How to Set Up and Manage Allowlist/Blocklist on Your Smart ANPR Camera
Use Allowlist and Blocklist to control vehicle access based on recognized license plates.
Your Smart ANPR Camera does more than just read license plates; it can act as a gatekeeper using its Allowlist and Blocklist features. The Allowlist grants access (e.g., opens a barrier) to authorized vehicles, while the Blocklist can trigger alarms or deny entry for specific plates. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to effectively add, import, export, and manage entries in both lists directly through the camera’s web interface, enabling powerful automated access control for your premises.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
- Initialized Smart ANPR Camera: Accessible on the network.
- Computer (PC/Laptop): Connected to the same network.
- Web Browser: Compatible browser.
- Login Credentials: Username (‘admin’) and password.
- List of License Plates: The plates you intend to add to either list (can be entered manually or prepared in a file for import).
Before You Begin
Ensure the following:
- You are logged into the Smart ANPR Camera’s web interface as an administrator.
- The camera’s ANPR function is generally configured and recognizing plates (e.g., via the Wizard or manual setup).
- If intending to control a physical barrier, ensure the Barrier Control settings (Section 2.5.1.6) are configured appropriately (e.g., “Open barrier by allowlist”). This guide focuses on list management; barrier integration is a related but separate configuration step.
Important: The camera can store a large number of records (e.g., up to 110,000 as mentioned in the manual). Managing large lists is best done via the import/export feature using the template file.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Navigate to Allowlist/Blocklist Settings
Access the list management page via the Setting menu.
Once logged into the web interface:
- Click the Setting tab.
- In the left-hand menu, expand the ANPR section.
- Click on Vehicle Blocklist/Allowlist.
- Select either the Allowlist or Blocklist sub-tab depending on which list you want to manage. The interface and procedures are very similar for both. This guide will use Allowlist as the primary example.
Step 2: Add a Single Plate Entry Manually
Use the ‘Add’ button to manually enter details for one license plate.
To add one vehicle plate to the list:
- On the Allowlist (or Blocklist) page, click the Add button.
- A pop-up window will appear. Fill in the required information:
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- Plate No.: Enter the exact license plate number.
- Owner Name (Optional): Enter the owner’s name or identifier.
- Start Time / End Time (Optional): Define a validity period for this entry. Leave blank or set far in the future for permanent access.
- Status: Usually ‘Active’ by default.
-
- Click OK to add the single entry.
- To add more entries one by one, click Add More (if available) or repeat from step 2.1.
- After adding all desired single entries, click Save on the main Allowlist/Blocklist page (if required by the interface) or the entries might be saved automatically upon clicking OK in the pop-up.
Tip: Use the ‘Search’ function on the main list page (Fig 2-30) to quickly check if a plate already exists before adding it.
Step 3: Prepare a File for Bulk Import
Download the import template file to format your bulk plate list correctly.
For adding many plates, using the import function is much faster.
- On the Allowlist (or Blocklist) page, click the Browse button (this button often handles both import and export functions).
- An import/export pop-up window will appear (similar to Fig 2-31).
- Click the Download button within this pop-up. This downloads the template file (usually an Excel or CSV file).
- Save the template file to your computer.
- Open the downloaded template file using compatible software (like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets).
- Fill in the template with your list of license plates and any other relevant details (Owner Name, Start/End Times etc.), following the format shown in the template’s header row. Each row represents one vehicle entry.
- Save the completed template file on your computer.
Warning: Adhere strictly to the template format. Incorrect formatting will cause the import to fail.
Step 4: Import the Bulk Plate List File
Select your completed template file and upload it to the camera.
Once your list file is prepared:
- Go back to the Allowlist/Blocklist page in the camera’s web interface.
- Click the Browse button again to open the import/export pop-up.
- Click the Browse button *within* the pop-up (next to the ‘Path’ or ‘File’ field).
- Navigate to and select the template file you filled in and saved in Step 3. Click Open.
- The file path should now appear in the pop-up window.
- Click Import or OK (button label may vary) to upload the file and import the entries.
- The system will process the file. Wait for a confirmation message. The new entries should now appear in the main list on the Allowlist/Blocklist page.
Tip: Import large files during periods of low camera activity if possible. The process might take some time depending on the number of entries.
Step 5: Configure Fuzzy Matching (Optional)
Enable and configure Fuzzy Matching to allow for minor variations in plate reads.
Fuzzy Matching helps the system grant access even if the recognized plate has minor errors (e.g., due to dirt, angle, similar characters like O/0, I/1).
- On the Allowlist (or Blocklist) page, locate the Fuzzy Matching section (usually at the bottom, see Fig 2-30).
- Check the box to enable Fuzzy Matching.
- Configure the specific rules based on your needs:
- Allow missing first/last character.
- Allow extra character at ends.
- Allow a certain number of misread characters.
- Allow matching of similar characters (e.g., O/0, I/1, S/5).
- Click Save to apply the Fuzzy Matching settings.
Important: While Fuzzy Matching increases convenience, it slightly reduces security. Configure it carefully based on the expected plate conditions and required security level. The option to allow misreading characters is enabled by default in the manual’s example.
Step 6: Manage Existing Entries (Search, Edit, Delete, Export)
Use the interface tools to search, modify, remove, or back up your list entries.
Regularly manage your lists:
- Search: Enter a full or partial plate number in the “Search for plate nu…” field and click Search to find specific entries.
- Edit: Click the Edit icon (often a pencil symbol) next to an entry to modify its details (Plate No., Owner, Time, etc.). Click OK to save changes.
- Delete Single: Click the Delete icon (often a trash can symbol) next to an entry to remove it. Confirm the deletion.
- Delete Multiple (Clear All): Use the ‘Clear All’ button (if available, confirm carefully!) or ‘Clear Expired Data’ to remove entries whose validity period has passed.
- Export: Click the Export button (often accessed via the ‘Browse’ pop-up) to download the current list as a file, serving as a backup or for transfer. You might be prompted to choose whether to encrypt the export.
Before: Vehicle on Blocklist is denied access.
After: Vehicle on Allowlist is granted access.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Bulk import fails or imports incorrect data.
Solution:
- Double-check the imported file format. Ensure it strictly matches the downloaded template structure (columns, headers).
- Verify the file is saved in the correct format (e.g., CSV or the specific Excel version supported).
- Check for any special characters or formatting issues within the plate numbers or other fields that might conflict with the system.
- Ensure plate numbers are unique if required by the system.
- Try importing a smaller batch (e.g., 10-20 entries) first to see if it works.
Problem: Allowlist entry doesn’t grant access / Blocklist entry doesn’t trigger alarm.
Solution:
- Verify the plate number was entered correctly in the list. Check for typos (O vs 0, I vs 1).
- Check the Start/End Time for the entry; ensure it’s currently valid.
- Check the Status of the entry; ensure it’s ‘Active’.
- Review Fuzzy Matching settings (Step 5). If disabled, the recognized plate must match exactly. If enabled, ensure the variation is within the allowed tolerance.
- Confirm Barrier Control settings (Section 2.5.1.6) are correctly linked to the Allowlist (e.g., “Open barrier by allowlist” is enabled).
- Confirm alarm linkage settings (Section 2.5.4) are configured if expecting a Blocklist alarm.
- Check the live ANPR recognition; is the camera reading the plate correctly in the first place?
Problem: Cannot delete the default ‘admin’ or ‘user’ group/user.
Solution:
- This is by design. Default system accounts/groups usually cannot be deleted for system integrity. You can typically modify their permissions or add/delete custom users and groups (Manual Sections 2.5.6.2.1, 2.5.6.2.2).
Pro Tips
- Regular Backups: Use the ‘Export’ function periodically to back up your Allowlist and Blocklist, especially if they are large and frequently updated.
- Use Validity Dates: For temporary access (visitors, contractors), utilize the Start Time and End Time fields. Use ‘Clear Expired Data’ regularly to keep lists clean.
- Combine with Barrier Logic: Explore the full Barrier Control settings (Section 2.5.1.6). You can often combine conditions (e.g., Allowlist + Command) for more flexible access rules.
- Naming Convention: Use the ‘Owner Name’ field consistently (e.g., Apartment Number, Employee ID) for easier searching and management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the Allowlist and Blocklist?
The Allowlist contains license plates that are authorized for access. When a plate on this list is detected, the camera typically triggers a positive action (like opening a barrier if configured). The Blocklist contains plates that are unauthorized or flagged. Detecting a plate on this list usually triggers an alarm or prevents access.
Q: How many license plates can I add to the lists?
The manual mentions the camera can support up to 110,000 records for Allowlist and Blocklist combined (Section 2.5.1.5.1, 2.5.1.5.2).
Q: What is Fuzzy Matching used for?
Fuzzy Matching allows the system to successfully match a recognized license plate to a list entry even if there are minor differences or errors in the reading (e.g., missing a character, mistaking ‘O’ for ‘0’). This increases the chance of granting access to authorized vehicles under imperfect conditions but slightly lowers security strictness.
Q: Can I schedule when an Allowlist entry is active?
Yes, when adding or editing an entry, you can specify a Start Time and End Time to define the period during which the entry is valid and active.
Q: How do I import a large list of plates quickly?
Use the bulk import feature. Navigate to the Allowlist/Blocklist page, click ‘Browse’, then ‘Download’ to get the template file. Fill the template with your plate data using software like Excel, save it, then use the ‘Browse’ button in the pop-up again to select your file and click ‘Import’/’OK’.
Conclusion
Effectively managing the Allowlist and Blocklist on your Smart ANPR Camera unlocks powerful automated vehicle access control. By following these steps, you can easily add individual plates or import large lists, configure fuzzy matching for reliability, and maintain your lists over time. This allows you to precisely control which vehicles are granted access or trigger alerts on your property.