Enhanced surveillance system based on panomorph panoramic lenses
Simon Thibault · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 2007
Modern surveillance and security systems demand a technological approach because only technology can provide highly efficient vigilance, a certainty of detection and a fast response 100% of the time. Recent developments, including new wide-angle lenses, advanced cameras, IP networks and video analysis technology, provide significant improvements in system performance and flexibility. This paper presents a new advanced surveillance system featuring a panoramic Panomorph lens for event detection, recognition and identification over a 360-degree area with 100% coverage. This innovative approach provides enhanced performance with better pixel/cost ratio. Intelligent video technology enables the video camera to be "more" than just a video camera; it allows the panoramic image to follow events (such as moving objects or unauthorized behavior) in real time, which in turn allows the operator to focus his/her activity on a narrow field pan/tilt camera without losing any information in the field. Adding incremental capabilities such as a Panomorph lens-based imager to an existing surveillance video system can provide improvements in operational efficiency and effectiveness. Foreseen applications are in the fields of border surveillance, high-security environments, aerospace and defense, mass transit, public security and wherever the need for total awareness is a prerequisite.