SafeZone is based on an advanced video analysis engine that was developed for sophisticated intrusion detection and sterile zone monitoring applications. This engine was specifically designed to overcome the limitations of conventional video analytics products by mitigating persistent nuisance alarms (caused by lighting and environmental changes) and ensuring more accurate detection. The original server based version of SafeZone was ported to edge devices by reducing the processing requirement by a factor of 400 – whilst preserving the intelligent scene analysis.

Edge-based surveillance applications run on the processors of video cameras and encoders, outputting alarms and meta-data direct from these devices. This means they do not rely on servers to process information, eliminating the need for costly, complex and failure-prone back-end IT infrastructure. Because they run on a single processor, such applications are also simple to deploy. Since embedded processors on edge devices are typically much less powerful than servers (and often perform additional processing tasks), applications must be optimised for ultra-efficient processing – requiring advanced edge-intelligent software engineering.

SafeZone-edge uniquely combines accurate detection performance, false alarm mitigation, simplicity of deployment and low cost of ownership. In comparison to both server-based and other edge-based video content analysis (VCA) applications, SafeZone-edge excels in all of these aspects and the combination of benefits that it provides. For example, its detection performance is certified under the globally recognised i-LIDS scheme and it is the only VCA product to incorporate a unique single/multi-camera auto-calibration feature to reduce installation effort.

As a leading proponent of CCTV technology in response to crime and terrorism, the UK is a world-leader in the application of video analysis technology. The Imagery Library for Intelligent Detection Systems (i-LIDS) initiative is a UK Government initiative to facilitate the development and selection of video analytics systems that meet Government requirements for security operations.

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i-LIDS offers a video library to benchmark video analytics performance against a number of security scenarios. The scenario that SafeZone-edge is designed for is ‘sterile zone monitoring’, with alarm events consisting of the presence of people in a sterile zone between two security fences. Its ‘primary certification’ qualifies it as it as the sole security measure – unlike systems with only ‘secondary certification’.

For further details, visit: i-Lids official web site.

For typical security and sterile zone monitoring scenarios, SafeZone-edge delivers comparable detection accuracy to server-based VCA systems. Its processing engine retains the intelligent algorithms of the original server-based SafeZone product, whilst radically reducing the processing requirement. SafeZone-edge is a fully featured video content analysis system with multiple user-defined detection scenarios and the ability to interpret and process complex scenes. It is able to process visible-band as well as thermal inputs and can be deployed on encoders as well as cameras to support the introduction of video analytics into legacy analogue camera environments. It is also fully integrated with leading VMS platforms (including Milestone and Genetec) to provide full on-screen display of meta-data. However, unlike server-based VCA systems, SafeZone-edge is simple to deploy and does not require the installation of any additional IT infrastructure, which typically requires several servers to support multi-camera installations. In addition, there is no potential ‘single point of failure’ associated with a server.

Edge-based applications typically imply reduced capability, since they are designed to run on an embedded processor and lack the computing resources of a PC or server. Furthermore, the processors on many IP cameras and encoders tend to combine core-processing tasks (such as video compression) with additional tasks (such as video analytics) that can limit their capability. These edge applications are often limited to video motion detection (VMD or VMD+) and are often prone to nuisance alarms – particularly if introduced into outdoor environments. In contrast, SafeZone-edge has been derived from an advanced analytical engine that was designed for server operation. This has subsequently been optimised for ultra-efficient edge operation – with the processing requirement reduced by a factor of 400. This has preserved the critical 3D scene configuration, trajectory analysis of objects and AI engine that underpin accurate intrusion detection and false alarm mitigation. Unlike many other edge-based systems, SafeZone-edge is also able to run multiple detection scenarios concurrently on a single processor.

Distributed architectures are designed to overcome the limiting characteristics of server-based or edge-based systems. In particular, they aim to reduce the number of servers required in large multi-camera installations and share the processing load between embedded edge processors and a centralised server capability. This approach still requires a server infrastructure to be installed and maintained, making it unsuitable for smaller to medium sized sites. It also ignores the growing availability of improved processing power on newer edge-based devices. There is also an inherently more complicated installation when a server is involved.

Many alternatives exist in the video analytics market, whether they be video motion detection (VMD and VMD+) for edge-based operation, video content analysis (VCA) on edge-based devices or premium server-based or distributed VCA. In short, SafeZone-edge outperforms competitors across all these categories with its unique combination of detection accuracy, simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

In comparison to VMD and VMD+ products, SafeZone-edge is simply operating at another level of performance in terms of detection accuracy and nuisance alarm mitigation. For simple internal monitoring requirements, VMD and VMD+ can offer a cost-effective option – but for serious applications and perimeter security, the only practical option is a VCA solution. While some edge-based VCA systems will be certified as an i-LIDS® secondary detection system, it is extremely rare for an edge-based system to be certified as a primary detection system. SafeZone-edge is currently one of just three edge-based VCA systems to receive i-LIDS approval as a primary detection system. However, unlike SafeZone-edge, the other systems do not feature ultra-simple, multi-camera auto-calibration modes.

Server-based and distributed VCA offer relatively reliable detection accuracy with both i-LIDS secondary and primary approved systems available. However, these do not offer the simplicity of deployment of SafeZone-edge and typically cost more (sometimes significantly more) in terms of initial licence, installation and long-term cost of ownership. In addition, no server based or distributed VCA system has the level of automated camera calibration (or multi-camera setup) of SafeZone-edge. Of course in some instances, a server-based system maybe an appropriate option; for example where very long distance detection is required or there is a need to retrofit VCA to IP cameras that are not compatible with SafeZone-edge.

The launch device platform for SafeZone-edge is the world-leading AXIS range of network video cameras and encoders. This currently includes devices based on the AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP) including cameras and encoders. Specific models are detailed in the SafeZone-edge Axis Compatible Devices document which can be found in the download section.

The v1.0 of SafeZone-edge packs in a lot of functionality and features to improve the user experience. The v1.5 release introduces a number of additional features at no charge – including extension of the automatic calibration assistant to multiple cameras, setup of alarm outputs and previewing of the live stream from within the native Setup Interface view, plus availability of meta-data within VMS applications. Details of product updates as explained in the "Release Notes" which can be found in the "Downloads" section .