Category: User Guides

Motion Event PTZ Presets with the Axis M5000-G in exacqVision

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date October 11, 2024

Overview

The Axis M5000-G PTZ camera is a multi-sensor camera containing three stationary wide-angle lenses around the circumference of the camera body and one center-mounted PTZ lens. This guide is intended to help users automate the positioning of the PTZ lens upon events, such as motion detection.

Requirements

Axis M5000-G PTZ camera, with firmware 11.10.61 or higher
exacqVision Server 24.09 or higher

NOTE: While this article is written specifically with the M5000-G PTZ in mind, the setup of Event Linking to reposition PTZ cameras based on the motion detection from other sensors, and even other cameras, can be used with any capable devices.

Camera Configuration

Log into the camera’s web browser interface.
Configure the initial user credentials as required, if you have not already done so.
Open the PTZ menu. You may configure the PTZ presets within the camera on the Preset Positions screen, or choose to configure presets within exacqVision at a later stage.
If desired, configure the range of motion for the PTZ turret on the Limits screen within the camera. These settings cannot be configured within exacqVision. See the device’s help file or manual for details on setting PTZ limits.
The Motion tab within the PTZ settings configures the behavior of the camera during motor movement of the PTZ turret. Motion detection may be configured within the Video Motion Detection application under the Apps menu.

Connecting the Camera to exacqVision

Use the AXIS VAPIX option from the Device Type menu when adding the Axis M5000-G PTZ camera.

Refer to the exacqVision Client User Manual or watch one of our videos on how to Add IP Cameras for the steps to connect the camera to your exacqVision Server.

Motion Detection

If you chose not to configure motion detection zones within the camera, do this now for use in the next steps.

Expand the left-hand navigation tree under Camera Recording.
Select the sensor to be configured. When adding the M5000-G PTZ camera to exacqVision, each sensor appears individually on the navigation tree as a separate camera.
On the Camera Settings page for the selected sensor, use the Display tab to change the Name. You may find it helpful to identify each sensor and which one is the PTZ. This will be useful in later steps.
Use the settings on the Motion tab to define the motion detection regions within the sensor’s field of vision. You may need to adjust the sensitivity, percentage, and time to trigger settings to best suit your installation environment.

PTZ Presets

When adding the M5000-G PTZ camera to exacqVision, each sensor appears individually on the navigation tree as a separate camera with the PTZ turret as the first one. A preset is a saved position and field of view that can be used to quickly point the PTZ lens to a specific region of interest such as a display or locked cabinet.

Expand the left-hand navigation tree under Camera Recording.
Select the PTZ sensor.
 
NOTE: Due to this camera reporting to exacqVision that it is a PTZ camera all sensors will display a Mechanical PTZ tab, but there are no motors associated with the non-PTZ sensors.
On the Camera Settings page for the PTZ sensor, select the Mechanical PTZ tab, then choose the Presets tab beneath it.
If you configured PTZ Presets within the camera they will be shown in the Presets panel.
Create new Presets by using the Pan/Tilt and Zoom controls to position the camera’s field of view as you’d like, then press the New button to Name your preset before selecting the Apply button to save your changes. Presets may also be removed by selecting them from the list and pressing the Delete button.
In the example below, we have created a preset to display a file cabinet after creating a motion detection region for this area on Sensor 3. This may just as easily be focused on a specific entry way, display case, or any other object of interest.

Using Event Linking to Move the PTZ on Motion Events

PTZ presets may be activated manually by those monitoring exacqVision, but can become more powerful tools when automated. In the next steps you will configure exacqVision to direct the PTZ turret of the M5000-G camera to preset locations when motion is detected by the stationary lenses. You may even choose to activate a preset when motion is detected by other cameras nearby.

From the left-hand navigation tree in the exacqVision Client, select Event Linking.
Begin by pressing the New button near the bottom of the window.
From the Event Type panel on the left, select Video Motion.
Use the Event Source panel to locate and select the first of your stationary camera sensors.
From the Action Type panel in the center-right of the window, select PTZ Preset.
Using the Action Target panel, select the name of a preset configured for a region within the sensor’s field of view.
Press Apply to save your changes.
You’ve now configured the system so that when motion is detected by the first sensor it will reposition the PTZ turret to examine an area within that sensor’s field of view with greater detail.
Press the New button again to repeat Steps 3-6 for each sensor and preset combination.
The following images show the Live view of all four sensors from the camera in Live viewing mode. The stream from the PTZ turret sensor is shown in the upper-left corner and moves to the file cabinet when motion is detected.

If you have a secondary camera nearby configured for motion detection or AI driven Object Classification, you may also select these using the Event Types (Video Motion or Analytics), then select the other camera from the Event Source window. Event Linking may combine other event types as well to take a PTZ Preset action, such as Serial Profiles to position a PTZ lens towards a cash register during sales transactions, or Input Triggers to position the lens towards a door when opened. See our Event Linking Video for more information, or refer to the Related Articles section below.

Tags Guest, Axis, PTZ, Event Linking, Multisensor, M5000-G, 21469

User Guides Documentation Integrations Categories Products exacqVision Integrations

Axis Q19 Series Thermal Cameras Integration Guide

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date September 18, 2024

Description

Axis thermal cameras provide heat-based detection for monitoring property or detecting thermal anomalies which could lead to incidents involving smoke or fire. This guide is intended to introduce the use of these devices with your exacqVision VMS software.

Requirements

Axis Q19 Series Camera
Camera firmware 11.8 or higher
exacqVision Server/Client 24.09 or higher

At the time of writing this article, these instructions pertain to the Axis Q19 Series of cameras and assume you have already located the device on your network and logged into the web browser interface.

Thermometry Configuration

Detecting a Temperature Change (Temperature Tripwire)

Expand the Thermometry menu from the left-hand side, then select Temperature Reading.
Select a color palette of your choice from the Palette menu on the right.
Set the Temperature unit you intend to use, either Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Select Temperature detection, beneath the Thermometry menu on the left.
Back on the right, select Add detection area.
Use the handles to drag out the bounding area on the video panel to highlight the polygonal area of interest.
Provide a descriptive name in the Name field, such as “High Temperature” or “Low Temperature” depending on what you may be concerned about sensing.
Enable the Use area control to enable monitoring this detection area.
Set Temperature in area choice.
- If detecting a high temperature is desired, choose ‘Warmest Spot’ from the Temperature in area options. Then select ‘Above’ and enter the temperature degrees you wish to be alerted at.
- If detecting a low temperature is desired, choose ‘Coolest Spot’ from the Temperature in area options. Then select ‘Below’ and enter the temperature in degrees you wish to be alerted at.
You may wish to adjust the Delay field time if some fluctuation is expected in the region. This setting will allow the event to trigger only after remaining above/below the set temperature threshold for a given amount of time.
The Include detection area in video stream selector determines if, or when, the bounding area is included in the video stream as it will be sent to exacqVision.
Checking the Include temperature checkbox will display the detected temperature.

Detecting Smoldering Fire

The Thermometry functionality of the camera combined with the Early Fire Detection app may be used to sense if a fire could ignite in a designated area. The early fire detection app filters uninteresting moving objects, to minimize false alarms.

Expand the Thermometry menu from the left-hand side, then select Temperature Reading.
Select a color palette of your choice from the Palette menu on the right.

NOTE: Axis recommends avoiding the use of palettes beginning with ‘Iso’ for best performance, preferably using the ‘White-hot’ option.
Set the Temperature unit you intend to use, either Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Select Temperature detection, beneath the Thermometry menu on the left.
Back on the right, select Add detection area.
Use the handles to drag out the bounding area on the video panel to highlight the polygonal area of interest.
Provide a descriptive name in the Name field. If you were monitoring a waste disposal area for the potential of a fire, you might name this “Waste Bin”.
Enable the Use area control to enable monitoring this detection area.
Use the Temperature in area control to select ‘Warmest Spot’ and ‘Above’.
Within the temperature field, enter 50°C (122°F)
Open the Apps menu from the left-hand side of the screen.
Enable the Early Fire Detection app.

NOTE: At the time of this writing, this app is a beta release, version 1.2.0.
Select the Open button for the Early Fire Detection app.
Examine each of the defined detection areas on the right-side of the screen to ensure they are active for early fire detection.

exacqVision Use

Add the camera to your exacqVision Server, using the AXIS VAPIX Device Type, following the steps shown in How to Add IP Cameras – Manual Method.
Select the camera from the left-hand navigation tree to reach the camera settings page.
Select the Analytics tab from the bottom half of the page
A panel lists each analytic from the camera, including each detection region you defined on the camera as well as an ‘AnyArea’ option which acts as an alert when any of the regions have been triggered. Users may define the appearance of bounding areas for each analytic separately.
Users may also configure Event Linking or Event Monitoring actions to occur when any of these analytics are triggered. Use these to perform actions such as sending SMTP email notifications or change views for live viewers. More details on configuring Event Linking and Event Monitoring can be found in the exacqVision Client User Manual or the video links at the bottom of this page.

Tags Guest, Axis, Integration Guide, 21288, Thermal, Thermometry

Video Library User Guides Demo Highlighted Video Guides exacqVision Client Youtube Video Library Categories Products

exacqVision – Remote Connections

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date September 17, 2024

exacqVision 24.09 introduces the Remote Connections feature. This video for system administrators discusses the benefits of using Remote Connections as well as creating access codes for mobile users. This feature can be used with exacqVision Mobile 24.09 and above.

Chapters: 
00:00 Intro 
00:33 Features of Remote Connections 
00:48 Network architecture 
01:54 Enable Remote Connectivity in the Client 
02:17 Mobile Optimized Streaming 
03:15 Creating access codes

Tags 21257, Phone, Access Codes, Smartphone, Tablet, Remote Connectivity, Guest, Remote Connections, Mobile

User Guides Video Library Demo Highlighted Video Guides Youtube Video Library exacqVision Mobile Categories Products

exacqVision Mobile – Live Viewing and Navigation

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date September 17, 2024

This video takes a deep dive into general navigation, live viewing, and creating saved views in the all new exacqVision Mobile app.

Chapters: 
00:00 Intro 
00:10 Live 
00:33 Quick View 
00:41 Editing Quick View 
01:17 Audio 
01:52 Creating and Editing Saved Views 
03:34 Navigating Between Views 
03:47 Focus View 
05:11 Devices Screen

Tags Smartphone, Tablet, Guest, exacqVision Mobile, Mobile, 21261, Views, Phone

User Guides Video Library Documentation Demo Installation Illustra Youtube Video Library Categories Products exacqVision Integrations

Illustra IQ LPR Cameras with exacqVision

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date September 13, 2024

This video reviews the Illustra IQ LPR model cameras for edge-based license plate recognition, covering installation best practices for reliable results and the camera’s use with the exacqVision VMS software. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:35 exacqVision Advantage 00:47 Requirements & Hardware 01:27 Installation Best Practices 03:48 Camera Configuration 08:54 Use with exacqVision

Tags Illustra Analytic, Analytic, Illustra IQ, Guest, 21230, LPR, ANPR

User Guides Documentation exacqVision Mobile Categories Products

Accessing exacqVision from Tablets and Phones using the exacqVision Mobile App

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date September 12, 2024

Overview

exacqVision Mobile receives live and recorded video from the exacqVision Server

The exacqVision Mobile app allows you to use Apple or Android tablets and smartphones to view live video from an exacqVision Server, search for recorded video, and more. To access your exacqVision server over the internet from exacqVision Mobile, additional configuration may be required depending on your network and the method chosen to connect.

Connection Option 1 – Remote Connections

exacqVision Server/Client 24.09 and above add the Remote Connections feature, found as a node on the left hand navigation tree of the desktop Client.

Administrators that Enable Remote Connectivity may generate single-use access codes to to provide to their users. The user enters this access code along with their exacqVision user credentials to connect.

NOTE: Before enabling Remote Connectivity, read the manual or view our user video to understand the Mobile Optimized Streaming component of this feature.

Using this connection method, no ports need to be configured for inbound traffic on your firewall, making setup easier. The server initiates outbound communication to our secure Remote Connectivity switchboard in the cloud. Note, that this method requires exacqVision to have internet access.

The mobile user does not need to know the URL and exacqVision facilitates adding multiple Servers to the app with a single access code. The Remote Connections feature also enforces TLS encrypted communication between the exacqVision Mobile app and the exacqVision Server.

Use of this method is covered in detail within the exacqVision Client User Manual, as well as in the exacqVision Remote Connections video in our Video Library.

Connection Option 2 – Inside LAN

If your users are only connecting from inside the same LAN as the exacqVision Server, there is no need to configure Remote Connections or Port Forwarding. Simply use the ‘Enter a URL instead’ link when adding the Server connection and enter the internal IP address of the exacqVision Server host machine.

Connection Option 3 – Port Forwarding

For those administrators who prefer to use traditional methods, you may still configure your firewall to allow incoming connections.

The exacqVision Server listens for connections from exacqVision Mobile on port 8443 by default. This may be changed following the Changing the Mobile Listening Port for exacqVision Server article.

Mobile users will select the ‘Enter a URL instead’ link within the app when adding their Server connection, then enter the externally facing IP address of the site or hostname. If the port number has been customized using the article linked above they will add this to the end of the IP address or hostname.

Tags Phone, Networking, Smartphone, Tablet, Remote Connectivity, exacqVision Mobile, Remote Connections, Guest, 21212, Mobile, WAN, FAQs

User Guides Documentation Highlighted Categories Products exacqVision Hardware

The Importance of UPS Systems

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date July 17, 2024

What is a UPS?

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) provide battery powered backups to critical systems in the event of a loss to the building’s power.

Why using UPS is critical

Data Integrity
Systems that suddenly lose power leave data “in-flight” vulnerable to loss or corruption. This includes data currently held in memory, not-yet recorded to non-volatile storage such as hard drives and SSDs, as well as data being processed. Despite software functions designed to protect against corrupted or lost data, sudden losses of power can still lead to such issues.
Protect Hardware
Frequent power drops and power loss can cause higher wear and tear on electronic components, particularly those with moving parts such as hard drives which utilize spinning platters and moving read/write heads. UPS systems aid delivering clean, stable power to your devices extending their usable lifespan.
Prevent Downtime
Backup power keeps the systems powered by UPS available in the event of a loss or dip in power.
Event Response
UPS systems give users time to gracefully shut-down systems in the event of a power disruption.
Regulatory Compliance
Depending on the industry, local, state, or federal laws may dictate required system uptime and system accessibility.
Power Surges
In addition to providing backup power, many UPS systems provide additional protection against power surges caused by fluctuations in mains voltage or lightning strikes.

The points listed above affect not just exacqVision systems, but can affect any computer system or modern electronic device. Consider placing all mission critical systems on UPS.

NOTE: Exacq is not responsible for data loss, data corruption, or hardware failure due to sudden power loss on systems that are not gracefully shutdown.

Intelligent UPS Systems

Exacq strongly encourages the utilization of intelligent UPS systems. A UPS can only provide power for a rated amount of time. In the event of an extended power loss that could exceed this time period the UPS will run out of power, which can still lead your devices to experiencing an unexpected sudden loss of power. This is an indispensable feature for systems without someone monitoring them at all times to perform a graceful shutdown.

Today’s advanced UPS systems provide USB or networked communication solutions capable of communicating with the machines they are protecting. When the UPS reaches a low level of remaining power it is able to gracefully shut down protected systems to prevent an immediate power loss, safeguarding your systems and data.

APC offers PowerChute for Windows systems
Tripp-Lite provides PowerAlert software for Windows systems
CyberPower provides PowerPanel software for Windows and Ubuntu/Debian
Network UPS Tools is an open source tool providing Ubuntu Linux support for a wide variety of brands/models of UPS systems.

Sizing & Run Time

Refer to the datasheets provided at Exacq.com for your product’s power draw.

Most UPS manufacturers provide tools to help you find an appropriately sized UPS. When in doubt, consult electrical professionals.

Tags UPS, 21023, Guest, Power Supply

User Guides Documentation exacqVision Client Categories Products

exacqVision Start User Manual

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date May 21, 2024

exacqVision-Start-User-Manual-24.03.pdf

Tags Manual, exacqVision Start, 20531, Guest, User Manual

User Guides Documentation Integrations exacqVision Client Categories Products exacqVision Integrations

Using the Axis TU9001 Control Board with exacqVision

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date April 23, 2024

This document will guide you through step-by-step procedures for keyboard use and suggested button mappings.

Product

Axis TU9001 Control Board
- TU9002 Joystick
- TU9003 Keypad

The Axis TU9001 Control Board consists of the combination of the TU9002 Joystick and the TU9003 Keypad.

IMPORTANT: The TU9002 and TU9003 appear to the operating system as separate devices. As of Client version 24.03 only one Joystick device may be enabled on a workstation at a time. This article will be updated in the case of further enhancements.

Setup

Follow the Installation Guide from Axis for the steps to attach the two devices and connect the corresponding USB cables.
Plug the keyboard’s USB cable into the USB port on the Client viewing machine, where the keyboard will be operated from.
Navigate to the Joystick configuration page within the exacqVision Client.
- Select the cog wheel icon in the top left-hand corner of the Client window to enter Configuration settings.
- Expand Client from the navigation tree on the left-hand side.
- Select Joystick from the tree to load the Joystick configuration page.
Select the joystick that appears from the drop-down menu. If the device fails to appear, close and re-open the exacqVision Client instance.
Select the Calibrate button to zero out the joystick positioning.
Adjust the sensitivity to your liking.
- X/Y Axis controls camera Pan/Tilt, while Z Axis controls zoom.
- Suggested settings include increasing the sensitivity on the X/Y Axis and Z Axis.
Pressing any of the buttons on the keyboard will highlight that number in the button menu to help you find the corresponding mapping. You may need to scroll the window if you do not see the button highlighted when pressed.
Once you have located the button, you may use the drop-down menu to select the action you wish to assign to the button.
After applying changes to the keyboard configuration, return to the Live camera view and the controls will be available for use.

Buttons on the TU9002 Joystick

The TU9002 features 7 buttons across the top of the device and 2 buttons on top of the joystick. The center Toggle button along the top acts as a Function Key. When pressed this will highlight button 17 in the button map, but you should notice the illuminated LEDs shift on the device. This toggles the ability to assign additional actions to each of the other buttons on the device.

For example, when the buttons are illuminated above, pressing J1 will highlight button 1 in exacqVision. If the center button is pressed, the illumination shifts below the buttons. Pressing the same button now highlights button 9 in exacqVision. The actions available in exacqVision Joystick settings do not align with the rewind, play/pause, forward symbols indicated on the device.

The TU9002 Joystick also features the ability to switch between joystick and mouse modes. The default mode is set to act as a joystick. Switch to mouse mode by pressing and holding the center Toggle button then press the J1 button. Moving the joystick now moves the mouse cursor. While in mouse mode the J1, J5, and left joystick button act as a left-click. The J2, J6, and right joystick button act as a right-click. Press and hold the Toggle button then press the J1 button again to revert back to joystick mode.

Troubleshooting

Check that the device is recognized by the operating system.
- Windows – Navigate to Start > Control Panel > Game Controllers
- Ubuntu/Linux – Open Terminal and run ‘lsusb’ to see if the devices are listed
Check that the USB port is 2.0 or higher.
Try alternate USB ports on the Client machine.
Restart the exacqVision Client.
Restart the Client worksation.

Tags TU9002, TU9003, 20239, Guest, Axis, Keyboard, Joystick, TU9001

User Guides Documentation Categories Products exacqVision Hardware

X-Series Indicator Reference

Post author By Bhargav Atturu
Post date April 22, 2024

Power Supply Indicators

LED Indicator	Description
Green (Solid)	A valid power source is connected to the PSU and the PSU is operational.
Amber (Blinking)	Indicates an issue with the PSU.
Not Lit	Power is not connected to the PSU.
Green (Blinking)	PSU firmware is being updated. WARNING: Do not disconnect power or unplug the PSU while firmware is updating. Interruption of this process could lead to PSUs ceasing to function.
Green (Blinking and powers off)	When hot-plugging a PSU, it will blink 5 times at a rate of 4Hz then power off. This indicates a mismatch due to efficiency, features, health status, or supported voltage. WARNING: If two PSUs are installed, both PSUs must have the same type of label. Mixing PSUs is not supported, even if they have the same power rating. WARNING: If two identical PSUs receive different input voltages, this can cause different output wattage and trigger a mismatch. CORRECTION: When correcting a PSU mismatch, remove all power from the system then replace the PSU with the blinking indicator.

System Health and ID Indicators

The left control panel on the front of the system acts a button and provides an LED indicator. System ID mode, activated by pressing the control panel on the front of the system, or the ID button on the rear of the system will flash these LEDs to make identification in a server rack, from either side, easier.

LED Indicator	Description
Blue (Solid)	The system is powered on, healthy, and system ID mode is not active. Press the system ID button to switch to system ID mode.
Blue (Blinking)	System ID mode is active. Press the system ID button to switch to system health mode.
Amber (Solid)	The system is in fail-safe mode and should be inspected for issues or troubleshooting.
Amber (Blinking)	The system is experiencing a fault. Check the System Event Log for error messages. Look up specific error codes using Quick Resource Locator.

Drive Indicators

The LEDs on the drive carrier indicate the state of each drive. Each drive carrier has two LEDs: an activity LED (green) and a status LED (bicolor green/amber). The activity LED blinks whenever the drive is accessed.

Drive status LED indicator
Drive activity LED indicator
Drive capacity label

LED Indicator	Description
Green (Solid)	Indicates the drive is online.
Green (Blinks twice per second)	Indicates the drive is being identified, or preparing for removal.
Off	Indicates the drive is ready for removal. NOTE: Drive status indicator remains off until all drives are initialized after the system is powered on. Drives are not ready for removal during this period.
Green/Amber (Blinks green, ambers, then powers off)	Indicates that there is an unexpected drive failure.
Amber (Blinking 4 times per second)	Indicates the drive has failed.
Green (Blinking slowly)	Indicates the drive is rebuilding.
Green/Amber (Blinks green 3 seconds, amber 3 seconds, then powers off after 6 seconds)	Indicates that the rebuild has stopped.

iDRAC Direct (micro USB) Indicators

LED Indicator	Description
Solid green for 2 seconds	Laptop or tablet is connected.
Blinking green (on for 2 seconds, off for 2 seconds)	Laptop or tablet connected is recognized.
LED off	Laptop or tablet is unplugged.

Tags Guest, Indicators, X-Series, 20187