Smart Cameras (Machine Vision) and Facial Recognition
Artificial intelligence is becoming more democratic in all spheres. Its uses are diversifying, and this technology is increasingly adapting to the expectations of individuals and businesses.
The field of cameras does not escape AI and its evolution. Yes, the ‘smart cameras,’ much more than a tool for monitoring goods and people, have become a real asset. More and more households are equipped with a smart camera, but what does a smart camera correspond to? Is it really effective? We will answer all the questions. But before that, let’s have a look at what machine vision is to understand the functionality of smart cameras!
What is a Machine Vision System?
Machine vision is one part of artificial intelligence (AI) that is on the rise. It focuses on developing and refining techniques that allow machines to see, identify, and process images in the same way that human vision does.
Artificial vision systems are usually digital sensors inserted in smart cameras capable of offering images and data. A smart camera with a machine vision system combines hardware and software that can capture and process image data.
What are Smart Cameras, and How Do They Work?
Surveillance cameras make it possible to record the entrances and exits of the house. This makes it possible to keep an eye on the house from a distance and be informed quickly of unusual movements. These cameras are quite simply equipped with sensors that will make it possible to easily recognize the silhouette of a human, an animal, or a car’s presence.
The smart camera is not limited to intrusion attempts. A camera is classified as intelligent when its system allows it to analyze an image with more depth than conventional motion detection functions.
We have as intelligent functionalities nowadays the facial recognition, the follow-up of a human, the measurement of heat, etc. face recognition
Consumer devices use facial recognition technology to authenticate their owners’ identities. This technology is also used in social media and law enforcement agencies to detect and tag users and identify criminals. Facial features are detected by machine vision algorithms and compared to face profile databases.
Smart cameras can also recognize a temperature variation, which can be linked, for example, to the start of a fire. The inhabitants thus keep a permanent eye on what is happening in real-time and can be informed of abnormal events (SMS, e-mail, voice call).
The interest of the smart camera is to be able to be installed indoors and outdoors. It will have movement and temperature sensors but also a night vision system. A classic camera will record events; the smart camera will make it possible to inform the inhabitants and to carry out an emergency reaction: call the police, firefighters, etc. It is no longer simple video surveillance; we are talking about active surveillance, allowing you to react more quickly.
Components of a Machine Vision Smart Camera
An artificial vision system consists of two basic components for the acquisition of images: illumination device and image capture (camera) and the analysis of images: an image capture plate (image capturer or digitizer) and analysis software.
The hardware configuration of machine vision systems is pretty standard. Generally, a system consists of:
An illumination device
A CCD solid-state video camera to acquire an image
A frame-grabber, to perform A/D (analog-to-digital) conversion of the image capture or digitized pixels into an N by M column image
A personal computer or microprocessor system to provide image disk storage and calculation capability with vendor-supplied software and specific application programs
A high-resolution color monitor, which helps visualize the images and the effects of various image analysis
Are Smart Cameras Effective for the Home?
There are different solutions for home surveillance, such as the anti-intrusion alarm system, the fire alarm now mandatory in any home or even conventional video surveillance systems. The smart camera will take over all the functionalities of these systems since it is equipped with sensors and an alert program, generally linked to an application to warn residents. Above all, in the interaction with the application, the effectiveness of this system lies.
You can adjust the needs, sensitivity, and above all, access the recordings made at the time of the alert and afterward. It does not necessarily cost more than a classic alarm system on the budget side.
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