Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product Observer IV Colorado Video
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Revised 9/15/ 2 00 6 Observer IV Wireless Internet Cam era System User’s Guide Colorado Video, Inc. Boulder, CO.
ii OBSERVER IV USER’S GUIDE Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Camera Capabilities ..................................
1 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 th e Internet.
2 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, th e camera will deliver images and notification of activity.
3 The following table illustrates the available combin ations of image delivery and event notification options. Image Delivery Options FTP Email Notification Options Text Messaging Yes Yes E m a i l Y e s N o Email with image Yes No Operation The Observer camera will always be activated by the external trigger input.
4 while in the continuous mode the camera can br oadcast 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.
5 Communicating with the Camera To configure the Observer camera, communication mu st first be established with a desktop PC. A pass thru serial cable is used to connect the 9-pin D connector on the cam era to a similar connector associated with a serial COM port on the computer.
6 Browsing the Camera’s Web Pages Once communications with the camera has been estab lished, the user can navigate a seri es of web pages, setting parameters and operational modes.
7 _____________ ____________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _ 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.
8 ________________________________________________ OBSERVER IV System Settings Enter the current tim e, date and day of week if diffe rent than those shown. Use the same format. Hours are based on a 24-hour clock. Dates are in month-date-year format. Time 1:00 Date 1- 1- 04 Day Mo n Enter the file name for the pictures se nt to the server.
9 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. C ontact your cellular service provider for the correct value to enter here. PIN – Some SIM cards require a 4-8 digit ‘persona l identification num ber’.
10 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 wh en 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.
11 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 em ail servers is entered here.
12 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.
13 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 a nd deliver an image according to the current configuration. Notification Test – This link will send a notification mes sage in the manner currently configured.
14 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).
15 Note also that proper operation of the camera with the FTPJPG application requires that the camera be configured to produce images with a ‘c onstant’ 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.
16 once a window is closed, it must be reselect ed on the corresponding server as previously described. The Observer IV camera will continue to de liver 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.
17 The Camera Case and Controls GSM antenna Front window Do not rem ove side screws. Weatherproof case External power connector Moun t Bottom plate screws (4).
18 Removing the antenna The antenna may be removed when handling or sh ipping the camera. Grab the thick, middle part of the mast and unscrew. When replacing, screw down finger tight, do not ove r-tighten.
19 C ellular antennas provided with the Observer . Quad band operation utilizes two different an tennas, shown above. The larger whip, on the left, is tuned for 850/1900 MHz operation. The smaller ¼ wave radiator, on the right, is optimized for 900/1800 MHz operation.
20 Removing the end caps Loosen the bottom screws at the back end one-half turn. Remove the screws holding the clear end cap. Use a small screwdriver or fingernail at the bottom edge to lift out the clear end cap.
21 Replacing the batteries Remove the four screws holding the bottom plate. Remove the bottom plate Insert batteries with the correct polarity..
22 The power selection switch Set the internal power selector switch depending on the use of batteries or an external AC adapter. Push the switch up towards the red dot when using internal batteries. Push the switch down away from the red dot when using the external AC adapter.
23 The back panel Serial communications port – This port is used to connect th e Observer to a desktop PC for configuration and testing. Configuration Switches – These switches are used for configuring and testing the Observer camera. Switch #1 - Forces the camera into conf iguration mode.
24 When the power switch is in the AUTO (right) po sition the camera is normally un-powered. It will turn on in response to an external tri gger signal or to a previously scheduled tim e. Subscriber Identity Module slot – This slot accepts the SIM card supplied by the GSM service provider when a GPRS data account is obtained.
25 Power connections An external DC power supply may be connected to pins 1 and 2 of the external connector. Make sure the power supply meets the requirements outlined in Appendix B. When the external power connections are used, the internal power selector sw itch must be set properly.
26 The signal provides the return path (- side) for a DC power supply. The signal can sink up to 1.5 amperes at 30 volts DC. Excee ding these limits will damage the unit. The external illuminator must provide its own power supply. The m inus side of this power supply is connected to the ‘return’ signal on the camera.
27 Conclusion The Observer IV is a digital still camera that utilizes the GSM/GPRS cellular phone network to deliver images to any computer on the Internet.
28 Appendix A - Rules, Regulations and Safety Concerns FCC rules require that during operation of this t ype of equipment a minimum separation of 20 cm (8 inches) must be maintained between the an tenna and persons.
29 Only the two acrylic end caps and the bottom plat e are designed to be removed by the user. Do not attempt to disassemble the camera; there are no user serviceable parts inside All networks, wireless as well as wired, contai n some inherent unreliability.
30 Appendix B - Specifications Enclosure: Weatherproof alum inum case 4.0 x 2.6 3 x 8.63 inches (WxHxL) ¼ x 20 threaded m ount Operating conditions: Temperature -30 to +60 degrees Celsisu (-22-140 F).
31 Appendix C - Power Supply Considerations and Power Switch Settings The camera can be powered externally with an AC adapter or internally via 5 AA batteries. Internal batteries Remove the four machine screws holding the botto m plate to access this area.
32 Power mode (switch position) ON (left) AUTO (right) Generally powered from External connection Internal batteries Internal power selector Away from red dot Towards red dot Normal powered state Alwa.
33 Appendix D - Establishing Communicati ons with Different Operating Systems A utility is available which will automatically c onfigure a desktop computer to communicate with the Observer IV camera. This “InstallObserver” utility operates on computers using the Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system.
34 5) Select I want to set up my Internet connection manually or I want to connect through a local area network (LAN) and press Next . 6) Select I connect through a phone line and a modem and press Next . 7) Select the Standard 57600 modem just installed.
35 14) From Control Panel, click Network Connections , then click Create a new connection . Press Next . 15) Select Connect to the Internet and press Next . 16) Select Set up my connection manually and press Ne xt . 17) Select Connect using a dial-up modem and press Next .
36 22) Make sure that Use default gateway on remote network is the only other o ption selected and press OK . 23) You have now successfully created the connection for the Observer Camera. 24) Right click the newly created icon on the Dial-Up Networking page and select Create Shortcut.
37 Appendix E - Test and Troubleshoot A series of tests are available to insure proper camera operation. First establish communications with the camera via a desktop PC and a web browser. Configure the camera as desired. Next select the Test and Troubleshoot link on the home page to displa y the available tests.
38 FILE TRANSFER TEST PASSED BACK Starting image...image acquired Registering modem...**..modem attached. Establishing GPRS connection.....GPRS connection establish ed.....FTP server reached. 220 LinusJr FTP server (V ersion wu-2.6.2-5) ready. USER anonymous 331 Guest login ok, send your complete e-mail address as password.
39 SMTP: Read: 250 sender "mypictures@attws.net" OK SMTP: Wrote RCPT TO: "embeddedsys@earthlink.net" SMTP: Read: 250 recipient "embeddedsys@earthlink.net" OK SMTP: Wrote DATA SMTP: Read: 354 Enter mail, end with "." on a line by itself SMTP: Wrote From: "mypictures@attws.
40 SMTP: Wrote MAIL FROM: "m ypictures@attws.net" SMTP: Read: 250 sender "mypictures@attws.net" OK SMTP: Wrote RCPT TO: "embeddedsys@earthlink.net" SMTP: Read: 250 recipient "embeddedsys@earthlink.net" OK SMTP: Wrote DATA SMTP: Read: 354 Enter mail, end with ".
41 Appendix F - Network Services and Cell Phone Access Email servers Computers on the Internet that handle email are called SMTP servers (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).
42 Cell Phone Access The Observer camera can interact with a cell phone via text me ssaging. Notification of external trigger events will be sent to a cell phone, when en abled. The destination cell phone num ber for notification is defined on the Network Settings page within the Observer.
43 Appendix G - Using the InstallObserver Utility This utility will configure a desktop computer to make a connection with its serial port to th e Observer Camera. This utility only sets the para meters for the connection, it does not actually establish the link with the camera.
44 11) This will bring you back to the original “Phone and M odem Options” window. It should now display only the 56000 bps m odem installed on the selected COM port. If not, return to step 2 and remove all modem drivers installed on the selected COM port, and continue from that step.
45 Appendix H - GSM, SIM, PIN and the Observer Camera The GSM cellular network (Global System for Mobile communications) is the most prevalent cellular network in the world. In order to access this network with the Observer camera a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is required.
46 It’s worth noting here that the Modem Configura tion/Cellular Service test will also display the phone number associated with the SIM card. E ach SIM account has an associated phone number, even if it is a ‘data only’ SIM.
47 Appendix I – Observer Accessories The following items, designed to work with the Ob server IV camera, are av ailable from the dealer. Additional lenses The Observer camera can support a variety o.
An important point after buying a device Colorado Video Observer IV (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought Colorado Video Observer IV yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data Colorado Video Observer IV - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Colorado Video Observer IV you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Colorado Video Observer IV will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Colorado Video Observer IV, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime Colorado Video Observer IV.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Colorado Video Observer IV. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Colorado Video Observer IV along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
