17  Package & Envelope Detection

The package and envelope detection feature allows you to create a bounding box within the camera’s field-of-view to notify you of package/envelope deliveries or pick-ups. This feature is used to detect and record mail, boxes, a courier, or a mail truck. Upon detection, the camera begins recording and will have an exact update on the event.
Package and envelope detection is compatible with certain Lorex IP cameras. For a complete list of compatible cameras, navigate to your recorder series at .

17.1  Ensuring Package & Envelope Detection Accuracy

The following are important camera installation notes to ensure accurate package and envelope detection. For full camera mounting instructions, see your camera’s documentation at .
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Angle
Height
Minimum Distance
Maximum Distance
15°
8.2–11.5ft (2.5 — 3.5m)
6.8ft (2.1m)
9.1ft (2.8m)
The image below is a good example of camera placement, angle, and height for your camera to detect packages/envelopes. This view captures the path leading up to the door and the door stoop, where packages/envelopes are typically dropped-off. Note that there are no obstructions between the camera and the bounding box; monitoring a simple environment with a clear view ensures accurate detection and minimizes false alerts.
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17.2  Enable Package & Envelope Detection in Smart Plan

For certain Lorex IP cameras, the package and envelope detection feature cannot be used simultaneously with other smart plans and is disabled by default. If a Smart Plan is not enabled properly on your camera, the Package/Envelope Detection feature will not work. Please make sure to enable the Package/Envelope feature before continuing.
To enable package and envelope detection in smart plan settings:
  1. From the Live View display, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Main Menu.
  2. Click EVENTS. Click the Event Settings tab from the side panel, then the Smart Plan tab from the drop-down.
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  3. Select a compatible camera that you would like to configure for package and envelope detection.
  4. Select the Package/Envelope Detection feature icon.
  5. Click Apply to save changes.

17.3  Configuring Package & Envelope Detection

The system allows you to define an area and set a period to detect packages/envelopes that are either left behind or missing. Select channels that you want to enable package/envelope detection on and adjust preferences.
To configure package and envelope detection:
  1. From the Live View display, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Main Menu.
  2. Click EVENTS. Click the Event Settings from the side panel, then the Package/Envelop Detection tab from the drop-down.
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  3. Select a compatible camera.
  4. Check to enable the package/envelope detection rules that you want to use.
  5. Set a name for the rule by double-clicking the mouse over the Name of the rule.
  6. Select between Package Left Behind or Package Missing detection types.
  7. Click the Draw icon icon and customize the active area for package/envelope detection:
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    • To draw, click-and-drag the corners of the yellow box to resize the area. For most accurate results, set an area where objects of interest will move within the bounding box as well as into/out of.
    • Under Min Duration, type in the number of seconds before the device triggers an event.
    • Click OK when finished.
  8. Click the trigger modifying icon icon to adjust how the system will react to package/envelope detection.
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  9. Click Setting next to Schedule to choose which days and times of the week to enable package/envelope detection:
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    • Click or click-and-drag along each of the blue timelines to quickly add or remove time from each day’s schedule in 30–minute segments.
    • Click icon beside 2 or more days to link schedules (icon ). This allows you to quickly change multiple schedules at once.
    • To make fine adjustments to a schedule, click icon . This will allow you to set exact start and end times for a schedule.
  10. Choose how the system will react to package/envelope detection:
    • Send Email: Check to enable email alerts. You must configure email alerts before you will be able to receive them (see 21.5.3 Configuring Email Alerts ).
    • Record Channel: Select the channels that will record when motion is detected on the selected channel. Set the length of recording following a video loss event in the Post-Record field.
    • PTZ Linkage: Set connected PTZ cameras to start a tour, pattern, or go to a preset location.
    • Sequence: Sequence mode will begin. Select the numbered tiles next to this option to include the corresponding channels in the sequence.
    • Picture Storage: Check the box to save a snapshot of the corresponding channels.
    • Buzzer: Check to enable the system buzzer.
  11. Click OK, click OK again.
  12. Click Apply to save changes.
  13. Click Add to create additional active areas for package/envelope detection on the selected channel.
  14. To delete a package/envelope detection rule, click the Delete icon icon for that rule.

17.4  Searching for Package & Envelope Detection (Smart Search)

Search for package/envelope events on a specific channel or the entire system. You can also choose to back up events (USB flash drive required – not included).
    To perform a Smart Search:
  1. From the Live View display, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Smart Search.
  2. Click the Package/Envelope Detection tab from the side panel.
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  3. Select a channel to search for detection events from, or select All.
  4. Select the period for your search, then enter a start and end time.
  5. Select the type of package/envelope detection for your search, or select All.
  6. Click Search.
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  7. Events that match your search criteria are displayed. You now have the following options:
    • Click a thumbnail to preview the event. Double-click the preview window to view in full screen.
    • Check thumbnails to perform other actions:
      • Backup: Back up events.
      • Lock: Lock events.
      • Add Book Mark: Bookmark events.
      • Delete: Delete events.