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Observer IV
Wireless Internet Camera System
User’s Guide
Colorado Video, Inc.
Boulder, CO
Revised 9/15/2006
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OBSERVER IV USER’S GUIDE Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Camera Capabilities ........................................................................................................................ 2 Communicating with the Camera.................................................................................................... 5 Browsing the Camera’s
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OBSERVER IV USER’S GUIDE Introduction The Observer IV is a digital still camera that uses the GSM cellular phone network to deliver images from remote locations to any computer on the Internet. The camera, battery-operated and housed in a weatherproof enclosure, is capable of providing images from areas where standard monitoring techniques are not applicable. Locations without traditional phone or electric service now can be easily monitored with the Observer IV. The Global System
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Camera Capabilities The Observer camera delivers pictures from remote areas to any computer on the Internet. It is designed to operate, unattended, for extended periods of time. The camera operates in one of two configurations. As a remote imaging device, the camera will deliver images and notification of activity. In the other configuration the camera is used in conjunction with a desktop computer and a web browser to set operational parameters and test for proper function. The imag
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The following table illustrates the available combinations of image delivery and event notification options. Image Delivery Options FTP Email Notification Options Text Messaging Yes Yes Email Yes No Email with image Yes No Operation The Observer camera will always be activated by the external trigger input. When the trigger input is momentarily switched to the return signal, the camera will be activated and will deliver a picture and notification. If the ex
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while in the continuous mode the camera can broadcast many megabytes every hour. The user should be aware of the usage charges from the service provider that can result. Most service providers offer unlimited data plans that are ideal for this type of operation. Power mode options The power switch on the back panel determines in which one of two power modes the camera will function; ON or AUTO. The switch can be set to the ON position by sliding it to the left, or the AUTO position
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Communicating with the Camera To configure the Observer camera, communication must first be established with a desktop PC. A pass thru serial cable is used to connect the 9-pin D connector on the camera to a similar connector associated with a serial COM port on the computer. Once communications is established, any web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape) on the PC can navigate the pages internal to the camera. These pages allow camera options to be selected and configuration par
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Browsing the Camera’s Web Pages Once communications with the camera has been established, the user can navigate a series of web pages, setting parameters and operational modes. Each page presented by the camera is described in this section. ______________________________________________________________________________________ OBSERVER IV Camera Settings System Settings Operating Mode Network Settings Test and Troubleshoot Take a Picture Colorado-video.com
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______________________________________________________________________________________ This page sets characteristics of the image delivered by the camera. Exposure - Automatic exposure levels can be made darker or lighter by selecting the Exposure setting. Medium exposure works best in most situations. Quality - This will determine the amount of JPEG compression that is applied to the image. The High quality setting will result in the most image detail and will produce a larger fi
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________________________________________________ OBSERVER IV System Settings Enter the current time, date and day of week if different than those shown. Use the same format. Hours are based on a 24-hour clock. Dates are in month-date-year format. 1:00 1-1-04 Mon Time Date Day Enter the file name for the pictures sent to the server. If Constant File Name is selected, each picture will overwrite the previous one with the given file name. If Time/Date Stamp is selecte
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APN – Access Point Name is a name provided by the cellular service that allows the camera to gain access to the Internet via their network. Contact your cellular service provider for the correct value to enter here. PIN – Some SIM cards require a 4-8 digit ‘personal identification number’. The cellular service provider will supply this number if it is required. If a PIN is not required, leave this field blank. OBSERVER IV Operating Mode Image Delivery - The camera can deliver ima
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Image Delivery – Select either Email or FTP delivery of images. All images from the camera will be delivered in this manner. Activation – The camera will always deliver a picture when the external trigger line is brought to ground. Additionally, the camera can be scheduled to deliver a picture based on the day of the week and the time. Check the Enable Schedule box and set the scheduled times on the Schedule page to enable this function. Notification – The camera can deliver a notif
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Which Minutes – This selection determines which minutes will be scheduled. Only quarter hour increments are available. ______________________________________________________________________________________ OBSERVER IV Network Settings Information about the FTP and email servers is entered here. If either FTP or email functions are not utilizied, the corresponding fields may be left blank. If text message notification is enabled enter the receiving cell phone's number. Observe
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Email address – This entry must contain the email address of the recipient of the image. Email server – This entry must contain the Internet address of an accessible Email server. Email username – Enter the email username if authorization is enabled on the account. If no authorization is required, this may be left blank. Email password - Enter the email password if authorization is enabled on the email account. If no authorization is required, this may be left blank. Cell phone #.
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Modem Configuration/Cellular Service – This test will report the status of the wireless modem and cellular connection. Image Delivery Test – This link will activate the camera and deliver an image according to the current configuration. Notification Test – This link will send a notification message in the manner currently configured. Text Message Reception Test – This link can be used to verify that the camera can receive an text message from a cellular phone. The camera phone number is v
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Checking the “Alert when image refreshed” box will cause an audible annunciation to occur each time a new image is retrieved from the server. The image can be displayed at its original size (Actual Size) or can be sized by the user (Fit to Window). Checking the “Archived Path” box will cause each picture to be saved in a folder specific for that camera. The archive path to these folders can also be defined. If the “Archive Path” is not checked the images will be displayed only and not
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Note also that proper operation of the camera with the FTPJPG application requires that the camera be configured to produce images with a ‘constant’ name type. This selection is found on the System Settings page on the camera and must be selected if the FTPJPG application is to be used. Image display The selected images will be displayed and updated. They may be moved and resized as desired. When an image is updated, a small camera icon will appear in the upper left hand corner and t
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once a window is closed, it must be reselected on the corresponding server as previously described. The Observer IV camera will continue to deliver images to the FTP server even when the FTPJPG application is not running. However, the most recent image will overwrite the previous one, which will be lost. The only way to save each image delivered by the camera is to have FTPJPG active. 16
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The Camera Case and Controls GSM antenna Weatherproof case Do not remove side screws. Front window External power connector Bottom plate screws (4) Mount 17
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Removing the antenna The antenna may be removed when handling or shipping the camera. Grab the thick, middle part of the mast and unscrew. When replacing, screw down finger tight, do not over-tighten. 18
