How to create Video Analytics Rules

[tyler (Tyler G)]

Create a Rule with Video Analytics

Video Analytics rules can be configured using the Alarm.com website or mobile app.

Note : It is possible to create up to three Video Analytics rules on the same camera. Additionally, ground zones and tripwires can overlap.

Using the Customer Website:

1. Log into the Customer Website.
2. Click Video .
3. Click Recording Rules .
4. Click Add Rule .
5. In the New Video Recording Rule window, select Video Analytics .

Using the Customer app:

1. Log into the Customer app.
2. Tap Video .
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Recording Rules .
5. Tap + Add New Rule .
6. Tap Video Analytics .

Select the rule type

1. Click to select the desired camera. If the camera needs to be calibrated, you will be directed to the Calibrate page (see above)

2. In Select Type , click to select the rule type.

   • Click Tripwire when a target is likely to cross through the camera’s field of view or when objects enter or exit an area (e.g., a car pulling into or backing out of a driveway).
     
   • Click Ground Zone when a target is likely to linger in the camera’s field of view (e.g., a person delivering a package on the front porch).
     

3. If the camera has Video Motion Detection (VMD) recording rules set up, they must be deleted before setting up a Video Analytics rule. When prompted with the following warning, click OK to continue.
   

4. Click Next.

Select the camera scene

1. In Scenery , click to select Indoors or Outdoors based on where the camera is installed. The camera should be marked outdoors if it will be exposed to rain, snow, spider webs, or moving trees and set to indoors if in a controlled outdoor environment (e.g., a screened-in porch).
   • Note : This selection must be the same across all recording rules associated with a specific camera.

2. Use the Minimum Object Detection Size slider to adjust how small an object can be and still trigger a recording. It is recommended to keep this at its suggested value upon initial rule creation. Very Large captures the fewest recordings only of the largest objects, and Very Small captures the most recordings including large and small objects.
   • Note: Certain video devices have a calibration process that replaces the Minimum Object Detection Size setting. Minimum Object Detection Size will not appear on this page for those cameras. For more information about the calibration process, see above.
     
3. Click Next.

To Configure a Ground Zone rule:

Skip this section if Tripwire was chosen during rule type selection.

1. In the Rule Name field, enter a name for the recording rule.
2. Click and drag the corners of the shape to cover only the ground where the target’s feet will be. To clear the current area of interest and restart, click Clear ground zone .

• Click and hold inside the shape to move it around without changing its shape.

  

3. Using the Duration Inside Area of Interest drop down menu, select the desired time an object needs to stay inside the Ground Zone to trigger a recording.

To Configure a Tripwire rule:

Skip this section if Ground Zone was chosen during rule type selection.

1. In the Rule Name field, enter a name for the recording rule.

2. Click and drag the Tripwire to cover only the ground where the target’s feet cross. The arrow determines which direction the object must be moving to trigger a recording. To clear the current Tripwire and restart, click Clear Tripwire.

   

3. Customize the direction of movement to be recorded:

• In Direction , click Switch directions to switch the direction of the movement to capture.
• Click to select Both Directions to record when an object crosses the Tripwire regardless of which direction it is moving.

To configure schedules, exceptions, and notifications for the rule:

1. Using the Set Minimum Delay Between Clips drop down menu, select the desired time frame. This setting determines how long the camera must wait after recording a clip to trigger another recording.

   

2. In The Rule will run… , click to select At all times or Only during the following times.

• If Only during the following times is selected:
  • Click to select the days of the week to record on.
  • Using the Begin dropdown menu, select the time for the recording rule to start.
  • Using the End dropdown menu, select the time for the recording rule to stop.

3. In Except when… , click to select any available exceptions that turn the rule off regardless of the schedule. Options depending on the equipment include: the panel is armed away, the panel is armed stay, and Geo-Device is inside a specified Geo-Fence.

   

4. In Send notification for clips containing… , click to select the types of clips that the user wants to be notified about. The camera records and uploads all motion it detects but only sends a notification to the user based on the selected notification options.

   
   Note : Clips included in the Other category are when the camera detects an object but is unable to determine which type of object it is.

5. Click to select the desired notification recipients. It is recommended to use push notifications to a phone using the drop down option to attach a thumbnail.

   

To configure light automation for the rule:

Camera-driven light automation rules require Lights to be enabled on your Alarm.com service package along with at least one Z-Wave light device enrolled on the account. If these requirements are met, the Light Automation section appears toward the bottom of the Video Analytics Rule.

Note : Lights cannot be enabled during a time when the Video Analytics rule is not set to record (e.g., if a tripwire rule is drawn on a driveway and set to record only at night, lights cannot be set to turn on during the daytime because no clip would have been recorded)

1. Using the Turn on selected lights for dropdown menu, select how long the lights should turn on for.
2. Click to select which lights are to be automated by the rule.
3. In Automate my light(s) when following triggers an event , click to select which events should turn on the lights when triggered.
4. In During these time frames , click to select At all times , Only during the following times , or Only after sunset .

• If Only during the following times is selected:
  • Click to select which days of the week on which to record.
  • Using the Begin drop down menu, select the time for the recording rule to start.
  • Using the End drop down menu, select the time for the recording rule to stop.

Perimeter Guard

Perimeter Guard™ sounds an alert and flashes the camera’s status LED when unwanted visitors are detected. For more information on compatibility and use see below:

What is Alarm.com Perimeter Guard for video devices

Stop intruders in their tracks with Perimeter Guard™ proactive defense. Perimeter Guard™ uses Alarm.com’s advanced Video Analytics to sound an alert and flash the camera’s status LED when unwanted visitors are detected. Requirements A service package that supports Video Analytics with Audio for Non-doorbell Cameras One of the following compatible video devices: ADC-V724/724X on firmware version 0.6.1.387+ (supports LED and Audio Alert) ADC-V523/523X on firmware version 0.6.1.387+ (supports…

Package Alerts for the ADC-VDB770

Using Video Analytics, the ADC-VDB770 video doorbell can identify when a visitor leaves a parcel on their doorstep—notifying them immediately.

Package Alerts can be configured to notify a customer right when a delivery is made, remind them if the box is not picked up, or alert them if it goes missing.

For more information about Package Alerts see below:

Package Alerts for the Alarm.com Video Doorbell (ADC-VDB770)

Be notified when a package is delivered to your home or business with Package Alerts for the Alarm.com Video Doorbell (ADC-VDB770). Using Video Analytics, the ADC-VDB770 can identify when a visitor leaves a parcel on their doorstep—notifying them immediately. Package Alerts can be configured to notify a user right when a delivery is made, remind them if the box is not picked up, or alert them if it goes missing. The feature can be set up from the Recording Rules section of the Alarm.com Website…

[tyler (Tyler G)]

Video Analytics rule best practices

Video Analytics can be configured to detect when an object lingers in a specific area or when an object passes through a specific point.

When to use a Ground Zone rule

Use a Ground Zone rule when the object to be recorded lingers in a specific place for too long.

Verify that the Ground Zone is fitted to the ground or floor where the object’s feet will be.

When to use a Tripwire rule

Use a Tripwire rule when the object to be recorded passes through a specific place.

Verify that the Tripwire is placed where the object’s feet or wheels will cross the threshold

To ensure rule accuracy

• Avoid drawing Tripwires or Ground Zones over objects that might move by themselves (e.g., trees, bushes, or other objects that move in the wind).
• Only draw the rule where the feet or wheels of an object should cross.
  • Do not increase the size of the loiter zone or tripwire to cover the whole of the target.
  • Do not include furniture, walls, trees, or other structures in the rule/selection.

Bad ground zone example

Including the bush and garage door in the ground zone can make it difficult for the Video Analytics to positively classify subjects. In this case, reduce the size of the ground zone to only cover the driveway.

Good ground zone example

This is a properly drawn ground zone that only covers the driveway, and excludes the bush and garage door.

• Create up to three Video Analytics rules to capture separate areas of interest (e.g., a camera that monitors two entrances might need two tripwire rules, each one covering one of the entrances).
• After observing what the rule detects over a few days, consider adjusting either the Minimum Object Detection Size slider or recalibrating the camera.
  • Note : Certain video devices have a calibration process that replaces the Minimum Object Detection Size setting. Minimum Object Detection Size will not appear on this page for those cameras.
  • When adjusting the Minimum Object Detection Size slider:

• Increasing the minimum object size can reduce false detection.
• Decreasing the minimum object size can detect smaller targets.

[tyler (Tyler G)]

View uploaded video clips

Uploaded video clips can be viewed using the Alarm.com Website and Alarm.com mobile app.

To view video clips using the Customer Website:

1. Log into the Alarm.com Website.
2. Click Video.
3. Click Saved Video Clips.
4. Only clips with a valid person, vehicle, or animal classification appear here by default.
   • To view clips classified as Other :
     1. Click Filter.
     2. In Object Detection, click to select Other. To only show video clips classified as Other, deselect all other items in Object Detection.
        
   3. Click Apply.
5. To play a clip:
   • In Gallery View, mouse over the desired clip, then click Play Icon.
   • In List View, mouse over the desired clip, then click Play
   • Note : Clips that include pre-trigger recording start playing at the moment the motion is detected instead of the beginning of the clip.

To view video clips using the Alarm.com Mobile app:

1. Log into the Alarm.com Mobile app.
2. Tap Video.
3. Tap Saved.
4. Only clips with a valid person, vehicle, or animal classification appear here by default.
   • To view clips classified as Other:

     1. Tap Filter Icon.

     2. In Object Detection, tap Other. To only show clips classified as Other, deselect all other items in Clip Trigger.
        

     3. Tap Apply.

5. Tap Play Icon.

• Note: Clips that include pre-trigger recording start playing at the moment the motion is detected instead of the beginning of the clip.

[tyler (Tyler G)]

More information on Video Analytics and Alarm.com can be found here:

How To Utilize Alarm.com Video Analytics

Calibrating Cameras for Video Analytics Installation - Best Practices