RESTON, Va., 12 May 2005. ObjectVideo has won two contracts totaling up to $3.2 million over the next three years from the Homeland Security Advanced Research Project Agency (HSARPA) to develop next-generation capabilities for intelligent video surveillance systems.
HSARPA, which invests in programs offering the potential for revolutionary changes in technologies promoting homeland security, selected ObjectVideo from more than 50 companies and awarded it two of the four contracts available to study "Automated Scene Understanding."
Acutely aware of the threats to physical infrastructure, both the public and private sector have deployed sophisticated security networks that utilize closed circuit television (CCTV), specialized video and infrared cameras, radars, and other sensors to provide physical security and general awareness at critical infrastructure, transportation hubs, borders, ports, harbors, industrial sites and other key locations. However, these systems have created an explosion of data that far outstrips the capacity for human operators to monitor, thus increasing the chances of the systems being ignored, mismanaged or rendered ineffective.
HSARPA has contracted with ObjectVideo to address this problem by enriching intelligent video surveillance systems with smarter capabilities including automated threat awareness and dynamic adaptability, capabilities that are useful in a highly dynamic environment, such as an airport or seaport, where planes and freighters are continually moving in and out of the scene and may not appear in the same area twice.
Instead of monitoring an "area of interest" on a continual basis, this next-generation system recognizes specific mobile assets, understands what rules apply to them, and automatically adjusts to protect them, no matter where they appear. It does all of this without a systems operator intervening.
The benefits of this capability are a much higher level of protection, fewer false alarms and smarter use of manpower, as it frees the operator from having to constantly set and re-set rules to keep up with the variations in movement of mobile assets.
"HSARPA is seeking to amplify the effectiveness of vital security systems by taking a key component of those systems -- intelligent video surveillance -- to the next level," said Dr. Alan Lipton, CTO of ObjectVideo. "Our developers, who are internationally known specialists in the field of computer vision, are delighted to accept this challenge."
ObjectVideo's intelligent video analysis algorithms, based on artificial intelligence called "computer vision," run all objects in a camera's view against pre-programmed rules. When an object violates a rule, for example, a small boat loiters next to a ship, a bag is left unattended in an airport terminal or a shopper displays characteristics of shoplifting, the software alerts security personnel by phone, pager, email or an alert console.
Customers of ObjectVideo's technology include the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection Bureau, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Energy, the Port of Jacksonville, Port Everglades, Miami International Airport and a variety of private sector businesses.
The Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) invests in programs offering the potential for revolutionary changes in technologies that promote homeland security and accelerate the prototyping and deployment of technologies that reduce homeland vulnerabilities. HSARPA performs these functions in part by awarding procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions for research or prototypes to public or private entities, businesses, federally funded research and development centers and universities. For more information, see www.hsarpabaa.com.
ObjectVideo provides intelligent video surveillance software for the protection of critical infrastructure and high-risk environments including borders, airports, seaports, oil refineries, chemical and nuclear plants and water treatment facilities. Its software is based on patented computer vision technology and provides the security market with an advanced ability to detect, classify, track and analyze threats. With ObjectVideo's software, customers gain the ability to proactively address threats, improve security planning and enhance overall effectiveness. ObjectVideo markets and sells its products through a VIP partner program of leading security companies on digital signal processor and server platforms. For more information, see www.objectvideo.com.
