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Child-minding by camera

IR illuminators and vari-focal lenses from Rainbow CCTV are being used to monitor child development at a clinic in Minneapolis, USA.

The University of Minnesota is internationally respected for its childcare work, which includes analysis of cognitive development and reactions to visual stimuli in the young, particularly infants with attention deficit disorders.

For the analysis to be valid the youngsters need to concentrate fully on what is presented to them from a computer screen and staff have created a viewing station with minimal distractions where the only white light is that emitted by the PC monitor.

In order to be able to record and review the infants' reactions to the images the paediatricians are using Rainbow's IRLC Series short-range IR illuminator. This can be employed for distances up to 50 feet and has proved effective in many locations requiring night time or low light surveillance under covert or semi-covert conditions. The units operate on 12 V d.c. or 24 d.c., are weatherproof, and include a photocell for automatic on/off operation. Semi-visible and covert (invisible) LEDs are available.

The unit is often combined with Rainbow's matching HD series black and white high impact dome cameras. At this location the IR illuminator is being used with Rainbow's 3-8 mm vari-focal lens. This lens is notable in that it is a day/night model that corrects the focus shift when moving from visible to IR lighting.

Rainbow CCTV products are available locally through ADI International.

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