Vista Camera application meets the growing demand for image capturing and further expands the offerings of our Vista product. The application is designed to be user-friendly and compact. In this blog post, we will provide a general overview of how to use the Vista Camera application.
Getting started with the app
The application is available for free download from the Google Play store. However, using it requires an Autori Vista account. You can log in using your existing account credentials.
Once signed in the application, you need to select the project to which the recorded material will be added from the Settings tab. Projects can be managed within Vista. Additionally, in the settings, you can specify whether videos are automatically approved and if recording should start when the application is opened.
Automatic image approval
To ensure that the images appear in the Vista map view, they must first be approved. Typically, images are reviewed in a preferred manner before approval, but sometimes it is desirable for the images to automatically appear on the map, making it easier to take any necessary follow-up actions based on them. Automatic image approval is designed to smoothen the workflow by ensuring that images captured by the Vista Camera application are immediately available for use without the need for manual intervention. This functionality is particularly useful in scenarios where rapid access to visual data is crucial, such as in near-real-time monitoring or urgent decision-making processes. By enabling automatic approval, users can bypass the traditional review process, allowing images to be instantly uploaded to the designated project within the Vista system. Automatic approval can be configured to suit specific project needs, ensuring that the images are ready for immediate analysis, reporting, or integration with other tools and services connected to Vista.
Images are uploaded to the selected project in Vista during recording, so automatic approval may be necessary when immediate availability elsewhere is desired. Post-processing of images typically includes:
- Editing image data
- Previewing images
- Reviewing the first and last images (if recording starts and ends in unnecessary locations)
- Deleting individual images
- Approving or rejecting the video
Properly added images will appear in the Vista map view (see image 4), and various actions can be taken based on them. If Vista is connected to the Field Tools service, tasks such as work orders can be created from the images.
Image 4. Vista and the Vista Camera application.
Using the Vista Camera application in a vehicle
The application is currently available for Android devices. It is suitable for use with a phone mount placed on the windshield. It's advisable to test the mount's position with the Vista Camera application's camera view to identify any obstructions in the image and find the optimal location for the mount, ensuring it is conveniently out of the driver's line of sight and does not obstruct the view of the road.
In the camera view, there is a record button that starts recording when pressed. Recording continues until the button is pressed again to stop. This makes recording very easy and intuitive, as the user does not need to worry about complex settings or procedures. The recorded material is automatically sent to Vista in five (5) minute intervals. In the Vista map view, images can be browsed as continuous segments from the recorded location.
Image 5. The Vista Camera application recording the road on a smartphone mounted on a car windshield. The phone mount in the image is a Ram Mount with X-Grip.
Continuous image capturing as part of road and street maintenance
Explore with us the benefits of image capturing and its application in road and street maintenance and other contracts. It provides a comprehensive and accurate view of road conditions, which is essential for maintenance, planning, and improving safety. This technology allows for monitoring road conditions, identifying problem areas, and taking swift necessary actions. Additionally, continuous image capturing enables precise documentation and reporting, facilitating decision-making and resource allocation.
If you are not yet a Vista user, we would be happy to demonstrate its functionality and the Vista Camera application. Schedule a time at www.autori.io/book-a-demo so we can discuss further, or contact us by filling out the contact form.