The Photo by Scenario function allows you to create a scenario for motion detectors of the MotionCam line up, according to which they will take pictures when other Ajax devices trigger. With this function, you can check the cause of the fire alarm and find out the situation at the protected facility.
The ability to take photos by scenario appears in Ajax security systems with OS Malevich 2.13 update.
The function is available for detectors supporting Photo by Scenario and Photo on Demand options. Such detectors have (PhOD) in their names.
Devices supporting the Photo by Scenario function
Detectors with photo verification:
- MotionCam (PhOD) Jeweller
- MotionCam (PhOD) Fibra
- MotionCam Outdoor (PhOD) Jeweller
Other detectors do not support the Photo on Scenario function.
Hubs with OS Malevich 2.13 firmware version:
- Hub 2 (2G)
- Hub 2 (4G)
- Hub 2 Plus
- Hub Hybrid (2G)
- Hub Hybrid (4G)
Versions of apps supporting the Photo by Scenario function
- Ajax version 2.20.1 and higher (for iOS)
- Ajax version 2.23.1 and higher (for Android)
- Ajax PRO version 1.14.1 and higher (for iOS)
- Ajax PRO version 1.14.1 and higher (for Android)
- Ajax PRO Desktop version 3.2.93 and higher (for macOS)
- Ajax PRO Desktop version 3.2.93 and higher (for Windows)
Privacy settings
OS Malevich 2.13 adds a new user right: managing privacy settings (hub settings, Privacy menu).
Two types of system users can manage privacy settings:
- Users with administrator rights (by default).
- Users without administrator rights, if they were granted such a right.
By default, the Photo by Scenario function is disabled for all detectors. A user with access to privacy settings can enable this function. Users of PRO apps cannot manage the privacy settings but can grant the right to any user of the system.
Access to photos by scenario
Photos by scenario are available to all users of the system with access to the events feed. The event of a photo in case of the Ajax devices alarm is sent to the security company monitoring station via SIA (DC-09) and other proprietary protocols. The event code is 730.
The photos taken by scenario are available to the CMS engineers if the CMS software supports photo verification. Photos by scenario are also available in the PRO Desktop app.
Photos by scenario will not be sent to the CMS if only a direct connection with the monitoring station of the security company is used.
How to enable the Photo by Scenario function
A user with access to privacy settings can enable the Photo by Scenario function.
To do this, in the Ajax app:
- Select the facility if you have several of them.
- Go to the Devices
tab and select a hub.
- Click on the gear icon
to go to the hub Settings.
- Select the Privacy menu and enable the Allow Photos by Scenario option.
- Click Back to save the settings.
How to set up a scenario for taking photos in case of the Ajax devices trigger
Any user or PRO with system configuration rights can create and configure a scenario.
In order to do so:
- In the Ajax app, select the facility if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO app.
- Go to the Devices
tab and select a detector with photo verification.
- Click on the gear icon
in the upper right corner of the screen to go to the detector Settings.
- Select the Scenarios menu from the list.
- Select the Ajax devices and the types of alarms for which the detectors will take photos:
- Click Next.
- Specify:
- Name of the scenario.
- The number of devices that start the scenario (the parameter is available if there are two or more Ajax fire detectors in the system).
– Any — the scenario will run if at least one device triggers.
– All selected — the scenario will run if all the selected devices trigger. - Triggering time for all devices (the parameter is available if in the Devices triggering the scenario block, All selected option is specified).
To start the scenario, all selected devices should alarm within the specified time. If the devices don’t raise an alarm within a specified time, the timer will reset, and the scenario will not run.
- When the detector can take photos: always or when it is in the armed mode. The option is only available to the users with the right to control privacy settings. By default, the detector takes photos by scenario only in the armed mode.
- Click Save. The scenario will appear in the list of device scenarios.
The scenario will not be executed if the Allow Photos by Scenario option is disabled in the privacy settings (hub settings, Privacy menu).
To delete or edit a scenario, click on it in the list. You can also disable the scenario: its settings will be saved, but it will not start if the device triggers. To do this, use a toggle next to the scenario name.
Temporarily disabled (PhOD) detectors cannot take photos by scenario, and temporarily disabled fire detectors do not trigger the scenario for taking photos.
How to set the resolution and number of images when taking photos by scenario
The user or PRO with system configuration rights can set the resolution, as well as the number of photos.
To do this, in the Ajax app:
- Select the facility if you have several of them.
- Go to the Devices
tab and select the required detector with photo verification.
- Click on the gear icon
to go to the detector Settings.
- Determine the number of photos in case of an alarm (the specified number of photos will be taken by the detector in case of motion alarms).
- Define the photo resolution (the specified resolution will also be used in case of motion alarms).
- Click Back to apply the settings.
- Repeat steps 2–6 for other detectors for which you want to adjust the resolution and number of photos.
Delivery speed for photos by scenario
Photo delivery time from MotionCam Outdoor (PhOD) Jeweller detectors
Resolution | Delivery time |
320 × 176 (default) | Up to 9 seconds |
640 × 352 | Up to 20 seconds |
Photo delivery time from MotionCam (PhOD) Jeweller detectors
Resolution | Delivery time |
160 × 120 | Up to 7 seconds |
320 × 240 (default) | Up to 9 seconds |
640 × 480 | Up to 20 seconds |
Photo delivery time from MotionCam (PhOD) Fibra detectors
Resolution | Delivery time |
160 × 120 | TBC |
320 × 240 (default) | TBC |
640 × 480 | TBC |
The tables show the delivery time of one image at a signal strength of 2–3 bars between the detector and the hub or range extender. The hub is connected to the Internet via Ethernet or 4G (LTE). The delivery time when the detector is connected via a range extender is available at the link.
How to view photos by scenario
Photos by scenario are taken and sent to Ajax apps automatically: as soon as the selected devices detect an alarm. Pictures are taken within 3 seconds after an alarm is detected.
System users who have push notifications about the events enabled will receive photo notifications.
Photos by scenario are available to all users of the system with access to the events feed. As soon as the picture is available for viewing, a corresponding notification will appear in the events feed. An eye icon with a delivered images counter is displayed opposite the notification. To view the photos, click the notification.
Additional features and useful links
Detectors with (PhOD) in the name can also take photos on demand.
The product line of the Ajax security system also includes detectors with photo verification, which cannot take photos on demand or by scenario.
You can learn more about the features of photo verification in the Ajax security system by this link
Cameras and DVRs can be connected to the Ajax security system. Fast integration with Dahua, Hikvision, Safire, Uniview, and EZVIZ brands is supported. Connection of third-party cameras and DVRs can be implemented using RTSP.