicker for you to do this. We have developed an HMI Platform with a resistive touchscreen that is easily configurable!

What is HMI?
HMI or Human-Machine Interface is something that makes the use of your tool/device self-evident, making the task that the user has in mind easy to carry out. It is a principle aiming to improve usability.

Aftek HMI: Aftek has introduced a configurable resistive touch screen enabled HMI platform supporting a variety of operating systems. This is cost effective and has better time to market and is ideally suited for tablet-designed HMI panels.

It is powered by a 32-bit processor high performance Application processor on Windows CE 6.0, Linux 2.6 and QNX platforms.
TFT LCD touch screen display with WVGA resolution from 4.3-inch to 10-inch with Resolution up to 2048 x 2048.
The display has LED backlight for easy readability and touch pad for fast navigation.
Offers 128 MB of DDR2 SDRAM
256 MB or 512 MB of NAND Flash
I/O ports, 1 USB HS host, 1 USB 2.0 HS device, Ethernet 10/100 connectivity, 1 isolated RS485 port, 2 ports of RS232, parallel printer port.
SD expansion slot

Application areas: Factory Automation, Process Automation, Packaging Industry, Water / Effluent Treatment, Injection Molding and more.

USPs:
The system offers highly modular design and can be configured according to specific requirements.
Many optional I/O ports can be added / removed from the base flash board to suit a particular application area, making it a truly versatile HMI solution.

For more information or a demo of the platform do write to me at kc@aftek.com

http://www.aftek.com/

Protect your Android mobile phone with AmSecure

2010-08-26T14:00:00.011+05:30

Ever wondered how to recover your mobile when it is misplaced or lost? Can your phone's location be tracked and shown to you when it is misplaced?

You can now do this with Aftek's AmSecure, a mobile device security solution that guarantees your peace of mind. AmSecure is Aftek's first mobile product on Android market!

With this you can-

Remotely control the mobile via SMS
Take backup and restore your contacts, SMSs, gallery and much more!
Authentication using voice and passcode
Remote blocking of mobile,
Run in spy mode
Set alarm
Detect SIM change

Thought you would want to protect your Android mobile (OS 2.0+)!!!

We also have associated website with more details @ http://amsecure.aftek.com/

OR you can write to me at kc@aftek.com
(http://www.aftek.com/ )

SoC based PLC Transparent Modem

2010-06-16T11:11:00.006+05:30

Want to monitor your energy consumption? Worried that you would have to put up additional cables to do that? How much cost would you have to bear?

We do have an answer now...
Aftek has developed a SoC-based Power Line Communication (PLC) transparent modem that can talk over existing AC power lines, without the need of adding / replacing data lines network.

It is a low cost reliable data communication device ideal for building and industrial automation applications
It supports centralized data collection for AMR and enables centralized control for applications such as society and street lighting.

Features:

Small form factor based on ADD Semiconductor’s highly integrated SoC.
Fully complainant with IEC61334-4-32, EHS and KONNEX.
Offers selectable baud rate from 600 to 4800 bps.
Supports inbuilt isolated power supply
Consumes less than 1W in active mode.
Optionally supports RS-485 interface for compatibility reasons.

For more information do visit http://www.aftek.com/engineeringservices/power%20line%20communication.shtml or write to me at kc@aftek.com

Kavita.
www.aftek.com

Voice Authentication Secures your Mobile Handset.

2010-05-24T14:54:00.006+05:30

Mobile robbery cases are increasing at such an alarming rate that many Governments have called for “Improved Protection Against Mobile Theft”. According to FBI the reported mobile phone thefts increased almost 33 percent over last two years, from 60,100 to nearly 80,300.
Mobile phones users in India suffer an annual loss of Rs 5 billion due to theft or misplaced handsets, industry experts suggest. Nearly three million Britons have had their phones stolen. Latest figures suggest that there are 228 mobile phone thefts every hour in the UK at present.

Aftek introduces Android Mobile device security solution that guarantees peace of mind.

Provides a “multi-factor” voice authentication system that can secure mobile devices.
Currently the solution is available on Android 2.0 phones only.
A non-invasive voice biometrics algorithm (VoiceKeyID) is used to verify an individual’s identity before secure transactions can proceed.
A patented technology based on two decades of Interpol funded research and used by European government as a means for criminal identification.
Being based on voice forensic science ensures a true physical biometric of an individual and not just a statistical analysis.

Click here to get an evaluation copy now!!!

For answers to your queries, do write to me at...
-Kavita (kc@aftek.com)
www.aftek.com

Aftek at Droidcon 2010, Germany

2010-05-05T19:12:00.002+05:30

Meet us at the Droidcon 2010, Berlin, Germany on May 26 – May 27, 2010! It's the premier European conference for the open mobile smartphone platform Android.

Aftek would be presenting the Remote Application Publishing (RAP) framework that would enable developers to maintain and manage the applications on the server. RAP Framework is integrated with Aftek's RTMP and AMF library. The device side code becomes minimal with no need to redistribute the application for upgrades. This would drastically reduce the development, testing and maintenance cost.

A case study of Set Top Box framework solution, which is developed using RAP framework would also be presented.

Aftek would also be presenting the innovative solution with "multi-factor" voice authentication for Android mobile device security and PLUG-N-PLAY framework for internet & mobile application security.

Kavita
kc@aftek.com
www.aftek.com

Aftek RTMP client library

2010-03-24T19:19:00.000+05:30

Aftek is developing an Android RTMP client library which would enable Android application developers encash all the benefits of RTMP for Android applications. Our Android RTMP client library would support some add-ons that would help developers to deliver robust media solutions.
http://www.slideshare.net/aftekandroid/android-rtmp-client-3464514
-Kavita
kc@aftek.com
www.aftek.com

Remote application publishing

2010-03-09T14:12:00.002+05:30

Aftek is developing a remote application publishing framework that would enable developers to maintain and manage the application on a server. The device side code becomes minimal and there is no need to redistribute the application for upgrades. This would drastically reduce the development, testing and maintenance cost.
Check out the link below for more!
http://www.slideshare.net/aftekandroid/android-rap-framework

Please write to me at kc@aftek.com for details.
Kavita.
http://www.aftek.com/

Aftek Set Top Box framework

2010-02-18T14:59:00.005+05:30

Aftek has now boarded the Digital TV STB train...
We are on to developing the interactive STB application framework that runs on the Android platform.
On your TV you can check your horoscope, pay bills, read news, shop, check out weather forecasts. You can also check out videos on YouTube and Google maps. Select applications that you want 'cause the framework has interfaces for easy integration.

Please visit http://www.aftek.com/offerings/Androidmobileofferings-stb.shtml
Email: kc@aftek.com
Kavita
www.aftek.com

Aftek Android Media Gallery component

2010-02-18T13:03:00.011+05:30

What is it really? I always think Android UI looks glossy and jazzy.
Now this Android media gallery component gives you the power to create that and much more!
You can easily create a galleries, video files with music in it. As usual with Android you can have effects like fade, zoom, bounce etc.

Check out the video.

You can visit http://www.aftek.com/offerings/Androidmobileofferings-com for more info.
or write to me at kc@aftek.com.
-Kavita
http://www.aftek.com/

Epic Movie - Aftek protocol converter

2009-09-08T18:06:00.008+05:30

And, for those people who'd love to see a demonstration of new products, rather than just read about them, we have created a short demo movie on Aftek Protocol Converter!

Remember I had written about what a protocol converter is, some time back? Ok, it's at: http://aftekzone.blogspot.com/2009/06/aftek-protocol-converter-save-cost-and.html

Check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQJ-CxLpHGI

And do leave your comments and email ids, or do drop me a mail at kc@aftek.com for more information.

Kavita.
http://www.aftek.com/

Aftek SpyGuard in 'Sourcing Electricals and Lighting' Magazine

2009-08-12T16:46:00.009+05:30

Aftek SpyGuard has been featured in 'Sourcing Electricals and Lighting' Magazine issue July-August 2009.

Face detection and recognition

2009-07-08T13:45:00.021+05:30

I was always fascinated by face detection. Thanks to all the detective serials that I used to watch where cops compared faces of fugitives with their existing database! Sounded far-fetched then.

But face detection technology is here to stay.

What is face detection?

It is a technology that determines the exact locations and sizes of human faces in arbitrary (digital) images. It detects facial features and ignores anything else, such as buildings, trees and bodies.

Mostly face-detection algorithms focus on the detection of frontal human faces, whereas newer algorithms attempt to solve the more general and difficult problem of multi-view face detection. That is, the detection of faces that are either rotated along the axis from the face to the observer (in-plane rotation), or rotated along the vertical or left-right axis (out-of-plane rotation), or both.

The method devised by Viola and Jones, for example, uses Haar-like features. They used AdaBoost to train a classifier, which allows for a feature selection. The final classifier only uses a few hundred Haar-like features.

Needless to say that Aftek has worked on face detection and has achieved a very good hit rate with this, with a relatively low false detection rate.

Face recognition:

Face recognition is the next step to face detection. It is one of the most successful applications of image analysis and understanding. A general statement of face recognition problem can be founded as;

Given still or video images of a scene, identify or verify one or more persons in the scene using a stored database of faces. This requires an accurate detection of human faces in arbitrary scenes. When faces are located exactly in any scene, the recognition step can be used to identify or verify the detected faces.

Algorithms like PCA (Principle component analysis) and DCT (Discrete Cosine transform) are used for this.

What has Aftek done?
We have already implemented this solution in our 'SpyGuard', security product. AVI clip is captured from the motion sensitive camera and face (if present) is detected in the scene. If the face gets detected a notification is sent via a local alarm or an SMS to the home owner.

Face Recognition for a Bank:
Face recognition can be used to overcome the current security breaches in banks. We know that safe vaults in banks have limited access and only authorized persons can enter and access the lockers. The current methods are not foolproof. Here, the face recognition system can detect if the person entering the vault is authorized or not. We can do this by first capturing the images of the person and then verifying them with a database of available images.

Now to have the database in place, the solution can be trained with a snap of the bank locker holder while registering. And whenever the person wishes to access his/her locker, a snapshot will be captured by the camera (mounted on the wall) and compared with the earlier trained snap. Access to the facility will be given accordingly.

Kavita Chate (kc@aftek.com)
http://www.aftek.com/
http://spyguard.aftek.com/

Aftek SpyGuard article in Lokmat, Pune

2009-06-26T12:21:00.004+05:30

Aftek SpyGuard story in Economic Times Delhi!!!

2009-06-26T11:49:00.010+05:30

Our article appeared in ET Delhi on the 25th of June 2009.

Full Page Our Article

Aftek Rocks in the Aftek SpyGuard Press Conference!

2009-06-25T12:34:00.015+05:30

Yesterday was a ground-breaking day for Aftek! We had a rocking press conference at MCCIA in Pune, India. Journalists from leading newspapers and TV media covered it.

We started by organizing the setup in Lakaki hall, setting up the registration counter, gifts, press kits, head table, projectors, podium, and of course the snacks. (by the way… the snacks were great! Cookies of a variety and sandwiches were delicious. Got to taste them only after the conference was over though.)

Journalists started dropping in at 11.10 am and most of them already began speaking to DR individually about the new product. DR explained to them the product details and the key features with flair.

The conference began with an introduction by Manish Rajani. DR was called upon the dais next. He went ahead to present a movie on the conceptualization of the product, the locations where it can be used, its features, and the web portal with live video clips captured by Aftek SpyGuard, and how they can be organized and searched online. Media saw how the product looks, and how it can be interfaced. The presentation went ahead superbly, and he immediately called upon Questions from the press. The press was enthusiastic about the product and was eager to know more! A sign of success! Just as expected, DR handled all the Questions with brilliance.

Some of the questions I remember are -

How is SpyGuard powered? What happens in case of a power failure? Do you have backup power for this product?
How much area does this product cover?
How is it priced?
Where do dealers come into picture? What do they take care of?
How is the after sales service?
What about technical support for the product?
Who would train the dealers? What if they are unable to handle the queries from the users?
Are there 2 different models for the product? What are they?
How do the clips get loaded on the Internet? Is it automatic/manual?
Can we access the SpyGuard portal from anywhere in the world?

Q & A and high-tea happened simultaneously, and media again took individual interviews and saw demos.

After the last of the attendees left, we grouped up to share our thoughts and smiles that we have when we know things had gone great that day. Between the good humor and chat, DR did not fail to ask what improvements we can do for the next time!

Here are some of us!

All in all, the conference was hugely successful, thanks to a collective effort of enthusiastic Aftekians! Now looking forward to the next one…

And yea, our article did come up in leading newspapers in the city. Will post a few of them here!

For more details and answers to above questions, please write to me (Kavita Chate) at kc@aftek.com

http://www.aftek.com/

Aftek launches SpyGuard in a Press Conference in Pune

2009-06-18T16:21:00.005+05:30

SpyGuard Geared up to Go!!!

Coming up on the 24th of June, 2009, would be a press conference conducted by Aftek, inviting leading media outlets in Pune. Sr. V P Engineering, Aftek Ltd, Dhananjay Kulkarni would be formally launching Aftek's brand new security system 'Aftek SpyGuard'.
He would provide insights into the first of its kind technology useful for the masses.

Venue: Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Tilak Road, Near Swargate, Pune 411002
Date: June 24th, 2009
Time: 11.00 am
All media outlets are cordially invited for the conference by Aftek Limited.

RSVP
Manish Rajani (manish.rajani@aftek.com)
Corporate Communicator, Aftek Ltd.
+91 99701 24715
http://www.aftek.com/

Aftek Protocol Converter - Save Cost and Effort for BMS integration

2009-06-16T16:16:00.010+05:30

Coming back to Automation.... Aftek also touches upon Building Management System (BMS).
Basically a Building Management System (BMS) takes care of your HVAC, seeing to it that you do not waste power, and secondly takes care of fire and security. Considering the cost of power these days, this is critical for industrial consumers to stay competitive.

Earlier the BMS was with manual switches, relays and panel of light displays showing what is working and what has failed. Now it is much simple. We have electronic data centrally available (with some memory too) for managing services like power, heating, lighting, etc. So a guy can control everything electronically from the basement. Ok, even from an attic!

So where does Aftek come into picture?

Let’s take an example. You have a BMS installed in your building. You’ve invested thousands of dollars for it. And next you want to add a few AC units to a floor. Naturally you expect to monitor and control these units remotely (even from the basement!) from a centralized location. But suddenly you find out that your brand new AC’s cannot talk with your BMS at all!

Why?

Simply because these systems communicate on two different protocols! BMS companies have their own standard protocols and AC manufacturers have their own. These protocols might be – Lonworks, BACnet, Modbus.

So what do you do now? You would need to find an expensive customization to modify the BMS to support the AC's? Or find new compatible AC's altogether?

Nope. Here where Aftek’s Protocol Converter steps in.

Aftek has series of Protocol Converters that convert protocols across same or different communication channels. Without much running around, you can now interface your existing BMS with the AC using this Protocol Converter. You save on time and cost both!

APC (i.e. Aftek Protocol Converter) currently supports communication across RS-232, RS-485 and Ethernet networks. A user can configure communication parameters of APC using a simple desktop based configuration utility, which makes it easy to configure the system.

How does it look?

The standard APC consists of protocol converter board, embedded software and configuration utility. The APC board has various communication interfaces; the board design can be changed as per the requirements. Embedded software, which runs on the board, uses drivers written for each protocol. As per the configuration, these drivers are selected and used at runtime.

Supported Protocols

Modbus RTU , Modbus TCP
BACnet MSTP, BACnet IP, BACnet Ethernet
Lonworks
EtherCAT
CAN
Serial and other custom protocols

Where else can I use this?

Power generation
Power transmission and distribution
Oil and gas
Automated meter reading (billing, monitoring and controlling)
Remote monitoring applications
Substation automation
Process automation

What if I’m using a proprietary protocol?

We work on that too. We also develop drivers for proprietary protocols to run on the APC board.

For more information please write to me:
Kavita Chate (

kc@aftek.com)
Protocol converter website: http://www.aftek.com/solutionfactory/protocol%20converter.shtml
www.aftek.com

Set Top Box application using Google Android

2009-06-08T14:56:00.013+05:30

This Google Android is a great platform, with the OS, middleware and key mobile applications offered with it. Already big co's like T-Mobile and Samsung are gearing to launch Google Android phones. As always, Aftek caught the pulse and geared up for a thorough understanding of Android platform. We have created solutions like CRM solutions for Android phones and a STB application.

The (Set Top Box) application offers direct to home service to the end user.
Suppose the user wants to catch up on some news... the STP application ported on Android OS access the application server. The app server (written in Android Java SDK) retrieves data from the main db. The db accesses the content from the web and sends it to the app server and then to you. Oh and there is a process of encoding and decoding involved here too.

Features:
The application has other cool features online bill payment, news, e-shopping, weather forecast and all. It allows you to access YouTube, Google maps through your Set Top Box or your mobile handset.
Applications were developed using Aftek’s flashlite component framework that reduced the development time by 30-40%.

Peek at what this application can do:

Banking: It enables the user to perform online banking transactions like checking the balance, transferring funds, ordering demand drafts or pay orders, and more.
Maps: It displays the map of the selected city with important locations that the user can browse through.
Weather forecasts: It displays the weather information of the selected city with forecasts and satellite pictures.
YouTube videos: It displays the standard video list (top rated, most viewed), A user can see videos by selecting the desired video.
News: It provides the latest news directly from the Internet with complete data and pictures. The news will be on subjects like business, sports, entertainment, health, India, and world.
Bills: Using this application, the user can check and pay the bills of various utilities and service providers. User will have various payment options like credit card, debit card, cash card, and online banking.
Astro: It provides information related to astrology based on the zodiac signs. It will have sub features like horoscope, numerology, zodiac traits, lifestyle, and so on.

Android also includes Dalvik virtual machine for Java application. Aftek has developed a hardware platform based on PXA270 and an Android BSP for it. PXA270 is a favorite processor for mobile and portable applications.

Even more:

Design and development of hardware prototypes based on PXA270 platform
Customized Android BSP for PXA270 platform
Enhanced ARM Boot (boot-loader)with support for firmware upgrade
Optimized root file system.
Development of drivers for devices such as Ethernet, Graphical display, Touchpad, USB host with support for mass storage and HID classes, Flash memory

For more information, do contact me:
Kavita Chate (kc@aftek.com)
http://www.aftek.com/

Home security, within your reach!

2009-05-25T16:13:00.021+05:30

Talking about thefts... didn't you always want some kind of a home security system that was not priced off the roof. I for one would want something simple and compact that serves the basic purpose of protecting my house and that wouldn't be heavy on my wallet :)

Aftek has come up with SpyGuard that does just that. A simple, easy to install product for your home or shop. You need to get it mounted on a wall or ceiling, so that when it detects a break-in, it sounds a hooter that alerts the neighbours and security guards. It captures video clips and images of the theif making it easier for identification. There is a notification if the main door remains open for 5 minutes. There is a terrific battery backup that'll allow you to save 100 video clips of 15 secs each.

It has a sleek and trendy remote with which you can operate the device and tune it to your liking! You can get a motion sensor and a GSM modem installed too. GSM helps to send SMS alerts on the cell phone, control SpyGuard, access SpyGuard video clips thru the internet.
By simple... I mean it.. no frills attached. It has a simple UI that can be controled using the remote!

Something more: In a possible hostage scenario, the occupants are in danger if a hooter is sounded. For this, you can configure your system for 'Silent Alarms', it will just send an SMS alerts to the right people.
Even more!

Clips are captured even when the system is armed/disarmed
You can ARM the SpyGuard even from the webportal.
If you forget to shut your main door... this cool product alerts you too!

For more information, please visit spyguard.aftek.com/spyguard/
Kavita Chate (kc@aftek.com)
www.aftek.com

Is your hospital equipment secure?

2009-05-20T10:53:00.001+05:30

One of our client's friend who was a hospital management guy noticed that a heart difibrilator was being taken out of the hospital by one of the staff. He found that there was no record or permission slip to carry that outside.
He pointed that inside thefts were becoming more and more frequent, and with such a huge facility it was impossible to track each and every device!
There's medical equipment for Biomedical, Labs, Wards, Service support, Utilities and hospital furniture.

Equipment is worth thousand of dollars. Locating device needs to be quick. It is a matter of life and death!
Items are lost, misplaced and stolen - mostly inside thefts the reason.
Equipment is 60% of the hospital costs. Biomedical equipment accounts for about 50%.
It is common for hospitals to lose 10% - 30% of wheelchair fleet every year, each prized at $500!
Staff spend about 20 min to locate a wheelchair!
Cost of equipping a hospital as a percentage of building construction goes to as much as 70%.
Operating costs exceed capital costs within 2-3 years of construction, where the cost of equipment replacement is more than 2%

So we at Aftek, have come up with a RFID based hospital inventory tracking system that will take care of the matter.
RF tags will be attached to each equipment, and RF readers and antennas are placed at exit points. There will be cameras at the gates that will keep capturing clips and storing on a central server on the LAN. Whenever the RF reader finds that a tagged device is being taken out of the exit, it will raise an alarm... LED based/SMS based to the security guard's cabin. It will also capture the persons clip in the act of the theft! Video streaming and GSM interfacing is done. Ain't this cool!??

And in case of emergencies, the 'Access Control System' deactivates particular alerts, so staff can take medical equipment out of the hospitals.

Another flavor: Medical equipment locating.
If you wish to find out where your wheelchair is exactly... you can still do it.
RFID readers with four antennas are placed near the exits on each floor, different wings, and near the gate. The system monitors the movement of each equipment floor-wise, wing-wise, ward-wise. Here again, clips are stored... and you can find who the thief was!

For more information please write to me at
Kavita Chate (kc@aftek.com)
http://www.aftek.com/

Tomato? What is it?

2009-05-15T12:22:00.000+05:30

I heard a discussion in my company that we are working on something called Tomato Firmware. After hearing Tomato for the second time, and now knowing that it is not remotely related to Food :( I decided to listen to what it is. And yea, it is a great concept.

So what is Tomato Firmware?
Small, lean and simple replacement firmware for wireless routers based on Broadcom processors. It gives you an added feature set and is based on Linux, making it configurable.

My company, Aftek, has worked on Linux BSP several times in the past with applications on various platforms. Well, so latest we have ported Tomato firmware and a home automation application on a Linksys router. Simply speaking, it enhances the basic features and capabilities of the router, making it useful for home automation! Getting more out of the same stuff!

Our router was the Linksys WRT54G router on Linux 2.4.20

What the client gets...

Efficient usage of existing router hardware with support for additional functionality
New easy to use GUI, a new bandwidth usage monitor, more advanced QOS and access restrictions, ability to enable new wireless features such as wireless distribution system (WDS) and wireless client modes, raise the limits on maximum connections for P2P, telnet/ssh, run custom scripts, see WiFi neighbors with wireless site survey, optimize transmit power
Home automation system at a lower cost!

How's this achieved!

In this home automation... the Linksys router is the central unit. The router can control user console, digital automation input/output and other WiFi devices. Yea, so it means you can switch ON and switch OFF your fans and lights using this.

A LAN is formed by the User console (HTTP based), digital automation I/Os, WiFi devices, and other peripherals. The devices that access Internet are secured using Firewall and enhanced security by Tomato firmware on the router. Rich console UI enables to configure parameters and monitor traffic across the router. File systems like JFFS and CIFS serve as a backbone for storage requirements.

Linksys WRT54G version 2.0 router based on Broadcom BCM47xx, 200 MHz processor, 16 MB RAM, 4MB flash
We ported and customized Tomato firmware with Linux 2.4.20 on Linksys router
Enabled functionalities like telnet, file systems (JFFS, CIFS), remote access for administration and startup scripts
Configurations done for NAT, port forwarding, QOS rules for inter device communication.
Ported the home automation application (originally written for big-endian platform) on the little-endian platform using mipsel-uClibc toolchain.

Home Automation is just one of the many possibilities. With your router as a super-router, lots can be achieved! More Tomato firmware!

Kavita Chate (mailto: kc@aftek.com)
http://www.aftek.com/

2009-04-09T15:46:00.000+05:30