Creating Analytic Event Rules in DW Spectrum For MEGApix MxT Cameras

Creating Analytic Event Rules in DW Spectrum® IPVMS For MEGApix® MxT Cameras

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Affected Roles: Administrator, Owner

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum® IPVMS

Complexity: Medium

Software Version: DW Spectrum® v3.2 or higher

Last Edit: August 13, 2024

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Analytic Events

DW Spectrum v3.2 introduced the ability to create event rules based on third-party video analytics (e.g. line-crossing, perimeter intrusion, etc.). This allowed users to set up their DW Spectrum® Servers to notify users when analytic alarms would trigger from connected MEGApix® MxT

This article will outline how to enable an analytic event in the camera as well as how to create an Event Rule in DW Spectrum® IPVMS.

**NOTE: Your camera layout may appear differently than the images used in this article.

There are a variety of different camera analytic methods supported by Digital Watchdog cameras and by DW Spectrum® IPVMS. Check your camera user manual for any analytics setup not covered by this article.

Supported/Affected Devices

DW Blackjack® Series
DWC-MTT Camera Series (with analytics)
DWC-MVT Camera Series (with analytics)
DWC-MBT Camera Series (with analytics)

Configuring the Camera

Before DW Spectrum® IPVMS can begin logging analytic events, the analytics settings must be configured within the camera. Be aware that not all cameras support analytics. Check the camera specifications and user manual for more information if needed.

Line Crossing

Line crossing alarms will trigger if someone crosses a predefined alarm line.

To configure line crossing analytics:

Open a web browser and connect with the camera’s web client.

Default ID: admin
Default Password: admin

**NOTE: If you still need to configure the login credentials for the camera, please read Assigning Passwords to IP Cameras.

Click on the Config tab, then select Event.

Select Line Crossing.

Enable the line crossing alarm and set an Alarm Holding Time.

This determines how long the alarm will activate after the alarm is triggered.

Set your preferred alarm trigger options.

Alarm Out – if selected, this would trigger an external relay output that is connected to the camera.
Trigger Snap – if selected the system will capture images on motion detection and save the images on the camera’s SD card (only available for camera models with an SD slot).
Trigger SD Recording – if selected, video will be recorded on an SD card (only available for camera models with an SD slot).
Trigger Email – if selected, and Attach Picture is enabled, the captured pictures and triggered event will be sent to the designated email address (requires additional setup in the Email Configuration Interface of the camera).
Trigger FTP – if selected, and Attach Picture is enabled, the captured pictures will be sent to the FTP server address. Please refer to the camera manual for more details.

Click Save to apply the settings.

Click on the Area and Sensitivity tab.

Set the alarm line and the direction of movement. Up to four (4) lines can be created.

When setting the Direction:

A <-> B – the alarm will be triggered when subjects cross over the alarm line from Side B to Side A, or Side A to Side B.
A -> B – the alarm will be triggered when subjects cross over the alarm line from Side A to Side B.
A <- B – the alarm will be triggered when subjects cross over the alarm line from Side B to Side A.

Click the Draw button.

Use the mouse to draw an alarm line in the preview window.

Click Stop to stop drawing. If you make an error, click the Clear button to delete the line.

Click Save to apply the changes.

Select the Schedule tab.

Enable and configure line crossing detection on a schedule. It is recommended to set the schedule for 24 hour coverage for continuous support.

Perimeter Intrusion

Perimeter intrusion alarms will be triggered if a subject crosses into a predefined area. This function can be useful for monitoring prohibited areas such as high danger areas or employee only areas.

**NOTE: Camera positioning will affect the way the camera utilizes this analytic method. It is recommended to avoid scenes with outdoor foliage or constantly changing lighting (e.g. trees, shrubbery, vehicle headlights, etc.) as this may inadvertently trigger the alarm.

To configure perimeter intrusion analytics:

Open a web browser and connect with the camera’s web client.

Default ID: admin
Default Password: admin

**NOTE: If you still need to configure the login credentials for the camera, please read Assigning Passwords to IP Cameras.

Click on the Config tab, then select Event.

Select Intrusion.

Enable the region intrusion detection setting and set an Alarm Holding Time.

This determines how long the alarm will activate after the alarm is triggered.

Set your preferred alarm trigger options.

Alarm Out – if selected, this would trigger an external relay output that is connected to the camera.
Trigger Snap – if selected the system will capture images on motion detection and save the images on the camera’s SD card (only available for camera models with an SD slot).
Trigger SD Recording – if selected, video will be recorded on an SD card (only available for camera models with an SD slot).
Trigger Email – if selected, and Attach Picture is enabled, the captured pictures and triggered event will be sent to the designated email address (requires additional setup in the Email Configuration Interface of the camera).
Trigger FTP – if selected, and Attach Picture is enabled, the captured pictures will be sent to the FTP server address. Please refer to the camera manual for more details.

Click Save to apply the settings.

To set the alarm area, click the Area tab.

Up to four (4) alarm areas can be created.

Select the Alarm Area number, then click the Draw Area button.

Draw a closed area around the desired area, then click the Stop Draw button to stop drawing.

Click the Save button to save the settings.

Select the Schedule tab.

It is recommended to set the schedule for 24 hour coverage for continuous support.

Creating An Event Rule in DW Spectrum® IPVMS

After configuring the connected camera’s analytic settings, Administrators may create an Event Rule to notify users when the analytic event is triggered within the camera.

To create an Analytic Event rule:

Launch the DW Spectrum Client and connect with your DW Spectrum Server.

Default User: admin
Default Password: admin12345

Click on the Main Menu, then select System Administration.

The System Administration menu will display.

From the General tab, click on Event Rules.

The Event Rules window will display.

To create a new rule, click the +Add button.

In the Event section, configure the following:

When – select Analytics Event
At – select the device(s) that will be generating the analytics for the rule. In the Select Devices list, cameras that do not support analytics will be highlighted in red text.
Event Type – choose the type of analytic event that will trigger the rule. Event type availability varies by camera model.
Caption Contains – class value used to filter and identify object types. This is an optional class value used to filter attributes or metadata provided by the analytics device. Entries in this field should match the corresponding fields in the HTTP request exactly.

It is recommended to leave the field blank, so that it will always be considered a match.

Description Contains – used to filter and distinguish objects within a class. This is an optional class value used to filter attributes or metadata provided by the analytics device. Entries in this field should match the corresponding fields in the HTTP request exactly.