Vivotek Outdoor and Indoor Camera Systems

With vandalism and battery theft being one of the highest events recorded to effect downtime of remote sites, Telecommunication Operators started exploring solutions to reduce this risk. With the expertise and help received from Tamashi, we were able to implement a solution at remote sites for Telecommunication Operators in South Africa. In order for this solution to work there were two main operational aspects identified. A technology solution was needed, such as live video surveillance and alarming, and armed reaction. The Vivotek video surveillance solution was integrated into the RAMS site controller and into GERM Software Management Platform. With the Vivotek video analytics software and technology, we are able to set-up zoning on site to trigger alarm and events and virtual trip wires and directional intelligence. As the Vivotek camera is an intelligent camera, all this set-up is done ad stored on the camera. Over the past 2 years both Vivotek and Tamashi has worked on refining and enhancing the full solution, from camera software/intelligence and analytics to GERM reporting and GUI interface.

The outdoor fisheye camera is mounted on the site mast using brackets designed and developed by Tamashi for this specific solution. It can be mounted on lattice masts or monopoles. The Outdoor fisheye camera offers a bird’s eye view of the site. The camera is set-up with motion detection zones and virtual trip wires. As the camera has a full view of the site intrusion warning can be sent before the site is even breached allowing for extra and very valuable armed reaction response time. The camera has Infrared for night motion detection and live view. The Vivotek outdoor camera is set-up on a site per site basis to get the optimum view and early warning detection. The camera will send a snap shot and video clip should the perpetrators move towards the site and engage in forceful access into the site yard. Then the camera will send an intrusion detection alarm to GERM, the GERM GUI uses a pop-up window to identify such an event. The user can then click on the pop-up link to access live view of the camera and deploy armed response. Once the motion detection triggered, snapshots and video recording files are sent to GERM. Vodacom has had many success stories, whereby prosecution has been successful as a result of the early warning, snap shots and video files identifying the perpetrators and their actions.

VIVOTEK OUTDOOR CAMERA.

Below are examples of the installation and zoning setup of the outdoor cameras. As can be seen below the field of view is wide and allows the operator to track perpetrators even if they are not on the physical site and attempt to evade armed reaction. This also allows the operator to guide the armed response on site to where the perpetrators has gone or hiding. The outdoor camera offers early warning on motion detection before the site yard and site BTS has been forcefully entered or vandalized.

At remote sites, outdoor cameras are mounted on the tower, lattice mast or monopole. Below right shows examples of different Vivotek camera models and brackets used and live camera view in GERM. The example on the above shows the night vision of the Vivotek camera and an intruder detection. When an outdoor camera is deployed, intruder detection is done even earlier and sent to GERM. In many instances where an outdoor camera has triggered because of intrusion detection, the perpetrators have not even breached the physical container and are apprehended.

VIVOTEK INDOOR CAMERA.

The indoor camera offers and internal microphone that detect sound. The Vivotek indoor camera is calibrated for each site to learn the ambient noise of such site, such as air cons and DC fans switching on and off and radio cooling fans. Once this is done the camera audio configuration is set. If there is any loud banging on the container, associated with forced entry the camera sends an alarm to GERM. The camera is also set-up to detect motion, thus will send a snap shot and video clip should the perpetrators force access into the container. When the camera sends an audio alarm to GERM, the GERM GUI uses a pop-up window to identify such an event. The user can then click on the pop-up link to access live view of the camera and deploy armed response. Once the motion detection is triggered, snapshots and video recording files are sent to GERM. Vodacom has had many success stories, whereby prosecution has been successful as a result of the early warning, snap shots and video files identifying the perpetrators and their actions.

Below are examples of the camera view of the indoor camera. As can be seen below the field of view is wide and allows the operator to track perpetrators even if they are attempting to gain access from the side of the container. This allows the operator to see all activity inside the site container. The outdoor camera offers early warning on audio detection when container is being breached.