[Asterisk-Users] door phone

[John Todd]

>Hi,
>
>Anyone know anything about Asterisk's support for door phones? 
>Receiving the call from the door intercom system, opening the door, 
>etc?
>
>Any hardware recommendations? I understand that the equipment we 
>have now is Panasonic proprietary and came with the currently 
>deployed Panasonic TD12-32 pbx.
>
>We intend to deploy Asterisk in a 72 extensions + 16 trunks in a 
>while, so any info will be great.
>
>thanks

While this isn't an Asterisk question, I guess, I find it hard not to 
comment on a particularly excellent piece of equipment which which 
I've worked previously:

http://www.talkaphone.com/products.cfm?prodid=168

Can be ordered from Grainger (at least, two years ago it could) here 
in North America under part number 4RR12 "Emergency Access Phone" for 
$623.50.  I'm sure you can find it elsewhere, too.

Built like tanks, designed for outdoor implementation.  I _highly_ 
recommend this device.  ADA-compliant with braille and raised letters 
(must be mounted within wheelchair height to be compliant.)  They can 
dial a specific sequence of numbers upon button press, and they can 
take inbound calls, or even auto-dial when someone is screaming at it 
with the right module option.  Also includes a set of relays that can 
be activated via DTMF.  All analog, will plug right into an FXS port. 
I'm sure a clever hacker could find some NEMA-rated outdoor boxes 
into which an ATA-186, WiFi device, power regulator, and battery 
could be built, and a solar panel mounted on the top for a 
campus-wide or for large park areas with no wiring...

To address the other point made on this thread: the DTMF sequences to 
open the door are only valid coming from the "far end" of the call.

JT