By Nathan Hodge Security, You can run...
Researchers Hone in on 'Spot-a-Terrorist' Surveillance Cams
Surveillance cameras today are only as good as their operators, who tend to fall back on the crude tools of profiling to pick suspicious individuals out of a crowd. Researchers at Ohio State University are at work on a network of "smart" surveillance cameras that can scan a crowd more efficiently. The concept involves stitching digital images together from the
viewspace of a network of cameras, creating a 360-degree, "fish eye"
view of a scene. Another piece of software creates an overhead map that
can fix the ground coordinates of each pixel in the panorama; a third
component would seamlessly track an individual as they move through the
space. ScienceDaily has the scoop:
As a person walks across a scene, the computer can calculate exactly
where the person is on the panorama and aerial map. That information
can then be used to instruct a camera to follow him or her
automatically using the camera’s pan-and-tilt control. With this
system, it will be possible for the computer to 'hand-off' the tracking
task between cameras as the person moves in and out of view of
different cameras.
Reaserchers have developed algorithms that can spot
unusual behavior through surveillance camera networks. This "spot a
terrorist" technology that military and homeland security types have dreamed about, is now being deployed. Practical application of these products will change the way of law enforcement.
Get the Wireless you need...
Wireless equipment packages for city environments continue to improve, moving toward a "Plug and Play" environment. Interestingly, the industry has watched in amazement at million dollar contracts turning into multi-million dollar contracts by municipalities, simply because cities hired major consulting firms at huge costs. Cities buy Ford, Dodge or GM trucks for City services. They don't spend millions in consulting on which truck to buy. Wireless, is a bit more complex, yet not so difficult.
Major cities in the US have spent huge amounts on consulting and are coming with a few, truly robust wireless solutions. Smaller cities, taking advantage of this knowledge, can benefit from that experience without "reinventing the wheel". Once equipment is selected, a city can derive huge savings from an inexpensive solution, all the while providing enhanced community experience and access.
WiMax may not be totally here yet, but there are excellent Wi-Fi/Wi-Max hybrids doing an excellent job. One in particular, in a city of 1,000,000 population built in late '06, has never had a failure, even for an hour. The distances are excellent, and the load-leveling and capacities are "off the charts" excellent.