The MyWatchtower entry kiosk is a tablet at a gate with no staff. A visitor uses it to get entry with a PIN code, a QR code or the community directory. This article shows what a visitor sees at the kiosk.
The main screen
The main screen shows the name of the community and the prompt "Select an entry method". Under the prompt, the kiosk shows one button for each entry method that the community turned on:
- Pin Code: the visitor types a kiosk PIN on a keypad, and MyWatchtower checks it.
- QR Code: the kiosk opens its camera. The visitor holds a MyWatchtower QR code up to the camera.
- Directory: the visitor searches for a resident by name or address. The visitor can then call the resident, or send an entry request that the resident approves or denies on a phone. This button shows only at a gate where the community turned on the directory.
When the gate has a help contact, a Help button shows at the bottom right. It starts a short guided flow, and then a call for help.
On the kiosk tablet, the top right of the screen shows the live view of the kiosk camera, with a REC label and the line "Recording for record-keeping". The kiosk saves a short clip of each PIN entry, QR code entry and entry request, and attaches the clip to the entry record.
If a visitor stops on any screen other than the main screen for 30 seconds, the kiosk goes back to the main screen. It does not do this during a call or while it waits for the answer of a resident.
The result screens
When the kiosk accepts a PIN or a QR code, it shows Access Granted and "The gate will now open". When the PIN or the QR code belongs to a person, the screen also shows the name of that person, and the photo when one is on file. After 5 seconds, the kiosk goes back to the main screen. The visitor can select Back to Menu to go back sooner.
When the kiosk refuses a QR code, it shows Entry Denied with the reason. When it refuses a PIN, it shows the reason in red under the PIN box, so the visitor can try again.
An entry request from the directory waits up to one minute for the answer of the resident. If the resident approves, the kiosk shows Access Granted. If the resident denies, it shows Entry Denied. If no answer comes in that minute, the kiosk goes back to the main screen.
Emergency PINs
A community can keep some PINs for emergency use. When a visitor types one, the kiosk asks the visitor to confirm before the gate opens, and tells the visitor that staff will be notified.
When the kiosk cannot reach MyWatchtower
MyWatchtower checks each PIN and QR code, and it runs each directory search. When the kiosk cannot reach MyWatchtower, it removes the entry buttons from the main screen and shows Connection lost: "This gate cannot check codes right now. It reconnects on its own. Please wait a moment."
The screen also shows:
- "Need help? Call" and the help number of the gate. The number is the help phone of the gate, or the default help phone of the community. If neither is set, this line does not show.
- The time when the kiosk was last connected. This line shows only when the connection was lost while the kiosk was on.
- A Try again button. The kiosk checks the connection at once, and the button reads "Checking…" while it does.
A call that is in progress continues. The kiosk keeps checking the connection, and it goes back to the main screen when MyWatchtower answers again. Nobody needs to do anything at the gate.
Where the entries go
An entry at the kiosk shows in the entry records of the community, the same as any other entry. Community staff set up the kiosk and the Help button of each gate in Settings > Unstaffed Gates.