You can configure your Video Management System (VMS) to receive HTTPS generic events from third-party systems or the VMS itself. By using the REST API, you can send these events as standard HTTPS requests to trigger specific actions within the system.

This guide explains how to configure two event rules to automatically email a camera thumbnail when a specific event occurs (for example, when an input signal was triggered on a non-video device).

Overview of the workflow

To send a snapshot via email, you must set up two connected rules:

1. Rule 1 (The Trigger): Converts an incoming system event without video (like an I/O input) into an internal API call using an Internal HTTPS Request.

2. Rule 2 (The Action): Detects that API call as a Generic Event and sends the email notification with the attached camera thumbnail.

Step 1: Create the first event rule (Trigger)

This rule detects the initial event and translates it into an internal API call containing the camera ID.

1. Log in to the desktop client as an administrator.

2. Go to Main Menu > Site Administration > Event Rules.

3. Click Add to create a new rule.

4. In the When (Event) dropdown on the left, select your triggering event (for example, Input Signal on Device).

5. Select your source device.

6. In the Do Action dropdown on the right, select Internal HTTPS Request.

7. Enter the following Endpoint: /rest/v4/events/generic

8. In the Content field, enter a JSON payload containing a unique source name and the target deviceIds (from the camera required for the thumbnail).

   {
     "source": "InputTrigger",
     "deviceIds": [
       "27eaf5e3-a709-0d29-681a-f01fac2b6503"
     ]
   }

9. Click Apply.

Step 2: Create the second event rule (Email Action)

This rule listens for the generic event generated in Step 1 and triggers the email containing the snapshot.

1. Click Add to create another rule.

2. In the When  Event dropdown on the left, select Generic Event.

3. In the Source field, enter the exact source name you defined in the JSON content of the first rule
   (for this example, InputTrigger).

4. In the Do Action dropdown on the right, select Send email.

5. Select your target recipients and choose your preferred Interval of Action.

6. Click Apply.

Results: 

Before, when using one rule, to send the email directly after the trigger: 

After, when using two rules, to send the email after the second rule trigger, with the thumbnail:

The example thumbnail is blurred, but shows the expected layout.

Known limitations

• Single thumbnail limit: Emails can only include one thumbnail. If you add multiple IDs to the deviceIds array, the system only generates a thumbnail for the first device ID listed.

• Fixed resolution: Thumbnails have a fixed height of 480 pixels.