FAQ for TimeTec Barrier
1. How would a TimeTec Barrier installation in i-Neighbour restrict non-residents entries and exits at a community?

i-Neighbour's usage is limited to registered residents only and they can sign in to the app to unlock gate barrier. Non-residents are neither permitted to access the solution nor login nor to the app.

2. If a non-resident steals a resident’s i-Neighbour login credentials and login to the mobile app, could the non-resident use the app?

No. i-Neighbour has been embedded with a security measure that ensures no credential can be easily stolen. During registration, each resident account will be tied up with its owner's smartphone and in case the same login credential is being used to login from another smartphone, the i-Neighbour app will block the access and require the person to insert a new pairing code, which will be delivered to the resident's registered email account. Without getting the details of the new pairing code, accessing to account is impossible.

3. Can a resident change to a new smartphone and still login to i-Neighbour app and use TimeTec Barrier?

As long as you are the legit owner of the account and you have the new pairing code that is sent to the registered email account, changing of smartphones is permissible. Once the resident enters the new pairing code, the previously used smartphone will be erased from list and no longer in use.

4. Can I use my i-Neighbour app to open the gate if I take an Uber or a taxi?

Definitely you can because the barrier is controlled by the i-Neighbour app on your smartphone. So whether you are a passenger or a driver, it doesn’t matter. However, the vehicle driver will not be able to unlock the gate after he/she dropped you off because he/she doesn’t have an access to i-Neighbour. Tell the driver to let the guard opens the gate to exit. Or if your community implements stringent security check, you have to follow the rules by registering your taxi or Uber driver at the entrance gate even though your i-Neighbour app account allow you to open the barrier gate.

5. My relatives are coming to visit me. Can I create temporary passes for them in i-Neighbour app to unlock the entrance gate?

No. You cannot create any temporary passes for non-residents to unlock the entrance gate. All non-residents have to report at the security checkpoint before they will be granted access to your enclave. However, if you install a private auto gate for your house, which you need to manage and use with a separate i-TimeTec app (instead of i-Neighbour app), you can create temporary passes that allow your relatives or visitors to access your home's barrier gate BLE-3; it's up to you.

6. Does TimeTec Barrier has anti-passback feature, which means the IN record has to pair with the OUT record?

Yes, we have designed the TimeTec Barrier to provide an anti-passback feature. The barrier will NOT open if a vehicle comes IN the second time without an OUT activity log in his previous record, and vice versa.

7. For better automation, why not lift the barrier straightway to allow access without user needs to hit YES button on their smartphone when TimeTec Barrier detected a valid vehicle?

It will create complication, because user normally carry their smartphone even without driving a car. Full automation means the barrier will open too when you go IN and OUT the enclave without driving your car.

8. On top of controlling vehicle access, can TimeTec Barrier also be used to control smaller gates to restrict human access?

Yes. You can install TimeTec Barrier into other access control system for example turnstile, automatic gate and etc to restrict human access. Only residents with i-Neighbour app can unlock the barrier to gain access.

9. The distance between in and out barrier gates could be very near but the Bluetooth coverage is wide. When the app is sending an unlock command when I'm near the In gate, could the Out gate also capture the command and unlock me?

No. The Bluetooth ID for each BLE 2 Gate Control is different and only the BLE 2 Gate Control Relay Board installed inside the IN gate shall respond to your command.

10. My residential area is a new development that does not have mobile Internet access. Can I still use the i-Neighbour app to unlock the gate?

Yes, the i-Neighbour app can download your access credentials/permission before your mobile Internet went off and the data will be stored inside the app for you to unlock the gate even if you are offline.

11. What are the benefits to using a smartphone rather than using a card?

A card can be easily lost, stolen or forgotten because it has no other functions except to open gates; but a smartphone is functional and personal, an important part of today’s people's lifestyle. Smartphone has a lot of power and functions including to control TimeTec Barrier, one of the many i-Neighbour’s integrated features.

12. Can residents still access and open the entrance gate after they have moved out?

No. The admin is responsible to disable and remove his smartphone access from the i-Neighbour management.

13. I want to install TimeTec Barrier at my home autogate system, but my residential management is not an i-Neighbour user. Shall I advise the management to sign up with i-Neighbour?

Not necessary because we also provide a separate mobile app called i-TimeTec for individual owners to install TimeTec Barrier to private auto gate system without having to install i-Neighbour system at his residential area. Even if your residential management is also using i-Neighbour solution, if you plan to install TimeTec Barrier for your own home, you will still be required to download and use the separate i-TimeTec app to manage the device.

14. Can TimeTec Barrier BLE 2 Gate Control Relay Board be installed at all types of barrier?

There are many types of barriers in the market and you can hardly find any plug-and-play systems. Customization to some degree might be required at the initial installation. Please write to us at info@timeteccloud.com if you have a barrier in mind that you would like to integrate with TimeTec Barrier BLE 2 Gate Control Relay Board.

15. What kind of smartphone is required in order to operate TimeTec Barrier or do we need to find any specific functions in a smartphone for this matter?

The system is running on Bluetooth Low Energy technology, which is very common in nowadays smartphones. If you are using an iPhone or an Android phone, as long as it supports Bluetooth 4.0 and above, you should be fine.

16. Is there a disable function for the Smart Barrier Gate?

There is no disable feature in the web portal or mobile application. To stop the control of TimeTec Barrier Gate Control Relay Board, you need to shut down its power source.

17. What is the maximum reading distance for the TimeTec BLE-2 device and is it adjustable?

As mentioned in the product specifications, the maximum effective reading range for TimeTec BLE-2 is 10 metres. However, in practice, the maximum distance will fall between 5 to 10 metres, depending on the phone model and also the surroundings of the BLE-2 (whether blocked by metal or wall). This range is not adjustable, irrespective of inside the hardware, through web application or through the mobile app.

18. The distance between in and out barrier gates could be very near but the Bluetooth coverage is wide. When a vehicle approaches the gates, auto scan and detection will commence. How can the app identify whether a resident is entering or exiting and prompt them to Unlock the correct barrier gate for their lane?

On top of the auto detect function, when more than one BLE-2 device appears within range, the app is also programmed to auto select and prompt user to unlock the nearest BLE-2 barrier gate that was detected. As such, even if the distance between the barrier gates is very near, this should not be an issue.

19. Does the i-Neighbour cloud system record event log of each entry and exit of residents’ & visitors’ vehicles and provide reports for the Admin?

Yes, it has been planned for Smart Barrier to provide the vehicle entry-exit records and report for Admin use.