New Feature - IP Camera Streaming Auto-Start

Owned by Jeffrey Claybaugh (Deactivated)
Last updated: Feb 05, 2021
2 min read

Auto-Start is a new feature that will automatically start an IP camera stream for an event, based on the event's start time.

 

On enabling this feature, the stream will be automatically started when the event is within 10 minutes of its scheduled start time.

Enabling Auto-Start

The Auto-Start feature is enabled through the AuctionFrontier Admin website. From the main page, navigate to the 'Devices' section, then the IP Cameras tab.

 

Each camera will have a checkbox titled 'Auto-Start', which can be enabled and saved.

 

If a stream was started within 60 minutes of the scheduled start of the event, the stream will remain on and available throughout the event.

In addition, if a test stream was started prior to the 60 minute lead time of the event, but ends within that time range, the stream will remain on and available throughout the event.

Global IP Camera Auto-Stop

In addition to the Auto-Start feature, Auction Frontier will track all running IP Camera streams during the event, and a stop action (see below) will occur when any of the following conditions are met :

 

  • The event has been ended by the clerk (using the clerk UI).

 

  • The event has run for 60 minutes past the scheduled start time without any floor/online bids received.

 

  • The event has run more than 95% of its vehicles, and has not received any floor/online bids for 10 minutes.

 

  • The camera is being tested for an upcoming event, and has run longer than 90 minutes (see Testing IP Camera below).

 

  • The time is between 11:00pm - 2:00am (Pacific Time). This timeframe is used for archive and maintenance purposes.

Stop Action

A stop action is triggered when the above conditions are met. This action can be one of the following:

  1. Stop Stream Action

    1. This will shutdown the stream.

  2. Slack Notification Action

    1. A notification will be sent to a predetermined slack channel indicating to the channel that the stream needs to be shutdown.

Which action is being used is a global setting to the environment set by Auction Frontier staff.

Testing an IP Camera

Any IP Camera can be tested for connectivity by simply starting a stream using the usual Lane Controls screen. If determined to be a test stream, a confirmation dialog will be presented to the user which reminds them of the test stream’s maximum length. Test streams are allowed a maximum of 90 minutes before they are auto-stopped. A stream is considered a test stream if:

 

  • It is not a sale day for the lane (no events starting that day for Lane X)

 

  • It is a sale day, but the stream was started more than 150 minutes prior to the start of the event.

 

If a stream was started within 150 minutes of the scheduled start of the event, the stream will remain on and available throughout the event.

In addition, if a test stream was started prior to the 60 minute lead time of the event, but ends within that time range, the stream will remain on and available throughout the event.