TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION: “GLOBAL VIDEO.

INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGIES: “GLOBAL VIDEO.

INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGIES: “GLOBAL VIDEO”

In our daily lives we often use the saying: “It is better to see once than to hear ten times!” But, as a rule, we do not think and do not ask ourselves the question: “And, actually, why?” Indeed, a person is designed in such a way that the maximum amount of information per unit of time comes to him through vision (approximately an order of magnitude more than through hearing). And it is not without reason that the integrated security systems (SS), which have been actively developing recently, have placed their bets on global video transmitted by “non-television” means, the capabilities of which have increased significantly with the use of modern digital technologies. These capabilities and prospects for the development of global digital videoare analyzed in this article.

Video surveillance equipment (VSE) plays a special role in integrated security systems. The uniqueness of information about the situation at the protected facility or about the behavior and individual characteristics of the intruder, which can only be provided by video, the specificity of the tasks solved with the help of VSE makes them indispensable in a number of cases. In addition, video cameras installed indoors and outdoors can scare off potential criminals, hidden video surveillance allows the manager to control the work of employees or security guards, video recording allows obtaining documentary material on current events for subsequent analysis or as material evidence (identify the identity of the criminal, determine the car number, etc.). A correctly designed video surveillance subsystem allows you to assess the situation at the facility in real time, reduce the response time to an extreme situation and ensure the fastest possible adoption of appropriate measures to protect against threats that have arisen.

Thanks to such unique capabilities of video surveillance equipment, they have become very widespread over the past 10-15 years. During this time, the cost of television cameras has decreased by an order of magnitude, their size — by almost two orders of magnitude. The development of video signal processing tools, digital methods, the use of microprocessors allow us to bring VHS to a qualitatively new level of development.

Main trends in the development of security systems

Traditionally, security systems have developed in three main areas: protection of objects, protection of information and personal (individual) protection, however, at present they are characterized by general development trends that are typical for all security systems:

• digitalization (transition to digital methods and technologies);
• integration;
• intellectualization (transition to intelligent methods and technologies);
• globalization;
• other trends.

Of course, the fundamental trend in the development of security systems is the transition to digital methods and technologiesprocessing and transmission of information, which ensured a significant improvement in the operational and technical characteristics of the security system in terms of reliability, sensitivity, resource and energy conservation, etc. The computer technologies that are currently actively developing contribute to the development of integrated security systems.

To effectively solve the problem of ensuring security, an appropriate modern level of technology, technical means and security services is required, the main development trend of which is the rapidly developing process of total integration. Currently, integration covers micro- and radio electronics, signals and channels, integrated technologies, multifunctional integrated devices, integrated networks and systems have appeared, and integrated security services have begun to be provided.

As statistics show, a modern city dweller spends about 90% of his time in stationary and mobile objects. Perhaps this can explain the interest shown by society in the concept of an intelligent object, which implements three basic principles — comfort, economy, safety. An intelligent object can be understood as an apartment, a floor, an office, a residential or industrial building, etc.

And finally, one of the main trends in the modern development of security systems is the process of globalizationSecurity services, the coverage area of ​​which is becoming the whole world. The trend of globalization is especially clearly visible in territorially dispersed security systems, network Internet technologies, mobile communication systems and networks and personal communications. The process of globalization is especially actively promoted by the introduction of wireless technologies for the transmission and protection of information, such as BLUTOOTH, PROXIMITY, contactless identification, GSM, GPRS, Internet networks, etc.

The new technology of “global digital video” has absorbed all the main development trends discussed above, but the transition to digital methods and technologies undoubtedly remains dominant.

Why “digital?”

The answer to this question is not trivial. Indeed, in simple security television systems this question does not arise. In the simplest case, a good quality coaxial cable transmits information perfectly without any coding. Problems arise when it is necessary to transmit information over distances greater than several dozen meters, or when recording, viewing and redistribution are organized in a more complex way. The answer to this question is more related to the constantly growing amount of processed and transmitted information. Every day it becomes more and more necessary to record, read, connect, duplicate, combine, edit, send various types of information, including video, via communication channels. And all this must be done with the required level of quality. For analog systems, such actions are associated with great difficulties, since its quality deteriorates after each repetition. The only way out is to use a digital signal, which, unlike analog, does not deteriorate over time. A big advantage of a digital system is that the absolute level of the received signal no longer matters. In addition, using computers, you can quickly and losslessly manage digital combinations. Digitized information is not subject to change during storage. The list of advantages of digital processing can go on and on (Table 1). Perhaps its only drawback is the difficulties associated with converting information into digital form and, as a result, the higher cost of digital equipment.

Table 1. Key benefits of digital video surveillance technologies

As can be seen from Table 1, networked digital video monitoring systems offer better quality, expandability, speed, capacity, global remote access, and many other benefits that cannot be achieved using traditional analog methods and technologies.

Why “compress” information?

It has now been established that when working with digital data, it is advantageous to use not the “bare” analog-to-digital conversion of the signal, but its compressed (compressed) representation. This usually means reducing the amount of memory required to store digital video data and transmit it over communication channels. Therefore, the purpose of video compression is a more compact representation of the image, cutting off redundant, unnecessary information, which is necessary for using digital video in modern video surveillance systems.

It should be noted that computers are the most successful in video data compression. Over the past few years, a kind of boom has occurred in the commercial market for digital image processing. A large number of special mathematical algorithms for video signal compression have appeared, which were later developed into “Compression Standards”, such as MPEG-1, M-JPEG, H261, H263, Wavelet, Fractal, etc.

To solve various problems of transmitting and storing video information, a large number of compression algorithms have been developed, differing from each other in their capabilities and scope of application. Distinctive features of modern image compression algorithms are given in Table 2.

Table 2. Distinctive features of modern image compression algorithms

As can be seen from Table 2, such algorithms as MPEG2, MPEG4, M-JPEG and Wavelet are currently used to implement CCTV modes, depending on the requirements and capabilities. The video data stream is converted into one of these formats using compressors, the main features of which are shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Main features of video compressors

Practical implementation of global video

Modern methods of video image processing and compression allow transmitting a video signal converted into a digital stream via virtually all known communication channels – from satellite to cable telephone. Using global communication systems, the “global video” mode is now quite easily implemented in security systems. The image quality in this case is determined by the channel capacity. As a rule, a personal computer is used on the receiving side in such systems. This allows the security system to be somewhat cheaper, but at the same time imposes some restrictions on its use (a certain level of operator training and, at a minimum, a computer are required.

Global video via GSM and Internet channels

Fig. 1. Structure of the global telemonitoring system of the security system with the transmission of information via GSM and Internet channels

The globalization process significantly changes the capabilities and requirements for corporate security systems with distributed objects (Fig. 1). In this case, the functionality of security systems is significantly expanded, but the requirements for information protection increase significantly, which require the use of technologies such as cryptography, coding, steganography, etc.

Global video over the phone (GSM, PSTN, POTS, ISDN)

One of the most typical representatives of this class of remote surveillance systems is the compact video transmission system “TeleObserver 2100”. Using this system allows you to transmit video information in real time from any remote point to a stationary or mobile control point. At the controlled site, up to 4 video cameras can be connected to the base device. Compression software that complies with the H.263 standard allows you to transmit up to 3 frames per second (GSM), or up to 15 frames per second (ISDN). A personal computer and a GSM modem are required to ensure reception. The software included in the delivery set provides real-time surveillance. The system controls 4 cameras, brightness, contrast, pan and tilt devices and zoom at a distance.

When receiving, video information is output directly through the video card, without the need for any additional devices. The video image resolution can be selected from the CIF, QCIF, SQCIF standards. The software supports the following functions:

• selection of various transmission configurations;
• control of transmission functions;
• Automatic connection and image transmission upon alarm;
• Automatic recording of received video signal;
• Saving telephone numbers;
• Automatic redialing;
• Status printing;
• Automatic protocol file.

The package includes integrated video player software. Materials are archived for offline analysis. As a result of the high compression ratio, 24 hours of video recording takes up only 120 MB of memory. In addition to the usual playback functions, the software includes an integrated motion function for viewing the most significant fragments of the entire video sequence.

Similar functions are performed, for example, by the VDM-4 video modem, which is a small-sized autonomous device designed to encode and transmit video information from several cameras via telephone at any distanceor via a regular cable to a computer (up to 500 m). In motion detection mode, it does not require a constant operator connection, remembers the current frame, and then dials the phone number specified by the user. The structural diagram of “video by phone” based on the “VDM-4” video modem is shown in Fig. 2, and the main technical characteristics of the video modem are given in Table 4.

Table 4. Main operational and technical characteristics of the VDM-4 video modem

Fig. 2. Structural diagram of “video by phone” based on the “VDM-4” video modem

Another option for organizing global video over the phone is possible using the “CROW JET” system. This system is a hardware and software complex, which includes a PCI board for inputting images into a computer from 6 color or black-and-white video cameras and an additional module with inputs for connecting 6 alarm sensors and outputs of three controlled relays. The software is designed to work in the Windows 95 environment and consists of three blocks. The first two blocks are intended for a computer with an installed video input board, the third block is intended for a remote computer and does not require a special board. The structural diagram of the system is shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3. Structural diagram of the “CROW JET” system

Global video via satellite

Currently, the commercial market offers a wide range of global communication channels that differ from each other in cost, quality, and security level, so choosing a communication channel is perhaps the most difficult stage. For example, satellite commercial communication channels, although they are the most expensive, allow for a significant expansion of the operational and technical capabilities of the security system. In particular, along with the transmission of global video, it becomes possible to monitor both stationary and moving objects, such as people, transport (land, water, air) and various remote checkpoints (Fig. 4). In this case, when using GPS systems, the ability to determine the location of an object is especially valuable, which significantly expands the operational and technical characteristics of the security system as a whole.

Fig. 4. Structural diagram of global video via satellite repeater

Global Internet monitoring of facility security

As noted earlier, digital video technologies are very successfully integrated into security systems, providing new, previously unachievable properties, such as, for example, global security monitoring. Let us consider this possibility in more detail using the example of Internet controller TSS of the Russian company “Sem Sechatey TSS”, which was one of the first to offer the cheapest global service in the field of monitoring the level of security of objects.

This service is intended for all Internet users who have access from a regular computer or from a mobile phone with a built-in browser (for example, Siemens S35 or Nokia 6210). It should be noted that a similar control scheme is already used in the USA and France, but it is intended mainly for business services. A distinctive feature of the TSS service is its low cost for the end user, who will be offered a personal page in the required language on the server. When using the TSS controller, the page can view saved or current images from various cameras installed at the controlled facility (for example, in an apartment, a summer house, a cottage or a villa located anywhere in the world. The only condition is that a regular or mobile phone must work there (you must agree that with the current rate of telephony, this condition cannot be called strict).

In addition to the specified video images, the page shows the current status of the sensors, which can be activated at your own discretion. In addition, you have a full log of events on activated sensors. You can also mark events on sensors, which can be used to send SMS messages to three different phone numbers and (or) send an e-mail.

To attract users who prefer to use old security systems (like Vista), the developers have provided the ability to connect a printer output to the TSS Internet controller. In this case, all events will be displayed on the personal control page.

The user is also given the right to enable a filter by events and decide for which of them to send SMS messages and e-mail alarm messages, for the reception and processing of which local emergency response services have special programs. The block diagram of the considered system of Internet monitoring of facility security is shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5. Block diagram of the system of Internet monitoring of facility security

As can be seen from Fig. 5, the TSS Internet controller is used as a client terminal, which services up to 4 color or black-and-white cameras, 4 microphones, 4 analog sensors and 2 relays. The controller can communicate via any standard modem or via a cellular modem such as Ericsson (GSM, CDMA, DAMPS), or even via a cellular phone with a modem inside (such as Siemens S25).

Of course, the advantage of this option is the ease of use and low cost of the service, because at any time of the day the client, being at work or in the office of partners, at home or at friends, or in an Internet cafe, goes online and then by password — to his TSS server page. The server automatically makes a call to the object controller, which records this call, but does not pick up the phone, and after the end of the call itself goes online and to its TSS server page, entering the communication mode with the client. It is clear that the client will not have to pay for long-distance and international phone calls, which ensures the simplest and widest access, as well as a fairly high economic efficiency of the system.

How to effectively save video information?

The picture of the current state of the global video surveillance problem would not be complete without dwelling on devices for long-term storage of video information. The transition to digital methods of information processing and especially the emergence of modern methods of its compression have made a real revolution among audio and video recording devices. At present, digital video recorders have appeared on the security equipment market, which have high operational and technical characteristics. Let us consider the modern possibilities of archiving and storing video information using the example of the digital video recorder “DX-TL800E” of the company “MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC”.

In essence, this device is an integration of several modern digital technologies, which allowed to obtain exceptionally high operational and technical characteristics, first of all, high reliability, quality and multifunctionality. This video recording device has a hardware compression algorithm Wavelet, which allows to record 10% more video information than when using the M-JPEG algorithm. On a disk with a capacity of 120 GB, you can record 5483000 frames at an average compression level. This will correspond to 20 days of continuous recording for a similar mode of a multiplexer-video recorder pair of long-term recording, with the same density per camera. The main characteristics of the digital video recorder “DX-TL800E” are given in Table 5.

Table 5. Main characteristics of the VCR “DX-TL800E”

There is currently a real boom in the market of digital recorders and devices for transmitting video images over computer networks. Until recently, digital video recording systems were significantly inferior to analog systems in terms of price-quality ratio. Now the situation has changed significantly and many users have begun to seriously consider digital systems as a real alternative to analog systems. A significant number of digital video systems have appeared on the market, differing significantly in quality and functionality, as well as in cost. For example, the company “Formula Bezopasnosti” offers a new generation multi-channel digital video recorder “RealFast” on the market. Serial production of this product began in early 2003 under the Tedd Electronics trademark.

The “RealFast” system records 400 images per second with a resolution of 720×576 pixels in MPEG-2 format. From the user’s point of view, this means that in the mid-price category, a complex has appeared on the market that allows real-time multichannel video recording with DVD quality. From the security point of view, the closed operating system of the video recorder and video archive encoding exclude unauthorized access and increase the reliability of the complex as a whole.

Simultaneously with multi-channel video recording, RealFast controls current images from four, eight or sixteen cameras, views archives and monitors the network. The video recorder integrates into the Ethernet network and allows multi-user control of the entire video surveillance system. Offline, the video recorder operates autonomously. With the use of external storage devices, the total capacity of the array increases to 6.4 TB. In addition, there is also a function for instant search of a video fragment by specified parameters, as well as the ability to quickly archive to a Compact Flash card. Apparently, RealFast will find application in video surveillance systems of objects where high-quality digital video recording without frame loss is required. In the table. 6 provides comparative characteristics of some other digital video recording systems currently available on the Russian market.

Table 6. Comparative characteristics of digital video recording systems

Analysis of the development of the modern security systems market allows us to note the following main directions of development of digital video recording systems. First of all, this is further reduction in the cost of computer systems, software and video signal processing tools. We should expect the emergence of new algorithms for digital video signal processing aimed at improving the quality and possibility of reliable video recording in difficult conditions (low illumination, fast-moving object, etc.). Cameras transmitting a signal in digital form will gain increasing popularity. We should expect the emergence of built-in means of protecting video information.

Thus, modern global video systems have absorbed the most promising digital technologies for processing, storing and transmitting video information, including new information technologies (data compression, artificial intelligence methods, databases, etc.), information preservation technologies (computer hard drives, DVDs, flash cards, etc.), biometric identification technologies (especially contactless), modern telecommunications technologies (cellular and satellite networks, the Internet, etc.). But this is only the visible part of the iceberg of new technologies, which is actively used for commercial purposes. There are also “tears invisible to the world” that are not usually discussed “in public”. These are, first of all, the problems of operational investigative activities, comprehensive information protection, ensuring the safety of citizens from terrorism and many others. The high integration capabilities of digital global video technologies with new information technologies (for example, with computer steganography) allow us to hope for new technological breakthroughs in the very near future. But that's another story.