Daniel Wan，霍尼韦尔安防集团英国渠道营销负责人，从视频监控和其他一些安防应用中的一个认知的附加费用到成本效益以及关键组成部分来评估视频分析的发展。在明周界防范中已经显示出视频分析好处，增加安保服务的效率和它传递的投资回报率，特别在预防性的安防，表明视频分析技术的时代确实是终于到来了。

　　视频分析为大众所接受的假曙光

　　 自最早的所谓“视频分析”系统推出以来，作为一个传统视频监控的可靠的和具有成本效益的附加品，该技术经历了若干假曙光。虽然视频分析被预测作为一个安防产业多年来显著的增长领域，但视频分析技术还没有成为广泛采用的理由。

　　早期的制造商曾在他们的解决方案中，夸大其词地声称系统能够解决问题，但在过程中却越来越让用户感到不满。这些解决方案通常是创业公司创造的，仅仅专注于提供视频分析而已。因此，他们无法有效地与现实生活中的安防应用中的其他组件或规则来整合。这导致许多早期的系统被以一个唯一的基础来进行安装，而客户往往不愿意为一个新的技术而花费多余的钱。　　

　　视频分析在运输行业应用中的效益

　　视频分析在运输部门应用的演变，除了实现履行基本的安全需要外，现在还包涵了若干高级特征，如交通监控功能和对运输枢纽中的留守行李进行检测。

　　在基本层面上，视频分析能力，确定运动和车辆(行人)的速度，而不是其他杂散物体，借用该技术来检测定义区域周边和可疑行为。显然，在有汽车和行人进入危险区或管制区的时候，有安全警报的要求，比如铁轨。

　　即使是一个袋子，如果单独被留在机场，也可能成为一个严重的安全威胁。

　　在机场和火车站里无人认领/孤单的行李，构成明显的安全威胁，这已经成为运输经营者和政府越来越感兴趣的领域。再而，民政厅的智能检测系统(i-LIDS)影像库认证包括一个涉及到物体检测和跟踪的特定脚本。视频分析能够提醒运输经营者包裹在某处遗落，而这些包裹可能在多个CCTV屏幕中都没有被发现。简单来说，该软件能够在物品从某个场景移动后，发出盗窃警示。

　　视频分析在CCTV市场中的成长

　　最近，有许多因素促进着人们对视频分析的兴趣和需求的增加，这使得视频分析被重新考虑来作为一个可行的视频监控选择。从模拟过渡到网络化的CCTV监控已显现出数字解决方案已经被更广泛的接受，包括视频分析分析，使得能够从远程来监控和管理系统，从而带来了长远的好处。

　　更重要的是，终端用户和安防系统集成商们过去都无法指出一个智能分析系统标准或认证，以便判断他们采购的有效性。这样的情况直到民政厅的i-LIDS认证的推出才得以改变。

　　i-LIDS是英国政府的视频分析技术基准标准，它由民政部科学发展部(HOSDB)授给符合政府使用的基于视频检测系统开发严格标准的安防产品。

　　i-LIDS认证是第一个真正独立的视频分析系统质量和功能的措施，制造商们通过获得i-LIDS认证来达到最好的表现。

        提高安保服务的效能和效率

　　现在已经到了把视频分析作为提升你的安防人员表现的方法时候了

　　当考虑到保安和运营者的成本时，诱人之处在于假如评估使用视频分析技术，通过引入该技术可以立刻减少安防工作人员的人手数量。或许，视频分析更适合被看作是一种提高运营商和保安的效率的方法。[nextpage]

　　事实证明CCTV运营商在监控视频录像超过二十到三十分钟后开始错过重大事件。这种效果被现在运营商们因要求在控制室里进行监控而安装的大量的屏幕而加乘。视频分析则能够用来协助突出显著的事件，从而使得运营商能够做自己最擅长的事情：决定时间是否可疑。因此，安全功能使得在现有的工作人员基础上就能够更高效地操作更多CCTV摄像机。监控工作也变得更加刺激，且不需要不断地长时间检查视频监控屏幕。

        智能分析的效果并不是用更多的摄像机来取代保安员，而是让运营商能监控更多的探头和屏幕。用智能分析来支援保安人员，提供了基于分析事件来切换警卫来进行流动巡逻的能力，从而更有效的覆盖更大的区域并且更快地对真实事件进行反应，而不仅仅是沿着巡视路线一次次例行巡更。总而言之，视频分析还使得安保队伍突出正在发生的潜在危险状况，并已预先巡逻防范和预防事故，而不是仅仅在事后才来做出反应。

　　周界防护，视频分析的核心竞争力

　　今天市面上可以找到许多视频分析软件包，提供众多的功能，但往往并不与安防相关。然而，大多数已经安装的系统都集中在一个视频分析的核心竞争力上面：周界保护。

       总之，视频分析还使得安防队伍突出正在发生的潜在的危险情况，并已预先巡逻防范和预防事故。

       周界防护系统可以补充围栏，或者更换外部红外，地震探测器等，使用户能够查明定义的入侵者可能闯入的特殊区域。潜在地包括虚拟“围栏”线，这在入侵者攀爬它时可以触发警报(无需警卫在其沿线巡逻)，当穿过特定方向，或者警戒区域时，比如附近的道路，将触发在这些地方的汽车大小的物体停留时间过长的警报。结合这些规则保证了只有可疑行为才引发安全警报，而不是像当地的野生动物或天气相关的影响这样的无关对象。

        如何消除在这种“无菌区”内的安全误报是在HOSDB(英国内政部科学开发部)对视频分析系统评价的主要测试项目。随着越来越多的终端用户和集成商实现平台并且在周界探测之类的应用中视频分析的成本效益逐渐显现，这种特定的情况使得对 I-LIDS认证的需求强烈。

　　投资视频分析的回报

        虽然被视频分析的好处所吸引，但安全管理人员总是一直面临一个挑战，那就是投资被视为需要额外费用的技术的理由。提供一个明确的投资回报(ROI)的一个方法是，看看一个企业现有的花费或损失。

        预防总是比治疗便宜。视频分析有突出可疑行为的能力以，它让经营者能做出反应并防止发生事故，而不仅仅是查看视频以帮助在事后抓住犯罪嫌疑人，因而可以避免损失和损害，并且见效快。

　　作者：丹尼尔万　霍尼韦尔安防集团英国渠道营销负责人

【英文原文】

　　Video analytics comes of age

　　Are we about to see the first truebreakthrough for video analytics?

　　Daniel Wan, Channel Marketing Leader UK at Honeywell Security Group, assesses the development of video analytics from a perceived premium add-on to a cost-effective and key component in video surveillance and several other security applications. Its proven benefits in perimeter protection, increasing the efficiency of manned guarding services and the ROI it delivers, particularly in preventive security, shows that video analytics is indeed a technology whose time has finally come.

        False dawns with mass acceptance of video analytics

        Since the very first so-called "video analytics" systems were introduced, the technology has experienced a number of false dawns in terms of its acceptance as a reliable and cost-effective addition to traditional video surveillance tools. Although predicted as a significant growth area in the security industry for many years, the wide adoption of analytics has not materialised for a number of reasons.[nextpage]

        Early manufacturers made impressive claims for their solutions, often over-promising on what systems were able to deliver and causing customer dissatisfaction in the process. These solutions were usually created by start-up companies and were focused only on delivering video analytics. As a consequence, they were incapable of being effectively integrated with other components or disciplines in real-world security applications. This also resulted in many early systems being installed on a trial-only basis, with customers often unwilling to pay a premium for the new technology.

        Benefit of video analytics in transport applications

        The use of video analytics in the transport sector has evolved beyond fulfilling basic security needs to include advanced features such as traffic monitoring functions and detection of left-behind luggage within transport hubs.

        On a basic level, the ability of video analytics to identify the movement and speed of vehicles (and people), as opposed to other spurious objects, lends the technology to monitoring of perimeters and suspicious behaviour within defined areas. Clearly, there is a requirement for security alerts where there is a danger of cars or pedestrians entering hazardous or restricted zones, such as railway tracks.

        Even a lone bag can become a significant security threat if left unattended at an airport

        Unclaimed/ orphaned luggage poses a significant security threat in airports and railway stations and, as such, has become an area of increasing interest for transport operators and governments. Again, the Home Office's Imagery Library for Intelligent Detection Systems (i-LIDS) certification contains a specific scenario relating to detection and tracking of objects. Video analytics can alert transport operators to packages left within a scene, which otherwise may go undetected in the midst of multiple CCTV screens. Similarly, the software can highlight instances of theft, where objects have been removed from a scene.

        Growth of video analytics in the CCTV market

        Recently, a number of factors have contributed to an increase in interest and demand, enabling video analytics to be reconsidered as a viable video surveillance option. The growing transition from analogue to networked CCTV surveillance has seen a wider acceptance of digital solutions, including analytics, leading to further benefits in terms of being able to monitor and manage systems from remote locations.

        More importantly, end users and security system integrators were historically unable to refer to a standard, or accreditation, for analytics systems in order to judge their effectiveness before purchase. This was the case until the introduction of the Home Office's i-LIDS certification.

        i-LIDS is the UK government's benchmark standard for video analytics technology and is awarded to security products judged to have met the stringent criteria specified by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) in the development of video-based detection systems for government use.

        Manufacturers meeting the highest level of performance classification receive the i-LIDS accreditation, which is the first real independent measure of the quality and functionality of a video analytics system.

　　Improving efficacy and efficiency of manned guarding services

        The time has come to view video analytics as a way of improving the performance of your security staff

        When the costs of manned guarding and operators are considered, it's tempting when assessing video analytics to assume that the number of security staff can be immediately reduced by introducing the technology. Perhaps it's more appropriate to view video analytics as a way to improve the efficiency of operators and security guards.[nextpage]

        It has been proven that CCTV operators begin to miss significant events after monitoring video footage for more than twenty to thirty minutes. This effect is multiplied by the large number of screens that operators are now required to monitor in a control room environment. Analytics can be used to assist in highlighting notable events, thereby allowing operators to do what they do best: deciding whether an incident is suspicious or not. Security functions can therefore handle more CCTV cameras more effectively with their existing staff. The job of monitoring is also made more stimulating, removing the need to constantly survey a wall of video screens for long periods.

　　In replacing security guards with yet more cameras, the net effect is to create more footage and screens for the operators to monitor. Supporting the guards with analytics provides the ability to switch guards to mobile patrols based on analytics incidents, thus covering a larger area more effectively and responding to real incidents more quickly, rather than just following a routine guard tour. Above all, video analytics also enables security teams to highlight potential risk situations that are taking place and have patrols pre-empt and prevent incidents rather than just respond after an incident has occurred.

        Perimeter protection, video analytics' core competency

       There are numerous video analytics packages available in the market today, all offering a multitude of capabilities, and not always linked to security. However, the majority of installed systems have focused on one of video analytics' core competencies: perimeter protection.

　　Above all, video analytics also enables security teams to highlight potential risk situations that are taking place and have patrols pre-empt and prevent incidents

　　Perimeter protection systems can supplement fences, or replace external PIRs, seismic detectors, etc., allowing the user to identify specific areas where intruders will be identified. Potentially this includes virtual ‘fence' lines that will trigger an alarm when an intruder climbs over it (rather than when a guard patrols along it), tripwires that trigger when crossed in specific directions, and alert areas, such as nearby roads, which will trigger if a car-sized object dwells in them for too long. Combining these rules ensures that only suspicious behaviours trigger the security alarms and not spurious objects such as the local wildlife or weather related effects.

　　Eliminating such false security alarms in a sterile zone is a primary test in the HOSDB's evaluation of video analytics systems. This specific scenario continues to be a much demanded i-LIDS accreditation as increasing numbers of end users and integrators realise the performance and cost benefits of video analytics in perimeter detection type applications.

        Return on investment on video analytics

　　Although attracted by the benefits of video analytics, security managers have always faced challenges in justifying the investment in what has been perceived as a premium technology. One method of providing a clear return on investment (ROI) is to look at the existing costs for a business, or its losses.

　　Prevention is almost always cheaper than cure. Analytics' ability to highlight suspicious behaviour and let operators react to and prevent them from turning into incidents rather than just reviewing video to help catch suspects after the event, can provide quick returns in avoiding loss and damage.

        Daniel Wan

　　Channel Marketing Leader UK

　　Honeywell Security Group