Setting Up and Considerations for SOYAL Smart Electronic Mailbox Architecture

SOYAL offers various mailbox configurations that can be selected based on the mailbox setup of the building. This article will introduce the various types of mailbox configurations and their settings provided by SOYAL.

When setting up mailbox configurations, it is recommended to directly pair them with E-series LCD screen card readers (e.g., AR-837E/AR-727-E). This is because in the configurations of " 2-1 Push Type Mailbox " and " 2-3 256 Type Mailbox " apart from the card reader requiring special firmware, the card reader also needs to use the "Alias" field to specify which mailbox to open. The H-series and E-series card readers without screens do not have the alias function.

2-1.Push Type Mailbox :

Requires special firmware (APS837E_V0403_191016USERNAME 3_MAILBOX_64_MONI.STM) and features mail detection and door open timeout functionality. This configuration is completely different from the previous two. Each mailbox will have an individual AR-403-IO-0202M-IR module installed to detect door status/mail detection/open the mailbox. All AR-403-IO-0202M-IR modules will ultimately connect back to the E-series card reader through AR-321L485-5V(TTL to RS485) via CN9/CN11.

2-2. 64 Type Mailbox (Standard Firmware, using E-Series floor control function, controlling 64 mailbox electric locks):

Uses standard firmware, and the setup process is identical to the standard 701ClientSQL setup for controlling floors. You can directly select which relay to use to control the mailbox for each user. The maximum configuration for one E-series LCD screen card reader is to connect four AR-401-IO-0016R modules, controlling 64 mailboxes.

2-3.256 Type Mailbox (Special Firmware, taking the first 3 characters of the alias field, each controller can control 256 mailbox electric locks) :

Requires special firmware (APS837E_V0401_180331 MailBox256 UART3). This configuration differs from the standard floor control in two ways:

The maximum configuration for one E-series LCD screen card reader is to connect 16 AR-401-IO-0016R modules, controlling 256 mailboxes.
Uses the "Alias" field to specify which mailbox to open.

1-1 Comparison Table of Various Types of Mailboxes

Architecture Type	Push Type Mailbox	64 Type Mailbox	256 Type Mailbox
Required Products	• E-Series Controller with LCD • AR-403-IO-0202M-IR • AR-1213P	• E-series keypad controllers • AR-401-IO-0016R • AR-321L485-5V • AR-1213P	• E-Series Controller with LCD • AR-401-IO-0016R • AR-321L485-5V • AR-1213P
Maximum Number of Mailboxes	64	64	256
Mail Detection	O	--	--
Mailbox Opening Timeout	O	--	--
701ClientSQL Graphical Control	O	--	--
Compatible Card Reader	E-Series Controller with LCD	E-series keypad controllers	E-Series Controller with LCD
Configuration Method	1.User 00000 Floor Interface Check 0202M Module Station Number 2.Alias Field in User Card Editing	701ClientSQL Floor Control Setup Interface	Alias Field in User Card Editing
Floor Functionality	O	X	O
Alias Functionality	O (Only the first 3 characters of the mailbox have been aliased, leaving 13 characters available)	O	O (Only the first 3 characters of the mailbox have been aliased, leaving 13 characters available)
Advantages	Equipped with mail detection and opening timeout, can push notifications via LINE	Usage is identical to standard floor control settings, with a simple operating interface	A single controller can control 256 sets of mailboxes, cost-effective
Drawbacks	Using aliasing may result in mistakenly opening mailboxes with the same number in different buildings (For solution, refer to Q1: How to avoid mistakenly opening mailboxes in different buildings with the same number when using the alias function? (701ClientSQL door group settings)	--	Using aliasing may result in mistakenly opening mailboxes with the same number in different buildings (For solution, refer to Q1: How to avoid mistakenly opening mailboxes in different buildings with the same number when using the alias function? (701ClientSQL door group settings)

※ The H-series card reader can also achieve standard floor control mailbox functionality, but the H-series card reader can only connect up to two floor control boards AR-401-IO-0016R, so it can control a maximum of 32 floors, and the converter needs to be matched with AR-321L485-12V.

※ Mailbox architectures that require the use of aliases (256-mailbox-economy type/64-mailbox-mail detection type) must use E-series card readers with screens (AR-837-E/AR-727-E, etc.), as only card readers with screens have alias functionality; whereas E-series card readers without screens such as AR-725-E/AR-331-E do not have alias functionality.

2. Introduction to Types of Smart Electronic Mailboxes

2-1. Push Type Mailbox
2-1-1. Basic Structure

2-1-2. Software Configuration Tutorial

In this example, one AR-837-E (Station 006) and two AR-403-IO-0202M-IR modules (Station 001/002) are used.

STEP 1: Setting the Station Number for AR-403-IO-0202M-IR

Since the default station number for AR-403-IO-0202M-IR is 001, and the default operating mode is "Standard," it is necessary to use the Commview tool program beforehand to individually modify the station number and operating mode to "Mailbox."

Setting Procedure: Fill in Node 1 > Select READ > Change mode to Mailbox > Click WRITE > Complete

※ Before installation, all AR-403-IO-0202M-IR modules must be connected to Commview using the AR-321-CM/AR-727CM converter to change the mode and station number before they can be used.

STEP 2: Updating Special Firmware for E-Series Card Reader

EX. AR-837-E

APS837E_V0404_230210 USERNAME_MAILBOX_64_MONI CN9_Only.STM

Firmware Update Tutorial ➤ How to update the firmware of SOYAL controller and other products?

STEP 3. Enabling Modules

In this special configuration, the AR-403-IO-0202M-IR modules at the site are activated using the accessible floors for user position 00000. Checking specific floors represents polling specific module station numbers for the designated E-Series card reader.

Procedure: Open the floor control interface, check the existing AR-403-IO-0202M-IR module station numbers at user position 0, and download them to the corresponding controller station numbers.

This example only uses two modules (Station 001/002), so only positions 01/02 are checked.

Click on the 701ClientSQL menu bar

STEP 4: Assigning Mailbox Numbers for Card Access

Use the alias field to specify the mailbox station number to be opened. For example, if a resident at 169-2, 23rd floor has five cards in the 701ClientSQL system, and all these cards are meant to open mailbox station 001, then all five cards must have "001" entered in the alias field.

※ In this configuration, the alias field can only specify a single mailbox, so a single card can only open a single mailbox.

STEP 5. Specifying Mailbox Event Names

Mailbox-related events should have two types of event records. If you wish to clearly distinguish between each event personnel, you can refer to the following instructions.

Type A: Mailbox Events (Red Box, including mail detection events and door open timeout events): Under this configuration, you can specify the message names returned by each 0202-IR module using Regedit for configuration. The configuration method is as follows.

Type B: Card Names (Blue Box, card swipe for mail pickup events of the resident): The "Name" field can be used to enter the address or name of the cardholder.

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Type A: Mailbox Event Configuration Procedure:

STEP 1: Add a string value in Regedit under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SOYAL\701Client\Mailbox.

STEP 2: A new numerical value #1 will appear.

STEP 3: Name the mailbox. For example, if the mailbox under controller station 001 is station number 03, the string content should be 00103.

STEP 4: Enter the address to be displayed in the numerical data. For example, "Mailbox on 10th floor, Unit 366."

STEP 6. Specify LINE Mailbox Notifications:

Mailbox events are system messages that can currently only be sent to a single group. Users who wish to check for new mail can do so by searching for their own address on LINE and checking the group for any new messages.

If a household has five cards, a group can also be created to direct the card swipe messages of all five cards to the household group. This allows residents to check anytime if someone has retrieved mail.

Reference link for LINE group card swipe notifications ➤701ClientSQL Manual / 12.2 The LINE token enables the execution of sending functions

2-2. 64 Type Mailbox (Standard Firmware, using E-Series floor control function, controlling 64 mailbox electric locks)

2-2-1. Basic Structure

2-2-2. Cabinet Lock Unlock Time Modification (E-Series Relay Seconds)

	E-Series Controller with LCD	E-series keypad controllers (AR-725E/AR-331E)
PIC
Setting Method	Enter editing mode (default *123456#) > 5. Toolbox > 0. Universal Serial Port CN9 > 0: Lift9600 > Set the range of card-swiping waiting time.	Set relay time via floor control action time (M4/M8) command. *Configuration method: Enter edit mode (default value 123456#) > 23MMMTTT#**
Relay Time	000= Continuous output mode 001~600= 1 sec. to 600 sec. 601~609= 0.1 sec. to 0.9 sec.	MMM = Floor controller station number TTT = Floor controller relay action time 000 = Continuous output transition mode 001~600 = 1 sec. to 600 sec. 601~609 = 0.1sec. to 0.9 sec.

2-2-3. Specifying Mailbox Numbers and Output Modes (AR-401-IO-0016R Dial Switch Settings)

Transmission Rate (BAUD9600), N.C. TYPE Elevator Floor Dedicated

N.C./N.O. Type witch

SW8: When the dial is in the OFF position, it is in N.O. mode (used for mailboxes) :

When the power of AR-401-IO-0016R is turned off, the connected devices or equipment will be in a short-circuited state, meaning that they do not automatically connect when power is off.

SW8: When the dial is in the ON position, it is in N.C. mode (used for elevators) :

When the power of AR-401-IO-0016R is turned off, the connected devices or equipment will be in a connected state, meaning they automatically connect when power is off.

2-2-4. Software Configuration Tutorial

The E-series controller can connect to 4 AR-401-IO-0016R units to achieve elevator panel control for up to 64 floors. This elevator architecture can also be applied to mailbox control, and users can directly set the mailbox positions to be opened for each user in 701ClientSQL.

Example: Resident 00001 needs to open mailbox position 001, which corresponds to the first position on the AR-401-IO-0016R.

※There are a total of 64 positions. The screenshot above illustrates only the top half, indicating each user's selection of their mailbox number.

2-3. 256 Type Mailbox (Special Firmware, taking the first 3 characters of the alias field, each controller can control 256 mailbox electric locks)

2-3-1. Basic Structure

2-3-2. Cabinet Lock Unlock Time Modification (E-Series Relay Seconds)

	E-Series Controller with LCD	E-series keypad controllers (AR-725E/AR-331E)
PIC
Setting Method	Enter editing mode (default *123456#) > 5. Toolbox > 0. Universal Serial Port CN9 > 0: Lift9600 > Set the range of card-swiping waiting time.	Set relay time via floor control action time (M4/M8) command. *Configuration method: Enter edit mode (default value 123456#) > 23MMMTTT#**
Relay Time	000= Continuous output mode 001~600= 1 sec. to 600 sec. 601~609= 0.1 sec. to 0.9 sec.	MMM = Floor controller station number TTT = Floor controller relay action time 000 = Continuous output transition mode 001~600 = 1 sec. to 600 sec. 601~609 = 0.1sec. to 0.9 sec.

2-3-3. Specifying Mailbox Numbers and Output Modes (AR-401-IO-0016R Dial Switch Settings)

Transmission Rate (BAUD9600), N.C. TYPE Elevator Floor Dedicated

N.C./N.O. Type witch

SW8: When the dial is in the OFF position, it is in N.O. mode (used for mailboxes) :

When the power of AR-401-IO-0016R is turned off, the connected devices or equipment will be in a short-circuited state, meaning that they do not automatically connect when power is off.

SW8: When the dial is in the ON position, it is in N.C. mode (used for elevators) :

When the power of AR-401-IO-0016R is turned off, the connected devices or equipment will be in a connected state, meaning they automatically connect when power is off.

2-3-4. Software Configuration Tutorial

The card reader requires updating with special firmware: APS837E_V0405_240124_USERNAME_MAILBOX_256.STM

STEP 1. Refer to the corresponding mailbox numbers in Appendix Table 1 and input them into the alias field.

STEP 2. Save > Download

3.Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 How to avoid mistakenly opening mailboxes in different buildings with the same mailbox number when using the alias function for mailbox settings? (701ClientSQL door group settings)

Explanation:

When regular users download personnel data using 701ClientSQL, it's typically downloaded to all card readers at once, not to a single card reader. Additionally, in this framework, the alias field is used as the output point. Failure to set the door group for each user can result in users being able to open specified mailboxes in other buildings at the same location.

Example: Without setting the door group for passage, when User 00001 swipes their card, the tenth point of the second floor control panel will activate (set to 025). In this scenario, there are 16 independent AR-837E card readers for mailbox configurations in 16 different buildings within the community. Consequently, this user will be able to open the tenth point mailbox of the second floor control panel in each building.

※ When the card performs the "Save>Download" action, the user's data will be downloaded to the card reader station number selected for "F download" (card readers numbered 1-16 in the figure will receive this data update).

To address this situation, the mailbox structure should be accompanied by door group control functionality, ensuring that each user can only access specified buildings. This eliminates the issue of opening other people's mailboxes. The operating procedure can be referenced through the following example:

Ex. The user resides in Building B, and the mailbox is installed at the card reader (Door Number 004) - Building B Main Door.

STEP 1. Set the doors accessible by each door group.

STEP 2. Assign the user to the designated door group.

STEP 3. Save > Download.

STEP 4. Setup complete.

Now, when user 00001 uses this card to access Building B, they can pass through normally and open the designated mailbox (025).

However, when the card is used at the mailbox reader in Buildings A or C, the screen will display "Access not allowed in this door group," and mailbox 025 will not be opened. Additionally, 701Client will display a notification message to the administrator.

4. Notes

4-1 Precautions

※It is recommended to set the controller lock time to 0.5 seconds or less to avoid prolonged triggering that may cause coil overheating and damage.

4-2 Mailbox Point to Floor Controller (AR-401-IO-0016R) Point Number Reference Table

EX:

If user 00123's card needs to open the 13th point of the 4th AR-401-IO-0016R, then the alias should be entered as 060.

If user 00999's card needs to open the 6th point of the 8th AR-401-IO-0016R, then the alias should be entered as 117.

If user 01723's card needs to open the 3rd point of the 13th AR-401-IO-0016R, then the alias should be entered as 194.

And so on...

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