HID® BEEKS Badge BVCARD01 Install Guide
PLT-05423, Rev. A.0
Overview
The HID® BEEKS™ Install Guide provides essential information for setting up and provisioning BLE beacons with a Bluzone Cloud account and project. This guide is intended for installation technicians.
BEEKs™ Badges are personal BLE beacons, worn as badges, that offer valuable insights into individual location across various applications. The BEEKs Combo Badge is designed to optionally accommodate a standard ISO card in portrait format for visual identification of the wearer. The ISO card may include printing and/or RFID, but its presence is not mandatory for the BEEKs Combo Badge's operation. The ISO card is attached using adhesive and permanently fixed within the badge's cavity.
When integrated with HID Global's comprehensive IoT ecosystem, including BluFi™ BLE to WiFi gateways and Bluzone™ cloud services, BEEKs can be centrally managed remotely. This allows for the transfer of new messages, firmware updates, and battery status checks. Their design ensures reliable broadcasting, even in Wi-Fi-dense environments.
BEEKs Beacons are linked to ID64 via a QR code printed or labeled on their outer casing.
System Components
- 1. BluFi™ Gateway (Model BluFi-AC00): A Bluetooth to WiFi gateway.
- 2. BEEKs™ Badge: Bluetooth Low Energy beacons.
- 3. Bluzone™: A cloud-based dashboard for fleet management and condition monitoring.
[Diagram description: Illustrates the system components: a BluFi gateway unit, a person wearing a BEEKs badge on a lanyard, and a cloud icon representing Bluzone.]
Terminology
- 1. Bluzone™: Secure, cloud-based SaaS for central management of BEEKs via BluFi gateways. It also enables monitoring, storage, and analysis of performance data from deployed BEEKs fleets.
- 2. BluFi Gateway: Receives data from BEEKs over Bluetooth and transmits it to the Bluzone Cloud.
- 3. BEEKs Badge: Sends data to BluFi.
- 4. Person wearing the badge: The end-user of the BEEKs Badge.
[Diagram description: Shows icons representing WiFi, Bluetooth, and a person with a badge.]
BEEKs Locations
BEEKs Badges are typically worn like any other badge, either on a lanyard around the neck or attached via a clip to a belt.
[Diagram description: Depicts a person wearing a BEEKs badge on a lanyard.]
Specifications
BEEKs Badge - Model BVCARD01
Different configurations available: Standard, Combo
| Specification | BEEKs Standard Badge | BEEKs Combo Badge |
|---|---|---|
| Operating temperature | -22°F to +170°F (-30°C to +77°C) | |
| Storage temperature | -22°F to +170°F (-30°C to +77°C) | |
| Standard Protocol | Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2 | |
| Frequency range | 2400-2483.5 MHz | |
| No of channels | 40 | |
| Modulation | GFSK | |
| Mode of operation | Half duplex | |
| RF max output power | +5dBm (<10mW) | |
| Antenna | 0 dBm single antenna, omnidirectional | |
| Bluetooth sensitivity | -97dBm | |
| Transmission Power | -40dBm to -5dBm (3m to 150m line of sight) | |
| Name | BEEKs Standard Badge | BEEKs Combo Badge |
| Part No. | BVBBN4W | BVBBN4WC |
| Length x width | 2.14 in x 3.39 in x 0.10 in (54 × 86 x 2.5 mm) | 2.19 in x 3.43 in x 0.15 in (55.84 x 87.30 x 3.94 mm) |
| Weight | 0.5 oz (14 g) | |
| Housing material | Polycarbonate | |
| Data rates | 1Mbit/s | |
| Battery type | Six CR2016 rated at 90mAh Total 540mAh | |
| Battery duration | Up to 4 years | |
Best Practices
- Maximum of 15 - 20 beacons per BluFi for optimal results.
- Maximum distance of 20 - 30 meters from beacon to BluFi for best results (distance may decrease with increased interference or blockages).
- For RTLS applications, the BEEKS Badge signal must be received by at least three BluFis in the vicinity.
Network Troubleshooting
- Requires 2.4 GHz WiFi only.
- HTTPS port 443 must be open.
- DHCP is required.
- 1 Mbps upload speed is required.
- Captive WiFi portals are not compatible.
- Compatible certificate formats: .pem, .der.
- BluFi MAC address whitelisting may be necessary on some networks.
Pre-requisites
- Set up a Bluzone account.
- Download the Bluzone mobile app.
- Additional installation guides are available at: https://hid.gl/HID-BluFi-installation
Initial Setup
1. Account Setup
Visit bluzone.io and register a new account. Verify your email by clicking the link provided in the email.
[Screenshot description: Bluzone login page showing fields for Username and Password, with options for 'Forgot your password?', 'Log in', and 'Create a free account'. Another screenshot shows a signup form with fields for Email, Password, Confirm Password, and agreement to Terms of Use.]
2. Project Setup
Use the dropdown menu in the top right corner of the screen to create a new project. Navigate to Settings and submit a Product Activation request for your specific use case (e.g., RTLS, Status Monitoring, Advanced Condition Monitoring), depending on your purchased SaaS model. Product features will be activated within 24 hours.
[Screenshot description: Bluzone project setup screen showing options to create a new project with fields for Name, Description, and UUID Value, and a list of use case categories like RTLS, Status Monitoring, etc., with 'Send Request' buttons.]
3. Bluzone Mobile App Setup
Download the Bluzone mobile app from Google Play or the iOS App Store. Log in using your Bluzone account credentials.
[Screenshot description: Mobile phone screens showing the Bluzone app login interface and a circular progress indicator during setup.]
4. BluFi Provisioning
For communication with the Bluzone cloud and to perform location and duress functions, the BEEKS badge must be within range of a properly configured BluFi set. Refer to https://hid.gl/HID-BluFi-AC-installation for details.
- Plug the BluFi into a power source for initial setup.
- In the Bluzone app, navigate to 'Provision' > 'BluFi'.
- Hold your mobile device close to the BluFi and select the device with the highest signal strength (swipe down to refresh the list).
[Diagram description: Shows a BluFi unit mounted on a wall with an AC power connection.]
[Screenshot description: Bluzone app screen showing a list of discovered BluFi devices with their IDs and HEX values.]
5. BEEK Provisioning
- Place the BEEK close to the BluFi.
- For each beacon, hold your mobile phone close to the BEEK and select the device with the highest signal strength (swipe down to refresh the list). Continue these steps for each BEEK.
- When prompted for a Template, select the template corresponding to your use case (e.g., "Default Beacon Template - Duress Button" for the BEEKs Duress Badge).
- Follow the on-screen instructions in the Bluzone app to define the location and optionally add a picture of the installation site.
- When prompted for a Template, you can create a new one with your WiFi SSID and password.
Optionally, assign a name to the beacon that matches the badge owner. Alternatively, retain the random number name for enhanced privacy.
The badge owner can insert a printed ISO card into the BEEKs Badge's card holder at any time. The ISO card is removable and reinsertable, and it is not mandatory for duress or RTLS functions.
[Screenshot description: Bluzone app screen showing a list of discovered BEEKs devices with their IDs and HEX values.]
[Screenshot description: Bluzone app screen showing a list of available Beacon Templates.]
BEEKs and BluFi Installation
1. BluFi Installation
BluFi units should be installed within 100ft (30m) of monitored assets. Shorter distances are recommended for environments with obstructions. For accurate location services, a BEEKs badge must be able to communicate with multiple BluFis simultaneously for triangulation. In smaller rooms, one BluFi per room may suffice for basic location and duress functions.
[Diagram description: Shows a BluFi unit mounted on a wall, labeled as 'AC BluFi Option'.]
2. BEEKS Connection
BEEKs Badges are typically worn on a lanyard or belt clip. To test the badge, place it near a properly installed BluFi.
- In the Bluzone console, navigate to BluFi > {BluFi Name} > Statistics and scroll down to the Scan Map.
- Verify that each beacon can be seen by at least one BluFi (a signal strength of -75 dBm or higher is desirable).
[Screenshot description: Bluzone console showing a 'Scan Map' with beacon IDs, names, last seen times, and associated BluFi IDs, indicating signal strength.]
3. Policy Creation
The beacon is now ready for use. Begin creating policies and setting up locations as described in the online manual available at: https://hid.gl/On-line-manual
Regulation Information
SRD Model: BVCARD01
RF Specifications
- Standard Protocol: BLE 4.2
- Frequency Band: 2400-2483.5 MHz
- No of RF channels: 40
- RF output power: +5dBm
- Modulation: GFSK
- Antenna: PCB, 0 dBi
Communication Regulation
The following is a list of applicable regulations:
US FCC - United States Compliance
FCC ID: SL6-BVCARD02
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
IMPORTANT: Changes or modifications to this product not authorized by HID could void the FCC Certification and negate your authority to operate this product.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
ISED - Canada Compliance
IC: 24824-BVCARD02
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
[French translation of Canadian compliance statement is present in the original document.]
Singapore Compliance
Complies with IMDA Standards DA108684
Australia/ New Zealand Compliance
This product conforms to Australia and New Zealand Radio Requirements.
European Union Compliance
Conformité Européenne (European Community)
CE Mark
HID Global hereby declares that this Radio Equipment SRD Model number BVCARD01 is in compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU. The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address: www.hidglobal/certifications
This product operates at the following frequencies:
- 2.4 GHz band with an RF output power of less than +5dBm e.i.r.p.
The document also provides regulatory compliance information in the following languages: Czech, Greek, Danish, Estonian, German, Finnish, Dutch, Maltese, Swedish, French, Italian, Polish, Croatian, Hungarian, Romanian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Portuguese, Slovenian, Slovak, and Spanish.
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