How Does CHEKT Create Alarm Signals and Video Events?

How Does CHEKT Create Alarm Signals and Video Events?

The OPTEX Video Alarm Bridge can create alarm signals and video events using a few methods.  When the Bridge is used as a component or module of an alarm panel, triggered events can be programmed to only create and upload a video event, leaving the alarm signal transmission in the hands of the on-site alarm system. The information below is designed to help you understand how the Bridge can be triggered to generate an alarm signal and a video event. 

When using video analytics, it is always recommended to program the Bridge to send alarm signals because the on-site alarm system is typically unaware of the video analytic data triggered communicated over the IP network to the Bridge.  The chart below defines each method and the options available for each trigger method.

Trigger Type Trigger Source Bridge Input Method Alarm Signal Programming Event FileCreates Event while Disarmed 

Physical detectors, relays, Alarm Panel Zones Physical Digital Inputs Alarm Panel or Bridge 20s Video File (10s Pre - 10s Post)
Only for 24-Hour Zone Types
Video Analytics Cameras or Server Analytics (ONVIF API) Network IP Trigger with ONVIF API Bridge Only 20s Video File (10s Pre - 10s Post)Only for 24-Hour Zone Types
2-Minute Event Request Central Station Alarm Automation Software, On-Demand Operator Request Zone Variable in the URL, Manual Request from the Operator in Monitoring Portal None2 Minute Pre Request Video FileYes
API Trigger Request*
(Still in Development)
 Alarm Automation Software, 3rd Party Integration Cloud API Call CHeKT Cloud 30s Video File (20s Pre - 10s Post)
Yes

The trigger source for these first two methods is local to the Bridge, and it is recommended that you properly configure the arming and disarming of the Bridge.  All CHeKT sites can be configured to armed and disarm with the on-site alarm panel or by providing the end-user with a mobile app.  
  1. Physical Triggers:  Each Bridge has multiple Digital Input (DI) zones that are paired to internal camera channels of the Bridge.  When the DI is triggered, a video event file is created and uploaded to the CHeKT cloud platform.  Each DI can be programmed with zone characteristics and alarm reporting codes.
    1. Pros: Precise Event Creation, Inexpensive, Fast & Reliable Alarm Transmission, the alarm signal transmission can come from the alarm panel and the Bridge.
    2. Cons: Learning how to properly wire the Bridge and Alarm Panel Zones, Sync Common Ground.
      1. Wiring the Alarm Panels and Zones to the Bridge
      2. Wiring DI Input Triggers
      3. Connecting a camera to the Bridge
      4. Setting up DI Zone Types
      5. Setting Alarm Codes for DI Zones
  2. Video Analytics: Cameras and Video Servers that support ONVIF Event Messaging API with their analytic data can trigger a Bridge camera channel from an analytic event.  This trigger is transmitted over the IP network to a camera mounted on the Bridge.  When communicating video analytics over the network there is not a physical trigger tied to an alarm panel zone, so the Bridge should be programmed to communicate the Video Analytic event trigger as an alarm signal to the central station for an active response.
    1. Pros: Precise Event Creation, Fast Installation Time, Bridge converts analytics to Contact ID alarm codes.
    2. Cons: Expensive, Detection Inaccuracies, Network failure will affect detection and signal delivery. 
      1. Using cameras with analytics
The next two methods for creating video events are external to the Bridge and the site. This event creation method is driven by an event request from an external platform.
  1. 2-Minute Event Request: Events can be manually requested by any operator in the CHeKT Video Monitoring Portal or automatically by a supported alarm automation platform with the correct URL parameter. On supported alarm automation platforms, if the system is able to open the CHeKT Video Monitoring portal and add the zone number associated with a specific camera, then the CHeKT cloud will request a 2-minute video from the associated camera. The video event captures the previous 2 minutes from the camera requested. This feature is recommended for all sites with wireless alarm panel zones.  Each stored 2-minute event counts as a single event toward the Video Event Clips on an account.
    1. Pros: Simple Installation, Support for wireless zones sensors
    2. Cons:2-Minute video is less precise than a physical alarm trigger, if the panel has an entry delay, dial delay, or there is a delay in the operator response, the alarm activation could be older than 2 minutes. 
      1. Setting up 2-Minute Event Requests
  2. API Trigger: (In Development) - Using an API request, an alarm automation software platform can request that a Bridge for a specific site and camera generate a video event.  This video event will be available to the operator processing the alarm in the CHEKT Video Monitoring platform.  The POST API trigger request will come from the alarm automation platform when an alarm is received by an existing alarm system.  With this method, the Bridge does not have to be in an "armed" or "disarmed" condition and zone sensors do not need to be wired to the Bridge. 
Related Articles: 
  1. How to Arm/Disarm the Bridge with an alarm panel?
  2. Integrating CHeKT with my central station software?

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