SOFT1044 RoboPlate FTP Server Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- RoboPLATE
Table of Contents
Instruction Manual
RoboPlate FTP Server
SOFT1044
1.1.3.0
© 2022 System Q Ltd
Introduction
This program is written specifically for the RoboPlate range of ANPR Cameras, it can receive images (jpgs) and activity logs from these cameras and file them on the local PC for easy viewing.
An embedded Microsoft Windows ® file browser allows viewing in either thumbnail or list mode.
Images are conveniently named indicating B/W/G list then date and time:- this makes searching and sorting easy.
Activity logs are received as a .csv file intended for viewing in a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or similar.
Key features include…
- Works with RoboPlate ANPR cameras
- Stores plate captures
- Saves plate data to your PC
- Thumbnail results
- Easy to browse image files
- Files as white, grey or black list
- Plate data stored in the file name
- Windows PC compatible
1.1 PC Requirements
The recommended minimum system specification is:
- Windows 7 SP1 or above
- Intel I5 3.0GHz Processor
- 4Gb RAM (32bit OS) or 8Gb RAM (64bit OS)
Disc space requirements:
- Approx 75Mb for roboPlate bundles
Note that Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 (32/64bit) are supported.
1.2 Software Licensing
Each PC installing the RoboPlate FTP Server requires a licence.
The software is a standalone product, for use on additional PCs, these require a licence in their own right.
The licence specifies that only a single instance of the software is allowed to run at any moment in time on a physical PC and that no modification or virtualisation is allowed.
This software requires an Internet connection for registration, activation and support purposes only. Registration and activation is a single one-time task, once activated an Internet connection is not required for day-to-day use.
Likewise, to relinquish the licence, deactivation requires an Internet connection. Licence removal is possible during the un-installation process, you may then reinstall onto a new PC.
1.3 Limitations & Software Protection
The following limitations apply and are not supported, not allowed or have not been tested, nor will be tested :
- Windows Vista, XP or earlier
- Windows Server editions (2008, 2012 etc)
- Virtual environments such as VMWare,
- Virtual PC, Virtual Box and others
- Multiple instances of any individual executable
- Execution in the presence of a debugger/disassembler
- Changing the executable file name
The RoboPlate FTP Server software is Enigma protected.
Enigma is a commercial product providing copy protection, registration and activation features, for more information, see enigmaprotector.com.
Some antivirus packages generate warnings because of Enigma’s presence so customers are advised to satisfy themselves that our code-signed modules are intact and have not been modified, then exclude them from further antivirus analysis.
To check the validity of a code-signed executable via Windows File Explorer, locate, then right click on the file, select : Properties > Digital Signatures
Details.
Installation
Please ensure you have an Internet connection because the final step requires online activation before the program can be used.
Download the installer from softcctv.com using the instructions provided on the software certificate card.
Register the software using the software key provided on the certificate used to download the software, then run it.
Getting Started
Image processing and analysis is all done in the camera, ANPR data is then
sent via FTP to this software for storage. For this to happen, the camera must
be configured correctly.
These links provide document how to setup a camera ..
https://systemq.com/PDF/manual/xROBOPCZ22.pdf
https://systemq.com/PDF/manual/xROBOPMZ50.pdf
See FTP section – FTP Setup
Configuration
This is the main screen which is displayed when the software is running.
4.1 Firewall
In order for the software to receive FTP data being sent from the camera, the Firewall needs to opened (an exception added).
As of v1.1.2.0, the installer offers the opportunity to create Firewall rules, prior to this release, rules should be created manually as described below. The manual method may be used at any time, any existing rule is simply deleted and then re-created.
Note:
This program can only create rules in the built-in Windows Firewall, it cannot
create rules in third party products, if you use one of these, please refer to
the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.
1. Select the Firewall “ Shield ” button on the software.
2. Select “ Yes ” to the prompt advising the software requiring admin rights.
3. Select “ Yes ” and/or enter admin credentials for the admin user Windows prompt.
4. Select “ Yes ” for the RoboPlate FTP Server application to apply an inbound firewall exception, and wait for the dialogue box to disappear.
Note:
This is not a general purpose FTP server only accepting inbound connections,
provision is being made whereby this program can connect to a RoboPlate
camera, hence, an outbound connection will be required as well. This
functionality will be present in a later release but outbound rule creation
has been implemented in the v1.1.2.0 release.
4.2 Add New User
For the camera to send the data to the software a “User” needs to be added to the software.
This allows for added security, management and logging of connections received by the program.
It also allows for control of where the files are to be stored on the PC, as different users can have different file locations set in the FTP Server
To add a user…
Select the “ Add New User ” option in the software.
Enter in credentials which the camera will use to login to the FTP Server, and a folder name.
Click Save after making any changes
4.3 Camera FTP Setup
The FTP server login information needs to be entered in the camera in order for the camera to send data to the server.
This information can be sent to the camera using the FTP Server “ In Software ” option, or it can be manually entered direct “ In Camera “.
4.3.1 In Software
This section describes how use the “ In Software ” Option to send the FTP server login information to the camera, rather than having to set it up in the cameras web interface .
Note: This setup is only designed for LAN cameras, if the camera being setup is remote then see In Camera setup.
1. Right-click the user, then select the “ Send FTP details to a camera “.
2. Select “ Add Camera ”
3. Enter the login details for the RoboPlate camera. Select “ Save ” after making any changes.
4. Right-click the camera, then select “ Send Settings to this Camera… ”
5. The information dialogue box will display once the settings have been applied.
4.3.2 In Camera
This section describes where to enter the login details in the camera for the FTP server login information.
In the camera browser interface navigate to: Configuration > Storage > FTP
| Field Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Server Address | Enter the IP address of the PC running the FTP Server. This |
can be obtained from the FTP Server software. See image to the right.
Notes:
- Populating this field enables FTP
- Clear this field to disable FTP
|
Port| The standard port = 21
Use the port as specified by the FTP server.
Username| Enter a username as specified in the FTP server.
Password| Enter the password for the username as specified in the FTP server.
Remote Path| Leave this field blank.
Management of the folder structure on the FTP server should be handled by the
server and not specified here.
Click Save after making any changes
4.4 Enable the Server
For the Server to start receiving data from the camera, it will need to be enabled.
As default the software will load up disabled. To Enable simply select the “ Disabled ” button.
To disable the FTP server simply select the “ Disabled ” button.
Note: once enabled the software cannot be closed. If the software needs be to closed then disable the Server first.
4.5 Browser and File Navigation
Once the FTP Server is receiving data, the built-in browser can be used to navigate to the captured number plate images.
To use the browser follow the steps below on searching for files.
1. Select the user on the left of the software.
2. Double click to enter the camera folder in the navigation viewer.
3. Double click to enter “ ANPR ” folder.
4. Double click to enter the date folder.
5. Double click to view the captured picture.
6. The view mode of the folder can be changed, right-click in a blank space in the viewer, then go to View , then select from the options. i.e. The view mode above is Details mode
i.e the viewer mode below is Extra large icons mode
7. To return select the user on the left.
4.6 Activity
The server will log activity and connections, this can be viewed in the software itself.
Note: The activity tab is for advanced users only. This feature is for maintenance and fault finding, and provides in depth technical information on connections to the FTP server.
To select different dates select the left or right arrows, select the calender icon or enter the date manually.
4.7 CSV Results
The RoboPlate camera can be setup to send CSV results to the FTP server.
To configure this login to the camera browser interface, then navigate to: Configuration > Smart Video > ANPR > Schedule
**CSV Results***
Every Results| Exports to the CSV file after every result.
Hourly| Exports to the CSV the file each hour.
Daily| Exports the CSV file just after midnight.
Disable| Turn off the CSV export.
Click Save after making any changes
Note: A newfile will be created every day (without previous days results).
The CSV File is for use with other software or an external program like Excel or Notepad.
The file can be navigated to using the FTP server browser and file navigation.
1. Select the user on the left of the software.
2. Double click to enter the camera folder in the navigation viewer.
3. Double click to enter “ ANPR ” folder.
4. Double click to view the file. Or right-click for Windows context menu, to copy, open with etc…
4.7.1 CSV File Contents
The file contents can be opened using other software or an external program like Notepad or Excel.
Here’s an example of the file contents:
no = Result Number – Starting from 0 from the first result.
time = Time & Date – The exact time the number plate result was captured.
plate_no = Plate Number – This is the number plate data which the camera
captured.
car_color = Feature not implemented.
speed = Feature not implemented.
direction = Feature not implemented.
© 2022 System Q Ltd
Documents / Resources
|
RoboPLATE SOFT1044 RoboPlate FTP
Server
[pdf] Instruction Manual
SOFT1044, RoboPlate FTP Server
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