6 Communication Protocols Used by IoT

6 Communication Protocols Used by IoT 

The Internet of Things (IoT), is based on the networking of things. In a nutshell, Internet of Things is defined as a “proposed development of the Internet in which everyday objects have network connectivity, allowing them to send and receive data.”

The most important thing here is connectivity among objects.

Research companies like Gartner have predicted that Internet of Things will grow to 26 billion units in 2020. How will the devices be connected and what would communication be like? How will wireless communication protocols evolve?

We can boil down the wireless communication protocols into the following 6 standards:

1.   Satellite

2.   Wi-Fi

3.   Radio Frequency (RF)

4.   RFID

5.   Bluetooth

6.   NFC

In the following paragraphs, we will provide a brief overview and illustration of each of the Internet of Things communication techniques, their pros and cons, and their smartphone compatibilities.

1. Satellite

Satellite communications enable cell phone communication from a phone to the next antenna of about 10 to 15 miles. They are called GSM, GPRS, CDMA, GPRS, 2G / GSM, 3G, 4G / LTE, EDGE, and others based on connectivity speed.

In the Internet of Things language, this form of communication is mostly referred to as “M2M” (Machine-to-Machine) because it allows devices such as a phone to send and receive data through the cell network.

Pros and Cons of Satellite Communication

Pros:

·        Stable connection

·        Universal compatibility

Cons:

·        No direct communication from smartphone to the device (It has to go through satellite)

·        High monthly cost

·        High power consumption

Examples of satellite connectivity would include utility meters that send data to a remote server, commercials updated on digital billboards, or cars via Internet connectivity.

Satellite is useful for communication that utilizes low data volumes, mainly for industrial purposes but in the changing near future where the cost of satellite communication is gradually falling, the use of satellite technology might become much more viable and interesting for consumers.

2. WiFi

WiFi is a wireless local area network (WLAN) that utilizes the IEEE 802.11 standard through 2.4GhZ UHF and 5GhZ ISM frequencies. WiFi provides Internet access to devices that are within the range (about 66 feet from the access point).

Pros and Cons of WiFi

Pros:

·        Universal smartphone compatibility

·        Affordable

·        Well protected and controlled

Cons:

·        Relatively high power usage

·        Instability and inconsistency of WiFi

An example of WiFi connectivity would be Dropcam streaming live video via the local WiFi instead of streaming through a connected Ethernet LAN cable. WiFi is useful for many Internet of Things connections but such connections typically connect to an external cloud-server and are not directly connected to the smartphone. It is also not recommended for battery-powered devices due to its relatively high power consumption.

3. Radio Frequency (RF)

Radio frequency communications are probably the easiest form of communication between devices. Protocols like ZigBee or ZWave use a low-power RF radio embedded or retrofitted into electronic devices and systems.

Z-Wave’s range is approximately 100 ft (30 m). The radio frequency band used is specific to its country. For example, Europe has an 868.42 MHz SRD Band, a 900 MHz ISM or 908.42 MHz band (United States), a 916 MHz in Israel, 919.82 MHz in Hong Kong, 921.42 MHz in the regions of Australia/New Zealand) and 865.2 Mhz in India.

ZigBee is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. However, its low power consumption limits transmission distances to a range of 10 to 100 meters.

Pros and Cons of Radio Frequency

Pros:

Low energy and simplicity for its technology is not dependent on the new functionality of phones

Cons:

Radio frequency technology is not used by smartphones and without a central hub to connect the RF devices to the internet, the devices cannot be connected

An example of radio frequency connectivity would be your typical television remote for it uses radio frequency, which enables you to switch channels remotely. Other examples include wireless light switches, electrical meters with in-home displays, traffic management systems, and other consumer and industrial equipment that requires short-range low-rate wireless data transfer.

Radio frequency communication protocol is useful for large deployments such as hotels where a high quantity of devices are required to be centrally and locally managed. However, in the near future, the technology might become increasingly outdated and be replaced by Bluetooth mesh networks.

4. RFID

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is the wireless use of electromagnetic fields to identify objects. Usually, you would install an active reader, or reading tags that contain a stored information mostly authentication replies. Experts call that an Active Reader Passive Tag (ARPT) system. Short-range RFID is about 10cm, but long-range can go up to 200m. What many do not know is that Léon Theremin invented the RFID as an espionage tool for the Soviet Union in 1945.

An Active Reader Active Tag (ARAT) system uses active tags awoken with an interrogator signal from the active reader. Bands RFID runs on: 120–150 kHz (10cm), 3.56 MHz (10cm-1m), 433 MHz (1-100m), 865-868 MHz (Europe), 902-928 MHz (North America) (1-12m).

Pros and Cons of RFID

Pros:

Does not require power

Established and widely used technology

Cons:

Highly insecure

Ongoing cost per card

Tags need to be present as identifier and be handed over before

Not compatible with smartphones

Examples include animal identification, factory data collection, road tolls, and building access. An RFID tag is also attached to an inventory such that its production and manufacturing progress can be tracked through the assembly line. As an illustration, pharmaceuticals can be tracked through warehouses. We believe RFID technology will very soon be replaced by near-field communication (NFC) technology in smartphones.

5. Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances (using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM band from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz). If you look at the frequencies it is actually the same as WiFi such that these two technologies seem very similar. However, they have different uses. The 3 different styles of Bluetooth technology that are commonly talked about are:

Bluetooth: Remember the days where you associate Bluetooth as a battery drainer and black hole? Such Bluetooth is a heyday relic of a mobile past marked by a bulky cell phone. Such Bluetooth technology is battery draining, insecure, and are often complicated to pair.

BLE (Bluetooth 4.0, Bluetooth Low Energy): Originally introduced by Nokia and presently used by all major operating systems such as iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, OS X, Linux, and Windows 8, BLE uses fast, low energy usage while maintaining the communication range.

iBeacon: It is the trademark for a simplified communication technique based on Bluetooth technology that Apple uses. What it actually is: a Bluetooth 4.0 sender that transmits an ID called UUID, which is recognized by your iPhone. This simplifies the implementation effort many vendors would previously face. Moreover, even non-technically trained consumers can easily use iBeacons like Estimote.com or other alternatives. Although different on a technical level, iBeacon technology can be compared to NFC on an abstract level.

Bluetooth exists in many products, such as telephones, tablets, media players, robotics systems. The technology is extremely useful when transferring information between two or more devices that are near each other in low-bandwidth situations. Bluetooth is commonly used to transfer sound data with telephones (i.e., with a Bluetooth headset) or byte data with hand-held computers (transferring files). Bluetooth protocols simplify the discovery and setup of services between devices. Bluetooth devices can advertise all of the services they provide. This makes using services easier because relative to other communication protocols, it enables greater automation such as security, the network address, and permission configuration.

Comparison of Wifi & Bluetooth

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are to some extent complementary in their applications and usage.

Wi-Fi

·        Access point centered, with an asymmetrical client-server connection where it provides all traffic routed through the access point.

·        ‍Serves well in applications where some degree of client configuration is possible and high speeds are required e.g. network access through an access node

·        ‍Ad-hoc connections are possible with WiFi but not as easily with Bluetooth for Wi-Fi Direct was recently developed to add a more Bluetooth-like ad-hoc functionality

Bluetooth

·        ‍Symmetrical between two Bluetooth devices

·        ‍Serves well in simple applications where two devices are needed to connect with minimal configuratione.g. headsets and remote controls

·        ‍Bluetooth access points do exist although they are not common

Any Bluetooth device in discoverable mode transmits the following information on-demand:

·        Device name

·        Device class

·        List of services

·        Technical information (for example device features, manufacturer, Bluetooth specification used, clock offset)

Pros & Cons of Bluetooth

Pros:

·        Every smartphone has Bluetooth where the technology is continuously being upgraded and improved through new hardware

·        Established and widely used technology

Cons:

·        Hardware capabilities change very fast and will need to be replaced

·        Running on battery the lifetime of an iBeacon is between 1month to 2 years

·        If people switch off Bluetooth, there are issues in usage.

Bluetooth technology mainly finds applications in the healthcare, fitness, beacons, security, and home entertainment industries.

Bluetooth technology is definitely the hottest technology right now but it is many times overrated or misunderstood in functionality. If the application goes beyond fun you will have to dig deep in configuration and different settings as different phones react differently to Bluetooth.

6. Near Field Communication (NFC)

Near-field communication uses electromagnetic induction between two loop antennas located within each other’s near field, effectively forming an air-core transformer. It operates within the globally available and unlicensed radio frequency ISM band of 13.56 MHz on ISO/IEC 18000-3 air interface and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to 424 kbit/s. NFC involves an initiator and a target; the initiator actively generates an RF field that can power a passive target (an unpowered chip called a “tag”). This enables NFC targets to take very simple form factors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or battery-less cards. NFC peer-to-peer communication is possible provided both devices are powered.

There are two modes:

Passive communication mode: The initiator device provides a carrier field and the target device answers by modulating the existing field. In this mode, the target device may draw its operating power from the initiator-provided electromagnetic field, thus making the target device a transponder.

Active communication mode: Both initiator and target device communicate by alternately generating their own fields. A device deactivates its RF field while it is waiting for data. In this mode, both devices typically have power supplies.

Pros & Cons of NFC

Pros:

·        Offers a low-speed connection with an extremely simple setup

·        Can be used to bootstrap more capable wireless connections

·        NFC has a short-range and supports encryption where it may be more suitable than earlier, less private RFID systems

Cons:

·        Short-range might not be feasible in many situations for it is currently only available on new Android Phones and at Apple Pay on new iPhones

Comparison of BLE to NFC

BLE and NFC are both short-range communication technologies that are integrated into mobile phones.

Speed: BLE is faster

Transfer: BLE has a higher transfer rate

Power: NFC consumes less power

Pairing: NFC does not require pairing

Time: NFC takes less time to set up

Connection: Automatically established for NFC

Data transfer rate: Max rate for BLE is 2.1 Mbits/s, max rate for NFC is 424 kbits/s.

(NFC has a shortage range, a distance of 20cm, which reduces the likelihood of unwanted interception hence it is particularly suitable for crowded areas where correlating a signal with its transmitting physical device becomes difficult.)

Compatibility: NFC is compatible with existing passive RFID (13.56 MHz ISO/IEC 18000-3) infrastructures

Energy protocol: NFC requires comparatively low power

Powered device: NFC works with an unpowered device.

NFC devices can be used in contactless payment systems, similar to those currently used in credit cards and electronic ticket smartcards, and it allows mobile payment to replace or supplement these systems.

We believe that NFC will definitely replace the more insecure and outdated RFID cars where its use on smartphones will be limited to contact-only applications like payment, access, or identification.

Conclusion: And the IoT Winner Is?

It is very likely that the winner of these standards will be one that is available in many of the new devices and phones – otherwise, people would not use it. Today every smartphone has Bluetooth and WiFi. However, NFC is increasingly being implemented in new phones.

From our experience, a clear Internet of Things winner emerges when you have a very defined use-case. For example, if you’d like to transfer large amounts of files, WiFi is ideal. If you’d like to react on transient passengers, nothing tops Bluetooth. If you want quick, short-range interaction, NFC might be for you. Henceforth, the winning communication protocol really depends on your goals and your clearly defined use-case.

There will be many more providers of different standards – especially mesh-networked technologies such as GoTenna or mesh networked iBeacons.

Control physical access to rack level

Control physical Access to Rack Level 

In our networked and internet-dependent world, securing personal and business data from theft, hacking and other forms of cybercrime has become an issue of paramount importance – and the world’s data centers, where data has its physical presence, are key points where multiple layers of security need to be established and sustained. Electronic locks offer audit trail reporting capabilities and can also be set up to provide local alerts, including indicator lights, beacons or alarms.

Securing information within the data centre presents heightened physical security and access control challenges. Heavy-duty perimeter security and room level access control prevents access to the building and server rooms, but once inside, data storage equipment may not include that same level of security. In some co-location centres for instance, cabinets containing particularly sensitive data are protected by a chain link fence enclosure; however, these cabinets are still at risk should an unauthorised individual gain access to that enclosure.

For complete physical security, the actual server cabinets should be secured to the same degree as the data centre itself. Verification of credentials for access control and, where required, auditing rack-level access can prevent costly data breaches and stiff penalties for non compliance. Data centre managers can avoid these risks by incorporating intelligent, reliable electronic locking systems at the racklevel to protect access to sensitive information.

Extending physical security to the rack level

Effective rack-level access control systems are specifically designed for server cabinets with a flexible, open architecture that allows them to be easily integrated with any existing security system. An effective physical security system is typically comprised of three key elements: user interface, intelligent lock, and remote control and monitoring. Many data centers focus security efforts on access control to the grounds, the buildings and the secure areas within:

·       Access to the building is often gated, with exterior physical protection elements to secure the entire site and requires a guard to verify and document entry through the gate.

·       Once an individual enters the facility, they typically sign in with a live guard and receive a credential for access to specific areas.

·       In some facilities, access to a specific floor or enclosure area is further controlled by a “man trap” with two sets of doors accessed via an electronic credential, either RFID or biometric.

Electronic access solutions, like electronic locks and latches, offer a modular security solution designed for simple integration into Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) systems and existing server rack enclosure designs.

Electronic Access Solutions (EAS) typically consist of four main components:

·       Electromechanical Lock or Latch– The most critical component of any electronic access system,  this mechanism performs the electromechanical locking or unlocking function upon receipt of a valid electronic signal and provides an output of its status to external monitoring systems.

·       Access Control Device – The access controller acts as the human interface, allowing the electronic lock  to be remotely operated through a variety of options, such as digital keypads, biometrics, RFID readers, and other wireless communication devices such as  BLUETOOTH enabled smartphones and tablets.

·       Remote Monitoring – Electronic access solutions have the unique ability to capture an electronic "signature" for each access attempt. This info, together with additional security and environmental data, can be output to a variety of devices, from simple indicator lights to networked, software-based remote monitoring systems.

·       Manual Override – In some cases, an override system is required to provide access in the event of a system power failure. This override system can be mechanical, providing direct mechanical actuation of the lock, or electrical, providing external power in the event of a system power failure.

The key element of effective rack level electronic access systems is the use of intelligent electronic locks that restrict access through the validation of user credentials. Electronic locks can be integrated with a variety of rack level access control devices, such as digital keypads, RFID card readers, biometric readers and electronic key systems.

Suprema Mobile Access allows you to use your own smartphone as a key to access doors, facilities, and more. By using your smartphone as a credential, managing and using an access card becomes easier, faster, and safer. The smartphone can then send audit trail data wirelessly to the cloud via a cellular or Wi-Fi connection for audit trail reporting. This unique solution provides remote access control without the need for a physical network connection. Mobile Access supports both NFC and BLE for full compatibility with various types of smartphones.

Additionally, maintaining automatic digital documentation is more convenient than manually tracking and recording access. Rather than keeping track of mechanical keys – particularly in a co-location setting – electronic access allows administrators to upload (or delete) electronic credentials from their user database. With networked systems, these updates to the approved list can be made remotely, from anywhere in the world. With cloud-based solutions, this can be accomplished wirelessly, using Bluetooth enabled mobile devices.

Integrating rack level EAS into existing data centers

The entire IT and data center industry must continue to apply every tool available to secure personal and corporate data and applications from identity theft, malware, hijacking and other hacking attacks. Using electronic access solutions to secure the server racks is the final component in creating a fully secure data center. Rack level electronic access provides a controlled physical security solution that, when integrated into existing security and monitoring systems, provides a complete end-to-end data center security solution.

Cost-effective rack level security solutions are available, depending on the specific application. For example

·       Self-contained solutions that are generally battery-operated and offer simple, drop-in installation and programming to provide integrated access control and electronic locking in a single self-contained device.

·       Standalone solutions that offer basic plug-and-play access control without the need for software or network administration where remote control and monitoring is not needed.

·       Wireless remote controlled solutions that leverage NFC and BLE connectivity with cloud based web portal credential management and monitoring to provide the simplicity of a standalone system with the benefits of a networked control system

·       Integrated solutions that can be combined with building access control and monitoring systems to incorporate cabinet-level access control into existing security systems.

·       Independent networked solutions that can be used to monitor and manage rack access across networks from a host computer for remote system configuration, access control and the monitoring of multiple access points.

Streamlining migration between platforms

Rack-level electronic locks may incorporate an RFID reader with industry standard Wiegand outputs that can tie into any traditional building system. When integrating rack-level access control solutions, there may be a need to support both proximity and smart card RFID protocols. By integrating an industry standardised electronic locking and access control solution that reads multiple RFID formats, data centre managers can leverage their existing building security system for rack-level access control regardless of card technology used. This type of solution offers simplified installation, allowing personnel to use their existing credentials to access multiple areas within the data centre – from the server room to the rack level.

Physical access control across the facility

In today’s highly regulated data centre environment, access control and monitoring at the rack level are a must. While significant resources are dedicated to fighting online cyberattacks, physical protection of stored data is equally as important. The need for increased security and compliance with a myriad of regulations necessitate access control and monitoring capabilities for the actual cabinets where data is stored.

Data centre managers can achieve physical access control by implementing electronic access solutions, which offer solutions for audit trail maintenance and compatibility with existing facility-wide security systems. Protecting data within facilities requires the same level of access control for racks as the buildings that house them.

Organizations should monitor the safety and security of the data center rack room with authenticated access through the following systems:

·        Closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera surveillance with video retention as per the organization policy

·        Vigilance by means of 24×7 on-site security guards and manned operations of the network system with a technical team

·        Periodic hardware maintenance

·        Checking and monitoring the access control rights regularly and augmenting if necessary

·        Controlling and monitoring temperature and humidity through proper control of air conditioning and indirect cooling

·        Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

·        Provision of both a fire alarm system and an aspirating smoke detection system (e.g., VESDA) in a data center. A VESDA, or aspiration, system detects and alerts personnel before a fire breaks out and should be considered for sensitive areas.

·        Water leakage detector panel to monitor for any water leakage in the server room

·        Rodent repellent system in the data center. It works as an electronic pest control to prevent rats from destroying servers and wires.

·        Fire protection systems with double interlock. On actuation of both the detector and sprinkler, water is released into the pipe. To protect the data and information technology (IT) equipment, fire suppression shall be with a zoned dry-pipe sprinkler.

·        Cable network through a raised floor, which avoids overhead cabling, reduces the heat load in the room, and is aesthetically appealing.

 

IoT is future of Video Technology

IoT is future of Video Technology 

The Internet of Things is about connecting network-enabled devices and exchanging data between them. This offers great potential for improving processes wherever information needs to be exchanged securely and quickly. It enable devices and add much more value than they have had so far. For this, there is no better example than security cameras. With IoT we’re able to push and pull nuggets of intelligence from sources we never considered before: environmental sensors, pressure plates, door lock timers and much more. It’s helped us break through the constraining mindset that security systems are strictly single-purpose.

Acting alongside other sensors, such as motion or smoke detectors, security cameras have been in use for a long time, however without being connected to each other through data networks. Growing demands for smart video surveillance in public spaces, commercial buildings, public transport and other areas and the rise of IoT will drive for the further integration of these cameras systems. Let's see how video surveillance has evolved to this day and where the journey is heading.

The past: standard security surveillance systems

Closed-circuit television systems (CCTV) have demonstrated that they can do what they're supposed to: give humans a better eyesight on the security situation in order to reduce security incidents. CCTV cameras can only show and record video footage and not much more beyond that. As they do not understand what they are watching, they are also unable to do anything about it.

To fight theft, violence, vandalism or fire effectively, cameras must be able to detect and interpret such incidents by themselves. They must also have the capability to cooperate with other systems, such as alarm systems.

This is where the Internet of Things comes into play. It connects network-enabled cameras with other devices and systems that perform other tasks and turns security surveillance into smart safety and security management.

Video surveillance systems built the largest segment in our country. That’s why today modern camera systems are widely used in many areas of life, retail, commercial buildings, stadiums, transportation and public spaces in cities.

Security cameras frame the next technological step in the security surveillance evolution…

The future: smart security surveillance

The times when video surveillance systems only deliver video that must be continuously observed by humans are over. Machines able to record and analyse video data in one go are already available, and they can provide security managers with deep insights instead of single pieces of information.

This will significantly improve security and security-related processes in many areas and industries by enabling faster and more insightful response to any sort of incidents.

Future security surveillance essentially combines 3 technologies that will completely change the game: computer vision, automation and deep-learning, driven by powerful processors and apps on cameras in the IoT. Let's take a quick look at these technologies.

Data is the new digital oil

All these devices at their most basic, simply collect data. This information is used to streamline, manipulate and measure the way you interact with the world. From your online habits to your physical day-to-day routine – every single thing you do or don’t do is, or will very soon be, monitored.

In the case of connected ‘things’ – now known as ‘smart devices’ due to their ability to collect and transmit information – each one sends bytes of data over the internet to an application that interprets and collates that data into valuable insights. Your service provider and the product manufacturer can then use those insights to achieve a variety of objectives – from improving the device’s performance, and your experience of using it, to identifying how or when they should be selling you extra services or products.

What precisely is connecting all of these IoT things

2G, 3G and 4G are terms that we all know and understand well but how about radio, Wi-Fi, NB-IoT or LPWAN? There are various types of connectivity that can underpin the Internet of Things and these latter ones are arguably the most widely used outside of pure cellular connectivity.

When we talk about the ‘internet of things’ it’s not immediately clear which type of ‘internet’ connectivity we’re referring to because many devices are now being designed to intelligently select the connectivity that best suits its needs, based on the following three things:

Power consumption – How much power does the device or sensor need to operate?
Range – Does it need to connect and send data over great distances?
Bandwidth – Will it transmit small or large amounts of data e.g. low bandwidth and high bandwidth?

Two of the most commonly utilised connectivity networks are:

Cellular

Most of us are very familiar with cellular connectivity as it is used around the world to connect our mobile phones to the internet. IoT devices also use cell towers to connect to a cellular network. Cellular connectivity is prolific, has excellent range and the capacity to send high volumes of data over the network but uses a lot of power and, therefore, is not ideal for IoT devices which don’t have access to an immediate power supply and need a long battery life to operate over long periods of time, for instance in rural or agricultural areas.

LPWAN

‘LPWAN’ stands for Low-Power Wide-Area Network, which is a type of radio technology and is so far one of the most ideal connectivity networks available to IoT sensors that are deployed in areas where there is a lack of range. These devices are usually battery-powered and send very small packets of data over the network. This connectivity is ideal when it comes to monitoring utilities such as water, gas and electricity using smart meters and for farming and agriculture to check on water quality, sensing soil moisture and tracking livestock.

Computer Vision

Computer vision is becoming smarter because of more sophisticated algorithms, faster devices, larger networks and access to a wider range of data sets through IoT. This allows machines to “see” and analyze in real time.

“Deep Learning and general AI techniques within computer vision, makes possible what would be impossible to do by the naked eye.” - Matt Candy, Global leader for IBM’s iX creative solutions.

Example: Detect fire and smoke within seconds

Many threats, such as smoke, are difficult for the human eye to detect in videos, especially in poor lighting conditions. Seconds later, however, a fire may have broken out. Security cameras equipped with smoke and fire detection can alert at an early stage and activate the proper safety measures without any human assistance.

Source: Bosch Security Systems

Automation

Speed plays an important role in safety and security. The faster you react to security incidents, the greater the chance of preventing or at least reducing damage. In case of theft in a store, every second counts, because criminals may disappear before security personnel can intervene.

Standard security surveillance via CCTV wastes valuable time because reaction paths between machines and human operators are too long. Smart cameras take a shortcut by saving staff from interpreting videos. They immediately deliver notifications or initiate appropriate actions themselves.

Example: Detect and catch thieves in retail

The "AI Guardman" security camera helps shopkeepers identify potential thieves in time. Software installed on the camera scans live video streams and analyzes the poses of any person it can see. This data is automatically matched against predefined "suspicious" behavior. When it sees something remarkable, it alerts onsite personnel via app for double checking.

Deep learning

“Cameras capture the video, but video analytics captures the value.” (IBM)

Using computers for video analysis is not a new idea. However, there is a problem that slows the development of video analytics: mobile video made on drones or vehicles is full of dynamic variables that can confuse even the most intelligent computers. That's why many companies and startups are working on smart systems using self-learning algorithms.

Deep learning is a machine learning method based on artificial neural networks. Video analytics, which gives security cameras the ability to analyze video data on board, is one application of deep learning. Another application is automation, which embeds video analysis into processes.

The good thing about deep learning is that developers of video analytics apps for security cameras don't have to reinvent the wheel themselves. There are already sophisticated frameworks that simplify developing deep learning models, such as Google's Tensorflow, Microsoft’s Custom Vision and IBM’s PowerAI Vision.

Example: Training object recognition using IBM’s PowerAI Vision

To determine whether workers are complying with safety regulations such as wearing helmets, security cameras need to know what helmets look like. In case a person is not wearing a helmet, a camera could react and alert. This is what a simplified training process looks like…

Source: IBM

Flood Management Assistance

As recent hurricanes and floods have shown, water damage can be devastating to a community. That’s why some municipalities are using their city surveillance cameras in conjunction with water sensor to proactively address the problem.

Water sensors collect data from multiple sources such as rain gutters, sewer systems and pump stations, in order to monitor fluctuations in water levels and water quality. If an alert triggers, having a network camera in proximity to visually verify the situation helps responders determine the best course of action. For instance, if multiple water detection sensors trigger alerts simultaneously or sequentially over a large area it’s probably due to natural runoff from recent rainfall. But without eyes on the scene, how can you be sure?

Network camera adds another dimension and timeliness to flood management by helping responders investigate and identify the cause of a trigger remotely. It might be a fire hydrant spewing water, a water main break or even a chemical spill. With video streaming live to the command center, staff can remotely inspect the area, determine the cause of the trigger and decide whether remediation is required, thus avoiding the expense of dispatching an investigative crew to a non-event.

Environmental Control Assistance

Data centers house the lifeblood of a business so it’s no wonder why companies work hard to protect them. We’re all familiar with the integration of network cameras with access control systems to visually verify who is actually using the credentials. 

But there’s another aspect to protecting data centers and that’s environment control. Data centers need to maintain optimum humidity and temperature for the racks of electronics. When environmental sensors in the facility detect out-of-norm ranges technicians can remotely command a network camera to zoom in on the gauges and help them determine whether remediation might be necessary.

Coupling network cameras with other sensors in the data center can provide visual confirmation of other conditions as well. For instance, every time a data rack door-open-close sensor detects an event it can trigger the camera to pan to the location and stream video to security. Some data centers employ weight sensors at the doorway to weigh personnel and equipment as they enter the room and when they exit to ensure no additional hardware is being taken out of the facility or left inside without permission. Any discrepancy would trigger the camera to zoom in for a close-up of the individual’s face and send a visual alert and ID information to security.

Roadway Management & Parking Assistance

Network cameras have long played a part in city-wide traffic management. Adding video analytics and integration with network sensors, makes those cameras that much smarter and versatile. They can detect cars driving in bike lanes or driving in the wrong direction and capture license plates of offenders. Their ability to detect anomalous traffic flow patterns can be integrated with car counting sensors, networked electronic road signs and traffic light systems to automatically redirect vehicles to alternate routes.

They make great, intelligent parking lot attendants, too. Working in conjunction with weight sensors network cameras can count vehicles coming into and leaving a lot or garage and verify when the facility has reached capacity. License plate recognition and video analytics can be used to ascertain that a vehicle entering a reserved parking space doesn’t match the credentials and vehicle attributes in the database.

With the addition of noise sensors and audio analytics, network cameras can improve roadway and parking facility safety by detecting and identifying specific sounds – breaking glass, car alarms, gun shots, and aggressive speech – and triggering a visual alert to first responders.

Shopper Experience Assistance

In the early days of online shopping, e-tailers designed their sites to replicate the in-store customer experience. In an ironic turn of events, today brick-and-mortar stores are trying to mirror the online shopping experience. To do so, they’re turning their security systems into adjunct sales assistance. With network video and audio system automation they can recognize and acknowledge loyal customers with personal greetings.

With heatmapping analytics they can measure how much time a customer spends in a specific department or observe how they walk through the aisles of the store. They can track shopping behaviors such as items looked at that made it into the cart or didn’t, or whether a customer actually checked out or left the merchandise behind. By capturing these shopping patterns and trends retailers can shape a more positive, more profitable customer shopping experience.

For instance, integrating video analytics with point of sale systems and RFID sensors on merchandise tags can result in timely alerts to sales associates to recommend additional merchandise. This is a case of emulating how e-tailers let the customer know that other customers who bought X often also purchased items Y and Z. Or to avoid disappointing customers due to stock outages, retailers are linking weight sensors and video analytics to make sure their shelves are well-stocked and if not, quickly alert associates to what items need to be restocked.

Capturing Business Intelligence

Retailers are also using video cameras to monitor checkout queues and trigger automated announcements over the public-address system, closed system such as smartphones or other wireless communications devices that checkers are needed rather wait for a person to call for backup.

They’re applying people counting video analytics to checkout activity to create rules-based consistency in customer service. While retailers will always use their surveillance camera for loss prevention, they’re finding that integrating traditional technology in new ways can yield even bigger returns.

Linking network video surveillance, video analytics, network communications system and sensors with point-of-sale systems and customer loyalty databases, retailers are capturing the business intelligence they need to get back in the game and make brick-and-mortar a greater overall experience than online shopping.

A Natural Cross-Over Technology

This trend towards integration has forever changed how organizations view their investment in security technology. The intelligence and versatility of a tool that can see, verify and analyze what’s happening in real-time is spurring users to tap its cross-over potential for a host of other tasks that could benefit from more astute situational awareness – everything from manufacturing and equipment maintenance to logistics, inventory control and beyond.

IoT laid the groundwork for network security solutions to seamlessly integrate with other IP-based technologies, sensors and programs. How we capitalize on that connection is only limited by our imagination.