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Web Terminal

The serial port on MOBOTIX cameras can't just be used for modem/GSM/GPRS communication, it also supports other tasks:

  • IO mode: using the port signals as input and output signals,
  • Terminal mode: a relay station between the browser and the RS232 port,
  • Logging mode: for saving incoming data.

In the latter two modes the MOBOTIX cameras provide an integrated web terminal which establishes a connection from the user's browser to the serial port on the camera via the network. The camera acts as a relay station between the device (such as a PLC or a phone system) at the serial port and the browser.

Since the web terminal picks up all incoming ASCII characters and saves them in a ring buffer (max. 100 kB), the camera can also be used as RS232 data logger. This is a very easy way to remotely control and monitor all kinds of machines, heating systems, phone systems and other devices with a serial interface via the LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

Screenshot

In both modes the camera can insert a time stamp before every line of text that it receives. There are three ways of updating the terminal display:

  • HTML: The entire browser page is output with the new text in a user-definable timeframe. This function is compatible with all browsers.
  • Direct: The characters received are entered directly into the screen pane without the need to reload the browser page. The refresh rate at which the browser requests the camera for new data can be set flexibly. In this mode the user can browse through the ring buffer using the buttons on the left of the screen.
  • Text: The incoming text is displayed as an HTML text box with a scroll bar without an automatic refresh function.