Maximizing the Value of Next-Generation Video Security Networks

Transcription

1 WHITE PAPER Maximizing the Value of Next-Generation Video Security Networks A look at the advantages and challenges involved with integrating next-generation video surveillance systems into the three key aspects of public safety operations: the command center, the transport network and the devices at the edge

2 Welcome to the new world of video security. It is a world where video security is no longer just about passive surveillance; instead, it is about translating the information captured by video systems into real-time crime-fighting tools. But herein lies both the opportunity and the problem, because with new crime-fighting tools come new challenges. And one challenge is making sure that the three key aspects of public safety operations are ready to support the new crime-fighting capabilities enabled by video surveillance. These three key areas are: Command Center where things come together; Transport Network where information is delivered; and But the flip side is that dispatchers today are often already overloaded with information. And it is critical to make sure that video does not add to this strain but instead helps to relieve it. The biggest challenge is often that the information or data coming in from video systems is not filtered in a way that makes it useful for the operator, says Dave Fowler, senior vice president of product development and marketing at VidSys, a provider of physical security information management software. The edge where things happen Take the command center, for instance. There s no question that video feeds can help improve public safety response time. Case in point: In Green Bay, Wisc., thanks to the video cameras located on bridges crossing the city s Fox River, dispatchers have witnessed accidents on cameras and dispatched patrols before anyone even called some accidents into the center. Our customers tell us that in many cases, their dispatch operators are concerned about adding video information because they re afraid of how it might impact their response time, says Sid Hasan, senior manager of business development at Motorola. That s why we have to make sure new computer aided dispatch systems such as those that incorporate video are second nature to operate. And that means making sure that every piece of information available is filtered and routed in the correct manner. 2 WHITE PAPER - Maximizing the Value of Next-Generation Video Security Networks

3 Filtering Out the Most Relevant Information While advanced image analytic techniques such as the ability of a camera to recognize a face in a crowd and track that face across multiple cameras are still being developed, the analytics solutions available today already provide much added intelligence to the video system and help to eliminate false positives. For instance, many of today s video surveillance cameras use analytics to determine when something in the field of view might be amiss, which then triggers an alarm and reduces the need for cameras to be monitored 24x7. If a camera detects motion, for example, that suggests a crowd gathering in a high crime area or an accident on a bridge, it might send an alarm to the command center for further investigation. Video analytics can provide that key first layer of filtering to enable the real analytics engine the human mind to make an informed decision regarding the next course of action. For instance, when an alarm is triggered by a video analytics system, that system can be programmed to react to that alarm by automatically zooming cameras to the location of the incident to ensure that it is not a false alarm. Once this is determined, specialized video operators may be prompted to view the video, annotate clips and share relevant pieces of information with the dispatcher. The dispatcher can then integrate any information that he or she has gleaned from other sources such as calls and pass all relevant information along to first responders. The key here is having a process in place that brings together information from different sources such as video, calls, physical alarms and sensors, P25 emergency alerts and in-vehicle cameras to give dispatchers a greater understanding of what actually is taking place and thus helps them respond more effectively. Already, video analytic systems are being used to help dispatchers make fast and informed decisions on what action is needed. For instance, analytics software can be programmed to automatically make available video that shows the operator exactly what happened 30 seconds before an alarm went off. The software might also automatically display information on what number to call to fix a potential problem. But no machine can replace the analytical powers of the human mind, and in many cases, human intervention is needed to use all the available sources of information that are now available to dispatchers most effectively. Just as an example, consider an incident that occurred on the lift span bridges on Green Bay s Fox River. These bridges swing out to let trains cross the river and back in to allow ship traffic to cross the river, and an intoxicated pedestrian trying to cross the river mistakenly walked onto a train bridge after a train had just crossed. Lost and confused, the pedestrian called from his cell phone but was unable to tell dispatchers his location. The command center was able to focus the cameras located on the bridge in the direction they thought he was located and zoom in on him. Dispatch was then able to send a patrol out to bring him in. THE ANALYTICS SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE TODAY PROVIDE MUCH ADDED INTELLIGENCE TO THE VIDEO SYSTEM Of course, in some cases, command center operators may not need to view the actual video of the scene in question. For instance, gunshot recognition software on a video system can be programmed to automatically call for back-up to help the officers on the scene where the gun was discharged. If the video system is integrated with Geographical Information System (GIS)/mapping technology, the video recording the gunshot could even be sent directly to the nearest available patrol car to determine if a response is needed. 3 WHITE PAPER - Maximizing the Value of Next-Generation Video Security Networks

4 Optimizing the Transport Network Here s where the concept of smart transport comes in as well. Transporting video across any network in real-time eats up a lot of bandwidth, and this is particularly true if video is being sent both to the command center and to first responders on the way to the scene. One of the most challenging aspects of supporting a video surveillance system is making sure the network can support the load even in times of crisis. Often video signals travel across an IP network that supports many different communications, and if these networks are not engineered properly, it can cause problems when too many network resources are needed at once. Digital cameras can hog all of the bandwidth so that you can t get your communications signals through, Fowler says. And when you have an emergency, you want all your communications assets available at the same time. When you designed the system, you might have designed it to look at just two or three cameras. But in an emergency situation, you may need to view 10 cameras. TRANSPORTING VIDEO IN REAL-TIME EATS UP Technology also exists that allows networks to dynamically manage bandwidth flows or even change how the video is encoded to ensure there is enough bandwidth to send it in real-time across the network. In addition, compression technologies are advancing as well. A typical live viewing stream with good quality requires up to two megabytes of available bandwidth, says Jason Pedersen, a sales engineer for Baycom Inc., which installed the video system for the Green Bay Police Department. But using video compression, you can compress the same video stream into a 256 kbps data stream without video integrity loss, he adds. In addition, allowing seamless roaming between different networks can improve video delivery as well. Optimized transport solutions available today enable public safety organizations to leverage the dedicated bandwidth of a private mesh wireless network to deliver inbound video streams to a first responder s moving vehicle and also to seamlessly handover that stream to a public cellular network when the responder is out of range of the mesh network. Fortunately, with advancing technology, it is possible Of course, that is why it is critical to choose a techto overcome these challenges. The other cameras nology partner that can engineer a video surveillance on the network can be programmed to move to a system to support public safety s unique communilower frame rate while some are being viewed at cations needs. a higher frame rate for more clarity, Fowler says. A LOT OF BANDWIDTH, PARTICULARLY IF VIDEO IS BEING SENT BOTH TO THE COMMAND CENTER AND TO FIRST RESPONDERS ON THE WAY TO THE SCENE 4 W H I T E P A P E R - Maximizing the Value of Next-Generation Video Security Networks

5 Moving Toward Integrated Devices NO MATTER WHAT QUALITY OF VIDEO YOUR NETWORK CAN TRANSPORT, IF YOU CANNOT USE THAT INFORMATION IN THE FIELD, ITS USEFULNESS IS LIMITED And having the right partner can be just as important when choosing video-enabled devices, for no matter what quality of video your network can transport, if you cannot use that information in the field, its usefulness is limited. One of the biggest challenges faced by public safety organizations today is the sheer volume of devices they carry around both on their bodies and in their cars. For example, in their vehicles, first responders often have a trunk filled with all sorts of electronics, and this causes problems in terms of space, heat dissipation and power. In addition, the limited availability of high-bandwidth wireless transport networks today require these in-vehicle systems to perform much of the highintensive video processing for applications such as dash-cams and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) systems locally in the vehicle. One way to solve this challenge is by integrating video processing into the already installed in-vehicle computer (see sidebar). This helps to reduce the clutter, simplify the installation, simplify the operation and reduce costs. Video processing interfaces are also increasingly being integrated into handheld companion devices. As higher bandwidth wireless networks become more commonplace, both in-vehicle platforms and handheld devices can leverage these high-bandwidth connections to include more collaborative applications in which the dispatcher and the officer in the field can share real-time video information. For example, a dispatcher might identify relevant video content and send it to officers in the field (either to the vehicle or to a handheld device). Or the patrol officer can take a snapshot or video using either the camera in the handheld or a dash-cam and send that video to the dispatcher. While such information is often invaluable in emergency situations, once again, guidelines must be followed to ensure the dispatcher is receiving relevant information and is not overwhelmed with too much data. As the uses for video surveillance systems multiply, the three key aspects of public safety operations the command center, the transport network and the edge must be optimized to support the new crime-fighting capabilities enabled by next-generation video. Public safety organizations that take the time to properly integrate video into their existing operations can reduce costs and response time and thus save more lives. MOTOROLA STRIVES TO HELP REDUCE CLUTTER IN PATROL CARS Motorola s MW810 mobile workstation is specifically designed to reduce the clutter in patrol cars. For example, the MW810 s central processing unit (CPU) can be mounted inside the vehicle to reduce wiring or in the trunk to save space. The MW810 also supports multiple wireless modems so that first responders can connect to and roam between wireless networks public or private using just one device. Perhaps most importantly, the MW810 s modular design lets public safety organizations support only the features each vehicle needs or to add additional applications as desired. This is not only a great space saver but a great cost reducer as well. The MW810 has an expansion card that allows public safety organizations to add an automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) application to the device, says Hasan. By doing that, you can save 40 percent versus buying the two platforms separately. Motorola, Inc E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, Illinois U.S.A. MOTOROLA and the stylized M Logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. Motorola, Inc GO