Dubai landmark building manages vehicular access with simultaneous ALPR and RFID tags

Editor / Provider: Nedap AVI | Updated: 12/21/2012 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

At 829 meters, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, is currently the tallest man-made structure in the world. With more than 5,000 people moving in and out of this landmark building every day, fast and efficient traffic flow is vital to its day-to-day security management.

The client requested a car identification system capable of simultaneously identifying vehicles through the use of number plate recognition and RFID tags. This would allow security staff to quickly identify incoming cars, which would in turn reduce the wait time to enter the parking structure and thus increase the overall comfort experience for the residents of and visitors to the 900 apartments within the Burj Khalifa.

Nedap's TRANSIT readers offered the client reliable and robust solutions. Not only can they withstand the tower's harsh climate, TRANSIT readers fill all of the client's needs and require practically no maintenance. The client is particularly pleased that despite multiple lanes at each entrance to the underground parking area, the TRANSIT readers are capable of precisely tailoring the read range and read area, all while operating on multiple frequencies (to prevent interference and cross readings).

By relying on Nedap's Long Range solutions, the Burj Khalifa has yet another characteristic that reflects the strong and innovative image of this world-renowned building.

Geovision releases a series of access control products

Editor / Provider: Geovision | Updated: 12/19/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Geovision security platform is a truly integrated platform that seamlessly brings video surveillance, access control and license plate recognition system under one management platform. The platform operates on IP-enabled platform to meet the demands of today's IP-centric environments.

Geovision has been releasing several new access control products in Q4, offering more selections for installers.

Management Platform
GV-ASManager, company's access control management platform, has released with multi-language version to include English, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, and Traditional Chinese. When a GV-ASManager is connected to a GV-DSP LPR or a GV-DVR LPR (both are license plate recognition system), GV-ASManager accepts license plate numbers as input, to grant access on vehicles registered to GV-ASManager database. Up to 255 GV-DSP LPR and / or GV-DVR LPR may be connected and managed through a GV-ASManager.

Controllers
Two new models of controller have been released. GV-AS210 is a four-door controller (one way / two ways ) that supports up to 4 Wiegand readers and 8 RS-485 readers, and GV-AS810 is an eight-door controller (one way / two ways ) that supports up to 8 Wiegand readers and 8 RS-485 readers.

Readers
GV-GF1911 and GV-GF1912 are new models of fingerprint reader. They support GV-ASController and GV-ASManager through Wiegand 26, RS-485 and TCP/IP.

GV-DFR1352 is a card reader that is designed to fit at door frame (20.9 x 105.6 x 20.5mm / 0.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 in) for aesthetics of an installation. It supports Wiegand, RS-485 outputs and it is IP66 compliant, good for outdoor use. It also supports third-party access control through Wiegand interface.

Trends to bank on

Editor / Provider: By Christina Phillips, a&s International | Updated: 11/27/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

As Internet banking continues its global ascension, the demand for conventional bank counter activity is on a downward slope, and in turn reliance on websites and ATMs increases. This major customer behavior change calls for proper infrastructure adaptations, as this represents a big opportunity as well as a challenge for the financial industry.

With growing numbers of self-serve financial transactions, video-based security systems are becoming more than just means to increase security, said Hans Kruft, Key Market Manager for Banking at Geutebruck, as outlined in the first part of this vertical feature.

“Facial recognition is increasingly used by banks for recognizing VIPs as well as criminals,” echoed Aluisio Figueiredo, COO of Intelligent Security Systems. “Integrations are also becoming a must, such as having a building management console where you can control the branches and various systems remotely.”

The following is a quick rundown of three trending technologies for the banking and financial sector.

Biometrics
Biometric technology has advanced to the point that it can be deployed in a cost-effective, scalable, easy-to-use manner, resulting in a number of bank projects in emerging markets like Africa, Southeast Asia, India and Latin America, where finger or vein scans are used for augmenting PIN security at ATMs, or voice recognition for remote telephone or online transactions.

Last month in Australia, ANZ Bank CEO Philip Chronican announced that the bank was exploring ways to introduce biometrics as a replacement for traditional payment identification methods. Over the next five years, the bank will direct US$1.5 billion to reshape the way they do business by investing in new technology. Kathleen Erickson, VP of Business Development, Fulcrum Biometrics pointed out that, "Banks in less developed countries go to villages throughout their countries to find small entrepreneurs that may need capital to expand their small business or get it started. These individuals often do not have transportation and cannot read or write, which can create challenges for authenticating identity and signing documents, but they have a good business and banks see business potential. Banks could benefit from a way to authenticate these individuals for loans. Currently, banks use laptops with a USB signature pad or fingerprint scanner, but now, embedded biometrics in portable and easy-to-use handheld devices like smartphones and tablets can be used."

Fingerprint
Among all biometrics, fingerprint-based identification is the oldest and most reliable in numerous applications. This technology is well-suited for banks because in addition to enhancing security and preventing fraud, it provides added convenience for their customers as password is no longer compulsory. There is no need for training — customers simply put their fingers down. “For example, financial institutions in Latin America are embracing fingerprint technology for their ATMs,” said Phil Scarfo, VP of Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Lumidigm. “Biometrics, traditionally employee-centric and confined to the back room, is now being put in front of the customer with confidence.” High reliability is critical at ATMs because their use is not typically supervised.

Iris Scanning
Many millions of people around the globe have had images of their irises taken and stored for enrollment in recognition programs such as national IDs and passport-free border crossings. A major advantage of iris recognition is its extreme resistance to false matches, thanks to its detail-rich images of the iris's intricate structures. There are constantly incidents where culprits duplicate tokens: skimmed ATM cards, and stolen usernames and passwords. With iris-scanning technology, duplication is virtually impossible and thus would eradicate many of the issues facing the industry today. “We are considering implementing iris scans, for identifying our VIPs,” hinted Jerry Feng, Head of Security and Investigative Services for Taiwan, Citibank.

Facial Recognition
Facial recognition is already used by financial institutions in regions such as Europe, South America and Japan. “Facial recognition is currently in use in a small number of institutions, to grant access into high-risk or high-sensitivity areas, or as a VIP or person-of-interest identification system,” said Charles Smith, Product Manager at Omniperception. “Some are still evaluating the use value and effectiveness in the consumer financial sector, but it will certainly become even more integrated into banking in the future.”

Getting High…Def
An HD-SDI based video surveillance system allows branch and security managers to view high-resolution, zero-latency video footage over existing coaxial cable in a closed, secured system, which equates to minimum system downtime and significant savings. On the other hand, with today's banks, IP-based network and storage infrastructure should already be in place, which means the cost is mostly about network cameras and management software.

“It is inevitable that megapixel cameras backed with services over IP will take dominance in the finance sector,” predicted Michael Brown, IT and Computers Director for VideoControlRoom. “Financial institutions are increasingly using integrated technologies that allow for real-time cross-referencing and utilization of data such as alarm/access control logs, video and transactional data via notifications of choice. This helps improve decision making and event response.” Often, system designers and operators err on the side of caution by wanting to know everything, presented in an organized manner.

“We have noticed a move away from scale-out commodity NVR server infrastructure to scale-up consolidated and virtualized NVR servers,” observed Scott Basham, Perimeter and Surveillance Security Systems Program Manager for APAC, Unisys. “The intention is to make significant cost savings by cutting out unnecessary hardware, power and cooling operational expenses.”

Which will come out on top?

In practice, there is no “right” answer or solution, as user environments and requirements can vary from one site to another, from one bank to another. “We have both hybrid DVRs and HD-SDI solutions in operation,” Feng shared. “However, in my opinion, they are both band aid solutions, for the trend is to go IP. To this end, by next year, we'll be 100-percent IP. IP allows us to implement a fully integrated and centralized system, one that facilitates remote visual verification of alarms cost-effectively.”

German logistics specialist's UK hub reinforces security operation with IP platform

Editor / Provider: Milestone Systems | Updated: 11/9/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Milestone XProtect open platform IP VMS is the basis for an updated and expanded surveillance solution at Movianto, a comprehensive logistics and transportation service provider for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The move from analog to HD network cameras also includes Milestone analytics.

Movianto's UK hub at Bedford operates around-the-clock five days a week, storing and managing the daily distribution of healthcare products, handling 40 percent of all domestic pharmaceutical products. With a total of three UK warehouses and five trans-shipment centers, they deliver to every hospital and pharmaceutical wholesaler. Next-day delivery of cooled medicines uses the company's own fleet of dual-temperature vehicles. Movianto also offers cold-chain management, and delivery of life-critical medicines direct to patients at home, making 50,000 cold chain deliveries per month.

In late 2010, Operations Director of Movianto, Robin Edwards, consulted with Centra Security to update and extend their surveillance. Movianto previously had two analog CCTV systems in warehouse buildings from 2002 that were showing their age: 23 analog CCTV cameras streamed low resolution black and white images to different DVR systems with poor image quality and significant gaps in surveillance coverage. Movianto wanted new HD surveillance cameras.

Raj Garcha, Facilities and Security Manager at Movianto, says: "Centra understood immediately that the priority must be to improve coverage in the loading bay areas both inside and out, and their design recommendations focused on this."

The new surveillance system is based on Milestone VMS to manage, archive and export video from the latest multi-megapixel HD quality IP cameras. Milestone XProtect smart client is the interface that provides viewing, recording and retrieval of the high resolution, HD-quality images configured at up to 18 frames per second from a total of 40 Axis and Mobotix IP cameras. Movianto has further extended its upgrade to include Milestone analytics with ALPR in two cameras and XProtectTransact software. The cameras using analytics are positioned at the main entrance and record all vehicle movements in and out of the site thereby creating a full audit trail. The combined system on the Milestone platform records, stores and enables viewing and management of video images set to archive for 30 days.

The IP cameras with the fiber optic ring around the perimeter installed by Centra ensure key areas of security risk including loading bays, chillers, rear fire exits and the main entrance. The external cameras were fitted on poles looking back into the loading bays to provide total coverage in this sensitive area.

A range of internal cameras from Axis and Mobotix were fitted on vertical columns which support the roof of the warehouse. Discreet network cameras including the Axis M3014 were also fitted in some high traffic areas like the staff canteen and in some corridors for health and safety reasons. Milestone provides Movianto UK with a scalable, future-proof IP surveillance system which will be able to offer additional security functionality as Movianto's facilities management and security team decide to invest in more. The fiber optic infrastructure combined with the Milestone open platform forms the bedrock of a security system which will be able to grow and extend its functionality as Movianto places increased demands on it.

"Milestone has proved to be the future-proof platform which we were looking for at Movianto UK. With Centra's help we now know that we can extend the surveillance system through adding additional Milestone software modules and integrating with other facilities management systems," said Garcha.

The new system has enabled Movianto to move easily from a CCTV system - which prevented the facilities and security management teams from capturing images of sufficient quality - to a modern IP surveillance system which can help identify individuals and vehicles travelling in and out of the site.

The first phase of the new installation will be complete when two more fixed IP cameras have been fitted on 2.5 meter poles and configured to pick up the number plates of vehicles as they enter and leave the site. Milestone analytics ALPR software enables Movianto to log all vehicle plates and check these off against a known database of registrations automatically. This provides a greater level of protection against unauthorized vehicles entering the site.

CBC dabbles in NVR and smartphone app

Editor / Provider: CBC | Updated: 11/6/2012 | Article type: Tech Corner

Residential wine estate in South Africa upgrades to IP surveillance and access control

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 10/23/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Franschhoek Valley lies nestled between towering mountains in the spectacular Cape Winelands, South Africa. La Petite Provence, situated in the middle of the resplendent Franschhoek Valley, is a 36-hectare residential wine estate consisting of approximately 150 houses nestled among the vines. The harmonious lifestyle is supported by a superb climate and close proximity to many of the wonders of the Western Cape region.

The village of Franschhoek remains largely unaffected by the wave of crime that has blighted many parts of South Africa for some time. However, it still remains imperative that secure estates such as La Petite Provence offer their residents an environment that maintains a zero tolerance approach to any and all types of criminal activity.

Camsecure, Axis partner, manage to design a surveillance system using Axis network cameras and Milestone software. La Petite Provence no longer operates two separate systems for surveillance and access control, thereby reducing administrative effort and expense. An integrated Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) solution ensures that infringements are unable to slip between the cracks.

“Our aim was to install a surveillance solution that also functions as an auditing system to replace the existing CCTV and access tag system. This ensures that La Petite Provence security personnel remain vigilant and have the necessary tools to react swiftly and effectively to all potential risks,” explains Vivian De Meillon, Technical and Regional Manager at Camsecure.

The first phase of the installation focused on securing the main gate of the estate. Camsecure took a twoprong approach by providing Axis network cameras to provide an overview of the entire entrance area as well as more specific monitoring of the residents' and visitors' entrance lanes and the single exit lane.

Axis P3346-V network camera, fitted with an IR illuminator, offers superb video performance and provides images with better contrast, clarity, resolution and depth of field. Milestone Enterprise ALPR software allows registered vehicles to access the estate without the hassle or security breach risk of tags or access cards. License plate recognition facilitates the flow of traffic, reducing bottlenecks caused by misplaced security devices.

The surveillance solution makes it possible to blacklist vehicles that have been red-flagged for any particular reason. This means that these vehicles will be denied access to the estate and guards will be notified by an alarm signal in the gate house.

The second phase of the La Petite Provence installation by Camsecure involves the expansion of the surveillance system to other high risk areas and more sophisticated custom integration between the Axis network cameras and Milestone software to support the special process requirements of the estate.

Bosch teams with Arvoo to provide ALPR solution in EMEA

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 10/15/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Bosch Security Systems and Arvoo, a Dutch imaging products specialist, announced their partnership by providing an integrated ALPR solution to the EMEA region. Both companies bring their unique strengths to the table: while security cameras from Bosch provide high-quality pictures, Arvoo technology delivers fast and accurate ALPR analysis. The cooperation comprises a dedicated Arvoo ALPR integration for recorders and VMS from Bosch. This new alliance offers gas stations, hotels, stores, government facilities, city toll booths and other customers an all-in-one and easy-to-use solution to monitor and track vehicles on their premises or drive ways.

Available for any ALPR application, the Dinion Capture Series cameras from Bosch are specially designed to capture high-resolution images of a license plate even when the vehicle is travelling at speeds of up to 225 km/hr. Neither low light nor bright sunlight nor headlights pose a challenge to the quality of the pictures as the cameras are equipped with advanced ambient compensation technology. They are plug-and-play, thus reducing both the costs and time spent on their installation. The cameras can then easily be linked to a stand-alone management system via IP or analog connection.

The Dinion Capture's HD images are subsequently analyzed using Arvoo's advanced analytical technology and processed with dual DSP, generating accurate plate information swiftly. “The integration of Arvoo high-performance ALPR technologies into Bosch solutions enables simpler, smaller, more affordable systems, increasing safety and security of parking, access, traffic monitoring and surveillance applications,” said Mattias Rouw, Marketing Manager at Arvoo. “ALPR is performed no matter the cars are lining up or traveling at high speeds.”

New Jersey low-income estates go high-tech with Hikvision

Editor / Provider: Hikvision | Updated: 10/12/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Alarms Unlimited
The legacy of Alarms Unlimited goes back well beyond the 1950s when the security company started providing security solutions to residential estates. Even though the company has since branched out to the commercial sector, it maintains its portfolio in its residential clientele. Among its recent projects, one in particular laid the foundation for its collaboration with Hikvision, a China-based surveillance technology company with a worldwide presence. This project was set in New Jersey, where several low-income housing projects were direct beneficiaries of the state-of-the-art technologies from Hikvision.

Our story begins with crime as the main antagonist in New Jersey. Residents in low-income housing estates were traumatized by the incidence of drug offences, robberies, and murders. So often were residents gripped with fear that public law enforcement services alone were insufficient to set their minds at ease. Even if suspected criminal activities were reported, law enforcers had no way of reviewing the scenes in the premises. Furthermore, there was a time lag between the time of reporting and their arrival. Although security cameras are common today, it was difficult to lay wires around the premises in a discreet fashion and integrate them into a larger system. It is no wonder that these residential precincts were in dire need of a foolproof security solution that could serve both as a record of incidents and a deterrent for deviants to engage in criminal activities on the premises.

Alarms Unlimited, with its extensive experience in the residential security market was entrusted with the task of securing these premises in New Jersey. And the long-established company brought in Hikvision by embracing its line of surveillance technologies, installing them as a part of the CCTV systems throughout these low-income residential estates.

Where there’s crime, there’s a camera
Alarms Unlimited opted to include three Hikvision surveillance technologies from its top of the line range of products. Several DS-2CD752MF-IFB vandal-proof cameras, DS-2DF1-672 network cameras and the iVMS2000 software were used as a collective system. At strategic locations throughout the apartment buildings, the two models of wireless network cameras were deployed. The DS-2CD752 vandal-proof network dome cameras were installed to capture the ongoing activities. With their powerful imaging capabilities - f a 1/3" progressive-scan CMOS at 1600 x 1200 pixels, an electronic shutter speed of 1/25s to 1/100,000s and an angle view of 101° - 30.4° - it would have been virtually impossible for anything to go unnoticed. Furthermore, with its robust physical make up, criminals would find it hard to vandalize or pry them off the ceilings. The DS-2DF1-672 is a popular product that can capture 25 frames per second in HD720p with 3D intelligent positioning. It has a 360° continuous pan feature and a tilt range of -5° to 90°. The camera functions perfectly in a wide temperature range (-30°C to 65°C or -22°F to 149°F), making it extremely well suited to the seasonal changes in New Jersey. Last but not least, the iVMS2000 software supports the imaging functions of these cameras and facilitates a wireless security network, monitored closely in a single location with real time feeds from multiple cameras on a single screen 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

It’s all under control
For low-income residents, the collaboration of Hikvision and Alarms Unlimited was a Godsend. The capabilities of Hikvision’s network cameras, powered by their software addressed the multiple challenges that seemed too overwhelming at first. The new wireless surveillance system navigated the buildings’ architecture with ease and was an effective means of recording ongoing activities around the clock. Public law enforcers can now easily review the reported incidents. Deviants are discouraged from engaging in unlawful activities within the premises; these underlie the perfect triumph for Hikvision and Alarms Unlimited in New Jersey. George Cifuentes, representative at Alarms Unlimited, explained that “Crime has drastically reduced since the cameras have been put in; (police) have caught numerous people for drugs, several robberies and an attempted murder.” And finally, with the system in place, more low-income renters will be attracted to these apartments!

Korean City ALPR Capability Boosted by Arecont Vision

Editor / Provider: Arecont Vision | Updated: 7/25/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Clear images from Arecont Vision 2 megapixel IP cameras enable the use of fewer cameras in a license plate recognition (LPR) installation in the city of Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea. Given the higher resolution of Arecont Vision's AV2105 cameras, the Korean city was able to use a single camera to view two lanes rather than requiring a camera for each lane. This one simple change provided a 60 percent cost savings without compromising the system's ability to read license plates.

Daesung Net, the installing dealer for the Ulju-gun surveillance project, was looking to reduce system costs while preserving system performance. The systems integrator also wanted superior image quality and high resolution video in minimum illumination situations with easy installation.

Vehicles are often used by people committing crimes, and the Ulju-gun government wanted a system that could recognize a license plate number and lead to an arrest. Ulju-gun administrators incorporated opinions from the police department and other local organizations in implementing the new system, which included a total of 70 Arecont Vision AV2105 cameras.

“The benefits of using Arecont Vision megapixel video cameras with LPR are increased resolution and wider coverage,” said Becky Zhou, VP of Sales – Asia Pacific Region, Arecont Vision. “The picture quality and digital zoom capabilities of the Arecont Vision camera line provide a tremendous value to the city of Ulju-gun.”

Arecont Vision's AV2105 is a 2 megapixel H.264 IP camera that provides video at 24 frames per second (fps). The camera uses H.264 compression to minimize bandwidth and storage needs. The camera's combination of H.264 compression and superior low-light performance made it a natural choice for the Ulju-gun municipal surveillance project.

Moscow High-Profile Electrical Equipment Maker Manages Vehicular Access With Axxonsoft LPR System

Editor / Provider: Axxonsoft | Updated: 7/16/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

The OJSC Progress Plant (Protvino, Moscow region) has been manufacturing low voltage complete devices for nuclear industry facilities and fuel-energy complex since 1967. In accordance with the Order No. 158-p dated March 5, 2000 of the Ministry of the Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation, the plant was assigned head enterprise of the industry for developing, manufacturing and supplying of low voltage electrical equipment.

Some of the plant's major clients include Rosenergoatom, RAO UES of Russia, JSC Mosenergo, as well as foreign partners from the CIS countries, India, China, Vietnam, and Iran.

The task
There are two check points on the territory of the plant, one main and one supplementary, both equipped with Came automatic barriers. The supplementary check point is intended for vehicles with permanent passes, and traffic at this check point is considerably lower. This led to the idea of automating the incoming transport procedure by introducing a license plate recognition system which would allow removal of the day time security post and thus bring significant cost savings.

The license plate recognition is not a trivial task involving not only the video analysis itself but the optimal choice of video cameras, places of their location, visual angles, light levels, traffic density etc. Another important task was to choose the data input method for users of license plates database for recognition purposes. Automation of vehicle control requires special knowledge of operation algorithms of such systems and ways to eliminate collisions.

The facility's remote location from the company's engineering base was another challenge which demanded high competence and qualification of executers.

The solution
All these factors contributed to the choice in favor of a reliable and time-tested solution, the Axxon Intellect Enterprise security platform, with its license plate recognition module, and VIDEOMAX-Int video by VIDEOMAX. The AxxonSoft software and UNIMAX specialists' experience helped set up the system in a relatively short time and with a large safety and recognition quality margin. A reliable computer platform will secure the system's effective and sustained operation for years to come.

For high quality recognition, black and white video cameras were chosen with lenses capable to provide a required depth of field and shutter speed. These cameras are more sensitive, which is important for night time operation, and compared to the color cameras provide a clearer image. At the same time, the color of image in license plate recognition is not important and can even hinder the system's operation.

The barrier is controlled in an automatic mode by the Axxon Intellect software signal transmitted by a special Rays/Relay plate in the video server. To ensure accurate operation of the vehicle control system UNIMAX specialists had to reconfigure Came automatic barrier operation mode and to reinstall the ray security devices. In addition to the barrier control, the complex also controls traffic lights which allow one to reduce the number of collisions in the pass mode algorithms.

The license plate recognition is a vision algorithm whereby the quality of recognition is subject to many factors. There are a number of external reasons why recognition may not be performed. These can include soiled license plates, strong backlight, lack of standard license plate numbers etc. To help deal with such cases, a videophone was installed to provide direct communication with the operator who, in case of need, can remotely give a single time pass to a vehicle in a manual mode.

Trial period results
Such kinds of projects typically require a trial period upon which additional adjustments of equipment and sometimes algorithms may have to be performed.

Upon completion of the trial period the client confirmed that the basic task, automation of vehicle control at the supplementary check point, had been successfully completed. The system's components, the algorithms and installed equipment all proved to be called for. Recognition level was more than 90%, which is acceptable for such systems.

The client estimates that investments in the system installation will pay back in12 months, which is a very good indicator of investments return.