Tyrfing - Smart Home Dashboard

Aug 14, 2023 4 Minute Read

Our client approached us with a very unique challenge: build a unified, modular, touch-friendly interface to provide a consistent user experience for smart home applications. Our core strategy was to build a JavaScript applet environment within a PHP framework, with a built-in API that lets each applet access user authentication, media resources, and Socket.IO to monitor and control IoT devices through the network

Summary of provided services

Applet Environment

The most demanding aspect was creating a flexible ecosystem for our client's developers to build kiosks, diretories, media servers, telemetry screens and dashboards across their product lines.Like engineering an operating system, we started with a core JavaScript class that provides common utilities such as timers, authentication, resource loaders, as well as audio / video channels.

We then load each applet into that core, and allow each one to perform its unique capabilities while addressing common resources on-demand. The end result is that while each applet has background activity that is completely independent, it still delivers its end results in a consistent and intuitive user interface.

Unfied Backend

With a consistent front-end in place, the next challenge was to make sure all requested assets, settings, and multimedia are retrieved and delivered in a secure and equally consistent manner. To achieve this result, we created an API that enforces security on every call, then addresses the right storage mediums through a standardized JSON format. This involved engineering a back-end that connects to an authentication server, then hops over to the secure media and database servers to pull the information we ultimately served to the front-end.

User Interface

After delivery consistency on the front and back-end, we focused on creating an intuitive user interface that's easy to use for the lay person, while retaining all the features professionals need in a mission-critical environment. We explored the best elements of several dashboards and control screens the client liked--from electric vehicles, mall kiosks, high-end elevators, video games, and even popular movies like Iron Man and Dawn of Justice. The result was ultimately something totally unique to the client.

Next Step

Presently our solution meets our client's needs for applications on Door Controls, Media Kiosks, Vending Machines, Building Directories, Point of Sale systems, and Service Queing. We're working with the client to add embedded applications for automotive dashboards and industrial PLC monitoring / controls.