Focusing on objects

A security imaging technology that offers security system engineers, developers and users with an exclusive feature set that delivers improved modes of operation does not pass by the security industry that frequent. A remarkable event for the security industry was the introduction of Sanyo's new pan-focus technology. No matter how close or far away from the camera this new technology allows video security cameras to focus on every object in the camera's view range. On top to the improved verification abilities afforded by the expanded depth of field, no manual focus modifications are needed, enabling pan focus cameras to supply an extended coverage zone even in unmonitored system interfaces.

Viewing the Past

Prior to the improvement of pan-focus systems, it was usually not feasible to achieve high-resolution imaging with a large depth of field for visual security interfaces. The Sanyo company accepted this challenge head-on and worked diligently to surmount it by establishing a unique lens that supplies high picture quality as well as high resolution. Obviously this was the start of a stunning solution. Digital signal processing as well as deep focusing techniques and make it possible for the camera to take the original picture supplied by the lens and apply sharp focus to every object in its vicinity.

This incorporation between the camera and the lens offers pan-focus cameras with 520 TV lines of resolution and extreme depth of field, enabling the cameras to stand out from the usual operations of basic security cameras.

The weaknesses of the conventional, vari-focal lenses are widely and well-known. For instance, objects in front of and behind the main focus point appear distorted and fuzzy when utilizing a vari-focal lens. Regardless of near of far, the pan focus compensates for the problem, thus keeping all objects in main focus. At the present, high quality images of more expansive coverage areas can be established, eliminating the demand to cross-shoot multiple cameras of surveillance.

The times of mandated manual focus modifications are gone, thanks to the technology of pan focus. On the other hand, it is still possible to zoom in on specific objects in the frame remotely in order to capture a specific ID picture. Furthermore, a number of units have an incorporated PTZ apparatus; for other cameras, there is an optional camera management unit that operates the remote zoom ability. It really becomes very easy for security personnel to observe images and identify suspicious situations after having all the objects in focus. Not to mention that this also makes verifying individuals, vehicles and other objects within a scene a lot simpler. Into the bargain, with all of its expanded coverage abilities, one pan-focus camera can often substitute multiple cameras, therefore reducing initial system expenses and long-term ownership cost. Although a number of pan-focus cameras incorporate RS-232/UTP functionality, other units present integrated IP management too. Both of these capabilities are supplied as retrofit options for apparatuses that are not originally incorporated in the system.

Extensive Benefits

Although the advantages to the end user are apparent, installers and integrators also can benefit from the technology of pan-focusing. Due to the fact that there is no need for focus modifications, deployment time is reduced immensely. On top of that the field of view is rapidly set and can easily be fine tuned to the user's desire from the head end after the security camera is deployed. And let us not forget that Lower installation cost is also an added advantage.

The vast majority of pan-focus units offer an incorporated or an accessory network board for utilization in applications where the customer is making the switch to an IP-based, networked panel. Prior to the enhancement of pan-focus technology, IP-based systems had to deal with image delay through the network due to the time lag caused by the focus adjustment. The technology of Pan-focus enhances overall safety and security in real time without any unnecessary time lag.

Moreover, video signals from pan-focus cameras do not demand any change to existing DVR/NVR systems and will not affect file sizes of images which eliminates the need for more storage in spite of the increased amount of data coming from images, where every object is in focus with a larger depth of range. If truth be told, the horizontal-resolution (520TV lines) and the frequency band of the image are the same as with the previous camera devices.

The advent of video analytics is one of the popular developments in surveillance technology today. However usual vari-focal lenses have a low depth of field that does not enable the lenses to offer helpful images outside definite regions of a view. The technology of pan-focus provides video analytics with a more detailed canvas area resulting in improved functionality thanks to its enhanced depth of field.

No limit to improvement

A dome camera that was able to operate in both day and night conditions and had a couple of vandal resistant features was amongst the first pan-focus camera to be introduced. The VDC-DP7584 is IP-66 rated and has smart backlight illumination compensation and a motion detection capability, not to mention that it was also housed in a tough, die-cast aluminum enclosure and a polycarbonate dome for extra durability and protection. It can be mounted or affixed on a wall, ceiling or rooftop structure. Not to mention that the camera can also can be installed with RS-485, coaxial control and UTP transmission abilities. A network board is also an additional option that can be deployed if needed.

A full line of new solutions will soon be released to replace the presently existing models using vari-focal lenses; this is especially the case due to the benchmark performance provided by pan-focus technology. The primary release of pan focus included vandal resistant dome, indoor mini dome, and weatherproof camera settings. Further manufacturing plans for the continued rollout contain pan-focus PTZ variations of the mini and vandal dome models presented for traditional analog system deployments, as well as systems utilizing UTP/RS-485 control and IP-based networked interfaces. Further pan focus settings are also getting developed and improved as we speak.

520 TV lines depth field vari-focal ID picture PTZ apparatus RS-232/UTP IP management frame remote zoom networked network board horizontal-resolution DVR/NVR analytics dome camera vandal VDC-DP7584 IP-66 rated aluminum polycarbonate RS-485, coaxial control UTP transmission