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.

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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 take a picture of your face and thereby verify the user via face recognition to secure the user’s choice of applications.

License Plate Recognition in Mere Milliseconds

Security Sales & Integration Magazine unveils the behind-the-scenes power of intelligent video with their article, “Algorithms Provide the Muscle Behind the Analytics”:

In order to power advanced image analytics, sophisticated algorithms have been developed that extend the software’s intelligence so that it more readily recognizes certain rules. A basic example of this is license plate recognition (LPR). License plates in some states and countries begin with a letter; algorithms are able to discern the letter B from the numeral 8. This is crucial when you have only milliseconds to execute the read.

Also from Security Sales & Integration, for more on license plate recognition check out “Integrated System Combines Vehicle Identification With Real-Time Video.”

Protection While Increasing Access and Mobility

From ASMAG.com, “Securing and Preserving Cultural Heritage“:

Until recently, wireless alarms were mostly called upon, hidden behind paintings or in exhibit cases, to protect collections. “But intelligent video can allow visitors to move freely within the space and alert the security personnel in the control room and the guard in the exhibit galleries only when someone attempts to touch or remove the protected object,” Lazuta said. “Protective zones are drawn around objects, and alerts can be sent also in the form of an e-mail or a text message.”

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:

• Video Motion Detection
• Camera Tampering
• Image Enhancement
• IP Camera Audio with Advanced Detection

Speed is important in IP video surveillance. Early and accurate detection are key to properly responding to events and these intelligent video applications help to make that possible and are a big reason why intelligent video is used.

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