Today’s article is the first looking at smart security.
This is one of the reason’s that we have been intent on a single platform for the entire home – security needs to be a seamless integration with your daily life. All your security solutions need to be working together.
Smart Security Systems all in one app;
- Smart Security Cameras,
- Smart Alarm Systems,
- Indoor Security,
- Video Intercoms and Doorbells,
- Smart Locks.
Smart Security Cameras
We will be looking at smart security cameras in this article.
Security cameras that can monitor the home via remote view on a smartphone or device – are now commonplace. Intelligent Pro-Active cameras are starting to emerge.
There are many security cameras on the market, all with different features. Make no mistake – every feature has a specific application. To install a smart security camera system, you should be aware of the various features and trends.
An effective security system is not going to comprise of 16 cameras of exactly the same specification. Each scene may need varying lens sizes, features for handling light, and other custom features. Online camera kits are freely available, but users have been sorely disappointed when they really need the footage.
Let’s look at some of the features and trends.
Camera Quality
No! – the quality is not determined by the megapixel rating. You could find a 2 Megapixel Camera from one manufacturer that achieves higher results on the resolution charts than a 4 Megapixel Camera from another manufacturer.
Don’t rely on this rating. What you want to assess is,
- Clarity and sharpness of an image,
- Color representation of the scene,
- Distribution of the Infra-Red light at night,
- Whether the camera has features like HLC, WDR and others, provided to deal with difficult lighting conditions.
One of my simplest measures is to hold your business card a few centimeters from the camera and check how clearly the writing on the card is resolved.
Night Vision
The choice is between Infra-Red and Full Colour or Starlight Cameras.
Infra-Red cameras produce a black and white image at night. You can usually halve the rated range when working outdoors. e.g. a camera rated at 20m Infra-Red may be able to see only 10m at night.
Starlight Cameras also use Infra-Red, but they are able to produce colour images at very low lux levels. They may still switch to black and white in absolute darkness though.
Full colour cameras use a white light for illumination at night. As long as you are within the range of the camera’s view, the scene will be a color one.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Thermal imaging cameras observe heat signatures in a scene. Some of them will display a heat map and a color image from one camera. These cameras use two different sensors.
Thermal Imaging cameras have a longer detection range and it is a lot harder to evade, than an infra-red camera or full colour camera. These cameras can detect objects, at distances that may exceed human sight. Thermal Imaging cameras are also better at detecting targets hiding in bushes.
Some thermal imaging cameras are used to control access. The cameras are able to detect people with a fever – alerting you to possible health risks.
Communication
Some cameras can act as intercoms. You can have a two way conversation with a person in the scene. That could be nifty at the front door, or for recording audio.
Facial Recognition
Some cameras now feature face recognition. The camera can identify authorized people and warn you when a stranger is in the scene. If the camera features input and output terminals – it can be used to unlock doors or perform other actions based on the users face.
Facial Recognition is also helpful where touch less access control is required. By using images to unlock doors, there is no need for the visitor to touch door handles or locks. Touch less access is very important in the modern era – where dangerous virus transmission is now a reality.
It’s important to pay attention to the cameras rated DORI distance. The DORI measure defines at what distance the specific camera is able to detect, monitor, recognise or identify a target. Many popular cameras sold today, are only able to identify a person at around 5 meters, while being able to detect that an unknown person has entered the scene at around 60 meters.
Artificial Intelligence
Intelligent cameras are trending. These cameras are equipped with Artificial Intelligence and use machine learning models and rules to perform smart actions.
The cameras are able to filter out common causes of false alarms, and recognize specific objects such as a human, a vehicle, a cat. These systems can almost be relied upon to guard your premises and alert you when there is an intrusion – with a high degree of accuracy.
Does the camera have input’s or outputs? or can it connect to a recorder with in/out terminals? This will determine what the camera is able to do when making a detection.
We have linked cameras directly to customer alarm panels. The camera acts as a motion detection beam. Upon detection it will activate the alarm system and summon an armed response provider, while sending notifications to the user. The video footage is also linked to the alarm device and the alarm can be quickly verified.
A camera as an all in one security device, reduces the amount of outdoor beams and detectors that may need to be deployed.
The advantage of a single platform for all devices, is that your cameras, alarm system and other security and home devices, can all work together without a lot of cable.
Storage and Playback.
Some Camera systems only store to a cloud service. These services may have a subscription fee attached.
Storing on a cloud, also presents an open pathway between your smart home and the internet – so you would need enhanced network security.
Cameras may come equipped with on-board or built in storage, may use SD cards or other solid state media. Alternatively the cameras may need to be connected to a recorder that is fitted with a hard drive.
Smart App
Many different manufacturers will have their own proprietary app for viewing the cameras on your phone. This app may not integrate very well with other devices In your smart home.
We keep emphasizing that the smart home needs a common platform that integrates different classes of devices from different manufacturers.
Wi-Fi and Wireless Cameras
Wi-Fi does not necessarily mean wireless. Wi-Fi cameras may still require a cable for power connection.
The trend now (especially for indoors) is toward battery operated Wi-Fi cameras. These cameras are truly without wires.
Wi-Fi cameras are very important when building a smart home.
Standard network cameras or analog cameras may require significant cable infrastructure throughout the premises.
The key take aways from this article;
- You don’t want many different apps for different devices. Smart Homes integrate seamlessly with a single point of control.
- Wireless,battery operated, wi-fi cameras are trending globally,
- Artificial Intelligence is being deployed to make cameras intelligent, and automate actions.
- Full colour cameras are trending globally,
- CCTV cameras are merging with hardwired alarm panels.
