Bosch LTC 8059-00 User Manual

Allegiant Master Control Software

v 2.90

LTC 8059/00

en Instruction Manual

Master Control Software Table of Contents | en iii

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Unpacking 1

1.2 Parts List 1

1.3 Customer Service 1

2 Description 2

3 Getting Started 2

3.1 LTC 8059 README FILE 2

3.2 Minimum System Requirements 2

3.3 Compatibility Information 3

4 Installation Instructions 3

4.1 Installation Summary 3

4.2 The Security Key 3

4.3 The Console Interface Cable 4

4.4 Upgrading an Existing Allegiant System 4

4.5 Installing the Software 5

4.6 Updating CPU Firmware 5

5 Running the Master Control Software (MCS) 6

5.1 General 6

5.2 Modifying a User Profile 6

5.3 Getting Help 7

5.4 Going On-line 8

5.5 Master Control Software Menu Commands 10

5.5.1 File Menu 10

5.5.2 Edit Menu 10

5.5.3 View Menu 11

5.5.4 Transfer Menu 11

5.5.5 On-line Menu 12

5.5.6 Window Menu 13

5.5.7 Help Menu 13

5.6 Editing Tables 13

5.6.1 Editing Cells 14

5.6.2 Selecting Multiple Cells 14

5.6.3 Editing Multiple Cells 15

5.6.4 Row and Column Resizing 15

5.6.5 Table Buttons 15

5.7 Configuration Tables 15

5.7.1 Camera Table 16

5.7.2 Monitor Table 20

5.7.3 Alarm Tables 21

5.7.4 User Table 32

5.7.5 Sequence Table 35

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iv en | Table of Contents Master Control Software

5.7.6 Lock Out Tables 37

5.7.7 Time Event Table 38

5.7.8 Keyboard Table 40

5.7.9 Parameters Table 41

5.7.10 Command Script Table 47

5.8 Bilinx Actions Table 51

5.9 Data Transfers 52

6 Allegiant System Status Application 52

6.1 The System Status Application Menu 52

6.2 The System Logging Options Dialog 53

6.3 The System Status Displays 53

6.3.1 The ALARM Status Display 54

6.3.2 The KEYBOARD Status Display 54

6.3.3 The MONITOR Status Display 54

6.3.4 The VIDEO LOSS Status Display 55

6.3.5 EVENT LOG Status Display 55

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Allegiant Master Control Software Introduction | en 1

1 Introduction

1.1 Unpacking

This product should be unpacked and handled with care. If an item appears to have been
damaged in shipment, notify the shipper immediately.
Verify that all the parts listed in the Parts List below are included. If any items are missing,
notify your Bosch Security Systems Sales or Customer Service Representative.

1.2 Parts List

The following table lists the parts included:
– LTC 8059/00 User Manual (this book)
– CD-ROM
– USB Software security key
– PC to system interface cable

1.3 Customer Service

If this unit needs service, contact the nearest Bosch Security Systems Service Center for
authorization to return and shipping instructions.

Service Centers
USA
Repair Center

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Customer Service

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] or 717-735-6560
E-mail: [e-mail]

Canada

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Europe, Middle East, Africa Region
Repair Center

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Asia Region
Repair Center

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Customer Service

Telephone: [phone] or
86 (0) 756 7633121
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Warranty and more information

For additional information and warranty queries, please contact your Bosch Security Systems

representative or visit our website at www.boschsecurity.com.

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2 en | Description Allegiant Master Control Software

2 Description

The LTC 8059/00 brings the familiarity of the personal computer to those who supervise
closed circuit television systems. Running on a Microsoft® Windows-based compatible
computer, this software is the human interface that makes it quick and easy to configure an
entire Allegiant system.
With the Master Control Software (MCS), users can program camera sequences, set and
change an Allegiant’s system parameters, lock cameras, monitors, remotes and keyboards
from certain users, select 6-digit Camera ID operating mode, and perform many other system
control features. Users can also view system activity with real time monitoring of the system
status. The Master Control Software communicates with the Allegiant system through an RS­232 interface.
NOTE: This manual may use LTC 8x00 as a generic designation for any Allegiant system. In
practice, the x should be replaced with the appropriate digit, for example, LTC 8300, LTC

8500, or LTC 8800.

3 Getting Started

3.1 LTC 8059 README FILE

Occasionally, changes or variations are made to the Master Control Software that may not be
reflected in this manual. These changes are described in the LTC 8059 README file. This file
should be read whenever a new version of the LTC 8059 is installed. There is an icon for the
README file in the LTC 8059 start menu group.

3.2 Minimum System Requirements

Before using the Master Control Software, make sure that the host computer meets the
following minimum system requirements:
– Microsoft Windows® operating system:

– Windows NT (Service Pack 6a or greater)
– Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4 or greater)

– Windows XP Professional
– Intel® Pentium® 233MHz CPU (or greater)
– 16 MB RAM (Windows 98 or ME)
– 32 MB RAM (Windows NT or 2000)
– 128 MB RAM (Windows XP)
–250 MB hard drive space
– CD-ROM drive
–Ports required:

– 1 USB port (for software security dongle device)

– 1 Serial port for system communication (additional serial ports required for multiple

systems)
– SVGA (or compatible) display
– Mouse or trackball

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Allegiant Master Control Software Installation Instructions | en 3

3.3 Compatibility Information

Allegiant CPU hardware purchased at the same time as this software should be directly
compatible. Allegiant CPUs sold after 1996 can be made compatible by upgrading their
firmware using files supplied with this software package. Very old Allegiant systems sold
before 1996 are not compatible unless their CPU module has been upgraded to a more recent
version.
To determine which version of CPU firmware is compatible with your version of the Master
Control Software, please see the table below. If you need to check your CPU firmware version
number, use User Keyboard Function 23 from an operating Allegiant system keyboard. The
revision number of the CPU will be displayed on the monitor text overlay in the format “x.xx”,
where x.xx specifies the firmware version. If an ERR 15 appears, it means that this user
feature is not supported. If the user feature is not supported, this automatically indicates that
the CPU is not compatible with Windows based Master Control Software because it is too old.
The table below shows the various Master Control Software versions and the compatible
version of CPU firmware:

MCS Version Compatible CPU Firmware MCS Release Date

2.90 8.6x 8.7x, 10.01, 10.03, 10.04 March 2009

2.80 8.6x 8.7x, 10.01, 10.03 June 2006

2.72 8.6 July 2004

2.70 8.5, 8.6 May 2004

2.60 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 June 2000

2.50 8.0 June 1999

2.41 7.6, 7.8 March 1999

2.40 7.6, 7.7 October 1998
None All firmware less than 7.7 (Not applicable)

Tab le 3. 1 Master Control Software Compatibility

If the Allegiant firmware revision is less than that specified above, it will not be compatible

with this version of Allegiant PC based software.

4 Installation Instructions

This section provides instructions to install a new installation or to upgrade an existing
version of the Master Control Software.

4.1 Installation Summary

1. Upload and save current user configuration settings, if upgrading an existing system.

2. Install LTC 8059/00 Master Control Software.

3. If necessary, update CPU firmware.

4.2 The Security Key

Before the program will run on the host computer, the hardware security key must be
connected to a USB port of the computer. If needed, locate this port with the help of the
hardware manual that comes with the host computer.
In the event the security manager does not wish other people to gain access to the Master
Control Software, the key may be removed and locked for safekeeping. The Master Control
Software will not go On-Line and system data transfers cannot be made without this device
connected, but all other functions operate fully in a Demo mode.

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4 en | Installation Instructions Allegiant Master Control Software

4.3 The Console Interface Cable

For functions that require communication between the Master Control Software and the main
Allegiant system, the supplied LTC 8506/00 interface cable must be used to connect the host
computer to the Allegiant main bay. Attach the 9-pin connector on the supplied cable to the
port labeled CONSOLE on the rear of the Allegiant main bay. Plug the 9-pin connector on the
other end of the cable into an available serial port on the host computer (PC). This port might
be labeled COM1 or COM2. In order for serial communications to operate properly, the PC
and the Allegiant system must use the same communication parameters. For reference, the
cable pinouts are as follows:

9-pin Male

(Allegiant Side)

1Chassis GND None
2 Receive Data 3
3 Transmit Data 2
4CTS 1
5RTS 8
6 No Connection None
7 Data GND 5
8 No Connection None
9 No Connection None

Tab le 4. 1 LTC 8059/00 Cable Pinouts

Allegiant

Designation

9-pin Female

(PC side)

(jumper pins 4 and 6)
(jumper pins 1 and 7)

4.4 Upgrading an Existing Allegiant System

Step 1: Upload and save your existing system settings.

Run your existing version of the Allegiant Master Control Software, and Upload all
configuration tables. Next, save the Allegiant configuration file on your PC. Remember the file
name because you will want to load up the same file later after the Master Control Software

has been updated.

Step 2: Uninstall your existing Allegiant software version.

It is important to uninstall your old version of Allegiant software before attempting to install a
newer version. Using the ‘Add/Remove Programs’ feature found in the Windows Control
Panel, locate the Allegiant software. Click the button to remove it.
Uninstalling the Allegiant software does not delete any user programmed configuration files.
You can find the files in their original location based on the options when you first installed
the old Allegiant software.
For now, you can leave these files alone, but later you may want to move them to the new
default folder location used by the new version of Allegiant software.

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Allegiant Master Control Software Installation Instructions | en 5

i

4.5 Installing the Software

NOTICE! Only users with administrator rights are able to install the Allegiant software. Please

make sure you are logged into Windows with administrator level rights before continuing.

The Allegiant software is shipped on CD-ROM. Insert the CD and wait for the installation
dialog box to automatically appear. If the installation dialog box does not appear, you can
manually browse the CD and run Setup.exe. It would be wise to exit all other applications
before running the setup program.
The setup program will create an LTC 8059 program group with the following items: the
Allegiant Master Control Software, Allegiant Network Host, MCS Translator and other
programs you need to completely configure an Allegiant system.
For LTC 8900 systems, there are several files included which relate to the LTC 8943 System
Controller PC (8900READ.WRI), the LTC 8944, the LTC 8945 Network Hubs (894XREAD.WRI),
and the BRASS Agent software for the PC (BRASSAGN.WRI). These files are for reference
only. All configurations described in these files have been performed at the factory.
If you have upgraded an older version of the Allegiant software, you may want to move your
original Allegiant configuration files from the old default directory location to the new default
directory, shown below:

C:\Program Files\Bosch Security Systems\Allegiant MCS\

4.6 Updating CPU Firmware

If you determined in the earlier section that your existing CPU firmware is not compatible with
the version of Allegiant software being installed, you will need to update the CPU firmware. If
your CPU firmware is compatible, skip this section.
If upgrading the firmware in an Allegiant LTC 8900 series system, please download the special
instructions from the Allegiant Software Updates Web Site. The special instructions allow you
the option of minimizing system down time during the firmware update process.
NOTE: When Allegiant CPU firmware is updated, the user configuration data in the Allegiant
system is cleared. If you did not save your configuration settings using the Master Control
Software as described in the previous section, you should manually write down any
programming information so it can be reentered later. The CPU is out of service for about 10­15 minutes.

Step 1: Connect the supplied Console cable.

Connect the console cable (or a user supplied cable with the correct pin-out) from an
available serial port on your PC to the Allegiant’s Console port (if you already have a console
cable connected, you can skip this step).

Step 2: Run the Allegiant Firmware Downloader utility program.

The Allegiant CPU firmware is upgraded by running a program that downloads new operating
firmware into the Allegiant through a PC serial port. From the Start menu locate and run the

Allegiant Firmware Downloader utility found in the Master Control Software folder.

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6 en | Running the Master Control Software (MCS) Allegiant Master Control Software

Step 3: Select the correct firmware file and the PC com port number, then press the
Download button to begin the transfer.

In rare cases, a download error can put the Allegiant system into a state where the download
program won't successfully re-establish communications when it is retried. If this happens,
cycle the power on the Allegiant bay, and try the download again. If a failure still occurs,
locate DIP switch S1, S1001, S100, or S0201 on the Allegiant CPU. Turn on DIP switch 5, and
retry the download program. After the download is successful, turn switch 5 back off and
cycle the AC power of the Allegiant system off/on.

5 Running the Master Control Software (MCS)

5.1 General

The Master Control Software application provides the interface for the Allegiant configuration
tables. It can run by double-clicking on its icon in the Windows Start Menu.
When the Master Control Software is started, a Log-in dialog box will appear. See the
following illustration.

Figure 5.1 Log-in Dialog Box

When initially opening the MCS program the Installer User Name will appear. Enter the correct
password for the appropriate selection. A specific User Name is found by clicking on the down
arrow if one has been previously entered. If this is the first time that the program is being run,
the Installer option should be selected (1 is the default password for the Installer). Highlight
the user name (privilege level) and click OK.

5.2 Modifying a User Profile

Through the User Profile dialog box, administrators and installers can add, delete, or edit user
names and privilege levels. The Master Control Software (MCS) utilizes three privilege levels:

Installer: Has access to all Allegiant system features.
Administrator: Has access to all Allegiant system features.
Operator: Cannot log in to the MCS.

Default passwords for each privilege level have been entered at the factory and are as follows:

Privilege Level Password

Installer 1
Administrator 2
Operator 3

An installer can add, delete, or modify user names from within the active users list; however,
the last installer’s name can NOT be deleted. Administrators can alter all entries except those
of an installer. The user profile editing dialog box can be entered by selecting the User Profile
option from the File menu. See the following illustration. This dialog box allows Installers and
Administrators to add, edit, and delete Operators’ and other Administrators’ names. If an
illegal operation is attempted, a Message box will appear. To delete a user, highlight the line
and select the Delete User button.

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Allegiant Master Control Software Running the Master Control Software (MCS) | en 7

Figure 5.2 User Profile Dialog Box

Figure 5.3 Message Box Specifying an Illegal Operation

The following dialog box, User Properties, appears when the Add User or Modify User button
is selected in the User Profile Window. This box is used to enter the User Name, User
Password, and the User’s Group (Privilege level). In the following example, New User is an
Administrator. The option Do Not Allow Operator to Exit does not apply to the Master Control
Software since Operators can not log on.

Figure 5.4 User Properties Dialog Box

Installers and Administrators can add additional user names to the log-in list, assigning a
privilege level of installer, administrator, or operator to each name. Installers can also assign
the privilege of Installer to other users.

5.3 Getting Help

The Master Control Software provides extensive on-line help. The on-line help can be
accessed in several ways. Selecting Contents from the Help menu will display a list of topics
available. Help for these topics can be accessed by clicking on the desired selection. In any of
the help screens, underlined words or phrases indicate that more help is available. Clicking on
the underlined words will display help for that topic.
The Master Control Software for Windows also provides context sensitive help. When the F1
function key is pressed, help for the currently selected item will be presented. Alternatively,
the Context Help button in the toolbar can be used.

Context Help toolbar button

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8 en | Running the Master Control Software (MCS) Allegiant Master Control Software

When this button is clicked, the cursor changes to an arrow/question mark. When this cursor
is active, clicking on any item in the Master Control Software window will call up help for that
item.

5.4 Going On-line

Before any communication with the Allegiant System can take place, the Master Control
Software must successfully Go On-line. Many of the operations described in the following
sections assume that the Master Control Software is on-line, so the process of going on-line
will be discussed first.
The Master Control Software communicates with the Allegiant system through one of the PC’s
serial ports, which are referred to as COM1, COM2, etc., or through a network. For direct PC­to-Allegiant connections, the first step in going on-line is to select the appropriate serial port
and to configure the communication parameters of this port to match those of the Allegiant
system console port. From the Master Control Software menu, select Transfer |
Communication Setup. Change the COM port entry to the COM Port that is connected to the
Allegiant System. Change the baud rate to match that of your Allegiant System. Then, click on
the Go On-line button. The default Allegiant System baud rate is 19,200. If the On-line attempt
fails, verify that the cable is connected to the correct ports and that the communication
parameters are set correctly. The PC parameters set in the Transfer | Communication Setup
menu must exactly match the parameters of the Allegiant system. Correct any problems, and
retry going On-line.
If the Console baud rate is below 19,200, it is recommended that it be changed to a higher
baud rate. Rates of 19,200, 57,600 or 115,200 are recommended. Higher rates should be used
for shorter cable lengths. If the supplied 10 foot cable is used, a rate of 115,200 should work
reliably. At these high rates, handshaking should always be enabled. Select the Parameters
table by clicking the Parameters tab. If not already selected, click the COM Port subtab.
Change the Console baud as desired, and download this table by clicking Download
underneath the table. You will be prompted to reset the system. Reset the system by clicking
the appropriate button. Then, select Transfer | Communication Setup from the Master Control
Software menus and change the baud rate to match the new Allegiant baud rate. Then, click
Go On-line.

Networking Options (Available only to Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP users)

The Current Host box is used when the Allegiant is connected to other computers using the
computer network. This box should be set to Local if the Allegiant System specified by the
Master Control Software file is directly connected to one of the PC COM ports. If the Allegiant
is connected to a different computer on the PC network, then Current Host should be set to
the name of the remote (Host) computer.
A list of computers that are available on the network can be seen by clicking the down-arrow
button in the Current Host box. When the Master Control Software program is first started,
the only choice available in this list will be Local. The Refresh Host List button can be used to
update the list. Clicking Refresh Host List causes the Master Control Software program to
examine the network to determine which other computers are available.
Important: This operation may take several minutes -- an hour-glass cursor is displayed while
the operation is in progress.
When the Current Host box is set to the name of a remote Host computer, then the other
parameters (COM Port, Baud Rate, Stop Bits, Data Bits, and Handshaking) should be set to
match the settings of the Host computer.
Through the network, any number of PCs can be connected to an Allegiant system in this
manner. It is also possible to connect to multiple remote systems and to connect to both local

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and remote systems from the same computer. To connect PCs to an Allegiant System over the
network, follow the steps below:

1. From the Host PC (the PC whose COM Port is connected to the Allegiant system), open a
file or create a new file of the appropriate system type (LTC 8300, LTC 8500, etc.).

2. From the Host PC, go on-line with the system. In this case, the Current Host property will
be set to Local.

3. From the remote computers, open a file or create a new file of the appropriate system
type.

4. Select Transfer | Communication Setup from the menus to display the Communication
Setup dialog box. Click Refresh Host List and wait until the update has finished.

5. Click the down-arrow button to display the list of computers on the network, and select
the name of the computer that is connected to the Allegiant system.

6. Set the remaining parameters to match those of the Host system, and click Go On-line.

The LTC 8059/00 Master Control Software includes a program called Network Host. An icon
for this program is included in the LTC 8059/00 program group. This program can be used in a
networked installation to allow computers to go on-line with the Allegiant system when the
Host PC is not running the Master Control Software (the Host PC is the PC that is physically
connected to the Allegiant system). The Allegiant Host software does not require the use of
the USB Security Key.
To run the Allegiant Host software, simply double-click on the icon in the program group. If
the Master Control Software is run on the Host PC, then the Allegiant Host software is not
needed and should not be run.
If you have followed the instructions in that section and still have trouble going on-line over a
network, the following troubleshooting tips may help.

1. Verify that the host PC (the PC that is physically connected to the Allegiant through the
PC serial port) has the current version of the LTC 8059/00 software installed.

2. Verify that the host PC is running the current version of either the Master Control
Software or Allegiant Host program. The host computer does not need to be on-line with
the Allegiant. It is a good troubleshooting test, however, to verify that Master Control
Software can go on-line on the host PC.

3. If the on-line attempt is still unsuccessful, try to map a network drive to the host
computer. If the host computer is on a different network domain or workgroup, you may
have to log on to the host computer using an account that has been previously set up on
the host computer. When the network drive is successfully mapped, retry to go on-line
with the Allegiant system.

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10 en | Running the Master Control Software (MCS) Allegiant Master Control Software

5.5 Master Control Software Menu Commands

The Master Control Software menus are described as follows. Some include a toolbar button.
Clicking on the toolbar button is equivalent to selecting the corresponding menu item.

5.5.1 File Menu

– New – Opens a new Allegiant Configuration file. When a new file is opened, a dialog box

for selecting an Allegiant model is presented.

Toolbar Button:

– Open – Presents a file dialog box for selection of an existing Allegiant Configuration

file.

Toolbar Button:

– Save – Saves the current Allegiant Configuration data file to disk.

Toolbar Button:
– Save As – Saves the current Allegiant Configuration data under a new file name.
– User Profile – Displays the User Profile dialog box from which user information (names,

passwords, and group memberships) can be managed and users can be created,

modified, or deleted.
– Print – Displays a dialog box for a selection of tables to print. The dialog box contains a

check box for each table (Camera table, Monitor table, etc.). All tables that have the

box checked will be printed to the PC’s default printer.
– Print Preview – Presents a dialog box for selection of the table to preview. One table at

a time can be previewed.
– Print Setup – A standard PC Print setup dialog box appears for a selection of printers,

paper size, orientation, and other print parameters.
– Recently Opened Files – The last entries under the File menu are the names of the four

most recently used files. Selecting one of these entries will open the selected file.
– Exit – Shuts down the Master Control Software application.

5.5.2 Edit Menu

– Undo – Undo last editing action.

Toolbar Button:
– Cut – Copies the values of the selected cells to the clipboard, and sets the cells back to

their empty state.

Toolbar Button:
– Copy – Copies the values of the selected cells to the clipboard. The values in the cells

are unchanged.

Toolbar Button:
– Paste – Pastes data from the clipboard into the cells.

Toolbar Button:
– Delete – Sets the values of the selected cells to their empty state.
– Select All – Selects all cells in a table.

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5.5.3 View Menu

– Enable 6-digit Camera Display - Use this function to enable/disable “6-digit Camera ID”

mode. Select this command to enable 6-digit Camera ID mode. This mode is useful when
groups of cameras are located in separate buildings, floors or other common areas that
are associated with a specific “site.”
When enabled, a Display Camera column appears in the Camera table showing 6-digit
camera numbers. For each system camera, a 2-digit site number plus a 4-digit camera
number can be designated to each system camera. No duplicate 6-digit numbers are
allowed. When the system is in this mode, 6-digit camera numbers must be used in
various tables of the Master Control Software.

When the feature is enabled in the CPU, 6-digit numbers are used for all keyboard based
camera selections, and 2-digit site plus 4-digit camera numbers are shown on the monitor
overlay displays. The 4-digit numbers shown in the System Camera column (also known
as the Logical Camera numbers) must be used for non-user interface system functions,
including addressing of PTZ cameras.

5.5.4 Transfer Menu

– Upload – A dialog box appears for a selection of tables to upload. The dialog box

contains a check box for each table (Camera table, Monitor table, etc.). All tables that
have the box checked will be uploaded from the Allegiant system into the Master
Control Software configuration tables. The menu item is disabled when the Allegiant
system is not on-line.

Toolbar Button:

– Download – A dialog box comes into view for a selection of tables to download. The

dialog box contains a check box for each table (Camera table, Monitor table, etc.). All
tables that have the box checked will be downloaded from the Master Control Software
configuration tables to the Allegiant system. The menu item is disabled when the
Allegiant system is not on-line.

Toolbar Button:

– Communication Setup – Presents a dialog box for setting up the PC Serial Port

communication parameters. Use this to select the appropriate serial port (COM1,
COM2, etc.) and to set the communication parameters’ baud rate, stop bits, etc. to
match those of the Allegiant Console port. See section Going On-line.
The communication parameters can only be changed when the Allegiant system is not
on-line. This selection is therefore disabled when the Allegiant system is on-line.

Toolbar Button:

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12 en | Running the Master Control Software (MCS) Allegiant Master Control Software

5.5.5 On-line Menu

– Auto Set/Video Loss Configuration – Instructs the Allegiant System to initialize its

video-loss monitoring table based on the current valid video inputs.

In addition to video loss information being presented in the Real Time Status part of

the program, the Monitor Table and Keyboard Table offer configuration options when

using this feature too. Refer to the appropriate section for more details.

After being enabled using the Auto Set/Video Loss Configuration menu option, the

alarm output relay corresponding to the monitor number that is displaying a channel

without video will activate in response to video loss events. The relay will also activate

if a channel with no video is manually selected for viewing on the monitor.

When using LTC 8100, LTC 8200, and LTC 8300 Allegiant systems, the alarm output

relays are found on the rear panels of the enclosures. When using other Allegiant

models, the alarm output relays are provided by the LTC 8540 Alarm Interface

accessory unit.

– Status/Auto Start Display – Toggles the automatic starting of Allegiant System Status

application. A checkmark by this menu item means that automatic starting is enabled.

When enabled, the System Status application will start up whenever the Allegiant goes

on-line.

– Diagnose Alarm – Presents a dialog box to allow simulation of Allegiant alarms. The

dialog box contains a list box for selection of the alarm to simulate and Activate and

Deactivate buttons. When Activate is selected, the alarm is actually generated in the

Allegiant system.

Important: Every Activate should be followed by a matching Deactivate. If the alarm is

fully acknowledged, it may appear as if the alarm is no longer active in the system, but

the Deactivate is still required! When in doubt, issue an extra Deactivate command.

Extra Deactivate commands do nothing.

– Broadcast – A dialog box appears to enter a message for broadcasting to all of the

Allegiant monitors. The broadcast message will appear for the duration specified in the

Parameters | Miscellaneous table.

– Go On-line – Attempt to go on-line with the Allegiant system using the PC serial port

parameters as currently set up in the Transfer | Communication Setup dialog.

Toolbar Button:

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Allegiant Master Control Software Running the Master Control Software (MCS) | en 13

Each of the selections in the Status menu is related to the Allegiant System Status
application (see the section entitled Allegiant System Status Application). This application
displays the operating settings of one or more Allegiant systems. It also displays and logs
Allegiant events to a file per the options selected.

– Status/Display – Will toggle the Allegiant System Status application between visible

and hidden. This menu item will be checkmarked when the System Status application is
visible.

Toolbar Button:

– Status/Auto Start Display – Toggles the automatic starting of Allegiant System

Status application. A checkmark by this menu item means that automatic starting
is enabled. When enabled, the System Status application will start up whenever
the Allegiant goes on-line.

– Status/Log to File – This command enables the logging of Events monitored by the

System Status application to a file. A checkmark by this menu item means that
Event logging is active.

– Status/Log to File Options... – This command will invoke a dialog box that allows

the user to select which Events will generate messages in the System Status
application and what Events are logged to a file.

– Status/Auto Start Log to File – This command will toggle the Auto Start Log to File

setting. A checkmark by this menu item means that Auto Start is active. When this
feature is active, Event messages in the System Status application will
automatically be logged when the Allegiant goes on-line.

5.5.6 Window Menu

– Cascade – Arranges multiple opened windows in an overlapped fashion.

– Tile – Arranges windows in nonoverlapping tiles. Some overlap will occur if the main

application window is too small for a completely nonoverlapped display.

– Open Window List – These entries contain the names of all currently open windows.

Selecting a window entry will cause it to become the active window and to display on
top of all other open windows.

5.5.7 Help Menu

– Contents – Displays a list of available help topics.

Toolbar Button:

– About – Displays the Master Control Software copyright information

Each of the selections in the Status menu is related to the Allegiant System Status
application (see the section entitled Allegiant System Status Application). This
application displays the operating settings of one or more Allegiant systems. It also
displays and logs Allegiant events to a file per the options selected.

5.6 Editing Tables

The Allegiant Configuration is displayed as a set of stacked tables, similar to a notebook with
tabbed section dividers. Clicking on a tab will bring that table to the front for editing. Most of
the tables display a set of editable cells arranged in a grid of rows and columns. The cells are
one of three types: edit cells, drop-down list boxes, or check boxes, as shown in the next
figure.

Bosch Security Systems, Inc. Instruction Manual F.01U.127.398 | 2.0 | 2009.03

14 en | Running the Master Control Software (MCS) Allegiant Master Control Software

Figure 5.5 Configuration Table

5.6.1 Editing Cells

To edit cells, simply click in the cell and start typing. The new text will replace the old. To edit
existing text, double click on the cell, then position the cursor within the cell at the point
where the text should be changed, and click again. Then, the characters will be inserted at
this point.
Drop-down box cells look like edit cells until they are selected. When selected, a drop-arrow
button will appear. Clicking on this button will cause a list of available options for the
selected cell to be displayed. Entries can be selected by clicking on them.
Check boxes are provided for TRUE/FALSE, ENABLE/DISABLE, and YES/NO type parameters.
If a cell is checked, then the option is enabled. In other words, a checked box means true, yes,
or enabled. Clicking on a check box will toggle the selection between checked and
unchecked.

5.6.2 Selecting Multiple Cells

Some operations, such as editing multiple cells, require the selection of multiple cells.
Multiple cells are selected as follows:
– Clicking on the table header, the cell in the title row, first column, will select the entire

table.

– Clicking on a row header, the cell in the first column of the row will deselect any previous

selection, then select the entire row.

– Clicking on a column header, the title cell for the column, will deselect any previous

selection and select the entire column.
– Clicking on a non-header cell will deselect any previous selection and select the cell.
– Pushing the left mouse button and moving the mouse with the button held down will

select all cells in a rectangular grid from the cell where the drag began to the cell where

the mouse was released.
– Holding down the shift key when clicking a cell will select all cells in a rectangular grid

from the initially selected cell to the newly selected cell.
– Holding down the control key when clicking a cell will select the cell without deselecting

the previously selected cells.

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Allegiant Master Control Software Running the Master Control Software (MCS) | en 15

5.6.3 Editing Multiple Cells

The Master Control Software tables provide a convenient method for changing a set of
contiguous cells to the same value. This feature is limited to cells in the same column. In
tables where there are continuous rows of checkboxes such as lockout tables, this feature can
be extended across columns. Multiple cell editing is done as follows:
– Set one of the cells to the desired value.
– Select the other cells that should be changed by selecting multiple cells. See Selecting

Multiple Cells.

– Right click on any cell in the selected area. A dialog box will appear, allowing the selected

area to be filled with the value of the “current” cell. The current cell is the cell that was
first selected. This cell will be visually distinctive from the rest of the selected cells.

5.6.4 Row and Column Resizing

Any row or column in the Master Control Software tables can be resized. To resize a column,
move the cursor over a column-dividing line in the column title row. When the cursor changes
to the column resize cursor, as shown in the next figure, push the mouse button and drag the
column-dividing line to the new position.

Figure 5.6 Column Resizing Cursor

To resize a row, move the cursor over a row-dividing line in the first column. When the cursor
changes to the row resize cursor, push the mouse button and drag the row-dividing line to the
new position.

5.6.5 Table Buttons

A set of buttons appears across the bottom of each Allegiant configuration table. Buttons for
Save, Print, Download, Upload, and Help appear on all of the tables. The actions associated
with these buttons apply to the currently selected table only. For example, pressing the
Download button in the Camera table will cause only the camera table to be downloaded. This
is different from the menu selection Transfer | Download, which applies to all of the
configuration tables.

5.7 Configuration Tables

When the Master Control Software is first started, all tables are set to default values.
Note: If changes are to be made in the Master Control Software which will be used to update
the settings in an Allegiant system, it is generally recommended that the appropriate tables be
uploaded from the system first. Refer to the section on Data Transfers. Once the appropriate
changes have been made, the data can be saved on disk (if desired) and then downloaded
into the Allegiant system. Following this procedure will insure that any changes that may have
been made via a system keyboard are not lost when the data is edited using the Master
Control Software.

Bosch Security Systems, Inc. Instruction Manual F.01U.127.398 | 2.0 | 2009.03