Unconventional use of video surveillance.

Non-standard use of video surveillance.

Unconventional use of video surveillance Unconventional use of video surveillance Video surveillance systems are becoming more and more widespread. Now surveillance cameras can be found not only in large shopping centers and international airports, but also in private homes, offices, on transport, this chain can be listed endlessly, since video surveillance has become an integral part of everyday life. The basic task of video surveillance systems is to ensure security, but every year the functionality of video surveillance is expanding, sometimes revealing to society unexpected facets of using video surveillance. For example, video surveillance «as art»: modern artists create their works using special programs and photos of human faces taken by video surveillance cameras on the streets. Monitoring behavior in public places is also becoming more and more inventive, turning into «the art of surveillance.» In the business district of San Pedro, local residents cannot help but notice the robot «Mojo», created by Christian Moeller. The structure mounted on a pole rotates and tilts, shining a spotlight on random passers-by captured by surveillance cameras mounted on roofs. The cameras transmit data to a specialized program, which then makes Mojo follow the selected pedestrian. People react to such “following” in different ways. Sometimes as a “friendly surprise,” sometimes rather coolly. But in general, introducing an entertaining moment into the concept of video surveillance helps people treat the cameras installed everywhere more loyally.

This is not the only example of using video surveillance to create “smart figures”. Based on software with a facial recognition function, a special “photo booth” in the form of a huge alarm clock was designed, which scans images coming from a surveillance camera installed in the body of the structure. Having detected someone’s face in the frame, it sends its image, enlarged approximately six times, to its screen. At the same time, the projector selects random images from the database and, using a built-in projector, displays them on the “wall of fame”. “When people are interested, they come up to the sculpture, play with it, trying to trick it,” says the creator of the sculpture, Steve Appleton. A full-fledged dialogue between man and machine takes place, and the reward for this can be getting your face on the wall of fame.

Another example of the non-standard use of video surveillance systems can be seen in the experimental work of Stockholm scientists. With the help of video surveillance, the experimenters helped the subject feel like another person. From a technical point of view, the experiment is quite simple — the «subject» is put on a special mask with built-in displays connected to video surveillance cameras located on the head of an ordinary mannequin and directed vertically downwards. It is due to the latter that the necessary illusion is created for the observer. When the user looked down and the direction of his gaze coincided with the direction of the cameras, the image from the mannequin's cameras was fed to the mask monitors. In this case, the observer could see the lower part of the mannequin's body. The results fully met the expectations of the experimenters — after a two-minute experiment, the observers had a complete feeling that the mannequin's body was their own.

Experimental cases of video surveillance application can be seen not only in the entertainment industry, but also in medicine. An unusual project, which proposed an unconventional use of the video surveillance system, was implemented in one of the Russian hospitals. Diagnostic devices (ultrasound scanners, video gastroscopes, surgical probes) were synchronized with the video surveillance system, which allowed for the formation of a long-term archive and data compression, saving the «electronic medical history». Their capabilities allow for a quick search for the obtained research results and, if necessary, transfer them via communication channels, including viewing on the Internet, to other medical institutions, and the received video recording can also be duplicated on another storage medium.

To implement such projects, Acumen can offer capture cards: Ai-BOX, Ai-SC187, Ai-SC047. Acumen capture cards are designed to build digital video surveillance systems based on a personal computer. One computer can simultaneously process images from up to 32 cameras. Each video capture card contains independent audio inputs, i.e. for cameras connected to the card, the video sequence can be recorded with sound, providing the effect of presence at the shooting location. The software for Acumen video capture cards is Russified and compatible with Windows.

Another result of this project was the use of video surveillance to organize the recording of surgical operations. The practice of video documentation of surgeons' work is widespread for the purposes of training young specialists, analyzing the work of doctors, practicing professional skills, preserving unique experience, and creating educational films. To achieve the best performance, Acumen suggests using a specialized Ai-BOX capture card to record events. The uniqueness of this product is that Ai-BOX provides complete mobility of the video surveillance system. At the time you need, you can connect an external Ai-BOX capture card to a laptop or desktop computer. By connecting surveillance cameras to the capture card, you can quickly organize video filming with the ability to remotely view in real time for up to 4 users simultaneously.

American doctors also use video surveillance in their work. In a Florida hospital, video surveillance cameras were installed in intensive care and resuscitation rooms to keep an eye on the clinic's most seriously ill patients. Using the remote access function, close relatives of the patient could monitor the situation in the room at any time.

The scientific world has also adopted video surveillance. Thanks to video surveillance cameras, scientists have the opportunity to implement projects that previously seemed unrealistic. The video surveillance system allows you to record all minor changes in prototypes around the clock, while archiving all the information received. Video obtained as a result of video surveillance can be viewed using a convenient search by date, time, motion detection. For these purposes, it is advisable to use cameras with built-in IR illumination, which will allow surveillance in complete darkness, if required by the experiment. The Ai-IR59 camera with built-in IR illumination of 40 meters and a high resolution of 600 TVL is perfect for this non-standard application. And the 4-channel Ai-D243 recorder will allow 6 users to simultaneously view what is happening remotely, from any convenient place where the Internet is available. The recorder allows you to customize the recording to the needs of the user: by date and time, the «on/off» function of recording during the day.

Another interesting application of video surveillance was found by employees of gambling establishments. Video surveillance under the guise of a means of ensuring security helped to collect and systematize information about the manner of playing by a particular player. With the help of video surveillance, the curtain of secrets of irrational at first glance decisions of players was lifted. Acumen equipment has already been repeatedly used in gambling establishments throughout Russia. Every year Acumen modernizes its model range in accordance with the latest technical developments, providing more and more scope for the activities of the casino security service. The new line of Acumen cameras with a high resolution of 700 TVL based on the Sony Effio processor (Ai-CD99, Ai-DC99) will help to get a more detailed picture of what is happening at the gaming table.

Video surveillance is increasingly entering our everyday life, and carries not only a security function, but also entertainment, medical, educational, informational, regulatory. Thanks to this, the public has become more tolerant of the fact of the constant presence of video surveillance in everyday life.