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VM95


The main control program that runs under XP is called VM95. It has been written by Erdman Video Systems and is continuously being developed and updated as new equipment and capabilities become available. Running in the Windows environment has allowed VM95 to incorporate and use recently introduced technology, both in the digital imaging field (Olympus cameras) and in the communications field (DSL, routers modems TCP/IP). This software is designed to control digital stills cameras and or IP Network cameras. VM95 began over 12 years ago as a simple video imaging tool, and has now evolved into a sophisticated software package that handles video and digital image acquisition, precise pan/tilt control, image processing, panorama creation, graphing, uploading, video server activities, remote control and security monitoring.

  • Some unique features are:
    - Control of Canon Digital Cameras up to 21 Megapixels
    - Precise panning, tilting and zooming both remotely and under schedule control
    - Simultaneous control of up to 4 video cameras
    - Total or partial image archiving, both locally and anywhere on the Internet
    - Rotating, cropping and labeling images to get perfect results
    - Automatic slideshow preparation for current and archived imagery
    - Support for a dual cameras on the pan tilt, one video and one digital camera
    - Windshield wiper/spray system supported in both manual and program control
    - Remote control for authorized users: pan, tilt, zoom, continuous record mode
    - Ability to snap hi resolution shots remotely (via Internet)
    - Automatic panorama stitching software
    - Information retrieval from other web sites and label images (e.g. water temp)
    - Long digital exposures for low-light, night time monitoring
    - Automatic 'problem' detection with auto-reboot and recovery functions
  • Additional Standard Features Supported include:
    - Image acquisition at regular intervals
    - Automatic Image labeling with date time and user specific information
    - Upload imagery at regular intervals
    - Incorporates low light video camera for night time observation
    - 24/7 recording of video imagery for security purposes

One of the more powerful aspects of VM95 is the scheduling of all its activities. Setting up the schedule can be as simple as taking 1 shot per day and uploading it, to setting up 3 panoramas, 5 single shots, uploads to 2 different FTP sites, and slideshow preparation for multiple scenes. Programming the schedule is through a standard Windows interface, complete with Help files. Additional to this the hardware provides a number of analogue ports for recording weather data or utilising triggering devices such as motion detectors. Given the multitude of options available, and a number of new concepts, Eon-FX encourages taking advantage of their training courses. All initial setup and configuration is done by Eon-FX and will be modified to satisfy any late-emerging requirements.

Of course Eon-FX primarily uses this software to acquire high quality images to generate time-lapse sequences however, as you can see, this is not the only result that can be achieved.

Normally, VM95 runs its schedule and uploads all the desired imagery and data to a Website where the results are displayed to the public. Remote control capabilities have been incorporated into VM95 which allows authorized users to either 'watch' passively as the camera system goes about its scheduled activities. In Remote Control, one can also 'take control' of the camera system, wherein the scheduled activities are stopped and full control is given to the remote user, allowing the user to pan, tilt, zoom and take digital shots, all over the Internet. This type of remote control is not for the public, since the constant interruptions would prevent carrying out the scheduled activities and image acquisition for time-lapse sequences would not be achieved. There is also the consideration of bandwidth, or Internet traffic. At the camera station, there will be a DSL type connection (at best) and this could only handle around 10 simultaneous users.

So the important 'final products' of the camera system are high resolution image acquisition and advanced webcam functionality. Check out our video demo and example web page.


VM95 running in Automatic Mode (Web Cam Mode)

User Interface

The EVS camera system has 2 fundamentally modes of operation: Web Cam Mode, and Remote Control Mode. The most frequently used mode will be Web Cam Mode. The activities carried out in Web Cam Mode include:

· Automatically moving to preprogrammed positions
· Capturing, labeling and archiving the images at programmed intervals and resolutions
· Uploading the desired imagery to the web in the form of individual images
· Preparing Wide angle composite panoramic views and uploading them to the Internet
· Preparing slideshows of current images and uploading them
· Maintenance of image space utilization, respecting allotted disk space limits
· Maintaining a permanent archive of images at the Website
· Preparing slideshows of the permanently archived images and upload them

Web Cam Mode is programmed using the scheduling functions of VM95 as discussed above. VM95 normally is in Web Cam mode when there are no remote users logged on controlling the system. When remote users log on requesting Full Control, the scheduled activities stops, and VM95 waits for commands from the remote user. If there is no activity for 3 minutes, or the remote user logs off, the scheduled activities resume.

When Web Cam mode is active, authorized remote users can 'spy' on the camera, watching real time video as it goes through its scheduled activities. The number of remote users that can control and spy on the camera system depends on the internet connection present at the camera station and on Internet traffic. With DSL, the more users, the slower the system responds. Up to 10 remote users can be supported simultaneously while maintaining a respectable refresh rate (1 image per second).

Remote Control Mode is used by authorized personnel and allows remote users anywhere on the Internet to either take full control of the system or to watch passively. The 'full control' remote user will have the capability to pan, tilt, and zoom all while watching live video at rates of 1-4 frames per second, depending on Internet traffic, connection speeds and resolution of the images. When in this mode, the Web Cam Mode is temporarily suspended, meaning that the web page imagery will not be updated until the (full control) remote user(s) have disconnected. Web Cam mode will automatically resume after 3 minutes of inactivity. Note that, if a weather station is attached to the system, weather data and graphs will continue to be updated even while a remote user is full control, effectively sharing the Internet connection with VM95 and the remote control user.