developed by Edward Torkington
http://www.crime-catcher.com

Objectives:
Crime Catcher has been designed to utilize your web camera to catch crime or simply monitor for an event. It has many features including:

Quick Links:

Main Screen
The main screen will show what the camera will monitor. It is where the majority of your actions will be carried out. You can start the system detecting motion with just one click! However, Options can be changed by accessing available items on the toolbar or though the menus. See the image below to check that your screen looks like this one.






Setting the System to Record Images.
When the system first loads up, it is recommended that you use the Test feature to configure the system. The Test feature can be turned ON and OFF by selecting it from the Detection menu. The status bar at the bottom of the screen will let you know when motion is detected. The screen will also invert the detection so it is clear what is being picked up. Ideally, direct your camera at a stationery image and then wave your hand in front to see if it is detected. To have your computer take images when motion is detected select Start from the Detection menu. How fast the system detects motion is set by the capture rate. If it is set to ten frames per second, motion detection will be carried out ten times a second with a possible saving of ten images per second. Setting this figure too high may cause problems on slower machines or cause too many images to be saved for your liking.






What if Motion is Detected all the time?
If you have a stationery image, and motion is detected all the time, this is because the sensitivity is set too high. Web cameras normally have a certain amount of interference which varies from camera to camera. To solve the problem, goto the Options from the Detection menu and change the motion detection sensitivity to a lower setting.






What if Motion is not Detected?
Motion detection is based on colour change. Try changing the sensitivity options to high by going to options from the view menu and change the motion detection sensitivity.




Motion is set off by Trees / Other moving objects!
If this happens you can set up a mask which will allow you to 'draw' out the areas which you don't want to be processed for motion. To create a mask, go into the options anc click on Masks.



You will then be able to choose a mask which you have already created or draw a new one. To create a new mask or check how one fits with the current image click on 'Create / View Mask'. This will open a new window which will allow you to draw out areas which you DON'T want to be processed for motion.





What about detecting permanent objects?
Crime Catcher will determine a permanent object by judging if the motion it has detected is altering or not. The number of images / frames between the comparison of motion can be varied between 10 and 50, i.e. if a car decides to park outside your house, when it is stationery Crime Catcher will take between 10 and 50 shots of it before deciding it is a permanent object.






How do I set it to play sounds when it detects motion?
These options allow a sound to be played when motion is detected. A delay between playing the sound again can also be set so that it may sound more realistic.






How do I create a report?
To create a report select New Report from the File menu. A new screen will open (see below) showing you what pictures have been saved. Navigate through the images by using the six buttons below the image. If you wish for the image to be included in the report, place a tick next to the image on the left. Once you have selected all the images that are to be in the report, click the Create Report button. You will then be asked to input a title before the report is created for you.






How do I open a report?
To open a report select Open Report from the File menu. A new screen will open (see below) listing what reports have been created. To open a report select it and click 'Open Report'. To delete a report select it and click 'Delete'.






How do I change the device / select which camera to use?
When you load the system, if you can see a TV channel or just garbage, chances are the wrong device is selected. Depending on your system, you can change the device by going to Image Source on the Device menu. Alternatively, goto Options from the Detection menu and change the Capture Device under Image Properties.






How do I launch my favourite Program/Movie/Other file when motion is detected?
This is easily setup. Simply select the program/movie/etc. that you want to launch when motion is detected. This file will be launched either once/or a maximum of every x seconds.






Can I set any security options?
Yes, you can set Crime Catcher to ask for password. This will stop any intruders from stopping motion detection from taking place.






OK I like it, how do I register?
Simply click 'Request Registration' (make sure you are connected to the Internet) to be taken to a website where you can securely purchase your license. You will receive your key instantly on the webpage and via email for your records. Simply input the username and serial number provided into the boxes and click register! If you have any problems please visit http://www.crime-catcher.com






Can I have images emailed to me?
Yes, you can set Crime Catcher to have captured images emailled to you. This will not only mean the images have been safely transmitted away from the computer but you can have a remote warning that something has happened. Fill in the boxes as desired. If you are not sure what your SMTP server is you can check with your ISP or in your email program. If you are using Outlook check under the Menu Tools and then select the option account or email accounts. Edit your email account and look for the field which specifies your outgoing SMTP server. Copy this field into Crime Catcher's SMTP server.






Can I images copied to an FTP server?
Yes, you can set Crime Catcher to have captured images transferred to an FTP server. This option can be used to ensure anything that is captured is safely stored in case your computer is stolen.






Can I the current image displayed on a web page?
Yes, you can set Crime Catcher to have the current image transferred to a web page. Enter the FTP server details, image filename and the interval. Set the interval to a few seconds at minimum. On your website have a html page like the following:

<html>
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="REFRESH" CONTENT="interval in seconds that the page will automatically refresh"
</head>
<body>
<a href="http://www.crime-catcher.com"><img src="name of your file.jpg" alt="Crime Catcher uploaded image"></a>
</body>
</html>






Can I see what Crime Catcher is seeing when I'm not there?
Yes, you can remotely login to Crime Catcher (with the right password) and have a look at what is infornt of the camera in realtime. To do this, tick the box to Allow Remote login. On the remote machine (you can try it on the one you are on - just put localhost in the host box),run the Remote Viewer application available from the start menu. Make sure you know the IP address of the machine you are trying to connect to (you can find this out by going to the website http://whatismyip.com ). Put this in the host, leave port unchanged, and enter your password. Now press connect and you should be able to see what Crime Catcher can see!








How is my internet connection managed?
Crime Catcher will use the settings displayed in the 'DialUp' Settings box. If a connection is not present it will try and connect to complete the operation (FTP or Email). You can set Crime Catcher to disconnect on completion of the operations.






I get an error!!! What shall I do?
The system should inform you of what the error is and the best course of action. If you receive an error when the system loads, the chances are that the system can not connect to your web camera. To solve this problem, close any other applications that are using it. If your web cam uses a card which allows you to watch TV aswell, you will have to close this down too.
If this does not solve the problem please send your query to the following email address: support@crime-catcher.com.


 

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