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Analytics bring savings and efficiency

Security camera systems do not have eyes and brains, but intelligent video analytics is the next best thing.

Few new technologies have excited the imagination of video security professionals like video analytics. Through constant automated digital screening and filtering, video analytics can identify specific conditions and notify operators of potential issues, allowing security officials to make quick, informed decisions.

“The greatest value in analytics has to do with the ability to use digital software to achieve a solution that normally would require physical hardware to get the same result,” said Sara Scroggins, Pelco product marketing manager. “For example, using a simple digital line versus a tripwire to create an alarm when someone opens or closes a door is a significant cost savings compared to hardwiring a door with a contact closure.”

Engineers have developed numerous video analytics features to track various behaviours, from recognising an abandoned briefcase or duffel bag to determining when someone is loitering in a specified zone.

Using a mathematical model to recognise the background of a scene, the system establishes the baseline for the background and can then recognise pixel differences as objects ‘on top of’ or ‘in front of’ the background. Once a foreground object is detected, the system begins to recognise features: size, colour and movement.

These characteristics are used to track objects and recognise abnormalities to notify security personnel.

“Ultimately, video analytics can help our customers save money and operate more efficiently,” Scroggins said. “Think of it in terms of operating expenses and bringing more value to your business by using object counting to see how many people are coming in to a retail establishment at certain times of day. The business can then better determine how many employees need to be staffed at those times and in what areas they’re most productive.”

Analytics video behaviours

Directional motion: When motion is detected in a specific direction, an alarm is triggered to notify security personnel.

Adaptive motion: This advanced motion detection behaviour calibrates to scene conditions, allowing the system to distinguish targets from other movement in a scene, such as headlight glare, leaves blowing or a flag flying.

Vibration removal: This behaviour reduces video shake in applications where cameras are subject to vibration, providing a clear picture despite camera shake.

Object removal: An alarm triggers when a stationary object, such as a priceless piece of art, is removed from a selected scene.

Object counting: This behaviour counts objects when motion is detected in a specific direction.

Camera sabotage: This advanced video loss detection recognises when video has been compromised.

Loitering detection: When people or vehicles remain in a defined zone longer than the user-defined time allows, an alarm notifies security personnel.

Auto tracking: This behaviour has pan/tilt/zoom capability to track vehicles or humans entering or stopping in user-defined zones.

Abandoned object: An alarm triggers when a stationary object appears and remains in a scene, such as a person setting down a briefcase or duffel bag.

Stopped vehicle: Vehicles stopped near a sensitive area longer than the user-defined time allows are detected.

Pelco Video Analytics Solutions available from Sentronics, include the Sarix EP Megapixel Series.

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