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Recent posts by Nathan on IP Camera Supply

Facial Recognition
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I’ve been talking about intelligent video applications including license plate recognition.  Another specialized application with huge potential across many vertical markets with almost unlimited uses is facial recognition.

Other advanced security measures like biometrics that can recognize various features of the hand are also still on the cutting edge of technology but even they are more widely used more than facial recognition software.

An emerging high-profile application, facial recognition has the potential for greater accuracy than other advanced systems and is easier to integrate into a surveillance system.…

License Plate Recognition
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I posted recently highlighting some applications of how intelligent video detects objects. One such specialized application that bears special attention and may be of particular interest to you is license plate recognition, also known as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).

License plate recognition technology is gaining momentum with police departments to aid in identifying and capturing criminals and toll booth violaters but it alos has a variety of uses in retail, commerical, and industrial settings.…

New Video Surveillance Calculator
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Whether you’re calculating IP camera bandwidth and storage or customizing an IP camera lens selection to meet the challenges of your application, you’d like to know what the end result is going to look like first before making a decision on the products and hardware you’ll be using.

Now, thanks to Gish Technology’s vsCalc™ you can “instantly calculate Field of View, Angle of View and Focal Length based on the Object of Interest, Visual Acuity Index and Target Distance” for your video surveillance project.

Available for $9.95 from the Apple App Store, the vsCalc™ is capable of determining how sharp the cameras images from a desired scene will be based on objects of interest such as face, license plate, or vehicle.

It provides a reference …

World’s Smallest PTZ IP Camera From Axis
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Axis M50 PTZ

Axis Communications, via BusinessWire.com, is rolling out the world’s smallest PTZ IP Camera for discreet surveillance:

With a sleek and compact design, AXIS M50 cameras are only 5.1″ wide and 2.2″ high, enabling high-quality 360° surveillance (±180˚ pan, 90° tilt and 3x digital zoom) with HDTV 720p resolution in a package smaller than the average hand (see video). As a complement to its intelligent motion detection capabilities, a built-in microphone also enables audio detection that monitors for unusual noises during off-hours to trigger a security alarm that is sent to the business owner and/or security personnel.

The mini PTZ dome cameras are easy to install on soft and hard ceilings as well as on walls, and can cover an area of up …

Security Door Camera – The Mobotix T24
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he Mobotix T24 Door Station IP Camera is a unique product.  Fully weatherproof and rated for outdoor use, this IP camera acts like a sentry to guard and grant access to your entrance way and you don’t even need to physically be there to monitor or interact with people.

Because it’s IP-based and the way it’s designed, you can access the T24’s functions from anywhere you are with a video phone, a computer, or a tablet/iPad.

And with its hemispheric lens that captures a 180 degree, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic view, no one can sneak by without you seeing them plus:

  • Two-way video conversation from anywhere in the world.
  • Record with sound.
  • Keyless entry option and remotely open doors.

For a great write-up and …

Panasonic i-Pro Camera Application
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Panasonic WV-NW502S i-Pro CameraSourceSecurity.com has nice article outlining a real world application example for:

From the article, “Panasonic i-Pro video surveillance system to enhance security at Clarion University“:

Clarion University depends on Panasonic i-PRO systems to provide IP-based video surveillance throughout its campus in the Appalachian Mountain region of northwestern Pennsylvania. The University’s systems integrator, The Protection Bureau, is enthusiastic about the benefits of Panasonic security systems to Clarion University.

“The proof is in the picture, bottom line; the other specs don’t matter,” said Bob Burket, Senior Security Consultant, The Protection Bureau. “For megapixel cameras, Panasonic has the best picture out there, particularly in low-light situations.”

Click on the link above for more detailed information about how they integrated …

IP Video Storage – RAID
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I briefly touched on IP video surveillance storage options in a previous post. 

Ronen Issac, over at the Security Info Watch Blog, has done a much better job, including some very useful graphics, at explaining the intricacies of the redundant storage system known as RAID. 

From his post, Overview of RAID for IP Video Storage:

Storage is a big part of IP video security and so I thought I would start a small series of video storage starting with the basics. Today we will discuss RAID. RAID has been discussed many (x4) times throughout the years but I still get questions about it. What is it, what is the best choice for RAID for my VMS, etc. So here we go.

There are 4 …

How Intelligent Video Detects Objects
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Intelligent video applications work by:

  1. Detecting objects.
  2. Segmenting different shapes/objects into areas of interest.
  3. Classifying the objects by type (person, vehicle, object).
  4. Characterizing objects by color, size, direction of travel, or motion.

After this information has been processed, user defined rules can determine if a car is traveling the wrong way, someone is entering a prohibited area, or if an object is left behind (security threat). 

If these rules are broken, alerts and alarms can automatically notify you of an event taking place.

Below, I’ve outlined some of the advanced intelligent video applications.…

Intelligent Video Advanced Applications
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I’ve been posting about intelligent video lately and in lieu of yet another educational lecture (don’t be sad for too long, I’ll be returning to that soon) on the topic I thought a few article links about industry news and real world application examples would be helpful.

Smart Phones and Facial Recognition

Security Products Magazine takes a look at the emerging role that smart phones will play with intelligent video with the article, “Animetrics App Uses Facial Recognition to Secure Smartphones“:

FaceR CredentialME AppLock enables the Android smart phone user to use facial recognition as the biometric authentication to unlock any application installed on the user’s Android device. CME AppLock provides the options of using a password or letting the device camera automatically …

How Is Intelligent Video Used?
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Earlier I talked about what intelligent video is and why it is used.  This post tackles how intelligent video applications are used.

Keep in mind that intelligent video is an emerging market comprised of relatively new technology so, it’s not perfect and it may not quite be able to work the way you want it to yet.  In short, it’s best to have realistic expectations.

However there are some well-developed and well-used intelligent video features that won’t require a whole lot of finagling or adjustments on your part and, they will significantly boost IP camera performance.  Features such as:

Speed is important in IP video surveillance. Early and accurate detection are key …