Configuring PTZ cameras for auto-tracking - Restricted Security Area Surveillance 4.3

Restricted Security Area Surveillance Plugin Guide 4.3

Applies to
Restricted Security Area Surveillance 4.3
Last updated
2023-03-29
Content type
Guides > Plugin and extension guides
Language
English
Product
Restricted Security Area Surveillance
Version
4.3

To track a moving target across an armed RSA zone, you can use PTZ cameras that can pan automatically to keep the target centered in their field of view. Otherwise, the system must switch between fixed cameras when the target moves out of their field of view.

Before you begin

Do the following:

What you should know

Watch this 3-minute video to learn how to configure a PTZ camera to pan automatically to track targets detected in your RSA zone.

Procedure

  1. Add a PTZ camera to an RSA zone.
    1. From the Config Tool homepage, open the Plugins task.
    2. Select the Restricted Security Area Surveillance plugin role and click the Zones tab.
    3. Select an RSA zone and click modify zone ().
    4. In the Modify zone window, click to move to the Cameras page.
    5. Click Add camera () to add a PTZ camera and turn on the Auto-tracking option.
      Modify zone wizard showing the 'Cameras' step.
    6. Click > > > Finish.
  2. Calibrate the PTZ camera for auto-tracking.
    1. From the Config Tool homepage, open the Video task.
    2. In the entity tree, find the PTZ camera assigned to your RSA zone and double-click it.
      The Live video window opens.
    3. Click to expand the Live video window.
    4. Click to expand the Coordinates section, and then click Move absolute.
      Live video window showing the expanded 'Coordinates' widget.
    5. Using the PTZ widget, tilt the camera up and down.
      The PTZ tilt must behave in a specific way. A Tilt value of zero means that the camera is looking at the horizon. This value should be negative when looking up, and positive when looking down. If the PTZ tilt does not behave this way, follow the subsequent steps.
    6. Click the Hardware tab.
    7. Under Max zoom factor, click Show rotation and direction offsets.
    8. Adjust the Tilt offset if the horizon is not at zero.
    9. Select the Invert rotation direction option if tilting down is negative.
    10. Click Apply.
    11. Double-click the camera and expand the Live video window.
    12. Tilt the PTZ up and down and ensure the correct behavior.
    For more information, see Calibrating PTZ coordinates.
  3. Configure the camera's field of view on the map.
    1. From the Config Tool homepage, open the Map designer task.
    2. Open the map showing the RSA zone.
    3. In the toolbar, click Area view (), select the PTZ camera used to track targets, and drag it to where it is installed on the map.
      The widgets for configuring the camera are displayed in the right panel.
    4. In the Field of view section, select the Show show field of view option.
      Config Tool > Map designer task showing the camera widgets.
    5. Set the Distance and the Max. distance that the camera is able to view.
    6. Click Preview video and align the camera's field of view (green cone) shown on the map to what you see on the Live video window.
      To align the field of view, click Start field of view test, and adjust the Orientation and Elevation settings.
      IMPORTANT: This step is crucial for the camera to track accurately a target that enters the RSA zone.
    7. Click Save ().
    For more information, see Adding cameras to your maps.
  4. Test the PTZ camera for RSA target tracking.
    When the targets moves inside the RSA zone, the camera should keep the target at the center of its field of view.