Setting Up Generic Events for PTZ Presets and Laser Sensors

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Affected Roles: Owner, Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum IPVMS

Software Version: DW Spectrum v5.0

Last Edit: January 26, 2023

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Laser Sensors and PTZ Response Example

In an example case scenario, a customer was asking if they could implement a (DW) SiteWatch Laser surveillance sensor to trigger an event alarm in DW Spectrum and prompt a PTZ camera to point at the location where the laser had been broken.

The security solution that was implemented for this was a 3-step process that included creating alarm zones in the laser sensor’s interface, then setting up PTZ Presets and Event Rules with the DW Spectrum Client software.

This article will outline the setup process used in this example case to help setup an external laser sensor to prompt a PTZ response from the system.

**NOTE: This guide was created under the assumption that initial setup of the laser sensor has been completed. Please refer to the SiteWatch Laser surveillance sensor’s user manual or QSG for initial setup instructions.

Supported/Affected Devices:

DW Blackjack Servers
SiteWatch Laser Surveillance Sensor (DW-DTLA500)

Part 1: Creating Laser Alarm Zones

For DW Spectrum to respond to an alarm input from a SiteWatch Laser sensor, an alarm zone must be created within the laser itself. This is done using the SiteWatch device’s web interface.

To configure an Alarm Zone in the SiteWatch Laser’s web interface:

Open a web browser and type in the sensor’s IP address to connect with the web interface.

Default IP address: 192.168.0.10

Enter the administrator password to access the sensor’s settings.

Default username: admin
Default password: admin

**NOTE: If this is your first time accessing the laser sensor remotely, it is recommended to assign the laser to match the same subnet as the IP cameras and to change the password.

Once logged-in, select the Alarms tab and open the Alarm Settings menu.

To create a new alarm zone, click the Add Alarm button.

Input fields will appear on the right.

Configure the following for the Add Alarm settings:
- Name – assign a label for the alarm zone. For example, use “Zone 1” for easy organization.
- Input – use “Zone alarm”.
- Near distance – enter the distance at which the zone should begin within the laser beam.
- Far distance – enter the distance at which the zone should end within the laser beam.

Click the Add alarm button to save the settings.

If you are creating multiple alarm zones, repeat the setup instructions above for each additional zone.

**NOTE: You can use the Advanced Settings (optional) to make optional specifications such as adjusting detection sensitivity, reaction delay, time limit, speed limit, etc.

**NOTE: For instructions on setting up other input types (reference point, timer/heartbeat, weather alarm, etc.), please refer to the SiteWatch Laser User Manual.

Setting Alarm Zone Actions

After creating an Alarm Zone, you will need to set an Alarm Action in the laser for it to use when an Alarm Zone has been triggered.

To set Alarm Zone Actions:

Click on “Add action” under the desired alarm zone. The Add Action input fields will appear on the right.
For Action Type, select “DW Spectrum VMS” from the list and configure the following:

Server IP – enter the DW Spectrum Server’s IP address.
Server Port – enter the DW Spectrum Server’s TCP/IP port value (default: 7001).
Username – enter the username credential for the DW Spectrum Server.
Password – enter the password credential for the DW Spectrum Server.
Source – create a label for how the alarm event will be identified in DW Spectrum. For example, you might use “guard” to indicate the source of the alert is from a guardhouse.
Caption – (recommended) create a short description of the event. For example, you might use “Zone 1” if this action is for the first alarm zone.
Description – (recommended) enter a long description of the event. For example, you might use “guard shack PTZ” as a descriptor.

Click the Save button to save the settings for the DW Spectrum VMS action type.

**NOTE: Capitalization and spelling matter when setting up the source information above. Event alerts from external sensors are case-sensitive when communicating with the DW Spectrum Server.

Click the Add Action button to save the Alarm Action.

The information entered above will determine the HTTP URL string that the laser will use when the Alarm Zone event is triggered.

Repeat adding actions for any additional Alarm Zones that were created.

Part 2: Creating PTZ Presets

To have a PTZ camera with ONVIF Absolute Move support automatically move to point toward an Alarm Zone set within the SiteWatch Laser sensor, a PTZ Preset will need to be created within DW Spectrum.

To create a PTZ Preset in DW Spectrum:

Open the PTZ camera and click the PTZ control button.

Use the PTZ controls to point the camera toward the desired area and right-click in the viewing window, hover the mouse over “PTZ” in the context menu then select “Save Current Position”.

Configure the PTZ Preset position accordingly. For example, you might use “Laser 10 Meter” to have the camera point at the first Alarm Zone (10 meters) that was created in the SiteWatch Laser’s settings.

Click the OK button to save the preset.

Continue creating PTZ Presets for any additional Alarm Zones that were set up in the laser sensor.

Part 3: Creating Spectrum Generic Event Rules

Now that the Alarm Zone(s) have been set up in the laser sensor and PTZ Presets have been created in DW Spectrum, we can create an HTTP Generic Event Rule in DW Spectrum to bring it all together.

To create an Event Rule in DW Spectrum:

Open the System Administration menu and select “Event Rules”.

In the Event Rules menu, click the Add button to create a new rule.

In the Event section of the rule form, configure the following:
- When – select “Generic Event”. Select “Occurs” in the adjacent drop-down setting.
- Source Contains – enter the label that was used in the Source field when setting up the Alarm Zone Action from Part 1 above. For example, if you used “guard” in the laser, enter it the same in this field.
- Caption Contains – enter the short description of the event that was used in the Caption field when setting up the Alarm Zone Action from Part 1 above. For example, if you used “Zone 1” in the laser, enter it the same in this field.
- Description Contains – enter the long description of the event that was used in the Description field when setting up the Alarm Zone from Part 1 above. For example, if you used “guard shack PTZ” in the laser, enter it the same in this field.

**NOTE: Capitalization and spelling matter when setting up an Event Rule that corresponds with the SiteWatch Laser sensor. Event alerts from external sensors are case-sensitive when communicating with the DW Spectrum Server.

In the Action section of the rule form, configure the following:

Do – select “Execute PTZ preset”.
At – select the desired PTZ camera for the action.
Interval of Action – enable this setting and set a lease time to limit the number of occurrences that this rule can occur within a certain amount of time.
PTZ Preset – select the desired PTZ preset that the camera should position to when the Alarm Zone is triggered in the SiteWatch Laser.

You have the option to enter a comment about this Event Rule as desired.

Click the Apply button to save the Event Rule then click the OK button to close the Event Rules menu.

When the Alarm Zone is triggered in the laser, the PTZ camera will point toward the designated PTZ Preset and a notification will show in the Notification panel in the DW Spectrum Client.

This completes the integration of a SiteWatch Laser Surveillance Laser with DW Spectrum to trigger a PTZ response from a PTZ camera.

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