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.
How to Integrate Access Control with Fire Alarm Systems
Integration of Access Control and Fire Alarm
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.
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.
Elevator access control determines what floors the elevator can go to
Elevators 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.
The secret to designing your sound system is to start at the ears.
The design of an IP paging system starts with the sound level required for people to hear an announcement. Once we know the right sound level, we can define everything else.
The sound level we hear is affected by the background noise, the distance from the IP speaker, and if we are indoors or outdoors.
We require different paging equipment if the system is used in an office building, or a noisy manufacturing plant. We select different IP speakers and amplifiers when we are inside a classroom, or when we are in the hallways of the school. This article describes how to calculate the speaker, the power required at each speaker, and the best place to mount the speakers.
Intelligent IP cameras are providing advanced detection capability.
Would you like to know the moment when someone takes your laptop? Would you like to know when someone screams in the lobby of your building? How about detecting a gunshot? The latest IP cameras have quite a lot of built-in intelligence. They help protect people and assets. They notify you of dangerous situations, help deter terror attacks, and even tell you how many people have visited your store.
The first video cameras consisted mostly of analog electronics. They were mostly amplifiers, filters, and power supplies. Today’s IP cameras are digital and include powerful computers. The computers provide many different functions from processing the video image to connecting the IP camera to the Ethernet network.
How Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Works
You may not have realized it, but Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology is all around us. It is used for toll collecting, to control access to parking lots and even to capture criminals. The technology has improved over the years and has become more economical.
Besides the analytic software that converts the image to computer characters, the system requires a good IP camera. It also requires proper lighting and the correct physical placement of the camera.
IP powered speakers connect to a PoE type network switch.
The speakers include built-in amplifiers. They use PoE, so no additional power connections are required. Just plug the speaker into your network switch.
Each speaker can be addressed individually by the paging software. You can make a page to a single speaker, a group of speakers, or to all the speakers on the network. These IP powered speakers are very easy to install and provide excellent flexibility.
Facial recognition systems are now available as part of video recording software systems.
The Technology for Facial Recognition
There are two primary methods for capturing and matching facial information.
The first measures various features of a person’s face, such as the distance between the eyes, or the position of the mouth to the nose. These geometric measurements or vectors are then stored in a database for later comparison.
The second method is far more complex. It captures the full facial image and uses as much information as it can. It then uses various computer algorithms, including machine learning, to build a set of definition data. This statistical database increases the reliability, as well as the cost of the system.
Most NVRs, video management software systems, or even a cloud system will provide basic video recording. But, if you want to support many cameras at multiple sites, you need a more advanced system.
This article helps you determine the best recording system for your application. It compares simple systems that are used for a handful of cameras, to complex systems that can handle thousands of cameras at multiple sites. Your total system requirements will determine the best video recording system.
