Getting started...      
  PC-Configuration    
  Your location    
  Configuration of your line...    
  For connections with Modem    
  For connections with ISDN    
       
  How to add a new object in the database    
  How to make a call    
  Process a call    
       
       
Functions      
  Camera enable button    
  Imagesize and zoom    
  Pictures of differences    
  Alarms    
  Error display    
  Remote relay    
  Macro dialog    
  Eventlist    
  Remote disk    
  Remote RAM    
  Remote configuration    
  Remote output    
  Save image    
  Print image protocol    
  Edit object database    
  Import object database    
  Options    
  Extended options...    
  Notes about the hierarchy of archive folders    
  Selection of language    
  Configuration of INI-file    
  Connections with Nullmodem    
       
       
The Archive Player      
  Play of movie files    
  The event diagram    
  Printing and saving of pictures    
  Options    
       
Error messages      


 


Getting started

You have finished the installation and the application is running. The following items are leading you through the first settings and possibilities of the application. Afterwards, the software is ready to use.

 

PC-Configuration

Select for your graphic adapter card a resolution of at least 800 x 600 dots. The colors should be set to 'High Color [16-Bit]' or 'True Color [32-Bit]'. The configurations of your graphic card could be done with 'Display' in the 'Control panel' of Windows. For further help, contact your dealer or look at the manual for Windows or of the manufacturer of your graphic adapter card.


Location

Select your location. Therefore, open the dialog 'Options' in the menu bar 'Edit, Options'. In this dialog you have to press the button 'Dialing properties'. The following dialog window needs to know your country and the areacode. Should your computer be connected to an internal telephone network, it is possible, that you need an additional digit at the beginning of your number to make a call to an external destination. For this case, you have to input this digit. At least, input a name to save this configuration. The application needs this informations to convert any received telephon numbers to identify foreign callers with the database.


For connections with Modem

To make connections to any destination via the common analogue telephone network, you need a Modem. The direct link between PC and device requires a
Nullmodem. If a Modem is already installed, you have the possibility to select this Modem in the menu bar 'Phone, Options'. On the dialog window you will find the field 'Modem, Dialing Properties' where you can select your Modem. The selected Modem will be saved as default for all common links up to the moment, you are going to change the setup. If you have not installed a Modem now, follow the guide of the manufacturer, please. After a successful installation of a new Modem, you will find it within the list and ready to use. We recommend as default setup for your Modem to enable the 'Error control' and to disable the 'Compression'. This items can be find in the 'Control panel, Modems, Properties' at the button 'Extended'.


For connections with ISDN

To make connections to any destination via the ISDN network, you need a CAPI 2.0 compatible ISDN interface card. If any ISDN card is installed correctly, the application will find this card and the drivers automatically. The dialog window 'Options' contains a box 'ISDN configuration'. Input the MSN of your connection. If no card is installed, follow the instructions of the card manufacturer, please. After a successful installation, the card is ready to use.


How to add a new object in the database

All your devices, which are available, should be managed by the database. This database contains telephone numbers, passwords and additional informations about all objects. Furthermore, callers can be identified to check their passwords or to activate the recording automatically..

Therefore, open at first the database in the menu bar 'File, Edit Objectlist'. A list with all registered names of objects appears. Select one entry in this list to edit. If you like to add a new entry, you can press the button 'New'. Afterwards you can see following items:

Name: for example: 'main entrance'
Location: Location of object. For example: 'My lovely company'
Phone number: International Phone number of the device. For example:'+49-591-123555'
Germany:0049, Area code: 0591, Number: 123555
Port: Select ISDN link or Modem link.
Alarm: Enable the checkbox 'Save' and input the default recording time to activate the automatic recording.
Passwords: The access password is a must if the device is protected by this password. On the other hand, you can not be linked to the device if the password is wrong or unknown.

The control password is not in use. For the future, the password will be necessary for remote contol functions.

You need the config password, if the device is protected by this password. It is possible to be linked to the device but you cannot change any configurations or clear alarms.



How to make a call

At first open the menu bar 'Phone, Dial...'. Now you have following options.


1.) Dialing:
Input the number of the destination in the editfield. Don't forget to add the country code, area code a.s.o. Enable within the box 'Port' if you like to use ISDN or Modem.

You can start the dialing, when you press the button with the telephon icon. Attention: Passwords will not be transmitted. If the device is protected by access passwords, it is not possible to get a link.

2.) Link to an object, which is already stored in the database:
Press the button with the book icon. When a list appears, which contains all stored objects in alphabetical order. Select one object and press ENTER or 'OK'. The international formatted phone number will be translated to a dialable number. Also the passwords and the kind of linking will be transmitted automatically.

3.) Fast link with hotkeys:
All objects, which are be called very often can be stored as a hotlink to one of the hotkeys. Therefore, press the right mouse button on a free hotkey. A list with all stored objects appears. Select the object, which you like to copy to the hotkey. All you need to make a link is now to press this key.


A status windows appears during the linking procedure to show the current messages or errors. If any cause exists, which permits the connection, the window shows a message. Passwords can be only transmitted automatically, at the beginning of the connection.




Process a call

With this application your are able to receive calls from devices, to inform the user and to record the live images as movie. To be ready for alarm calls, it is very important, that the application is still running. Don't run the computer in 'Standby' mode. All calls in this mode will be ignored.

Registered callers

The application can identify the caller by his telephone number in the database. The passwords, which are belonging to the caller will be transmitted and the automatic recording will be started if the object has a record time unequal zero. After a successful connection the application shows the current live pictures.
Attention: It's possible to identify the caller only if the connection uses ISDN. The traditional possibility via Modem does not support automatic number transmitting. For this case, all callers are unknown.

Unknown callers

In case of that the telephon number is unknown or the number is not registered in the database, it is not possible to identify the caller. For this causes, the call can only accept when the default recording time is unequal zero. For further informations, look at 'ptwin.ini'. In case of that the device is protected by an access password, a window appears and demands this password. The name of the device will be shown to make the identification more easier. After a specified time 'Timeout', the call will be rejected if no input occurs.

All recordings will be stored to the archive in the folder 'Unknown'. For more informations about the archive, look at Remarks about the hierarchy of archive folders.

If you enabled the
Alarmsound, the application plays a wavefile. As soon as you press the mousebutton or hit a key, the sound stops.

 


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Functions

The application consists of following parts:

Bedienoberfläche

1 Menu bar Menu bar of application.
2 Toolbar: The toolbar has hotkeys, which contains the most important functions of the menu bar.
3 Error indicator: If an error occurs, the lamp lights yellow, see also...
4 Unset button: Press this button to set or unset the alarm lines, see also...
5 Clear button: Button to reset the alarm lines and error indicator, see also...
6 Alarm indicators: The lamps light red, when an alarm is active, see also...
7 Camera enable buttons: Selection of camera, see also...
8 Resolution: Enable buttons for resolution of the picture, see also...
9 Part of picture: Enable buttons for zoom into the picture, see also...
10 Relay buttons and Macro dialog: Relay buttons and customer defined buttons and objects. Important: The dialog appears only in case of stored macro dialogs in the device. see also...
11 Live picture: The live picture shows the view of the current camera. In addition to it, the application transmits the position of the mouse to the device, when a hit on the mouse button occurs. Furthermore, the application can reduced to an icon, which shows only the view of the camera. This icon stays always on top and can be moved to any position of the desktop. If you press the right mouse button again, the window will be restored to the old style.
12 Camera name: This field shows the name of the current camera.
13 Duration of frames: Time of frame repitation in milliseconds.
14 Phone charges: While the application is online with the device, the field shows the telephone charges and the currency. See also...
15 Online indicator: This lamp indicates whether the application is online or not.
16 Time: The current time and date of the frames are displayed.

 

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Camera enable button

The sender can be equipped with at most three cameras. The transfer of images is limited to only one camera at once. To enable one of the cameras, press the button, which belongs to the camera. Note: It takes a little time, when you change the camera.



Imagesize and zoom

You have the possibility to set the picture in three different resolutions. Important is the fact, that the more time the transmission needs, the better is the quality of the images. According to the speed of the link, it takes some milliseconds up to some seconds from picture to picture. The buttons to enable the resolution are located at the left side of the field. The other buttons are to select a part of the image. (digital zoom).



Pictures of differences

The function 'Pictures of differences' intends to show you moving objects in the image. This kind of view is recommend to indicate, whether a part in the view of the camera is moving or not. For example, persons, vehicles a.s.o. All parts which are changed, are highlighted in red. To activate the function, select 'View, Pictures of differences'.



Alarms

All devices are equiped with alarm lines. Active alarms are indicated by red lamps in the field 'Alarms'. By pressing the button 'C' (Clear), you can reset the lines. To activate the lines you need to press the button 'Unset'. While the alarms are unseted, the button is highlighted. Note: This functions are only available if you have the legitimation for configurations. (Password-protected )



Error display

As soon as an error occurs, the lamp lights yellow. This lamp has the caption 'Error'. The kind or reason of this error can be found in the
Eventlist.



Remote Relay

Alll devices are supplied with at least two relays to react on alarms and events. While the application is online, you can use the buttons to switch the relays on or off. If the relay is switched on, the button which belongs to this relay is highlighted. You can disable this feature if the relays are switching sensible things. For this matter
see also..

 


Macro dialog

The beauty of this application is the property to show customerdefined buttons and operating elements, while the application is online. The macros intend to expand the common functions for adjust the local requirements. They are creating dialog elements in addition to the standard elements.The dialogs provide you with informations and permit to react on events. If your apparatus is supplied with macros, they will be indicated on the macro dialog. In addition to it, you can hide this dialog with 'View, Macro dialog'.

Not all dialogs are visible. Also the area of the camera image reacts on mouse events, which can be transmitted to the macros. Supported are events of the left mouse button, like key up, key down and key pressed. Should one of this events occur during the mouse arrow is on the image, the position of the mouse will be transmitted. This information is useful to control a lamp, a door or other things which are always fixed at the same position on the screen.

 


Eventlist

All devices are recording all events which are occuring. The list consists of at most 100 entries, like alarms, errors or phone calls. As soon as a new event occurs, the oldest, most unimportant event will be removed by the new event. The button 'Delete list' eliminates all entries at once. If you need the list as a file, select the button 'Save list'. The list can be saved as a simple text document.

 


Remote disk

The devices are supporting external harddisks at their universal port. If your device comes equipped supplied with a harddisk, you can get access by selecting 'Edit, Remote Harddisk' in the menu bar.
The list consists of columns for date, time, number of camera and size of recorded sequence. The box 'Filter' is for selecting entries, which are matching to the date and camera. The box 'Area of time' determines the temporal order of the entries. The edit fields are to input a time and date. After pressing the 'Accept' button, the list shows the entries before or after the date, according to the selection.

Below the listfield are buttons located, whichs allow to scroll up and down all items in steps of minutes, hours and days.

The buttons at the bottom of the dialog are for play and control the sequences. At first, select one entry of the list with the mouse and then press the play button to start the sequence. When you press the button with the caption 'Copy', the sequence will be played and recorded at once into the archive folder. This procedure takes less time than playing. The button 'Delete' marks the highlighted item as deleted and removes the space to disk.


Remote Ram

The devices are supplied with an internal memory for archiving a limited quantity of pictures. The menu bar 'Edit, Remote RAM' opens a dialog to get access to the entries. At first, all entries will be loaded from the device into the list. All items are listed in temporal order and can be scrolled up and down by moving the scrollbar. If you like to view a picture, select one item in the list and press the play button. To view the next item, hit the play button again. If you like to record the pictures on disk, press the button 'Copy'. The pictures will be stored to the archive folder. If you need to stop the playing, press the stop button. The playing terminates as soon as the last requested picture was transmitted.

 


Remote configuration

The application has the feature to let you configure the device in the same way how you can do it with the device directly. The remote dialog has the same look and function like the operating panel of the box.

The menu bar 'Edit, Remote configuration' opens the remote dialog. If you have not yet any configuration access, the dialog requires the password at first. While the dialog is open, the transmission of pictures is stopped. To terminate the dialog, you have to hit the ESC-key as so many times as the current menus in the dialog are closed. If the application terminated the link to the device before the remote dialog was closed, you can use the close button on the top right corner. (Button with a cross)

 

Remote output

The function 'Remote output' in the nenu bar 'Edit, Remote configuration' allows to configure buttons and to visualize them on the panel of the application. The dialog box has items to enable or disable the buttons or to change their caption. Afterwards, the configuration can be saved on the box. The buttons are available for the next connection.

 


Save image

In the menu bar 'Edit, Save picture...' you can save the current picture as a snapshot on disk. The application requires a name for the file and a destination folder. The image will be saved in the Windows BMP format.

 


Print image protocol

You can print the current pictures as snapshots together with the date, time, name of object a.s.o. The print can be started in the menu bar 'Edit, Print picture...'. Further informations about 'Printing under Windows' you can find in the manual for Windows.


Edit object database

See also
How to add a new object in the database .

 


Import object database

This application allows you to import a database by selecting this function in the menu bar 'File, Import database...'. If you have already a database of an older version of this application (Windows or MS-DOS), you can import the objects to your database. The file format is 'SDF'.

 


Options

The dialog 'Options' consists of devices to configure the application for ISDN and Modem connection. Furthermore, you can select your location. See also
Your location.

 

 

 

 

 

Extended options...

Notes about the hierarchy of archive folders

The application uses a special structure to administrate the pictures, movies and protocols.

The main subfolder is located on drive C and has the name 'Archiv'. This subfolder contains folders which have the same names like the objects in the database. Files of unknown objects were saved in the folder 'UNKNOWN'. Every subfolder has again subfolders for every day. The names of this folders are created by the year+month+day of the recording. Finally, all recorded pictures and movies are be saved in this directories. The names of the files consists of the time and the extension 'PTS'.

Example: At 23th, September 2001, 11.45 PM a alarm call reaches the application from the object 'MAIN ENTRANCE'. The movie will be saved on disk to following archive structure: Local harddisk
'C:\ ARCHIV \MAIN ENTRANCE \ 20010923 \ 234500.pts '

If it was not possible to identify the caller, the movie files will be saved to the folder 'UNKNOWN'.

The protocol files have the extension 'LOG', and can be open with an editor. The default directory is
'C:\ARCHIV\LOG'.

 


 

 

 

Selection of language

The beauty of this application is the feature to select a language. All text, comments and dialogs are managed within a textfile. This file has the name 'stwin.wtx' and is located in the working directory of the application. The files contains basically the languages English and German and are editable by any editor. The text for each language is introduced by the headline [STRINGS]. With a leading semicolon you can deactivate the text. The application will find automatically any activated language.

 


Configuration of INI file



All settings and options of this application (Modem, alarmsound, etc.) are saved in the configuration file 'ptwin.ini'. Some entries are configurable with an editor.

The configuration file contains following editable items:

During ISDN links, the telephone charges can be shown below the application window. The entry 'UNIT' describes the charge for one unit. The entry 'CURRENCY' should be set to the abbreviate of the currency.

Example:

[TELEFONE UNITS]

UNIT=0.12
CURRENCY=DM


When you are receiving an alarmcall from an unregistered object, the call will be accepted and the pictures saved automatically. The recordtime depends on the entry 'RECORDTIME, Min'. The number is the time in minutes. If the time is 'Min=0', the call will be not accepted and won't be recorded. The recordtime for known objects, which are registered, depend on the recordtime which is saved in the database.

Example:

[RECORDTIME]

Min=1


All devices are equipped with one or more relays, that are for switching lamps, automatic doors etc. This relays can be controlled with buttons during the application is online. If you like to hide the buttons, set the entry equal zero.

In the example below, the relay one is enabled, relay two and relay three is disabled.

Example:

[Relais]

Relais1=1
Relais2=0
Relais3=0


Should your application get an alarmcall, the connection will be terminated after the timeout automatically. The time is defined in minutes as the entry 'TIMEOUT'. This timeout can be interrupted if you hit a key or press the mousebutton.

Example:

[TIMEOUT]

Min=10

The application has it's own directoy structure for saving pictures and protocols. The entry 'DIRECTORIES' contains the two main subfolders for this structure. The 'PicturePath' is the mainfolder for pictures and moviefiles, that are created during alarmcalls or recordings. Protocol files are saved in the directory 'LogPath'. Should both directories not exist, they will be created automatically. The default directories are described in the example below.

Examplel:

[DIRECTORIES]

PicturePath=C:\Archiv
LogPath=C:\Archiv\log


Alarmcalls can be indicated by a sound. Very important is that your computer is already supplied with a sound adapter card. If you have further questions about the installation of sound cards, contact your dealer, please.
The entry 'CALLRING' can be set to the name of a sound file, which should be installed to the working directory of the installation. The type of this file is 'WAV'. The application comes equipped with some demo files. Use the Windows mediaplayer to play the files.

Example:

[CALLRING]

Wavefile=007.wav

 

Connections with Nullmodem

The direct link to a device can be done with a seriell nullmodem. This kind of link is recommend as a cheap and fast connection if the device is mounted very close to your computer.
The installation can be done if you follow these steps:

1.) Connect the cabel to a free serial port of your computer. For example to port 'COM1' or to 'COM2'. The connection with the device is described in it's operating manual.
Warning: Switch off your computer and your device while you connect the cable!

2.) The application uses the nullmodem in the same way like a conventional Modem. Before the application is able to use the cable, it must be installed in Windows. Open the icon 'Modems' in the folder 'Control panel' to add a modem to the list. Hit the 'Add' button and a dialog with the caption 'Install new modem...' appears. Enable the box 'Select Modem' and hit the button 'Next'. Now, you see a list with manufacturers and modems. Enable 'Floppydisk' because the driver is located on the installation disk of your application. Put the disk or CD-ROM into the drive. Open the file 'nullmodem.inf' on this disk and hit 'OK'. A list with all available modems appears. Select the 'Nullmodem' and press the button 'Next'. Than, you see a list with all available ports at your computer. Select the port, which was already enabled at step 1.). Press at least the button 'Next'. The installation is ready.

3.) Open again the icon 'Modems' in the folder 'Control panel'. Select the Nullmodem and hit the button 'Properties'. The maximum speed of the modem must be set to the same rate like the V.24 connector of the device. Close all dialogs to accept the configuration.

4.) The last step is to configurate the application. See also 'For connections with Modem'.

The application works with the direct cable in the same way, like with all other modems. The only difference is, that all phone numbers in the database are ignored while a connection proceeds. Alarmcalls are saved as unknown.


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The Archive Player

You can open and view the pictures and movie files with the Archive Player. It is possible to play or to print the files. A double click on the 'PTS' icon opens the file. If the player is already open, you select a file by using the menu bar: 'File, Open'. The tool bar has buttons to play and to navigate the movie.

Play of movie files

The playing may be done in three different ways:

The easiest way to play is to use the play button (black arrow). With both single-picture buttons (black arrows with a thick line at the top), the movie can be viewed picture by picture. The cursor keys allow to play and to navigate the movie. The keys 'Arrow left, arrow right' are to start and to stop the playing. The keys 'Arrow up' and 'Arrow down' are to jump forward and back.
A special feature is to navigate event-dependend through the movie. By using the buttons with the red arrows you may jump from event to event. Events are alarms, changings of picture information, moving objects, changed camera, etc. A very useful tool to navigate is the event diagram. As soon as one movie file is opened, the diagram is shown below the application.

The event diagram

The event diagram makes it simple to search for events in the file. The green-colored curve indicates the changing of picture information. A quick ascent of the curve shows that the information is changed at this point. The reason could be a person or a vehicle, which is running in or out of the picture. The current position is indicated by a blue vertical line. Vertical green lines are showing the position of a new fullsize image. The horizontal white line represents the point, where the application decides whether the changing of the information is an event or not. As soon the green curve climbs over this offset, the point will be marked as an event. The white line can be adjusted by using the control key and the mouse.


Printing and saving of picture

Single pictures may saved as BMP-file, when you select 'File, Save picture ' in the menu bar. After the function was selected, a dialog appears and asks for the filename. Furthermore, the image can be printed if you select 'File. Print picture'. If you need further informations about printing, ask your dealer, please.


Options

You can find the dialog options in the menu bar 'Edit, Options'. The device 'Searching for events' comprises the filter parameters for events. Furthermore, the value for changing of informations can be adjusted. The box 'delay' incorporates the delay in milliseconds from picture to picture. If the option 'Repeat' is enabled, the movie will be replayed again after the end. The option 'Automatic rewind' is for rewind the movie to the start without replay it again.

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Error messages

 

 

Error during connections:  
"Call rejected" Call was rejected from device
"Destination out of order" The object is temporary not available. Try to call again later or check the line.
"No circuit/channel available" The channel is temporary not available. Either try to call again later or check the ISDN network.
"No free B channel" The B channel is busy. Either try to call again later or check the ISDN network.
"Wrong access password!" The access password is wrong. Check again the password in the object database.
"Wrong config password!" The config password is wrong. Check again the password in the database.
"Layer 1 down" There is no connection to ISDN network. Check the links and cables, please.
"Connection with CAPI 2.0 not possible" You have tried to make a connection with ISDN. Either no ISDN card is installed or the installation is not complete. Install your card and drivers again, please. For more informations look at the manual of your ISDN card.
   
Errors during start of application:  
   
"We recommend a color mode from 16 up to 32 bit colors!" The chosen colormode is not optimized. For more informations see also PC-configuration.
   

 

 

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