VITY Technology

PRESENTATION OF THE VITY MEDIA BUS CONTROL "MBC" CONTROL SYSTEM

Index

• Presentation
• System configuration
• Touch panels remote controls
• Controllers
• Programming
• Special features
• Applications
• General schematic diagram

Presentation
Media Bus Control, also known as "MBC", is an automation system developed since 1987 by the VITY Technology company. It can be used to manage, control and monitor the following applications using a LCD touch screen in a professional environment (conference hall, convention hall, meeting room, classroom, auditorium, museum, etc.).

All the audiovisual products: video projector, plasma, LCD, DVD, DVBT, Matrix switchers..

All the automatic control devices in a room: motorized screens lighting, blinds, heating, air-conditioning, watering, doors..

Communication systems: speaker, microphone, camera, web…

Security systems: anti-theft - alarm,...

It allows the end user to locally control his/her entire surroundings from one or more portable or fixed remote controls, or through the internet or mobile phone, in a simple and intuitive manner.

The graphical user interface of the screen can be completely configured and customized. The user is offered unparalleled user friendliness.

System configuration
The system consists of three components: Touch screen remote control, control unit, application displayed on the screen.Some screens (VIMATY series) can operate independently without a control unit.
The communication between the touch screens and the control units is facilitated by various two-way transmission modes:

Wired (MBC bus, EIB-KNX bus, IP CAT5)
wireless (WiFi, ZigBee)
infrared
power line (CPL 110/230 Volts).

Touch panels remote controls
The controls are centralized and are handled by the VITY LCD touch screen, which replaces all the usual remote controls.
The VITY remote controls are portable, built-in, or can be placed on a stand. They can communicate with one another and operate simultaneously at the same site; it is possible to group up to 16 remote controls through the MBC bus and up to 255 remote controls can be connected to one another in the IP version.
These screens are split into two categories: VIMATY and TACTUM

VIMATY

Series of fixed or portable wireless colour touch screens connected through "ZigBee" link using a built-in microcontroller and a VITY OS.

The VIMATY screens operate independently with direct outputs: infrared (for audiovisual), RS 232 or KNX (wire data bus) and MBC Bus which is a special feature on the market; the interesting part is that it does not require a control unit to control devices. However, if the number of devices and automatic control units to be controlled are very large, a MBC VITY control unit may be connected to it.
Furthermore, certain VIMATY units can broadcast analog video signals.

The programming of the application, which is displayed on the screen is done on a PC with the PC2Maty® software and then transferred onto a Compact Flash card, which is inserted into the screen.

Click here to know more about VIMATY

TACTUM

Series of touch screens with on-board OS and operating on IP networks.

TACTUM screens operate on the IP/Ethernet network and require a control unit amongst them and the device to be controlled. The link with the control unit is provided by the Ethernet network. Some of them operate wirelessly using WiFi transmission.

They can operate as audio servers for broadcasting music or as web servers for videoconferencing systems using an inbuilt camera, or view analog or digital Videos including TV. With certain TACTUM versions it is possible to perform actions through voice commands.

Their programming may be carried out in two ways: either with FASTOCH FLH or with PC2MATY as in VIMATY. More specialized Flash programming helps integrate more Web and multimedia tools such as Windows software, Web browser, IP camera, etc.

Click here to know more about TACTUM

Controllers
The "MBC" controllers: XMONOPRO- MAXIMONO-MINIMONO – MULTICUSTOM- CUSTO Series, represent the interfaces between the touch screens and the devices to controlled, they communicate with the touch screens through the MBC Bus or IP connection.
In the IP version, the units (Except the CUSTO Series) are equipped with an on-board Web server.
The various units can communicate with one another and operate simultaneously at the same site; it is possible to connect up to 16 "MBC" units through the MBC Bus, and up to 255 units or screens to one another in the IP version.

XMonopro: High capacity single board unit with a large number of inputs and outputs. Ideal for large convention halls, lecture halls, conference halls…
Maximono: Single board medium capacity unit with a large number of ports: relay, IR and RS 232 Com. Ideal for conference room, conference halls, shops , museums, hotels…
Minimono: Economical single board unit. This is the simplified version of Maximono. Ideal for small conference room, classroom, church, Shops, …
Multicustom: Modular unit. It consists of a rack where input/output boards may be plugged in: relay, IR, RS 232 Com, EIB, X10, VCA, GPI, etc. This is a flexible system where cards required for the configuration may be inserted. Ideal for developing installations: Conference room, large convention halls, lecture halls, conference halls, classroom, museums, hotels, shops,...
CUSTO Series: These are small modules or mini units, which control a type of technology (relay, RS-232, KNX, MIDI, etc.). They communicate with the touch screen through the MBC Bus or Ethernet/IP. They can be easily incorporated into existing MBC or IP networks and can act as an additional unit as well as a small automation solution, or even as a decentralization of controls(Example: Controlling devices in different rooms of large premises through IP networks). Some CUSTO mini units may be self-powered by PoE (through the IP network cables). . Ideal for developing installations: Classroom, museums, hotels, shops, conference room,…
Click here to know more about "MBC" controllers

Programming the application
To control all automatic operations, electrical appliances, audiovisual equipment in the room, etc. it is necessary to programme an application. This is done on a PC by the installer, or VITY certified programmer, according to the customer’s technical specifications. It is then loaded onto a Compact Flash carded, which is inserted into the VITY touch screens. No programming is required for the VITY units, all the information is contained in the screens, which makes interventions easier in case of an upgrade of the installation.

Two programming software packages are available: PC2MATY®and FASTOCH FLH®, depending on the type of screen used.

The programming is easy to carry out and enables the installation of drawings, photos and control buttons representing operation of devices to be controlled on the touch screens. It thus provides designs and graphics desired by the end user including his/her photos. Furthermore, there is a language option as well.

Click here to know more about these software and the programming.

Special feature of the "MBC" system

Originality
The original aspect of the Media Bus Control® in relation to its rivals is that the active intelligence is in the touch screen remote control and not in the controller, which greatly secures an installation (generally a basic installation consisting of two remote controls - one portable and the other fixed, with a single controller. If one of the remote controls is faulty, the second one operates. Conversely for our rivals, if one of their remote controls is faulty, none of the remote controls can control the installation)

Open architecture
The Media Bus Control® is an ‘’open architecture‘’ type system used to control ‘’MBC’’ units through a standard PC, pocket PC, mobile phone or a standard infrared remote control and to adapt to new technologies and future products, which may be released in the market in the years to come.

Direct control
The range of VIMATY remote controls can be used without an external controller to supervise and directly control audiovisual systems controlled by infrared or RS 232 as well as electrical devices if they use the KNX/EIB bus.

KNX is the most widely used wire data bus worldwide for its flexibility and the possibility of using it in large rooms or properties. It is made up of modules integrated into the electrical cabinet or devices for controlling the lighting, heating, curtains, alarm, etc.
The VITY "MBC" EIB/KNX products are used to control the majority of products available in the market using the KNX Bus. Here are some of the manufacturers:

Electric modules: Hager – SIEMENS - Schneider - ABB - JUNG - Merten - GIRA – Berker - Theben, etc.
Security: Hager –HESTIA
Roller blinds: SOMFY
Air-conditioning: Zennio

"Stand-alone" operation
The system can operate in "stand-alone" mode. In this mode the control unit operates without remote control and performs predefined sequences. This is the ideal choice for automatic operations (Museum, Shop, Presentation, etc.)

Remote control
By Internet or mobile phone
Using the "MBC" IP units in the TACTUM remote controls or the VITYLAN, TAC 15Box, and TAC8Box web servers, it is possible to control the environment locally or remotely via the Internet, IP connection or mobile phone.
Through a web page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) the user can find an application similar to the one on his/her local touch screen using flash or java (applet) technologies.

Other special features

Universal

The "MBC" is a veritable universal system for centralization of remote controls and is completely upgradeable. It controls and manages audiovisual or electrical devices.
The "MBC" system can handle various standards: KNX/EIB, LON, BACNET and CBUS, as well as standard electrical cabinets. It can thus interface with any existing system.
It is compatible with the following systems: Hager, Lutron, Niko, Legrand, Merlin Gerin, etc. and many others
It is compatible with all audiovisual devices in the market, which can be controlled through infrared, RS232, midi, etc.
Simplified wiring: A CAT 5 cable is sufficient for IP/Ethernet type or bus connections between various controls and the unit.

Flexible

Adapts to the size of the installation and is upgradeable.
The communication between the "MBC" components is carried out by:

Wire connection: MBC bus – IP network – infrared network
IP network: through 220/110 volts power line
Wireless: through WiFi or "Zig Bee" type networks

Several wired or wireless radio touch screens as well as several units can operate simultaneously on the same installation; multi-site applications can be set up by IP gateways
Some units can operate independently (stand-alone).
Learning the infrared codes of the devices to be controlled is very easy. It is carried out directly on the front face of the unit or remote control (VIMATY). It can also be carried out by the IRDump software.
Removal of external power supply, the "CUSTOLAN" range can be powered by the IP network cable (PoE).
Video embedding in some of the wired and wireless touch screens.
TV Tuner available in certain TACTUM remote controls
Direct videoconference on certain TACTUM remote controls.

Reliability

Thanks to its simplicity, the Media Bus Control system is regarded as one of the most reliable in the market.

Cost

The simple, original and progressive design of the "MBC" makes it the most competitive system.

Applications

Conference halls – Training rooms – Meeting rooms –Conference room- Reception halls – Schools – Universities – Hotels – Museums – Sports bar – Safety centre – Multimedia centre - TV Studio – Yacht – Liners - Church - …

Example of an application for a conference hall using microphones, an audio system, a camera, a video projector:
When a person wishes to speak, he/she presses the microphone button and immediately the camera focuses on her. The touch screen remote control monitors the sound level, enables change of turn to speak and displays the video on its screen and on the video projector, the camera image focussing on the speaker. The controls are carried out through an MBC controller such as the CUSTOLAN RS.