Auto-tracking PTZ for Perimeter surveillance

Auto-tracking PTZ for Perimeter surveillance

Auto tracking is an advanced image processing algorithm to track the moving objects with respect to the speed and direction of the movement. Based on the requirement and application it has several advantages to reduce the number of cameras and increase the coverage area, reduce human intervention and manpower costs. A single PTZ camera to cover a large area and to automatically detect, follow and record video of moving objects such as humans or vehicles.

The auto-tracking system works in the same way as motion detection in that the camera will compare the current image taken with the previous image. If too many of the pixels are different the camera will register motion. In addition to this though, the auto-tracking system will work out which portion of the image is moving and register it as an object. It will then move the camera to keep that object in frame for as long as it can (comparing frames to understand the direction of movement). This means that even if the system is not actively monitored, the camera can follow possible intruders around the area picking up vital evidence where a normal PTZ camera would not. Once the object no longer registers the camera can be set to return to a preset position.

Conventional Speed Dome cameras have a wide detection range, they have to be manually controlled to adjust the camera to track the moving objects, which is inconvenient and less of reliability. Besides, if there are multiple cameras installed, it’s not so possible to control all of them simultaneously when some particular accidents happen. Meanwhile, detecting the moving object and tracking the movement can be critical even for movements with low frequency. For example, the museums after closing and the parking lots at night can be very quiet with barely no movement occurred. Normally, thieves breaking into a museum after closing may have minimal movements, however it’s extremely important to capture these movements for the security teams.

Infinova Auto-tracking is the feature built into to the camera to automatically track the moving objects with auto zoom in/out and auto-focus parallelly. The camera has its how intelligent logic to understand the moving objects speed and direction and tries to track them when crossed any Intrusion area selected by the User or triggered by means of any external alarms such as Alarm input contacts. Auto tracking can also trigger for a PTZ from VMS Software and the trigger options are numerous.

Advanced Auto tracking involves alarm-based trigger which may use the self-camera alarms like motion detection, Intrusion detection etc or from other cameras alarms by using raw trigger method or Software based trigger. Once the alarm has been triggered the PTZ camera will Auto track the moving object within the specified scene available and then track the objects. User can also configure a Home position and can opt for Move to Home position when alarm triggered and then Auto track. These are typical usage applications for Auto tracking. According to user requirement and application auto tracking can be configured in several forms as below

1. Self-analysis and Track
2. Other camera Alarms linked to track (SW/HW)
3. I/O based alarm linked to track
4. Software based Alarms linked to track

Infinova Auto tracking PTZ camera is approved by IS 13252(PART 1):2010/ IEC 60950-1: 2005

Below are the images to showcase the Perimeter Auto tracking
Fig 1: Auto tracking image

Below sequence of images are derived from live demonstration of Auto tracking from Hyderabad City Police demo

Instance : 1

Advantages:
·        Minimize Human intervention and requirement
·        Automatically tracks the moving object with respect to the speed and direction
·        Evidence for every movement within the scene specified
·        High chances of intruder tracking
·        Can cover larger areas with minimum number of cameras
·        Cost effective and efficient

Disadvantages:
·        Accuracy levels depends on configuration and system setup at field level
·        Limitations while multiple moving objects on the scene at the same time
·        Heavy usage of Hardware and components while PTZ in Auto tracking mode.
 

Infinova has deployed the Auto tracking PTZ and successfully demonstrated for the below projects

1. SHAR (Satish Dhawan Space Centre) - Perimeter surveillance

2. Indian Oil corporation - Perimeter Surveillance

3. Bharat Petroleum Corporation - Perimeter Surveillance

4. City surveillance projects - General surveillance

5. Airports perimeter - General and Perimeter Surveillance

“Utilizing the Pan/Tilt/Zoom to focus on, follow and track the moving objects automatically, Infinova PTZ cameras with auto-tracking function will no doubt to be more competitive beyond other products in the market. We design Supply & Commissioning of such project” says Arindam Bhadra (Director SSA Integrate).

Conventional others Auto Tracking PTZ May give you below scenario.

Illustration demonstrating how the larger object will be targeted by the Auto-Tracking Camera

Before acting on such assumptions, here are a few considerations to keep in mind with some scenarios where just one auto-tracking camera could work.