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NeoMind Quick Start Guide

Overview​

NeoMind is an edge AI platform that brings the power of Large Language Models (LLM) to CamThink AI cameras and IoT device management and automation. Through a natural language interface, you can easily query device status, create automation rules, and have intelligent conversations with the AI assistant.

Core Features:

  • LLM-Powered: Supports multiple LLM backends including Ollama, OpenAI, and Anthropic
  • Edge Deployment: Fully offline operation with secure, local data
  • Device Management: Supports MQTT protocol with automatic device discovery and registration
  • Automation Engine: Event-driven rule engine for intelligent device coordination
  • AI Agents: Autonomous agents for complex task execution
  • Cross-Platform Support: Native desktop applications for macOS, Windows, and Linux

System Requirements:

  • Operating System: macOS 11+, Windows 10+, Ubuntu 20.04+
  • Memory: 8GB RAM (16GB+ recommended)
  • Storage: 5GB available space
  • Network: Supports offline operation (internet connection recommended for model download)

1. Installation and Registration​

1.1 Download and Install​

Visit the NeoMind official release page and select the installer for your operating system:

  • macOS: Download the .dmg file (supports both Apple Silicon and Intel chips)
  • Windows: Download the .msi or .exe installer
  • Linux: Download the .AppImage or .deb package

macOS Installation Steps:

  1. Double-click the downloaded .dmg file and drag NeoMind to the Applications folder

NeoMind macOS Installation

  1. Important: Before launching NeoMind for the first time, execute the following command (macOS security requirement):
sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/NeoMind.app

Windows Installation Steps:

Double-click the .msi or .exe file and follow the installation wizard.

Linux Installation Steps:

# AppImage method (recommended)
chmod +x neomind_0.5.11_amd64.AppImage
./neomind_0.5.11_amd64.AppImage

# deb package method
sudo dpkg -i neomind_0.5.11_amd64.deb
sudo apt-get install -f # Install dependencies

1.2 First Launch and Registration​

When you launch NeoMind for the first time, the system will guide you through the initial setup.

Step 1: Launch the application to enter the welcome screen

NeoMind Registration Screen

Step 2: Create an administrator account

Create Administrator Account

Fill in the following information:

  • Username: Administrator account name (3-20 characters)
  • Password: Strong password (at least 8 characters, including letters and numbers)
  • Confirm Password: Re-enter the password

Step 3: Configure timezone and complete registration

Registration Complete

After successful registration, the system will automatically redirect to the login screen.

1.3 Login to the System​

Use the administrator account you just created to log in to NeoMind.

First Login

Note:

  • NeoMind supports local offline login with data stored in a local database
  • After the first login, the system will automatically create default configuration files

2. System Configuration​

2.1 Configure LLM Backend​

NeoMind's core capabilities come from Large Language Models. We recommend using Ollama for local deployment to achieve fully offline operation.

Prerequisites:

  • Local LLM (Ollama recommended) or other LLM backend (OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, etc.)

Recommended Configuration: Ollama Local Deployment

# Linux/macOS install Ollama
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh

# Pull recommended models
ollama pull ministral-3:3b # Lightweight model (3B parameters)
ollama pull deepseek-r1:7b # High-performance model (7B parameters)

Verify Ollama Installation:

Before configuring NeoMind, verify that Ollama is running properly:

# Test Ollama API
curl http://localhost:11434/api/version

# Test model inference
ollama run ministral-3:3b "Hello"

Ollama Pre-Test

Configuration Steps:

Step 1: Go to Settings page and select "LLM Configuration"

LLM Configuration Page 1

Step 2: Add LLM backend

LLM Configuration Page 2

Click "Add Backend" and select the backend type according to your needs:

Configure Ollama (Local Deployment, Recommended):

  • Backend Type: Select Ollama
  • Name: e.g., "Local Ollama"
  • Endpoint Address: http://localhost:11434 (default port)
  • Model: Select the pulled model (e.g., ministral-3:3b)

Configure OpenAI (Cloud Service):

  • Backend Type: Select OpenAI
  • Name: e.g., "OpenAI GPT-4"
  • Endpoint Address: https://api.openai.com/v1 (default)
  • API Key: Enter your OpenAI API Key
  • Model: Select a model (e.g., gpt-4, gpt-3.5-turbo)

Supported LLM Backend Comparison:

BackendDefault EndpointFeaturesUse Cases
Ollamahttp://localhost:11434Local deployment, fully offlineEdge devices, high privacy requirements
OpenAIhttps://api.openai.com/v1Cloud service, powerful performanceRequires strongest model capabilities

Verify Configuration:

After completing the configuration, click the "Test Connection" button to ensure NeoMind can successfully connect to the LLM backend.

LLM Configuration Test

2.2 Configure Device Connection​

NeoMind supports multiple device connection protocols for easy integration with different types of IoT devices and CamThink hardware products:

Supported Connection Methods:

  • MQTT Protocol: The most common IoT communication protocol (recommended)
  • HTTP/Webhook: Supports RESTful API and Webhook callbacks

Configuration Steps:

Step 1: Go to "Device Connection" settings page

Device Connection Configuration 1

Step 2: Add MQTT broker

Device Connection Configuration 2

Fill in the following information:

  • Name: e.g., "EMQX Public Broker"
  • Address: broker.emqx.io (public test server)
  • Port: 1883 (default port)
  • Username/Password: Public servers typically don't require these (leave blank)

Other Common Public MQTT Brokers:

  • Mosquitto Test Server: test.mosquitto.org:1883
  • HiveMQ Public Server: broker.hivemq.com:1883

Step 3: Save configuration

Device Connection Configuration 3

After saving, NeoMind will automatically attempt to connect to the MQTT broker, and the connection status will be displayed at the top of the page.

3. Device Management​

3.1 Understanding Device Types​

Before adding devices, you need to define device types. A device type describes the device's:

  • Uplink: Data reported from the device to NeoMind (e.g., temperature, humidity, video analysis results)
  • Downlink: Control commands sent from NeoMind to the device (e.g., restart, configuration update)

Note: Uplink means "uplink" (device β†’ NeoMind), Downlink means "downlink" (NeoMind β†’ device)

Step 1: Go to "Device Types" management page

Device Type Management 1

Step 2: Import or create device types

NeoMind supports three ways to add device types:

Method 1: Quick Import CamThink Device Types (Recommended)

If you use CamThink hardware products, you can quickly import preset device types:

  1. Click "Import Device Type"
  2. Select CamThink device model:
  • NE101 Smart Camera: Event-triggered ultra-low power smart camera with PIP/radar trigger support and long battery life
  • NE301 Smart Camera: Edge AI camera with 0.6TOPS compute power for real-time AI inference
  1. Click "Confirm Import"

Import CamThink Device Type

Method 2: Import Third-Party Device Types

For third-party devices, you can:

  1. Import device type definitions from JSON files
  2. Import from NeoMind community template library
  3. Use AI assistance to generate device types (based on data samples)

Method 3: Manually Create Device Types

If you need to customize device types, you can click the "Create Device Type" button and follow the on-screen prompts to fill in the basic device type information, define uplink metrics and downlink commands, then save.

Manual Device Type Creation Interface

After creation, you can view all defined types in the device type list:

Device Type List

3.2 Add Devices​

There are two ways to add devices:

Method 1: Manually Add Device

Step 1: Go to "Device Management" page

Device Management Page

Step 2: Click "Add Device"

Add Device

Fill in the following information:

  • Device Name: e.g., "Front Door Monitoring Camera"
  • Device Type: Select CamThink NE301 Smart Camera
  • Device ID: Unique identifier (auto-generated or manually entered), keep this ID consistent with the one on NE101/NE301
  • MQTT Uplink Topic: Topic where the device publishes data (e.g., /device/76b2fc32/uplink)
  • MQTT Downlink Topic: Topic for controlling the device (e.g., /device/76b2fc32/downlink)

Pending Device Registration

Reference MQTT settings on NE301 at Application Management -> MQTT Settings

Save Device

Method 2: Auto-Discover Devices

If your device supports connection to an MQTT server, NeoMind will automatically detect and list pending devices for registration.

Configure Device Parameters

Click the "Scan" tab to view the list of discovered devices, select the devices you want to add, and confirm registration.

3.3 View Device Status​

In the device list, click the device name to view details

Device Details

You can manually trigger capture or set up scheduled capture, and the device will come online quickly

Device Real-Time Data

4. Dashboard Configuration​

4.1 Dashboard Overview​

The Dashboard provides a visual data display interface for centralized device status, data, and history management. Users can customize components and data sources.

Step 1: Go to Dashboard management page

Dashboard Management Page

4.2 Create Dashboard​

Step 1: Click "Create Dashboard"

Create Dashboard

Step 2: Add data panels

View Dashboard

After clicking "Add Panel", you can customize data display panels:

  • Panel Type: Choose data display method (line chart, gauge, value card, etc.)
  • Device Selection: Select the device to monitor
  • Data Set: Select device data fields, including:
    • Device name and status
    • Sensor data (temperature, humidity, etc.)
    • AI recognition results (detected objects, counts, etc.)
    • Other custom metrics

Adjust Layout

4.3 Using Dashboards​

The Dashboard provides an intuitive display of device data and AI analysis results. For example, in a beverage inventory monitoring scenario, you can view:

  • Device Information: Device name and online status
  • Real-Time Data: Current detected beverage count
  • Data Trends: Historical curve of beverage count changes
  • Sample Images: Historical image records collected by the device

Dashboard Example

You can create multiple dashboards for different scenarios to meet various business requirements.

5. AI Chat Assistant​

5.1 Start Conversation​

NeoMind includes an AI chat assistant that allows you to query device status, control devices, or create automation rules using natural language.

Step 1: Click the "Chat" icon in the left navigation bar

AI Chat Interface

Step 2: Enter natural language commands

AI Conversation Example

Example Conversation:

User: How many bottles are in the beverage cabinet now?
AI: The beverage cabinet currently has 47 bottles.
Including 18 cola, 15 mineral water, and 14 juice.
This is 8 bottles less than yesterday.

User: How has the beverage consumption been recently?
AI: In the past 7 days, 52 bottles were consumed.
Average daily consumption is 7.4 bottles, with Friday
having the highest consumption (12 bottles).
At the current consumption rate, inventory will last
about 6 days.

User: Remind me to restock when beverages are below 20 bottles
AI: I'll create a rule for you:
"When total beverage cabinet count < 20 bottles,
send a restock reminder to your phone"
Confirm creation?

5.2 AI Capabilities​

The NeoMind AI assistant can complete the following tasks through natural language:

  • Device Query: Query device status, historical data, fault diagnosis
  • Device Control: Switch devices, adjust parameters, batch control
  • Automation Management: Create/modify rules, query execution history
  • Smart Recommendations: Optimize configuration, anomaly alerts, energy-saving suggestions

6. Advanced Features​

6.1 AI Agents​

AI agents are intelligent programs with autonomous execution capabilities that can complete complex automation tasks.

Step 1: Go to "AI Agents" management page

AI Agent Management

Step 2: Create AI agent

Create AI Agent

Fill in the following information:

  • Name: e.g., "Temperature Monitoring Agent"
  • Description: Task description of the agent
  • Trigger Condition: When to execute (scheduled, event-triggered, etc.)
  • Execution Logic: Workflow of the agent

Example: Beverage Inventory Monitoring Agent

Name: Beverage Inventory Monitoring Agent
Trigger Condition: Every 30 minutes
Execution Logic:
1. Read current beverage cabinet count
2. If count < 20 bottles:
- Send restock reminder to phone
- Log inventory warning
3. If count < 10 bottles:
- Send urgent restock notification
- Automatically send restock request to supplier

Step 3: Enable agent

After creation, enable the agent and it will run automatically according to the configured logic.

6.2 Automation Rules​

Automation rules are event-driven. When conditions are met, preset actions are automatically executed.

Step 1: Go to "Automation Rules" management page

Automation Rules Management

Step 2: Create rule

Create Automation Rule

Example Rule:

Rule Name: Beverage Inventory Alert
Trigger Condition: Total beverage cabinet count < 20 for 5 minutes
Actions:
1. Send restock reminder to phone
2. Log inventory status
3. Send email notification to administrator

Rule Types:

  • Threshold Rules: Based on numerical comparison (temperature, humidity, etc.)
  • Time Rules: Based on time triggers (scheduled tasks)
  • Status Rules: Based on device status changes (switch, online/offline)
  • Combination Rules: Logical combinations of multiple conditions

6.3 Plugin System​

NeoMind supports plugin extensions. You can install official or third-party plugins to enhance system functionality.

Step 1: Go to "Plugins" management page

Plugin Management

Step 2: Browse available plugins

Plugin List

Official Plugins:

  • Weather Service: Get real-time weather data
  • Data Backup: Automatically backup configuration and data

Step 3: Install plugin

Click the "Install" button on a plugin, and NeoMind will automatically download and install it. After installation, the plugin will appear in the installed list.

6.4 Message Notifications​

NeoMind provides a flexible notification system supporting multiple notification channels and trigger rules.

Notification Channels:

  • In-App Notification: Display in NeoMind interface
  • Email Notification: Send to specified email address
  • Webhook: Push to third-party services like Enterprise WeChat or DingTalk
  • SMS Notification: Send to mobile phone (requires SMS service configuration)

Message Notification Settings

Message Rule Configuration

7. Troubleshooting​

Cannot Connect to Ollama:

  • Confirm Ollama service is running: curl http://localhost:11434/api/version
  • Confirm model is pulled: ollama list
  • Restart service: ollama serve

Device Cannot Connect to MQTT Broker:

  • Check if MQTT broker is running
  • Verify device MQTT configuration (topic, username, password)
  • Check NeoMind logs (~/Library/Logs/NeoMind/)

macOS Security Prompt:

sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/NeoMind.app

Slow AI Response:

  • Use lightweight models (recommend ministral-3:3b or deepseek-r1:7b)
  • Increase system memory (16GB+ recommended)
  • Use GPU acceleration (if supported)

8. Appendix​

8.1 Data Storage Location​

PlatformData Directory
macOS~/Library/Application Support/NeoMind/data/
Windows%APPDATA%/NeoMind/data/
Linux~/.config/NeoMind/data/

Main Database Files:

  • telemetry.redb - Device time-series data
  • sessions.redb - Chat history and sessions
  • devices.redb - Device registry
  • automations.redb - Automation rules