LinC - Installation Guide


Summary

This guide describes general requirements, guidelines, and processes for the use of 3rd party LinC cameras with Motorola fixed LPR systems.

Reference

LinC INSTALLATION GUIDE

 

VIDEO BASED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION

LinC is a bring-your-own-camera solution that integrates the Vigilant CarDetector Fixed (CDF) Windows  software with an existing or 3rd party IP camera system. LinC also supports mixed systems with Motorola LPR cameras and hardware in use.

Motorola Solutions offers industry leading insights and experience in assisting with LPR integration and optimization of LinC camera systems. However, due to the diverse nature of IP camera infrastructures, Motorola Solutions can provide no guarantee of any particular level of performance from a 3rd party camera system.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Some 3rd party cameras may not meet the performance or feature requirements necessary to operate as part of a LinC camera system.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Compare the features of the targeted cameras with the minimum requirements to determine compatibility.

IP Camera Features

Feature

Performance

Connectivity

Ethernet LAN

Resolution

1280x720 or greater

Framerate

15 - 30 FPS (for 30 - 60 MPH traffic)

Streaming Protocols

RTSP or ONVIF compliant HTTP

Shutter Speed

1/2000 or faster (sufficient to prevent blurry images)

Bandwidth

4 - 8 Mbps

Nighttime Capture

On-camera Infrared or separate white-light illumination

Aperture Control (Iris)

As closed as possible (to maximize depth of field)

Noise Reduction Control

Can be disabled

 

SUPPORTED CAMERA BRANDS

LinC generally supports, but is not limited to, these common IP camera brands:

  • Arecont
  • Axis
  • Basler
  • Basler (HTTP)
  • Messoa
  • Pagix
  • Vivotek
  • Watchguard 4re

 

TESTING

Before proceeding with installation, system testing should be performed together with the LinC software/hardware and the cameras to be integrated. Verify that a video stream can be received and that the system demonstrates plate capture performance sufficient for the installation site and the desired level of performance.

CAMERA POSITIONING

LPR camera systems rely on properly positioned and aimed cameras. Cameras positioned for a regular surveillance role will not produce the desired level of capture accuracy if simply paired with the LinC solution. LinC cameras must be aimed and configured similarly to purpose built LPR cameras. 

  • Distance requirements and offset angle tolerances depend on the cameras being used, similar to purpose built LPR cameras.
  • The camera system operator is generally responsible for managing the internal settings of the cameras. Motorola Solutions cannot access an existing internal camera network.

REAL TIME STREAMING PROTOCOL

RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) is a network protocol for delivery of video over an IP network. Motorola Solutions LPR cameras and software support RTSP to allow for cross-platform functionality. Most LinC solutions will use RTSP to connect the camera to the processor.

Each camera manufacturer generally uses a different address for the RTSP feed. Consult the camera’s web interface and documentation (locate with a web search if necessary) to determine the proper RTSP settings.

Generally, the URL for an RTSP camera stream will be of this format:  

rtsp://<camera IP>:<port>/<custom path>  

For example:  

rtsp://192.168.3.201:554/video/stream1  

CLIENTPORTAL SETUP

A new or existing Site, Fixed Camera System, and ClientPortal account must be configured in ClientPortal, in order to connect CDF to ClientPortal. Managing Camera Systems and Site Users in ClientPortal requires a Site Manager account.

NOTE: Site Manager accounts can be assigned to more than one Site. Check that the correct Site is selected when configuring User accounts and Camera Systems.

 

CREATING A NEW USER IN CLIENTPORTAL 

User and Site Manager accounts are assigned to Sites, and can access the detections, Alerts, and settings available to those Sites, depending on the permissions configured. 

Prerequisites: A Site Manager account is logged into ClientPortal.

  1. Go to User Management → Add New User
  2. Configure the following options:
    1. Under User Information, enter the User’s information into the required fields highlighted in yellow.
    2. Under LPR System Use, enable CarDetector and select CarDetector Admin. 
    3. Under Detections (LPR data scan access), configure the permissions to define the information and actions that this User will have access to.

For example, to allow this account to view all detections made by Systems at the Site, enable each View checkbox.

  1. Optional: Configure any additional options as needed.
  2. Click Create.

 

CREATING A FIXED SYSTEM IN CLIENTPORTAL

Fixed Camera Systems are assigned to a Site. Sites can only be created by Vigilant Support. Camera Systems use a Connection File to connect a ClientPortal camera system to CDF. 

Prerequisites: A Site Manager account is logged into ClientPortal.

  1. Go to Vigilant PlateSearch → Site Management → Fixed Camera Systems
  2. Create a new system:
    1. Click New, and enter a descriptive name for the new Camera System. Click OK.
    2. In the Basic tab, select the OCR Profile.

                               Generally, Camera Systems should use the OCR Profile of the State in which they operate.

                     c. Click Save.

  1. Optional: Configure any additional options as needed.
  2. Download the Connection File for the new system:
    1. Select the system from the list.
    2. Click Connection File to download the System.ini file.

The Connection File downloaded from ClientPortal during system creation is placed in the root CarDetector Fixed installation folder.

NOTE: The default CDF folder is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Vigilant Solutions\Fixed LPR

CARDETECTOR FIXED SETUP

The CarDetector Fixed (CDF) Windows application to install and manage cameras, view and upload detections to ClientPortal, and to send Alerts to the Target Alert Service (TAS) Windows client software. 

 

CDF LICENSE KEY

CarDetector FIxed version 6.0 does not require a license key for the software or cameras and are instead licensed automatically. Previous versions require a license.

If no license key is available, the 60-day trial period option can be used. If this machine was previously licensed, or the trial period has elapsed, the trial period is unavailable. License keys can be added to CDF at first startup, or later while using the trial period from Help → CarDetector Licensing.

To request a new CDF license key, go to the Software License Key Request Form.

 

INSTALLING CDF

Download and install the CarDetector Fixed (CDF) installer for Windows.

  1. Download and extract the latest Vigilant CarDetector Fixed (CDF) installer:

https://get.vaasfiles.com/CDF

  1. Right-click the setup.exe icon and select Run as administrator.

  1. Review and accept the license agreement to continue.
  2. Follow the on-screen prompts in the installer.
  3. Exit the installer when prompted.
  4. Copy the Connection File downloaded from ClientPortal during system creation to the root CarDetector Fixed installation folder.

NOTE: The default CDF folder is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Vigilant Solutions\Fixed LPR

 

STARTING CDF

The first time the CDF software is run, a license key may be needed for versions 5.3 and older.Versions 6.0 and newer are linked to a license management system and do not require a license key. If you are using CDF versions 6.0 or newer skip to the next section.

  1. Locate the Vigilant Fixed LPR shortcut on the Windows desktop.
  2. Right-click the shortcut and click Run as administrator.

If the software is unlicensed, the license key prompt appears.

  1. Perform one of the following actions:

If…

Then…

The software is unlicensed, 

Choose of the following actions:

  • Copy the license key into the New License Key field and click Unlock.

  • Click Run Trial.

The software is licensed, 

Log in to the CDF software.

 

LOGGING INTO CDF

The username and password of an account assigned to the Site from which the Connection File is downloaded is used to log into CarDetector Fixed. Other Connection Files can be selected from the Login screen as needed.

  1. Optional: Click the Ellipsis ( … ) button to select a different Connection File.
  2. Enter a ClientPortal User Name and Password.
  3. Optional: Configure the login options:
    1. Enable Remember me on this computer to save the credentials.
    2. Enable Automatically Connect to automatically log in with the saved credentials when CDF starts.
  4.  Click Login.

  1. Optional: Enter alternative database connection information if using a different database.
  2. Click Connect. 

        If prompted to create a database, click Yes.

 

ADDING CAMERAS TO CDF

CDF supports most ONVIF compatible IP cameras that implement video streaming over the HTTP or RTSP protocols.

  1. Click Add New Camera.

  1. Perform one of the following actions:

If…

Then…

This is an IP camera,

Configure the IP of the camera:

  1. In Device Type, select IP.
  2. If the camera does not appear in the list, enter the IP Address of the camera and click Manual Add. 
  3. Click Next.
  4. In Camera Manufacturer, select the camera type from the list.

For other camera types, select ONVIF Camera or Camera HTTP.

  1. Optional: Enter the Username and Password for the camera, if applicable.
  2. Click Next.

If this is an RTSP stream, 

Configure the RTSP connection:

  1. Enter the camera’s RTSP URL.
  2. Optional: Enter the Username and Password for the camera, if applicable.
  3. Click Next.

IP Camera Configuration

 

 

  1. Enter a descriptive Camera Name for the camera.
  2. Optional: Enter a Description and select a Camera Group.
  3. Click Next. 
  4. Review the camera stream to verify that the camera is working and aimed properly.
  5. Click Finish.

 

VERIFYING DETECTION UPLOAD IN CLIENTPORTAL

Proper camera system operation can be verified by performing a search for detections in ClientPortal.

Prerequisites: A Site Manager or User account is logged into ClientPortal.

  1. Perform one of the following actions:
    • If this is a Site Manager account, Go to Vigilant PlateSearch → My User → License Plate Query → QuickSearch
    • If this is a User account, go to Vigilant PlateSearch → License Plate Query → QuickSearch
  2. Click More Options → Select Systems. 
  3. Click Search.

QuickSearch Filter By System