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Thermal imaging at home

Thermal imaging cameras are protecting perimeters the world over.

Conventional CCTV cameras rely on colour contrast to provide enough information for the viewer to detect a threat. Even at moderate ranges, weak contrast can render these cameras useless. Thermal cameras do not have this limitation.

“The contrast on a thermal image is usually much greater, due to the difference in temperature between a person and his surroundings”, explains Philip Smerkovitz, MD of TeleEye S.A. “That means you can detect a person with a thermal imaging camera at a larger distance.”

Range performance

Equipped with a 35 mm lens the FLIR F-313 thermal imaging cameras can detect a human size target at 780 m and a small vehicle at over 2 km. Due to this performance, only a few FLIR F-Series thermal imaging cameras are needed to monitor an entire estate.

FLIR thermal imaging cameras and conventional CCTV cameras can be combined in a TCP/IP network. The images from all of the sensors in the TCP/IP network, including the FLIR F-313 thermal imaging cameras can be accessed from the control room or guard house.

Software

To manage the network, FLIR Sensor Manager Pro software is deployed at the control room. Not only does it allow the user to automatically locate all FLIR Systems thermal imaging cameras in the network and to easily control them, it can also be used to control a wide variety of other sensors.

“We use Sensor Manager Pro to ensure that any occurrences are immediately brought to the operator’s attention”, explains Smerkovitz. “Sensor Manager Pro contains a video analytics module with video motion and target detection. The user can place virtual trip wires and other triggers. If the system detects that someone is entering the perimeter an operator alarm will go off and the images that caused the alarm will be shown on the screen so the user can immediately see if it really is a trespasser or a false alarm. In the case of a real intrusion, further action, such as calling the police and armed response for example, can be taken immediately.

“All of the images are also recorded using a FLIR network digital video recorder (nDVR) for future use,” continues Smerkovitz.

More than perimeter detection

While perimeter detection remains the core function of the thermal cameras, they can also be used for applications such as monitoring wildlife, in the growing number of estates that have game on the premises.

These animals can be quite an investment, and their behaviour can be monitored from a distance, day and night. It is quite easy to see if an animal is injured or to detect signs of abnormal behaviour.

Low maintenance

Even more important is the FLIR F-Series’ low total cost of ownership (TCO), explains Smerkovitz. “The FLIR F-Series thermal imaging cameras have uncooled detectors, so they do not need the maintenance a thermal imaging camera with a cooled detector would require, and the absence of a motorised focus mechanism prevents mechanical break downs. The F-Series does not need any maintenance whatsoever.

The F-Series features an exchangeable cassette system, which makes them field upgradable. Whether you want to upgrade your existing F-Series to better image quality or if you want more range performance, there is no need to replace the entire camera or send it back to the factory.

For more information contact TeleEye (South Africa), +27 (0)11 557 9200, www.teleeye.com

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