User Manual: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "= ANPR-Cloud User Manual = == Welcome to ANPR-Cloud == ANPR-Cloud is an intelligent vehicle monitoring system that uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to track vehicles, detect suspicious patterns, and enhance security. This manual will help you understand how to use the system effectively. == Getting Started == === System Requirements === * A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) * Internet connection * Login credentials provide...") |
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=== Camera Actions === | === Camera Actions === | ||
==== Add new Camera to platform (Admin+) ==== | |||
# Click the Add Camera button | |||
# Enter the Camera Name | |||
# Select the Camera ingestor see [[Supported_Manufacturers| Supported Manufacturers]] list or contact us at [email protected] | |||
# Enter the Camera Location description | |||
# You can either enter the camera address and search for it, or click on the map to set the camera location. For mobile cameras, please use the base station coordinates. | |||
# Submit by clicking in Add Camera | |||
==== View Camera Feed (All Roles) ==== | ==== View Camera Feed (All Roles) ==== | ||
| Line 287: | Line 295: | ||
== Camera Feed Events == | == Camera Feed Events == | ||
[[File:ANPR-CLOUD Camera Events.png|600px|thumb|center|Camera Feed Events ]] | |||
''Available to: All Roles'' | ''Available to: All Roles'' | ||
| Line 824: | Line 834: | ||
; Detection : System identifying a vehicle or pattern | ; Detection : System identifying a vehicle or pattern | ||
; Confidence : How certain the system is about a plate read (0-100%) | ; Confidence : How certain the system is about a plate read (0-100%) | ||
; Ingestor : Software platform that processes camera feeds | ; Ingestor : Software platform that processes camera feeds also see [[Supported_Manufacturers| Supported Manufacturers]] | ||
=== Status Indicators === | === Status Indicators === | ||
Latest revision as of 06:40, 22 April 2026
ANPR-Cloud User Manual
Welcome to ANPR-Cloud
ANPR-Cloud is an intelligent vehicle monitoring system that uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to track vehicles, detect suspicious patterns, and enhance security. This manual will help you understand how to use the system effectively.
Getting Started
System Requirements
- A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
- Internet connection
- Login credentials provided by your administrator
Logging In
- Open your web browser and navigate to your ANPR-Cloud address
- Enter your Username and Password
- Click the Login button
- If you forget your password, contact your administrator to reset it
User Roles
ANPR-Cloud has four user roles, each with different access levels:
Viewer
The most basic access level. Viewers can:
- ✅ View the Dashboard with camera status
- ✅ View Camera Map
- ✅ View live Camera Feed Events
- ✅ View their own profile
- ❌ Cannot access Analytics
- ❌ Cannot manage cameras or users
- ❌ Cannot access settings
Best for: Security guards, receptionists, or staff who need to monitor cameras but not manage the system.
Member
Enhanced viewing access with analytics. Members can:
- ✅ Everything a Viewer can do
- ✅ Access Analytics dashboard
- ✅ View all detection reports (Scout, Speed, Frequency, etc.)
- ✅ View vehicle history
- ❌ Cannot manage cameras or users
- ❌ Cannot access settings
- ❌ Cannot manage hotlist
Best for: Security managers, analysts who need to review patterns and reports.
Admin
Full system management access. Admins can:
- ✅ Everything a Member can do
- ✅ Add, edit, and delete cameras
- ✅ Manage the Hotlist (flagged vehicles)
- ✅ Manage Third Party Ignore List
- ✅ Access Settings
- ✅ Manage all users (except Super Admin)
- ❌ Cannot access Platform Info
- ❌ Cannot delete Super Admin accounts
Best for: IT administrators, security directors who manage the system.
Super Admin
Complete system access. Super Admins can:
- ✅ Everything an Admin can do
- ✅ Access Platform Info settings
- ✅ Configure Third Party API
- ✅ Manage secureMIND integration
- ✅ Delete any user account
- ✅ Reset system settings
Best for: Platform owners.
User Role Comparison
| Feature | Viewer | Member | Admin | Super Admin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dashboard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Analytics | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Camera Map | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Camera Feed | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hotlist | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Settings | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| User Management | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Platform Info | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
When you log in, you'll see the sidebar menu on the left. The available options depend on your role.
Dashboard
The Dashboard is your main overview screen, showing the status of all your cameras and today's activity.
What You'll See
Camera Status Table
Shows all cameras in your system:
- Camera Name - The name of each camera
- Location - Where the camera is installed
- Status - Current camera status:
** 🟢 Online - Camera is working normally ** 🔴 Offline - Camera is not connected ** 🟡 Maintenance - Camera is temporarily unavailable
- Actions - Buttons to interact with the camera
Statistics Cards
Quick overview of today's activity:
- Today Events - Total plate detections today
- Unique Plates - Different vehicles detected
- Hourly Rate - Average detections per hour
- Active Cameras - Number of cameras online
Weekly Activity Chart
Graph showing detections over the past 7 days, helping you understand traffic patterns.
Camera Actions
Add new Camera to platform (Admin+)
- Click the Add Camera button
- Enter the Camera Name
- Select the Camera ingestor see Supported Manufacturers list or contact us at [email protected]
- Enter the Camera Location description
- You can either enter the camera address and search for it, or click on the map to set the camera location. For mobile cameras, please use the base station coordinates.
- Submit by clicking in Add Camera
View Camera Feed (All Roles)
- Click the 👁️ (eye) button next to any camera
- You'll see captured events from that camera
- Shows license plates as they're detected
View Setup Instructions (Admin+)
- Click the ℹ️ (info) button
- Shows connection details for the camera
- Includes IP address, port, and setup guide
- Use this when installing or troubleshooting cameras
Edit Camera (Admin+)
- Click the ✏️ (pencil) button
- Change camera name, location, or settings
- Click Save to apply changes
Delete Camera (Admin+)
- Click the 🗑️ (trash) button
- Confirm deletion
- ⚠️ Warning: This permanently removes the camera
Analytics
Available to: Member, Admin, Super Admin
The Analytics section shows intelligent detections and patterns identified by the system.
Detection Types
The system automatically detects different types of vehicle behavior:
🚗 Commuters/Whitelisted
Vehicles that visit regularly (employees, residents, frequent visitors).
What you can do:
- View all whitelisted vehicles
- See when they typically visit
- Add new vehicles to whitelist (Admin+)
- Remove vehicles from whitelist (Admin+)
📈 Frequency Detection
Vehicles are visiting much more often than usual.
What it means:
- A vehicle that normally visits once a week suddenly appears daily
- Could indicate stalking, surveillance, or criminal preparation
- Shows the increase in visits per day
🚨 Hotlist Alerts
Vehicles you've manually flagged for monitoring.
Common uses:
- Stolen vehicles
- Known criminal vehicles
- Banned vehicles
⭐ New Vehicles
Vehicles that haven't been seen before (typically in the last 7 days).
Why it matters:
- Identifies unfamiliar vehicles
- Useful for gated communities
- Early warning of unknown visitors
🧩 Behavioral Patterns
Vehicles active across many different hours of the day.
What it detects:
- Extended surveillance operations
- Stakeout behavior
- Drug dealing or illegal operations
- Vehicles present for 6+ different hours
🔍 Scout Detection
Vehicles visiting multiple cameras in quick succession.
Why it's important:
- Indicates "casing" behavior
- Criminals scouting locations before a crime
- Multi-camera movement patterns
⚡ Speed Analysis
Vehicles are traveling unusually fast between cameras.
What it shows:
- Actual time between camera points
- Comparison to expected time
- Potential getaways or reckless driving
🌐 Third Party Alerts
Matches from external databases.
Integrations:
- Stolen vehicle databases
- Law enforcement hotlists
- Partner security networks
🕐 Unusual Time Detection
Vehicles appear at times they're not normally seen.
Examples:
- A daytime visitor appearing at 3 AM
- Employees accessing property after hours
- Unexpected nighttime activity
🌐 secureMIND
Shows the list of tests completed by a vetted client on secureMIND and the associated reward.
Using Analytics
Viewing Detections
- Click on any detection type tab
- See list of vehicles matching that pattern
- Click on a license plate to view full history
Filtering Results
- Sort by clicking column headers
- Use the search box to find specific plates
- Filter by date range
Vehicle History
- Click any license plate
- See all detections for that vehicle
- Identify patterns over time
Camera Map
Available to: All Roles
The Camera Map shows where your cameras are located geographically.
Map Features
Camera Markers
- Click a pin to see camera details
- Color indicates status (green=online, amber=maintenance, grey=offline)
Search
- Zoom in/out to see different areas
- Pan to view different locations
Camera Information
Click any camera to see:
- Camera name
- Current status
- Quick link to view feed
Camera Feed Events
Available to: All Roles
View real-time license plate detections from your cameras.
What You'll See
Live Event Stream
- Plates as they're detected
- Timestamp for each detection
- Camera that detected the plate
- Snapshot image of the vehicle
Event Details
For each detection:
- License Plate - The recognized plate number
- Confidence - How certain the system is (0-100%)
- Timestamp - When it was uploaded to the system
- Camera - Which camera detected it
- Image - Photo of the vehicle
Filtering Events
- Filter by specific camera
- Filter by date range
- Search for specific plates
Using the Feed
Viewing a Vehicle
- Click on any license plate
- See full vehicle history
- View all times/locations detected
Checking Confidence
- 90-100% - Very reliable read
- 70-89% - Good read, verify if important
- Below 70% - May be incorrect, verify manually
Hotlist
Available to: Admin, Super Admin
The Hotlist lets you flag vehicles for special monitoring.
Adding a Vehicle to Hotlist
- Click the "Add Vehicle" button
- Enter the license plate number
- Enter a reason (stolen, suspect, etc.)
- Choose severity level:
- 🟢 Low - Minor concern
- 🟡 Medium - Moderate concern
- 🟠 High - Serious concern
- 🔴 Critical - Immediate threat
- Decide if Telegram alerts should be sent
- Click Save
Managing Hotlist
Viewing Hotlist Vehicles
- See all flagged vehicles
- To filter by severity, click on the column heading
- See when each was added
- View who added them
Editing a Vehicle
- Click the edit button
- Update reason or severity
- Change notification settings
- Save changes
Removing a Vehicle
- Click the delete button
- Confirm removal
- Vehicle will no longer trigger alerts
Hotlist Alerts
When a hotlist vehicle is detected:
- System generates immediate alert
- Sends notifications (if enabled)
- Stores detection in database
- Shows in Analytics → Hotlist Alerts tab
Third Party Ignore List
Available to: Admin, Super Admin
Manage vehicles that should be excluded from third-party API lookups.
Why Use Ignore List?
- Prevent false positives from triggering API calls
- Reduce unnecessary API usage
- Exclude legitimate vehicles that get flagged
- Save on API costs
Adding to Ignore List (Not already triggered)
- Go to Third Party Ignore
- Click on Add Plate
- Enter the registration number to ignore
- Optionally add a reason
- Vehicle will no longer be checked against third-party databases
Adding to Ignore List (Already triggered)
- Go to Analytics → Third Party Alerts
- Find the vehicle you want to ignore
- Click "Add to Ignore"
- Vehicle will no longer be checked against third-party databases
Managing Ignore List
Viewing Ignored Vehicles
- See all muted plates
- View reason for ignoring
- See when added
- Check who added them
Removing from Ignore List
- Click "Delete"
- Confirm removal
- Vehicle will be checked again on next detection
Settings
Available to: Admin, Super Admin
Configure how the detection system works.
Detector Settings
Each detection type can be enabled/disabled and configured:
Average Speed Detection
- Enable/disable speed monitoring
- Set expected travel times between cameras
- Configure sensitivity
Unusual Time Detection
- Set what hours are considered "unusual"
- Configure per-vehicle baselines
- Configure sensitivity
Scout Detection
- Set time window for camera transitions
- Configure minimum cameras to trigger
- Configure sensitivity
New Vehicle Detection
- Set how many days before a vehicle is "known"
- Enable/disable notifications
- Configure sensitivity
Frequency Detection
- Set multiplier threshold
- Configure how much increase triggers alert
- Configure sensitivity
Pattern Detection
- Set minimum unique hours
- Configure visit thresholds
- Configure sensitivity
Notification Settings
Configure how you receive alerts on Telegram:
Add Notification Channel
- Search for @ANPRCloudBOT in Telegram
- Add the bot to your group or start a chat with it
- Send /whoami to the bot (in a group or direct message)
- The bot will reply with your User ID or Group ID
- Save the ID for the communication channel
- Go to Settings -> Add Notification Channel
- Enter a Channel Name
- Enter either the Telegram User ID and or Group ID as saved above
- Select All Cameras or select the specific camera to get notifications from
- Select Enable Notifications to receive notifications
- Submit by clicking on Add Channel
The added notification channel will be displayed in the Notification Channels table
Add Alert Notification Rules
- Goto Settings -> Alert Notification Rules
- Click Add Notification Rules
- Select the Alert Type
- Select the Notification Channel
- Enter the notification text that will be send in the Message Template *see table below for placeholders to use in template
- Select Enable this rule
- Submit by clicking on Add Rule
| Placeholder | Description |
|---|---|
| Docker | Website |
| {plate} | Licence plate number |
| {camera} | Camera name |
| {location} | Camera location |
| {direction} | Direction (in/out) |
| {confidence} | Detection confidence (%) |
| {alert_type} | Alert type name |
| {hotlist_reason} | Hotlist reason (hotlist only) |
| {hotlist_severity} | Hotlist severity (hotlist only) |
| {whitelisted_reason} | Whitelist reason (whitelist only) |
| {whitelisted_user} | User who added (whitelist only, "SYSTEM" for auto-added) |
| {image} | Send image as photo with message as caption (adds watermark) |
| {image_url} | Clickable URL link to view the image |
Users / My Profile
Available to: All Roles (with different views)
My Profile (Viewer/Member)
If you have a Viewer or Member role, you'll see "My Profile" in the menu.
What You Can Do
- Update your personal information:
** Name and surname ** Email address ** Phone number ** Address
- Change your password
- View your account details
Updating Your Profile
- Click "My Profile" in the menu
- Edit your information
- Click Save
- Changes are updated immediately
Changing Your Password
- Click "My Profile"
- Go to "Change Password" section
- Enter current password
- Enter new password twice
- Click Save
User Management (Admin/Super Admin)
If you have Admin or Super Admin role, you'll see "Users" in the menu.
What You Can Do
- View all users in the system
- Add new users
- Edit existing users
- Change user roles
- Activate/deactivate accounts
- Delete users (Super Admin only)
Adding a New User
- Click "Add New User" button
- Enter required information:
- Username (must be unique)
- Password
- Name and surname
- Email and phone (optional)
- Select a role (Viewer, Member, Admin)
- Click Create
Editing a User
- Click the edit button next to a user
- Update their information
- Change their role if needed
- Click Save
Changing User Password
- Click the edit button
- Go to password section
- Enter new password
- Click Save
- User will need to use new password on next login
Activating/Deactivating Users
- Click the status button
- Toggle between Active/Inactive
- Inactive users cannot log in
- Useful for temporary suspensions
Deleting a User (Super Admin Only)
- Click the delete button
- Confirm deletion
- ⚠️ Warning: This cannot be undone
- All user data will be permanently removed
User Roles Reference
| Role | Color Badge | Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| Viewer | Grey | Basic viewing only |
| Member | Blue | Viewing + Analytics |
| Admin | Red | Full management |
| Super Admin | Dark/Black | Complete control |
Platform Info
Available to: Super Admin Only
Platform Info contains system-wide settings and integrations.
Storage Management
Storage Limit
- Set maximum storage for images
- Configure retention period
- Monitor current usage
Retention Settings
- Choose how long to keep images:
** 1 week ** 1 month ** 3 months ** 6 months ** 1 year ** None (delete immediately)
Third Party API
Configure external API integrations:
API URL
- Enter the base URL for third-party lookups
- Example: https://www.anprcloud.co.za
- Must be a valid web address
API Key
- Enter your access key
- Used for authentication
- Keep this secure
- Click the eye icon to show/hide
secureMIND Integration
Configure secureMIND intergration settings:
Secret Key
- Your secureMIND secret key
- Used for authentication
- Click eye icon to show/hide
Subscription Key
- Your secureMIND subscription identifier
- Links to your account
- Click eye icon to show/hide
Camera Limits
- View maximum cameras allowed
- See current camera count
Vehicle History
Available to: Member, Admin, Super Admin
View complete history for any vehicle.
Accessing Vehicle History
- Click on any license plate in Analytics
- Or search for a plate directly
- System shows all detections for that vehicle
History Views
List View
- Chronological list of all detections
- Shows date, time, camera, location
- Sort by any column
Timeline View
- Visual timeline of detections
- See patterns over time
- Identify frequent visit times
What You Can Learn
- How often a vehicle visits
- What times it typically appears
- Which cameras detect it
- If it shows suspicious patterns
Tips for Effective Use
Daily Tasks
For All Roles
- Check Dashboard for camera status
- Review any offline cameras
- Monitor today's event count
For Members
- Review Analytics for unusual patterns
- Check high-severity detections
- Investigate suspicious vehicles
For Admins
- Review hotlist alerts
- Manage user accounts
- Check system settings
- Monitor storage usage
For Super Admins
- Review platform settings
- Check API integrations
- Monitor system health
- Plan capacity upgrades
Best Practices
Camera Management
- Name cameras clearly (e.g., "Main Entrance", "Parking Lot A")
- Keep locations up to date
- Check camera status daily
- Address offline cameras promptly
User Management
- Assign minimum necessary role
- Deactivate (don't delete) temporary absences
- Review user list monthly
- Remove access for departed staff
Hotlist Management
- Keep hotlist current
- Remove resolved entries
- Use appropriate severity levels
- Document reasons clearly
Analytics Review
- Check all detection types regularly
- Investigate high-severity alerts promptly
- Look for patterns over time
- Share relevant findings with team
Troubleshooting
Camera Offline
- Check physical camera connection
- Verify power supply
- Check network connectivity
- Review camera settings
- Contact technical support if needed
Poor Plate Recognition
- Check camera angle
- Clean camera lens
- Verify lighting conditions
- Adjust camera position
- Consider adding supplemental lighting
Missing Detections
- Verify camera is online
- Check detection settings
- Review camera coverage area
- Ensure plates are visible
- Check for obstructions
Login Issues
- Verify username/password
- Check if account is active
- Clear browser cache
- Try different browser
- Contact administrator for password reset
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + F | Search within page |
| F5 | Refresh page |
| Esc | Close modal/dialog |
Getting Help
Within the System
- Tooltips - Hover over icons for explanations
- Help Icons - Click ℹ️ for more information
- Error Messages - Read carefully for guidance
Contacting Support
For technical assistance:
- Email: [email protected]
- Documentation: Refer to this manual
Security Best Practices
Password Security
- Use strong, unique passwords
- Change passwords regularly
- Never share your password
- Log out when finished
Account Security
- Log out when leaving your workstation
- Don't share your login credentials
- Report suspicious activity
- Keep contact information current
Data Privacy
- Only access data you're authorized to view
- Don't export data without permission
- Follow your organization's privacy policies
- Protect license plate data appropriately
Appendix
Glossary
- ANPR
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition
- Hotlist
- List of flagged vehicles for special monitoring
- Whitelist
- List of approved vehicles (commuters)
- Detection
- System identifying a vehicle or pattern
- Confidence
- How certain the system is about a plate read (0-100%)
- Ingestor
- Software platform that processes camera feeds also see Supported Manufacturers
Status Indicators
| Icon/Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | Online/Active/Success |
| 🟡 Yellow | Warning/Maintenance |
| 🔴 Red | Offline/Error/Critical |
| ⚪ Grey | Inactive/Unknown |
Severity Levels
| Level | Color | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Green | Informational, no action needed |
| Medium | Yellow | Investigate when convenient |
| High | Orange | Investigate promptly |
| Critical | Red | Immediate action required |
Document Version: 1.0 Last Updated: 2026-04-20 Applicable To: ANPR-Cloud Platform Audience: All Users (Viewer, Member, Admin, Super Admin)
