Always Watching

Intelligent video technology has numerous applications for security

• By Yossi Massafi
• Feb 05, 2007

INTELLIGENT video analysis (IVA) is a surveillance technology that watches one or many video fields of view and detects, tracks, identifies and analyzes movements and behaviors of objects or people. By noting the presence or absence of objects, and the location, direction and speed of movement, the technology detects movements or behaviors that deviate from specified parameters. The technology is popular with government, transportation, manufacturing and other organizations concerned with perimeter and interior security, as well as streamlining observable operations.

Higher Detection, Less Nuisance
IVA systems represent a significant advance over simple, passive motion detectors and security cameras in several important ways. First, the technology is simply more sensitive than CCTV systems. More subtle movement can be detected, resulting in higher rates of desired detection and lower rates of false or nuisance alarms.

More advanced IVA systems can detect movement under poor conditions or low visibility--or in spite of fog or other inclement weather. Also at the high end, an IVA system's attention can be directed to any combination of as many as 24,000 different detection cells in each camera's field of view. This also allows the system to ignore irrelevant movement, the most common example being moving trees or cloud shadows. Different alerting parameters for the different detection cells enable the systems to avoid setting off nuisance alarms.

undefinedDetecting and preventing intrusions in real time -- in outdoor or indoor environments -- are the most obvious and common applications of IVA.

Preventing Intrusions
Detecting and preventing intrusions in real time -- in outdoor or indoor environments -- are the most obvious and common applications of IVA. Directional perception enables an IVA system to identify when someone is unlawfully entering an area, for instance, through a checkpoint exit lane. High-end IVA platforms can help security personnel with threading intrusion scenarios by automatically tracking a person from camera to camera. The IVA system also can automatically control PTZ cameras to follow the intruder, as well as provide staff with video-recorded footage minutes or hours before the intrusion is detected, as well as a post-event video audit trail.

Tons of Data
As a technology that can be programmed to ask and answer many "if then" questions before alerting and responding, the latest IVA platforms more closely assume the function of security personnel trained to know when an irregularity must be responded to immediately and when that irregularity must be followed up with further checks to confirm or rule out a threat or a problem. But with the ability to simultaneously receive, analyze and respond to inputs from many multiple cameras and sensors, IVA can see and process more than humans can in critical seconds.

For example, a high-end IVA platform's software algorithms can combine detection of an abnormal presence--a person in a warehouse during off-hours--with an abnormal absence like a removed object both on the same field of view. It also can combine detection of a stopped vehicle at camera A with an unexpected human presence at camera B. So, at the end of the day, an integrated IVA platform can combine different algorithms from one or many cameras, as well as from other sensor inputs, such as RFID, fence sensors or access control, to provide better threat assessments.

Because an IVA system can do this around the clock, it raises the security level beyond what can be achieved solely by personnel watching passive video monitors, even on four- or eight-hour shifts.

Automated, Manual Responses
High-end, integrated IVA platforms also go much further by being able to automate response differently to distinct levels of possible threat and problems. Using pre-defined rules, the technology may respond to different scenarios with a different set of actions. For example, if it detects a person within 100 feet of a restricted area, an integrated IVA platform may respond by playing an audio clip over a loudspeaker, warning the possible intruder to turn back. If it tracks that person proceeding to within 50 feet of a fence, it may send pages to security officers, send video clip to a mobile device, sound alarms or shut down gates and outer entrances, trapping the intruder.

Not all applications of IVA are security related. As an intelligent recorder for time-and-motion study, IVA also can improve operational efficiency and reduce bottlenecks. A truck detected stopping for too long at a loading dock may cause a page to be sent to a production manager. A highway authority, measuring the flow of cars through a toll plaza throughout the day, can react fast to traffic problems and also determine the best hourly assignment of open lanes and toll-takers, preventing drivers from finding alternate routes and saving toll revenue. Another example might be watching airport curbside drop-off points to determine whether drivers are fairly sharing limited curb space or parking too long.

An IVA solution also can be used to improve safety and enforce compliance with safety codes. A camera installed to prevent employee theft in back rooms may be used by an IVA system to detect the illegal presence of boxes in front of fire exits, preventing loss of life in emergencies and saving a company serious inspection fines.

While no automated monitoring system can replace human personnel entirely, IVA can add another layer of reliability and security to a facility. Serving as a supporting tool and automating first response to abnormal conditions, it can buy critical time before personnel reach the scene of a threat or problem. The technology can provide key information about the nature of the problem. Equally alert at any hour, with no fatigue or drop in performance over time, the technology can reduce staff needed or the need to replace shifts frequently. And by noting all types of irregular movement--people scaling a fence, objects being dropped from highway overpasses or people/cars crossing train tracks--it can often prevent losses or damage before it happen. As technology matures, and systems get closer to 100-percent detection, users can expect to see an increasing number of organizations leveraging IVA as a mainstream safety, security and business productivity tool.