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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

What is Metrici Control Panel?

The Metrici Control Panel v4.0 is a central management application that allows you to configure, start, stop, and monitor various Metrici recognition and analysis applications. Think of it as a "command center" that gives you complete control over all your Metrici software from a single, easy-to-use interface.

What Applications Can It Manage?

The Control Panel can manage various types of Metrici applications, including:

Note: The applications available to you depend on your purchased license. Some modules may not appear if you haven't purchased them.

Key Features

2. Getting Started

Launching the Control Panel

Usually, Control Panel starts automatically when the server is powered on. Or you can start it from command line. The main window will appear, showing you the current status of your applications — see Fig.1 Control Panel.

Command Line Options

If you need to run the Control Panel from the command line, the following options are available:

Option Description
-nogui Starts the application without displaying the graphical interface. Useful for running in headless environments or as a service.
-v Displays the version information and exits.
Software Screenshot
Fig.1 Control Panel
Important: Before you can add and run applications, you need a valid SENTINEL key. The demo version only allows two cameras/applications to be used and is only valid for 30 days

Understanding the License Status

When you first launch the Control Panel, check the license status indicator at the top of the window — see Fig.1 Control Panel (1). The indicator shows three key pieces of information:

Status Color Meaning
Green Your license key is valid and active. The number of enabled licenses is displayed.
Orange You are running in demo mode with limited functionality.
Red No valid license key found. Applications cannot be started.

3. Main Window Overview

The main window is divided into several sections that give you complete control over your Metrici applications.

Window Sections

Top Bar - License Information

The top section displays important information about your license — see Fig.1 Control Panel (1):

Applications Table

The main table displays all configured applications with their details — see Fig.1 Control Panel (2):

Column Description
ID Unique identifier for the application instance
Name Descriptive name you gave to this application instance
App type What kind of Metrici application this is (LPR, QR, etc.)
CPU Cores Number of CPU processor cores allocated to this application
Execution Type How the application runs: Background or Foreground
GPU Which GPU device the application uses (if any)
Log Level How detailed the log files should be
Status Current state: Stopped, Starting, or Started
Load Current CPU load percentage

Button Bar

The buttons at the bottom or side of the window provide quick access to common operations:

Button Function
Add Create a new application configuration see Fig.1 Control Panel (3)
Edit Modify an existing application's settings see Fig.1 Control Panel (4)
Delete Remove an application configuration - see Fig.1 Control Panel (8)
Start Launch the selected application see Fig.1 Control Panel (5)
Stop Stop the running application see Fig.1 Control Panel (6)
View Log View the log file for the selected application see Fig.1 Control Panel (7)
Licenses Show detailed license information see Fig.1 Control Panel (13)
License Request Generate a file to request new license activations see Fig.1 Control Panel (9)
License Update Apply a new license update file see Fig.1 Control Panel (10)
About Show information about the Control Panel software see Fig.1 Control Panel (11)
Quit Close the Control Panel and all applications Fig.1 Control Panel (12)

4. Managing Applications

Tip: Start with default settings for your first application. You can always adjust these settings later by editing the application.
Software Screenshot
Fig.2 Add Menu

Adding a New Application

To add a new application instance:

  1. Click the Add button in the button bar — see Fig.1 Control Panel (3).
  2. A configuration menu will appear with various options see — see Fig.2 Add Menu.
  3. Fill in the required information:
    • Application Type - Select what kind of application this is
    • Name - Give it a descriptive name
    • CPU Cores - Choose how many processor cores to allocate
    • Execution Type - Decide how it should run. First settings are always done in "Foregroud with watchdog".
    • GPU Usage - Choose which GPU to use or if GPU should be disabled. GPU recomended
    • Log Level - Set how detailed logging should be
  4. Click Save to create the application configuration.
License Limit: You cannot create more applications than you have licenses for. If you need more applications, contact your Metrici distributor to purchase additional licenses.

Starting an Application

Once you've configured an application, you can start it:

  1. Select the application in the table by clicking on its row — see Fig.3 Selection:
    2. Software Screenshot
    Fig.3 Selection
  2. Check that the status shows "Stopped"
  3. Click the Start button — see Fig.1 Control Panel (5).
  4. An interface menu will appear with various options (the interface won’t display anything yet because it hasn’t been configured) — see Fig.4 Main Interface.
  5. The status will change to "Starting" and then "Started"
What happens when you start an application:

Stopping an Application

To stop a running application:

  1. Select the application in the table — see Fig.3 Selection.
  2. Ensure the status shows "Started".
  3. Click the Stop button — see Fig.1 Control Panel (6).
  4. The status will change to "Stopped".
Warning: Stopping an application will immediately terminate its processing. Any data being processed at that moment may be lost. Only stop applications when you're sure it's safe to do so.

Editing Application Settings

To modify an existing application's configuration:

  1. Select the application in the table — see Fig.3 Selection.
  2. Click the Edit button — see Fig.1 Control Panel (4).
  3. Modify the desired settings in the dialog.
  4. Click Save to apply changes — see Fig.2 Add Menu(11).
Important: Some settings may require you to stop and restart the application before they take effect. Settings related to execution type and resource allocation typically require a restart.

Deleting an Application

To remove an application configuration:

  1. Select the application in the table — see Fig.3 Selection.
  2. Click the Delete button — see Fig.1 Selection (8).
  3. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
Confirmation Required: Deleting an application will also remove its configuration file. If the application is running, it will be stopped first. This action cannot be undone.

Viewing Application Logs

To view an application's log file:

  1. Select the application in the table — see Fig.3 Selection.
  2. Click the Log button — see Fig.1 Control Panel (7).
  3. A log viewer window will open showing detailed information about the application's activities.

Log files are essential for troubleshooting. They contain information about:

Software Screenshot
Fig.4 Main Interface

5. Application Configuration Options

When adding or editing an application, you'll need to configure various options. This section explains each option in detail.

Application Name

A descriptive name to help you identify this application instance. While optional, giving each application a meaningful name makes it easier to manage multiple instances. — see Fig.2 Add Menu (2) .

Application Type

This defines what kind of Metrici application this instance will be. Choose based on your licenses/needs — see Fig.2 Add Menu (3):

Important: You can go to the documantation of every aplication in the table below!
Application Type Use Case Description
LPR Vehicle access control, parking management Recognizes license plates from camera images. Ideal for basic license plate reading tasks. LPR Documentation
LPR+ High-security vehicle identification Enhanced license plate recognition with additional features like vehicle color and brand.
QR Code QR code scanning, inventory tracking Reads and decodes QR codes from images or video streams.
Container Code Logistics, shipping, port management Recognizes shipping container identification codes.
Parking Place Detector Smart parking systems Detects whether parking spaces are occupied or empty.
Area Counter People and vehicles counting Counts people or objects within a defined area.
Line Counter People and traffic counting Counts objects that cross a virtual line in the video feed.
Thermal Analyzer Thermal imaging analysis, fire detection Analyzes thermal camera feeds for temperature monitoring or anomaly detection.
ID card reader OCR Automatically identifies text and saves it to Metrici database.
Snapshot Image Capture Take photo from IP cameras when triggered
Advanced Video Analytics Special projects Detection of custom objects.
Line Counter PE Protection equipment counting Detects if a person has protection equipment like vest, helmets etc
Area Counter PE Protection equipment detection Detects if a person has protection equipment like vest, helmets etc
Live View Detections display View as many engines in real time

CPU Cores

This setting determines how many CPU processor cores the application can use. More cores allow the application to process data faster, especially when handling multiple video streams — see Fig.2 Add menu (4).

Performance Tip: If you're running multiple applications, don't allocate all CPU cores to one application. Spread them out for better overall system performance.

Execution Type

This setting controls how and where the application runs — see Fig.2 Add Menu (5):

Execution Type Description Use Case
Background Application runs invisibly without a window. You won't see any interface, but the application processes data continuously. Server installations, 24/7 operation, when no monitor is attached
Background with Watchdog Runs in background like above, but if the application crashes or stops unexpectedly, it will automatically restart. Critical applications that must run continuously without manual intervention
Foreground Application runs with its own window visible on the screen. You can see what it's processing in real-time. Testing, demonstrations, when you need to monitor the application visually
Foreground with Watchdog Application runs in a visible window but will automatically restart if it crashes. When you want to see the application running but also need automatic recovery
Recommendation: For production environments, use "Background with Watchdog" for critical applications. For testing and setup, "Foreground with watcgdog" is better so you can see what's happening.

USE GPU

Modern computer graphics cards (GPUs) can process visual data much faster than CPUs. This setting controls whether and how the application uses your GPU — see Fig.2 Add Menu (6) :

Setting Description When to Use
Disabled (No GPU) Application uses only the CPU for processing Systems without GPUs, or when GPU is needed by another application
GPU [Device Number] Application uses the specified GPU for processing When you want maximum performance and have a dedicated GPU
Performance Impact: Using a GPU can significantly improve processing speed, especially for video analysis. However, not all systems have GPUs, and some integrated graphics may not provide benefits. For best results, use a dedicated GPU (NVIDIA or AMD) when processing multiple video streams.
Hardware Requirement: GPU processing requires a compatible graphics card and proper drivers installed. If you select GPU usage and the application fails to start, check that your GPU drivers are up to date.

Output Type

This determines how the application sends its results and data — see Fig.2 Add Menu (8) :

Output Type Description
Normal Sends all event details plus pictures (plate/car images) to the URL using an HTTP POST.
Simplified Sends only the basic event details (plate number, time, confidence, etc.) — usually without pictures.
Json Sends the event details in JSON format (a structured text format). The receiving system must be able to read/parse JSON to use the data.
Consult your integration guide: The appropriate output type depends on how your system is set up. Check with your system administrator or integration documentation to determine the correct setting.

External module

External module selects a vendor integration mode. Choose Skidata or Bebarmatic only when your parking hardware/software is from that vendor, so Metrici sends plate events using that vendor’s interface instead of only using Metrici’s internal actions — see Fig.2 Add Menu (9) .

Module Type Description
None Metrici works on its own. It saves plate events and uses its own rules/actions to control access (e.g., open a barrier).
Skidata Select this if the installation uses a Skidata parking system. Metrici forwards plate events to Skidata so Skidata can handle access/parking logic.
Bebarmatic Select this if the installation uses a Bebarmatic parking system. Metrici forwards plate events to Bebarmatic so Bebarmatic can handle access/parking logic.

Log Level

The log level determines how much detail is written to the application log file. More detailed logs are useful for troubleshooting but use more disk space — see Fig.2 Add Menu (7) :

Log Level Detail Disk Usage Use Case
None No logging at all Minimal Maximum performance needed, no troubleshooting required
Low Only important events (start, stop, errors) Low Normal operation, general monitoring
Medium Standard events and important operations Medium Default recommendation for most users
High Very detailed, including debug information High Troubleshooting specific issues
Tip: Start with "Medium" logging. Increase to "High" only when troubleshooting a specific problem, then reduce back to "Medium" when done. High logging can generate large log files quickly.

6. License Management

The Metrici Control Panel manages also the software licenses. This section explains how to manage your licenses.

Understanding Your Licenses

Your Metrici software is protected by a SENTINEL key

Viewing License Summary

To see a summary of all your enabled licenses:

  1. Click the Licenses button — see Fig.1 Control Panel (13) "?".
  2. A window will open showing detailed information about each type of license you have.
  3. This includes both engine licenses and web interface licenses.

Requesting License Activation

If you need to activate new licenses (for example, after purchasing additional applications):

  1. Ensure your SENTINEL USB key is connected.
  2. Click the License Request button — see Fig.1 Control Panel (9).
  3. Enter the product activation key provided by your Metrici distributor when prompted
  4. A file with extension .c2v will be created on your Desktop
  5. Go to http://support.metrici.ro/activate/ . In the designated fields write a valid e-mail address to which you have access and a phone number. Load the previously generated c2v file by pressing “Load the license request file”. In the end press “Request activation”. It is important that you have access to the mail you provided because you will receive there the info for activation
  6. Metrici will process your request and send you a license update file
File Location: The license request file is saved as "[product_key].c2v" on your Desktop. Make sure to send the correct file to your distributor.

Updating Licenses

When your distributor sends you a license update file:

  1. Save the license update file (usually has .v2c or .v2cp extension) to your computer
  2. Ensure your SENTINEL key is active
  3. Click the License Update button — see Fig.1 Control Panel (10).
  4. Navigate to and select the license update file
  5. Click Open
  6. The license will be updated and the Control Panel will restart
Important: After updating licenses, the Control Panel will restart.

License Status Indicators

The Control Panel provides visual feedback about your license status:

Status Display Meaning Action Required
"SENTINEL key is active, X engine licenses and Y web licenses enabled" Normal operation, licenses working None
"SENTINEL key is active, X demo engine license(s) and ALL demo web license(s) enabled" Demo/trial version active Contact distributor for full licenses
"SENTINEL key error: invalid, not active, missing or expired" License key problem detected Check USB connection, try different USB port, or contact support

7. Monitoring Applications

The Control Panel provides several ways to monitor your applications in real-time.

Status Column

The status column shows the current state of each application — see Fig.1 Control Panel (2) :

Status Meaning
Stopped Application is not running
Starting Application is launching (this is temporary)
Started Application is running and processing data

Load Monitoring

The "Load" column shows the current CPU load of each application as a percentage. This helps you understand how heavily each application is using system resources — see Fig.1 Control Panel (2):

Load Value Interpretation
0% Application is idle or no data is being processed
1-50% Light processing load
50-80% Moderate processing load
80-100% Heavy processing, may affect real-time performance
Monitoring Tip: If you see consistently high load values, consider reducing the number of applications running, reducing CPU core allocation per application, or upgrading your hardware.

Automatic Status Updates

The Control Panel automatically checks the status of all applications every second. The display updates automatically when:

Watchdog Feature

Applications configured with "Watchdog" execution type have built-in crash recovery:

Watchdog in Action: You might see an application status briefly change from "Started" to "Starting" without any action from you. This indicates the watchdog successfully recovered the application after an unexpected stop.

8. Log Files and Troubleshooting

Understanding Log Files

Log files contain detailed records of what an application did. They're essential for understanding problems and monitoring performance.

Where Logs Are Stored

Each application creates a log file with a name matching its ID (e.g., 1.log, 2.log). These files are stored in the same directory as the Control Panel.

Viewing Logs

To view an application's log:

  1. Select the application in the main table
  2. Click the Log button
  3. The log viewer opens showing only recent log entries. For older log entries, go to the metrici folder and search the appropiate .log file

Log Rotation

The Control Panel automatically manages log file sizes. When a log file is older than one month, it's automatically rotated:

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: Application won't start

Possible Cause Solution
No valid license available Check that all enabled licenses aren't already in use
SENTINEL key not detected Restart Control Panel
Invalid configuration Review application settings for errors
System resources exhausted Stop some applications or reduce CPU core allocations

Issue: Application crashes frequently

Possible Cause Solution
Insufficient resources Reduce CPU cores, disable GPU, or upgrade hardware
GPU driver issues Update GPU drivers or disable GPU usage
Input stream problems Check camera or video source connections

Issue: High CPU load

Possible Cause Solution
Too many applications running Stop unused applications
CPU cores over-allocated Reduce CPU cores per application
High resolution video Reduce video resolution or frame rate

Issue: License key error

Possible Cause Solution
License expired Contact your distributor to renew licenses

Getting More Help from Logs

When troubleshooting, check logs for:

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I run multiple instances of the same application type?

A: Yes! The Control Panel allows you to create multiple instances of the same application type, as long as you have enough licenses. For example, you could have three different LPR applications monitoring three different cameras.

Q: How many applications can I run at once?

A: The maximum number of applications is determined by your license. Each license allows one concurrent instance. If you try to start more applications than you have licenses for, the Control Panel will show an error.

Q: Can I run the Control Panel without a display (headless mode)?

A: Yes! Use the -nogui command line option. The Control Panel will run in the background without showing a window. Use this for server installations or when you only need the applications running, not the management interface.

Q: How do I backup my application configurations?

A: Application configurations are stored in the cpan.ini file. Simply copy this file to a safe location to backup your configurations. You can restore by copying it back when needed.

Q: What's the difference between "Background" and "Foreground" execution?

A: Background execution runs invisibly (no window), which is ideal for servers and 24/7 operation. Foreground execution shows a window where you can see the application processing in real-time, which is useful for testing and monitoring.

Q: Should I use GPU processing?

A: If you have a compatible GPU (NVIDIA, AMD or Intel Arc), enabling GPU processing can significantly improve performance, especially when processing video. However, some systems don't have GPUs, and integrated graphics may not provide benefits. Try both modes to see which works better for your setup.

Q: How do I know which log level to use?

A: For normal operation, use "Medium" logging. This provides enough information for troubleshooting while not using too much disk space. Increase to "High" only when you're actively debugging a specific problem, then reduce back to "Medium".

Q: What does the watchdog feature do?

A: The watchdog automatically restarts an application if it crashes or stops unexpectedly. This is important for critical applications that must run continuously without manual intervention.

Q: How do I upgrade my licenses?

A: Contact your Metrici distributor to purchase additional licenses. They'll provide you with a product activation key. Use the "License Request" button to create a request file, send it to your distributor, and they will provide a license update file to install.

10. Technical Support

Contact Information

If you need help with the Metrici Control Panel or your Metrici applications:

Contact Method Details
Email support@metrici.ro
Website http://www.metrici.ro
Company Metrici (Copyright 2026)

Before Contacting Support

To get faster assistance, please gather the following information before contacting support:

Quick Tip: Taking screenshots of any error messages or unusual behavior can help support staff understand and resolve your issue faster.

Metrici Control Panel v4.0 - User Manual
Copyright © 2026 Metrici - http://www.metrici.ro - support@metrici.ro