SeMSy III is a high-performance and future-proof video management system with optimum user friendliness. It offers a comprehensive range of functions, including the display of live images, various search options within the footage, the control of PTZ cameras and easy archiving of relevant sequences. The Sequencer module is part of the SeMSy III Workstation Software. The module allows the definition and playback of sequences consisting of different cameras in a particular order. A sequence can be made up of individual encoders / cameras, multiple sequence groups or salvos (split views). The Sequencer module can run locally on a workstation or globally in a SeMSy III system as a service application. However, only one operating mode is possible for the Sequencer in a SeMSy III system. The advantage of running the Sequencer as a service is that running sequences are not stopped when, for example, the concerning workstation is shut down. In addition, sequences are not bound to fixed decoders in the service mode and can therefore even be connected several times to different decoders. This handout provides an overview of the use of the Sequencer module as a service application. The Sequencer as a service mode has to be licensed for a SeMSy III system. It is assumed that the Sequencer Service is already installed (e. g., on a freely selectable SeMSy III server) and permanently accessible on the network. Configuration in SeMSyConfig The SeMSyConfig configuration tool determines which operating mode is used for the Sequencer module on a workstation. To use the mode Sequencer as a service, the corresponding service connection data has to be entered in the SeMSyConfig tool. When the data is stored there, the service mode is automatically used in the Sequencer module. Open the SeMSyConfig tool and log in with the required credentials, as described in the Configuration documentation for SeMSy III SeMSyConfig. Select the Sequencer Service tab in the Global Settings directory. Fig. 1 Enter the required port (default setting: 9002). Enter the ip address of the network host on which the Sequencer Service is running. Click Apply to save the settings.
Configuration of Sequences A sequence can be configured in the Sequencer module of the SeMSy III Workstation Software. Sequencer icon in the module launch bar Open the Sequencer module via the appropriate icon in the module launch bar: Fig. 2 Click Add to create a new sequence. Fig. 3 Enter a Name in the displayed Add Sequence dialog. Select an interval (in seconds) for the frequency of the sequential arrangement from the Interval drop-down box (the interval can be changed at any time later). Confirm the entries with Add.
The Edit Sequence configuration dialog is displayed: Cameras / encoders PTZ cameras Salvos Sequences A sequence can be composed of cameras, PTZ cameras, salvos and other sequences. Fig. 4 Compose the new sequence: Move the required components from the modules Navigator, Salvos and Sequencer into the configuration dialog with drag and drop. Note that once a new sequence is embedded and activated, the previous original sequence is terminated. For this reason, a new sequence should be positioned at the end of a sequence. Fig. 5 For PTZ cameras, select stored tours (Tx) and presets (Px) from the corresponding drop-down menu, if required.
Fig. 6 Change the order of the entries with the corresponding arrow buttons, if required. Fig. 7 Remove an entry from a sequence using the x button. Fig. 8 Set the sequence repeats (Endless to 99 times) in the Loop drop-down menu.
Close and save Fig. 9 Finally, close the Edit Sequence configuration dialog with x. The settings for the new sequence are saved and displayed in the Sequencer module: Fig. 10 For the operation of the Sequencer module proceed as described in the Sequencer as a Service: Operation handout.
Edit Sequences The settings of a sequence can be edited and changed. Fig. 11 Double-click a sequence to open the corresponding configuration dialog. Close and save Fig. 12 Edit the sequence settings as described above. Finally, close the Edit Sequence configuration dialog using the x button to save the changed settings.
Delete Sequences Sequences can be removed. Fig. 13 Select the required sequence in the Sequencer module. Double-click the required sequence to open the Edit Sequence configuration dialog for the selected item. Fig. 14 Click Delete to remove the sequence. The sequence is immediately deleted without any query.
Configuration of Sequences via CSV File Sequences can also be configured and edited in a CSV file. The corresponding CSV file is exported via the SeMSyConfig tool and imported again after editing. For this purpose, it is recommended to create an user group that has only the authorization to export and import the sequencer data. This helps to keep the exported CSV file clear. Create Special User Groups Proceed as described below to create users and user groups via the SeMSyConfig tool. Open the SeMSyConfig tool and log in with the required credentials as described in the Configuration documentation for SeMSy III SeMSyConfig. Right-click the User Groups directory to display the context menu. Select Create a User Group... and enter the name for the user group in the displayed Add dialog. Confirm with Add. The new user group is displayed in the User Groups directory tree: Fig. 15 Select the General tab. Enable the Config User check box in the SeMSyConfig User field. Confirm the settings with Apply. Configure users for the user group in the next step.
Right-click the Users directory to display the context menu. Select Add a User... and enter the name for the user in the displayed Add dialog. Confirm with Add. The new user is displayed in the Users directory tree: Fig. 16 Select the General tab. Enter a Password for the user. Assign the user to the previously created User Group. Confirm the settings with Apply. Create additional users and assign them to the user group as described above, if required. In the next step, the required SeMSyConfig tool permissions are set up for the user group: Fig. 17 Select Action > SeMSy Configuration Rights... to display the corresponding dialog:
Fig. 18 Select the required group in the left SeMSy Configuration User Groups window. Select the Actions tab in the right Configuration Actions area. Activate the general Sequences permission (Read and Write rights) for the user group by enabling the appropriate folder check box. Fig. 19 Scroll down the Rights directory to the Actions folder. Open the folder and enable the CSV Export/Import permission. Make sure that all other permissions in the Rights directory are disabled for this user group. Click Apply to save the user group settings. Finally, click Close to quit the dialog. In this way, the editing functions in the SeMSyConfig tool are limited to the export and import of sequences for users of this user group.
Export / Import Sequences Open the SeMSyConfig tool and log in with the credentials of the previously created user group as described in the Configuration documentation for SeMSy III SeMSyConfig. Because of the restricted permissions, only the Action menu appears in the SeMSyConfig user interface. Proceed as described below to export the sequences data to a CSV file: Fig. 20 Select Action > CSV Export/Import... to display the corresponding dialog: Fig. 21 Select the required Directory for the export file by clicking the... button. Select the required Delimiter. Enable the Values are enclosed in Quotes check box if the values in the CSV file are to be additionally enclosed with quotes (default setting: deactivated). Enable the Check for Duplicates check box if duplicated values are to be found and displayed in the CSV file (default setting: activated). Enable the Add BOM check box if the byte order is to be defined at the beginning of the document (default setting: deactivated). Finally, click Export to start the export process. Note the section Edit Sequences in a CSV File on page 13 to use the CSV file for the configuration of sequences.
Proceed as described below to import a CSV file in SeMSyConfig. Open the SeMSyConfig tool and log in with the credentials of the previously created user group, as described in the Configuration documentation for SeMSy III SeMSyConfig. Fig. 22 Select Action > CSV Export/Import... to display the corresponding dialog: Fig. 23 Select the required Directory where the edited CSV file is stored. Select the required File Name in the Import drop-down box. Enable the Check for Duplicates check box if duplicated values are to be found and displayed in the CSV file (default setting: activated). Finally, click Import to start the import process. The CSV file is imported. Restart the SeMSy III Workstation Software on the concerning workstations to make the new Sequencer settings available. For the operation of the Sequencer module proceed as described in the Sequencer as a Service: Operation handout.
Edit Sequences in a CSV File Open the previously exported CSV file in an appropriate application (such as Microsoft Excel). The CSV file is structured as follows: Fig. 24 The file is divided into two sections: the sequences (basic information) and the sequence_entries (detailed configuration settings). Modify and / or expand sequences by entering the required values in the corresponding columns. Create new sequences by first defining them in the sequences section and then configuring the exact settings in the sequence_entries section. Finally, save the edited CSV file and import it back into the SeMSyConfig tool as described above.