How to configure and use serial data integrations within exacqVision

exacqVision is an open-platform video management system (VMS) software which supports integration with other systems such as access control systems, retail analytics, point-of-sale systems and Physical Security Information Management Systems (PSIM).

These integrations give exacqVision users the freedom to build a best of breed physical security system. Exacq tests and maintains many of these serial integrations so they operate easily and efficiently for customers. By combining other technology partners with exacqVision in a single interface, users have a complete video surveillance solution.

exacqVision has the ability to process serial data in many ways. The data can simply be stored as human readable text and used for overlaying on live views, or it can be used to trigger actions such as:

• Call a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) preset on a camera
• Record video
• Record audio
• Trigger an alarm output
• Change a view
• Send an email
• Export a video

Serial Profiles

Serial profiles are configured in exacqVision for processing serial data that may come from POS, ATM or access control systems. After users have configured the serial profile correctlythe user can process these data segments further into more meaningful textual structures and set up actions such as keyword matching, line masks, string replacements and rules.

Keywords in Event Monitoring
Event keywords are a method for triggering exacqVision to react upon detecting a keyword. Event monitoring keywords will change the way the client displays cameras, views and video in general. For example if a business wanted to monitor everyone that came in and out of a private, authorized personnel only door, they could set up a keyword in event monitoring with the action type to show the video for that door when triggered.

Line Masks
exacqVision users can create line masks to mask out entire line segments. The line mask will match a character string entered by the user to a character string embedded in the serial data segment. When a match is found, the entire line segment is removed from the transaction.  For example, a retail store may want to remove credit card numbers or confidential personal information that should not be publically displayed. They can create a line mask within exacqVision to delete that information. By enabling line masks, stores can maintain confidentiality and a less cluttered look.

String Replacements
exacqVision gives users the option to replace a character string in the serial data with a character string defined by the user. If a retail store wanted to change a string so it made more sense to the security guard monitoring the video, they could change the wording. If the wording was F12=14, which indicated an alarm, they could simply change that character string to say alarm, which gives more meaningful data to the guard when watching the video.

Serial Rules
Serial rules can be used in event linking, event monitoring and serial search. Users can create a rule that includes logic cases such as “equal to”, “less than” or “greater than” so that if a rule becomes true an action takes place. In a situation within a corporate building, a rule may be created if F12=14 occurs then go to PTZ preset 3 and record video for 5 minutes.

This document presents guidance for configuring and understanding how the serial interface works within the exacqVision VMS software. Learn more in our serial integration guide.