Inventor's smart CCTV wins grant

Crimes including shoplifting and terrorism could be prevented by smart CCTV cameras which track human motion and interpret human behaviour.

The new technology which aims to make security more efficient and effective is being developed by a Glasgow man.

Douglas Macdonald, 38, has received a £50,000 Smart Award from the Scottish Executive to develop the intelligent video surveillance system.

Mr Macdonald said the cameras could predict what someone might do next.

He explained his idea: "I have a concept to use computer vision to interpret human behaviour and what people are likely to do next.

Suspicious behaviour

"It is about learning modus operandi.

"Cameras are trying to help, they can identify people that have characteristics relating to suspicious behaviour, people we can't be sure about.

"It can catch your attention and it is down to a human to make the decision."
"It means businesses can use their security resources more effectively."

Mr Macdonald, who has a PhD in Astrophysics, expects a prototype to be available within a year.

He expects the smart camera product to be available to the market within three years.

From the BBC web site www.bbc.co.uk - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6244565.stm

San Diego Trolley Corporation Selects Cernium’s Perceptrak Video Analytics Solution to Improve Passenger Safety

Reston, VA – January 9, 2007 – The San Diego Trolley Corporation has taken proactive measures to safeguard passenger safety and security along its urban and border routes by selecting Perceptrak® by Cernium Corporation to monitor its expanding light rail system. Cernium, a leading pioneer of video analytics solutions, and Electro Specialty Systems (ESS) of San Diego will jointly install Perceptrak to provide San Diego Trolley security staff with unprecedented situational awareness that will deliver real-time information to preempt potential security incidents. If an incident does occur, Perceptrak’s sophisticated data mining engine will enable security staff to quickly identify, retrieve and archive critical forensic video data from the event.

Known as San Diego's "moving landmark", the Trolley serves millions of passengers each year as it travels to the International Border; Centre City; California's birthplace, Old Town; as well as Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, and Qualcomm Stadium at Jack Murphy Field. The sheer volume of passengers and the heightened security state of today’s world require an enhanced security offering which can blend into an existing surveillance infrastructure, as well as increase the effectiveness of the security response.

“We are proud to be partnered with Cernium and the San Diego Trolley Corporation on this project,” said David Reed, VP of Business Development for Electro Specialty Systems. “Railway lines are subject to high levels of crime, constantly changing threats and vulnerability and by deploying best-of breed technologies such as Cernium’s Perceptrak, the San Diego Trolley Corporation is proactively providing a safer environment for trolley passengers.”
Perceptrak’s video analytics system utilizes a master control station where each security camera can be set to look for a unique alert condition. A camera can ‘watch’ for a single behavior, such as a vehicle in a pedestrian zone, or any combination of behaviors. Perceptrak technology then analyzes the video to identify, record and alert on behaviors as soon as they occur.

“A rail system can be challenging to monitor because it is spread out over a large geographical area. Perceptrak provides the technical tools to enhance a human security force and allows them to do their job more effectively and serve their customers better,” said Bruce Whitaker, Cernium’s Western regional director. “San Diego Trolley has the unique challenge of protecting an urban track that also serves areas close to the US border. Advanced video analytics are perfectly suited to assist in both of these environments. With Perceptrak, the Trolley and all of its passengers are riding safer.”

###ABOUT CERNIUMCernium Corporation is the leading developer and provider of real-time video analytics and behavior recognition software for the security industry. Cernium’s unique software employs a patented technique that analyzes multiple, concurrent behavioral criteria in real-time with order-of-magnitude greater efficiency than previous approaches. The company’s advanced video security systems safeguard facilities in a range of industry sectors that include government, critical infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education and cultural institutions. Cernium’s powerful, patented security products include Perceptrak® and ExitSentry®. Newly launched CheckVideo™ won the 2006 New Product Showcase for Peripherals at ISC West. For more information, call 877-968-8383 or visit www.cernium.com.

ABOUT ESSElectro Specialty Systems, a native San Diego company, is a full service security systems integrator specializing in the design, deployment and maintenance of complex integrated security, life safety, and wireless Ethernet communications systems in the government, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors. In our 21 years of being in business, we have successfully designed and installed systems in environments ranging from heavy marine manufacturing and refineries to hospitals, universities, biotechnology facilities, public transportation systems and airports. For more information, please contact David Reed at 858.571.7746 or email to dave@ess4.net.

Object Video Stumbling And Other Predictions for 2007

Here are some of my favorite security technology companies and the successes or challenges I expect them to face in 2007. I've been an advisor or consultant to many of these companies in one way or another, giving me an intimate view of the potential of each.

Feel free to comment...

http://www.securitydreamer.com/2007/01/here_are_some_o.html

Please note, these are personal views.