Detection, Recognition, Identification: The New Criteria

The Real-World Resolution Requirements

I was not sure what to call this article. I first thought it should be titled, “Why The Johnson Criteria is Wrong.”  We use this criterion to predict how far away we can see something using a specific camera and lens.  The criteria define the threshold for detection, recognition, and identification (DRI). The industry has used this criterion since World War II. It has not been updated to reflect today’s technology and resolution requirements.

Illustration-of-DRI-ranges

Better criteria can help us select the right long-range camera for an application.  It can be used to predict the working distance of long-range thermal and optical camera systems.

Continue reading →

Comparison of Security Provided by Door Access Systems

What Is the Most Secure Door Access Control System?

Door Access ControlHow secure are door access control systems?  Pricing can range from less than $100 for a single door to over $1100 per door. What do you get for the money? In some cases, the security level provided can be crucial to your safety.

 

How can we stay ahead of miscreants that are dedicated to breaking through our security systems?  This article summarizes the various levels of electronic security provided by different door control systems. Level 1 provides the least overall security while level 4 provides the highest level of protection. We compared the cost against the effectiveness of each type of system.

Continue reading →

Technical Jokes and Cartoons-32

cartoon-iran-friended

Let’s start with some more Steve Wright – I do like his humor.

 

I was walking down the street wearing glasses when the prescription ran out.

 

I was trying to daydream, but my mind kept wandering.

 

Someone asked me, if I were stranded on a desert island what book would I bring… ‘How to Build a Boat.’

 

What’s another word for Thesaurus?

 

I remember when the candle shop burned down. Everyone stood around singing ‘Happy Birthday.’

Continue reading →

Comparison of Panoramic IP Cameras

How far can you see with an IP panoramic camera?

Panorama-view

A panoramic camera provides a very wide unbroken view in all directions. The panoramic view can be achieved using a single sensor or an array of sensors (or cameras). Single-sensor 360-degree or fisheye cameras have been around for many years. The problem with panoramic cameras has always been the lack of detail available at a distance. The latest high-resolution cameras and multi-sensor cameras provide much better resolution. They can be used in standard surveillance applications, as well as situational awareness. I define standard surveillance applications as situations where you want enough resolution to identify people in the view.

 

This article describes how to determine the viewing distance of different panoramic IP cameras. It compares single-sensor, multi-sensor, and multi-directional IP cameras. Multi-directional cameras are not considered to be true panoramic, but in many cases, can be used in the same applications.

Continue reading →

Access Control and Fire Alarm System Integration

How to Integrate Access Control with Fire Alarm Systems

Fire-alarm-door-release-illustration

Door access control systems control the electric locks. They allow authorized people to enter through the controlled doors. However, what happens in the event of a fire? The access control system could prevent people from escaping or prevent the fire department from entering the building. Many municipalities provide rules for how the fire alarm integrates with the door access system. This article describes how to integrate access control and fire alarm systems.

Continue reading →

How Long Range Access Control Systems Work

Long-Range Access Control Readers

Long-range access control systems are similar to the standard IP door access control systems. They read a credential and determine if the door or gate should be opened. While the standard systems have a very short range, measured in inches, the long range readers can operate at a range of over 25 ft.  When you want to open a gate to a parking garage from your vehicle, you really can’t use a standard reader. You need a system that provides a much longer range.

long-range-access-system

Continue reading →

Jokes and Cartoons – 31

Some thoughts:

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.

Cartoon-non-sequitur-proof

Continue reading →

Elevator Control Using Door Access Readers

Elevator access control determines what floors the elevator can go to

 

elevator-access control-conceptElevators In multi-floor buildings can be made more secure by adding elevator access controls.  These controllers determine who can reach certain floors. For example, we can assure that only the approved people can get to the 3rd floor where the IT department is located.

With this type of system installed, the people who work in accounting only have access to the third floor, while people in advertising can only go to the 5th floor. Floors that contain general areas such as cafeteria or fitness center, would typically be available to everyone. We can also program the system to allow certain people, such as the executives to go to any floor.

Continue reading →

History of Kintronics

Kintronics is Forty!

 

Kintronics was founded May, 1977.  The Kintronics history is one of change.  Over the years, we constantly reinvented ourselves to assure that we were providing the right technology products to the market.

About-Kintronics-concept

In the beginning, we were a small regional distributor providing electronic components such as relays, power supplies, and monitors. In 1989 we hired a more technical staff, and our business model changed.  We started selling complete systems such as CD-ROM drives and CD-recorders to schools and libraries. We provided a high level of technical support, and service. As technology changed, so did the products we offered. The CD-ROM drives became network attached CD-ROM servers, and in 1990 we added optical disc libraries from Panasonic that automated archiving of computer data.

Continue reading →

Jokes and Cartoons – 30

cartoon-far-side-wrongs-rightBill walks into his boss’s office one day and says, “Sir, I’ll be straight with you, I know the economy isn’t great, but I’ve got three companies after me, and I’d like to  respectfully ask for a raise.”

 

After a few minutes of haggling. the boss finally agrees to give him a 5% raise, and Bill happily gets up to leave.

 

“By the way”, asks the boss as Bill is leaving his office, “which three companies are after you?”

 

Bill replies, “The electric company, water company, and phone company.”

Two factory workers are talking.

The woman says, “I can make the boss give me the day off.” The man replies, “And how would you do that?”

The woman says, “Just wait and see.”

She then hangs upside down from the ceiling.

The boss comes in and says, “What are you doing?”

Continue reading →