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, the camera will deliver images and notification of activity. In the other configuration the camera is used in conjunction with a desktop computer and a web browser to set operational parameters and test for proper function. The image delivery and notification options are described below.
Delivery options
The Observer can deliver images to the Internet either as an attachment to an email or via File Transfer Protocol to a server. Each method has its advantages and provides a different set of capabilities.
When an image arrives as an attachment to an email, it can be accessed and viewed, as is normal email. The images can be retained on the user's computer for future reference. This is a convenient method to receive the occasional image from an Observer camera. When many images per day or images from multiple cameras are required, this method becomes cumbersome. It may become difficult keeping track of the images and confusing since they are intermixed with other everyday email messages. Additionally, email can experience significant delays in delivery and images in email accounts are not accessible by anyone but the account holder.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a method for moving files around on the Internet. The Observer camera can send its images to any FTP server on the Internet. Images from multiple cameras can be collected on a single server. Web pages with links to these images are easily constructed, allowing them to be accessed by anyone. Many Internet service provides, including AOL and Earthlink, provide FTP access to storage space on their servers as part of the basic service. This space may be used as a destination for Observer images. A special desktop application is available that will automatically check an FTP server for new camera images and display and archive the images on the user's computer. This application is described in the section titled “Using the FTPJPG Desktop Application”.
Notification options
Notification occurs when the camera is externally triggered via a switch closure or motion detector. When enabled, the camera will notify the user that the event has occurred by either sending a text message to a cell phone or an email account. Additionally, the camera will deliver an image via the selected delivery option. In this manner the user will be notified that the camera was activated, due to some external event, and that the image will soon be available. If the email delivery option for images is selected, then the only available notification option is a text message to a cell phone. Generating another email for notification would be redundant. If the FTP delivery option is selected the notification can be either via a text message to a cell phone or an email. The user can select either a simple email indicating that the camera has been activated or an email with the image attached. With this last option, the image is relayed to an FTP server as well as to the user's email account. Notification occurs only when the camera is externally triggered and not in response to scheduled image delivery.
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