In the Box
Each digital sign where the Camera Analytics Package is deployed will receive two boxes, as shown below. The larger box contains the computer, power adapter, antennas, and mounting stickers. The smaller box contains the camera and its USB cable.
Connections and Assembly
The following steps describe each action required to complete the physical setup.
- If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, screw the two antennas into the coaxial antenna connectors.
- Connect the two parts of the power adapter, and attach the round barrel connector to the power port, as shown below. Do not plug the adapter into a power outlet yet.
- If using a LAN connection, connect an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port, as shown below.
- If you need to use an external display screen to set up WiFi or a Static IP (more details in the following section), connect the appropriate cable into the HDMI or DisplayPort, shown above. You can connect into the digital sign you will be monitoring, just switch to the appropriate input.
- To assemble the camera, connect the provided USB camera cable to the camera, as shown below.
- Connect the camera to the device, using any available USB port (2 on front and 2 on back) as shown above and below.
- The following figure shows the device with all connections completed, using the provided computer, power adapter, antennas, and camera.
Power and Network Connections
Upon completing the connections in section 2, plug the power adapter cable into a power outlet. If you are not using a LAN connection, please see the following section for configuring the WiFi settings.
- In order to set up a WiFi connection, you will need to use an external display screen or the digital sign, connecting the appropriate cable from your external into the HDMI or DisplayPort, shown above.
- Also, if you need to set a Static IP for the device, you will also need to use an external display screen. If you need to set up a Static IP, please contact InReality Support at support@inreality.com.
Wi-Fi Setup
- Attach a keyboard to the device, using an open USB port. With the InReality AVA application running, press ALT+TAB to exit to the device Home screen.
Note: ALT-TAB will toggle between the AVA App and the Home screen.
- At the Home screen, click the Settings button.
- Click on the Double Arrow icon at the top right of the screen.
- Select the desired WiFi network from the list of WiFI Networks.
- Enter the Wi-Fi network password and then press Connect.
- If the connection is successful, the Wi-Fi icon will replace the Double Arrow icon at the top right of the page. Then press the Close button at the top right of the page.
- On the Home page, click the PING button. If the device is connected to the network the status of the Gateway and Network will display OK, in green text as shown below. (The ping may fail due to firewall restrictions. If this is the case, it is okay as long as the devices still have an outbound connection.)
Camera Installation
Camera installation is important when gathering demographics information on your visitors. Face detection and classification is dependent on the proper height, angle and distance between the camera and your visitors. This section provides recommendations for camera placement and mounting, along with suggested locations in your venue for gathering useful data.
Camera placement in regards to the lighting and light sources is also important, and directly impacts the accuracy of the demographics data such as age, gender, attentiveness, etc.
5.1- Recommended Locations
Many factors will determine the best location for installing cameras. Your goals on gathering demographic data, visitor sentiment, and behavior will all determine the placement you choose. For best results, the camera should be placed at approximately 5.5-7 feet off the ground to get the best view of visitors’ faces. For digital signage implementations this can be on top, side, or bottom of the digital display (depending on location). The closer to the display that the visitor interacts with the display, it is best to aim for the lower end of the suggested height.
5.2- Camera Placement and Mounting
- When mounting a camera on or near a Digital Signage screen, ensure the camera is mounted at the recommended angle. The following example shows a direct fixture using dual lock fasteners for capturing visitor awareness front-facing shots. Using dual lock fasteners (e.g. velcro) to attach a camera to a screen or register, allows for testing and making adjustments, as well as easily moving the camera to a different location at a later date.
- Camera mounts can be used in countertop, shelf or tabletop installations, for capturing visitor awareness front-facing shots.
- Typically ceiling and wall mounted cameras are used for capturing audience overview shots, but may be used for capturing visitor awareness also.
5.3- Awareness Coverage Area
- Camera mounting height = 5-6ft / 1.8 meters
- Angle - <15 degrees tilt
5.4- Recommended Mounting Solutions
Click the following links to view or purchase camera mounts.
Testing & Viewing Camera Angle
During the camera installation, if you do not have an attached display screen to check the camera view and camera angle, the InReality Device Manager can be used.
6.1- Access the Device Manager
A cloud account will be provided for each user. You will be provided a User ID and Password. The same User ID and Password will be used for both the Device Manager and the Dashboard.
Access the Device Manager at: https://app.inreality.com/v3/admin/devices
Enter the provided User ID and Password.
6.2- Select the Device
The list of your devices will be displayed. Ensure the Status is green, showing it is connected.
Click on the camera icon, the second icon from left, as shown below.
6.3- Select the Camera
When you click the camera icon, the following menu is displayed. From the drop down menu, ensure USB Front Facing is selected. Then click REFRESH.
6.4- The Camera View
After several seconds, the current camera view will be displayed.
6.5- Additional Testing
To take additional shots for testing the angle and placement of the camera, click the REFRESH button at the bottom of the image. Press the CLOSE button to close the image.