Posted by Brian Brown on Thu, Dec 17, 2009
As a CCTV system operates, it collects loads of video data. But is the data being used to its fullest potential? Can we improve upon how this data is analyzed?
Currently in development, a next generation of smart CCTV system, known as Samurai, may be the answer. The article, "Smart CCTV learns to spot suspicious types", introduces the Samurai system as "capable of identifying and tracking individuals that act suspiciously in crowded public spaces." The article goes on to explain this suspicious behavior is determined by complex algorithms which profile individual's behavior in a given environment and compare it to the 'norm', such as mapping routine routes within an airport or busy train station. When suspect behavior is detected, an alert is issued to the human operator.
The human operator is key to the success of this system. Samurai relies on human feedback to adjust its algorithms. Take spotting a janitor for example, "an operator might reassure the system that the person with a mop appearing to loiter in a busy thoroughfare is no threat. When another person with a mop exhibits similar behavior, it will remember that this is not a situation that needs flagging up." The CCTV system learns from the feedback and recognizes it in the future...amazing.
According to members of the Samurai team, video analysis tools in use today follow rules which are 'too rigid' and they hope to improve upon this with Samurai. While initial testing has proved successful, the team will continue to hone their research into 2011. No expected release date was mentioned, but it's certainly interesting to see this development taking place.
Read Smart CCTV learns to spot suspicious types in its entirety here.
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Posted by Brian Brown on Mon, Nov 23, 2009
"The dog ate my homework."
This default excuse for slacking students, has finally met its end--generations of hookey players are in mourning. The saying's demise can be attributed to the technological surge in today's classrooms and schools.
Educators are turning to the latest technologies at their disposal; homework assignments and lessons are emailed, announcements are conducted over CCTV rather than an intercom system, each classroom is packed with personal computers, and some schools, especially higher education, utilize online classes. Walking into an elementary, middle, or high school classroom is like stepping into the boardroom of a Fortune 500 company. You'll find digital projectors, wifi hot spots, smart boards, and enough audio and video eqiupment to outfit an entire neighborhood with home theaters. Gone are the dusty blackboards, the ink-filled transparency sheets, and even hand raising (which is being replaced by student response systems). One thing is certain, today's classrooms and schools are high tech.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, in 2009, $269 million in funding was dedicated to bringing technology into schools. From the Dept. of Education website:
"The ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and regular FY 2009 grants provide an unprecedented opportunity for states, districts, and schools to use innovative strategies to enhance instruction, facilitate teaching and learning, and improve student achievement. They also will enable districts to acquire new and emerging technologies, create new, state-of-the- art learning environments, and offer new training and more support for teachers so that students acquire the technological skills they will need to compete in a global economy. "
Source
Expect this focus on technology to continue into 2010 and beyond. Schools have substantial funding and they're looking to put it to good use. This means the K-12 (and higher education) market has become even more of a presence in datacom than ever before. Educators are looking to deliver their message to students using the latest technology to enrich the experience. With these enhancements, bandwidth requirements will continue to soar and an agile network becomes increasingly important. Because of the ever changing nature of technology, schools require a solution which can easily handle moves, adds, changes, and upgrades.
As stimulus dollars and continued funding find their way into the school system, you can count on this money being put into technology. Whether its a large school upgrading an already advanced network or a smaller school just making the move into the tech sector, this is a market that will continue to deliver.
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