Integrating Microsoft RMS with Security DVR

Hi. I have a GeoVision security DVR (CCTV system), and would like to integrate it with RMS POS. Specifically, I want to overlay all transaction information onto the recorded video everytime a transaction occurs.

The Geovision software apparently allows one to do this, provided some requirements are met:

  1. POS system outputs transaction information in text form. or
  2. POS system outputs in what they call "graphics mode" or
  3. POS system provides a receipt file that conforms to one of the following formats: ini, jnl, or txt.

I don't believe RMS does #3, so that leaves me with option #1 or option #2.

My question is, what does RMS do?

  1. If RMS outputs each transaction information in text form, then I can apparently buy a GeoVision capture device which can be placed between the computer and receipt printer. This device has a third output that goes to the GeoVisoin DVR (just a computer) that will record the transaction information over the video, without affecting the printing operation of the receipt printer.

  1. If RMS only sends its output in graphics mode, then my understanding is that need to buy some sort of RS-232 splitter that will replicate (split) the data going to receipt printer . One end will go to the receipt printer as per normal, the other goes to the DVR. This means the receipt printer must have a serial port interface (it doesn't right now). Again, the image data will be overlayed onto the video without affecting the printer operation.

I know RMS stores journal receipts as images (i'm assuming RAW bit-mapped images), but what about when RMS just wants to print to a regular OPOS printer, right after a transaction? Is it sent as text or graphics?

Also, could i do something like configuring RMS with a "fake" Pole Display (serial port), just so it can output data to the serial port which I can then connect with a crossover RS-232 cable directly to the GeoVision DVR? Does the output to the Pole Display just consist of text?

Basically, I'm lost in trying to figure this whole thing out, but I imagine it has to be possible since so many retail store use Microsoft RMS, and so many retail stores also use GeoVision security DVRs. Surely there must be many places that have tried to integrate the two together.

Reply to
SambaNoodles
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Reply to
Matt Hurst

There are a couple of concerns I have with that kind of solution:

  1. POS terminals need video card with TV-OUT port to provide the NTSC signal that the DVR requires as input. (not a major issue I suppose, since new cheap video cards can be purchased)

  1. May require extra camera so that management capture the information they want. Suppose a cashier Tenders a sale at the POS to a customer with some form of discount attached, *without actually offering the discount to the customer*. The customer pays the full amount in cash, and the cashier drops the discounted amount of cash into the cash drawer while pocketing the rest. How does one catch this? Management wants to see the data being entered at the POS as well as the physical actions of the cashier - *simultaneously*.

An Overlay solution will quickly help find these issues without the use of a second separate camera focused on the cashier.

  1. Suppose you want to search for video footage associated with all "VOID" transactions from a particular POS terminal. Since there is no text to work with in this solution DVR can't do this. Capturing text output from the POS sounds much better.

"Matt Hurst" wrote:

Reply to
SambaNoodles

You are on the right track with the Pole Display. I have not done this personally but have clients that contracted a Security company and they used the Pole Display to do a text overlay on the DVR.

Robert Armstrong RMS Systems Inc.

Reply to
rarmstrong

Reply to
Gill

We have worked in the past to create a DVR integration with March Networks Security, provided we can get specifics on the integration with GEO Vision, we may be able to make our software work with it as well. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at snipped-for-privacy@rite.us.

Reply to
Ryan

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