Unmanned aerial vehicles can carry video surveillance equipment and transmit the images back to the operator

Drones – or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – may soon be filling our skies, engaged in myriad video surveillance tasks.

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the United States is looking at new rules to govern commercial use of UAVs. Right now, it is illegal to use UAVs for commercial use, but recreational hobbyist use is ok.

On 9 February, the European Commission’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Panel will meet in Brussels to agree on flight rules and technologies for UAVs. Issues they will consider include collision avoidance systems and other safety devices.

New rules are likely to come into effect between 2013 and 2015. Rules will probably limit UAVs to line of sight operation.

There are various security and safety uses for UAVs:

• Surveillance, covert and overt
• Emergency services
• Crisis management: floods, fires, terrorist attack
• Border control

Emerging opposition to UAVs is focused on privacy and fears of a surveillance state.

The website Drone Wars UK has issued a “Drone Wars Briefing” document.

Privacy advocate, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the US government to find out how UAVs are being used.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association (UAVSA) is a trade group that represents the drone industry to the UK government.

UAVSA is planning a PR campaign to change public perception of “drones” and they consider public opposition to be a major obstacle to commercial development of UAVs.

The Civil Aviation Authority has advised drone manufacturers to paint their drones bright colours to combat fears of Big Brother in the sky.

Meanwhile, government and police use of drones appears to be well developed.

ASTRAEA is a consortium of UAV companies. The aim of the ASTRAEA programme is to enable the routine use of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) in all classes of airspace without the need for restrictive or specialised conditions of operation. They have received £30m in public funds over 8 years.

At least five police forces – the Met, Merseyside, Essex, Staffordshire and British Transport police – are known to have used UAVs.

Further information
Guardian newspaper: Surveillance drone industry plans PR effort to counter negative image
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association: www.uavs.org
New Scientist: Civilian drones to fill the skies after law shake-up
Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (UVS), a global trade association based in the Netherlands
Eurocontrol, pan-European air traffic control organisation.
Electronic Frontier Foundation

Elmdene

Innovative electronic security and fire products manufacturer, Elmdene International Limited – a subsidiary of Potter Signal, LLC – has had an extremely successful Intersec 2012 in Dubai, seeing footfall on its stand soar by an impressive 75% from the previous year and reporting a number of major orders in the pipeline for door contacts, switch mode power supplies and Infra-Red (IR) exit devices.

Elmdene, which was exhibiting as part of the UK pavilion and is an active member of the British Security Industry Association’s Export Council, was using Intersec 2012 to promote the expansion of its Vision range of PSUs (Power Supply Units) for CCTV applications, including the company’s increasingly popular energy efficient and cooler- running switch mode models. The key additions to the Vision range launched at the show were the low profile VRS124000-4-T and VRS128000-8-T and the encapsulated VRS123500-EB.

Another significant product line which grabbed the attention of visitors to Intersec 2012 was the aesthetically pleasing IR exit buttons. Made from durable stainless steel the buttons, which require no direct hand contact, are an ideal access control solution for environments where the transfer of dust and germs can be problematic.

“Said Justin Roberts, Sales and Marketing Director, Elmdene International Limited: “We were certainly impressed with the visitor numbers at Intersec this year and believe that we benefited from having a dual presence, through our own stand and Elmdene’s solutions being displayed by one of our distribution partners.

“There is little doubt that Intersec is becoming a major global event, a fact underlined by the customers we saw from as far afield as North Africa and Scandinavia. In terms of business, we were pleasantly surprised by the number of orders secured as a direct result of Abu Dhabi upgrading their door contact requirements, with attendees seeking out European graded solutions which we are in a strong position to supply.

“Looking at our switch mode power supplies, while their efficiency of operation and associated operational savings is driving take-up in many of the markets we operate in, for the Middle East the lower heat levels generated inside these modern units is turning out to be the most attractive feature for prospective buyers.

“As switch mode PSUs run cooler than established linear designs they are less susceptible to failing when faced with the high temperatures found in the region. An additional benefit, which makes our power supplies even more attractive for Middle Eastern customers, is that unlike many competing products  they are readily able to absorb fluctuations in the electrical supply because they operate between 90V and 260V.”

Contact
www.elmdene.co.uk.

The Flex Bollard

APT Security Systems, the high-end specialist security integrator, has created a bespoke version of its Flex Bollard Range to complement the existing bollards installed by Southend Council for various road safety applications.

The Essex council had been using another supplier for the bollard installed on pavements to protect kerbs, pedestrian crossings and car park entrances, but was obliged to find another provider when the product was discontinued. It asked APT Security Systems to adapt its Flex Bollards to a similar design to those already installed, as Adrian Watling, Road Safety Engineer at Southend Council explains:

“The Flex Bollard has many advantages,” he says. “Should a vehicle come into collision with one, not only will the damage to the car be substantially less than with a hard fixed bollard, but the pavement should not be damaged.”

The council has to date installed three quarters of the 100 bollards it has acquired and Adrian sees scope for the relationship with APT to continue for many years to come: “There seems to be an almost limitless number of applications for the Flex Bollard,” he says. “We recently installed them on the entrance to a 20mph zone and feel that it is having the desired visual impact as a traffic calming measure and slowing the vehicles down.”

Described as providing ‘boundary security with passive safety’, the Flex range is ideally suited to lower risk scenarios, where the emphasis is on protecting more substantial barriers or curbs from significant damage. They are also ideally suited to denoting parking areas, pedestrianisation schemes and other similar zones where a perimeter needs to be clearly defined.

Chris Rowlands of APT Security Systems says that while the request from the Council was unusual, it was not unique: “We don’t often get asked to design bollards to replicate another that has already been installed,” he says, “but when using multiple bollards on one site, it is important not to compromise on the aesthetics.

“These bollards are being used in a variety of different scenarios and such is the versatility of the product that its potential uses are very wide reaching. We are pleased to be working with Southend Council on keeping motorists and pedestrians safer while using the roads,” says Chris.

The Flex series comprises two static variants – Flex slim and Flex mid – offering bollards from 80mm to 180mm in diameter, and 680mm to 900mm in height. The series also includes the Flex telescopic range offering bollards with a diameter of 220mm and a height of up to 450mm. APT will shortly add a new Flex automatic rising bollard to its portfolio.

Contact
APT Security Systems

Dallmeier's Panomera wins IFSEC 2011 award

Visit Dallmeier USA at stand 4127!

The award-winning and much-lauded multifocal sensor system Panomera® is a novel camera technology with a special lens and sensor concept. This makes it possible to display expansive areas and large distances with a completely new resolution quality – in real time and with high frame rates of up to 30 fps. In so doing, Panomera® far surpasses the HD 1080p standard: The “Panomera® effect” begins where conventional HD and megapixel cameras reach their limits.

With Panomera®, a huge area can be surveyed from a single location in a highly efficient manner. The system highly impresses with the unique combination of an overall view with simultaneous high detail resolution: Contrary to conventional HD cameras where more distant objects cannot be resolved any more when you zoom in, Panomera® guarantees uniform resolution over the entire object space. Even objects that are farther away can be displayed with the same resolution as objects in the foreground of the picture.

Another decisive advantage is the cost-efficiency of the system: where previously several HD cameras had to be installed, a single Panomera® system is now enough – which also means only one installation site is necessary. Since fewer camera installation locations are needed, the requirements for the infrastructure (masts, cables, electricity, etc.) are substantially lower, along with expenditures for servicing and maintenance.

Besides Panomera®, Dallmeier will also present other highlights from its extensive range of video over IP solutions at ISC West in Las Vegas, e.g. the high-performance video management software SeMSy® III or the energy-saving recording systems of the Smatrix series.

Contact
www.dallmeier.com
www.panomera.com

QNAP aids military

QNAP® Security’s network surveillance solution helped secure a military complex in Colombia. Located in the thriving capital of Bogota, the customer wanted to protect members of the 13th brigade at all times. It turned to turnkey consultant Gabasip for a suitable video surveillance solution.

Solution

“A military site demands effective video surveillance equipment with zero downtime,” said Jose Palacio from Gabasip. “The system must be ready 24/7, with no surprises.”

After careful consideration, the network video solution- QNAP VioStor 4016 Pro NVR offered the reliability needed. The QNAP VioStor 4016 Pro enabled operators to be constantly vigilant through embedded motion detection and foreign object analytics. Powerful and proven performance made QNAP the best choice for the complex.

The site deployed 11 Axis® M1113 cameras and an Axis P5532E network dome for monitoring. Connecting the cameras with the QNAP NVR was fast and simple. QNAP’s built-in support for renowned network camera brands allowed the customer to select the right cameras for their needs.

Results

Monitoring troop conditions has never been easier, after the all-IP solution was deployed. Commanders for Brigade 13 can keep an eye on the whole base and stop threats in a timely fashion. With reliable performance and strong integration, QNAP protected the military site around the clock.

Contact
www.qnap.com

Plustek Video Server

Four-channel Plustek VS 540i encoder more effectively migrates existing analog systems while offering H.264 and MJPEG IP-streaming video surveillance system

Plustek Inc the leading manufacturer of innovative Linux-based, standalone Network Video Recorders (NVR), today announced release of the new Plustek dual stream video server VS 540i, which simultaneously supports four analog cameras and is designed to ease migration of existing analog camera applications. The new encoder offers an internal SD card socket, to more effectively record motion detection video footage, and a convenient TV-out function.

The new Plustek video encoder supports the full array of leading analog video cameras and converts analog signals into digital streams to be sent over IP networks for viewing and recording on networked computers. This fan-less, Linux-embedded system features an internal, built-in SD card socket capable of saving events triggered by motion detection, ensuring that users will have instant access to their most important recorded events. For users with larger storage needs, 2.5” hard disk can be added conveniently.

Plustek video encoder also features intelligent RS-485 Serial Connector to enable PTZ functionality on analog cameras; up to three self-configurable motion detection areas to enable simultaneous target focusing; and it records and plays at up to 240 fps (NTSC)/220 fps (PAL) at D1 resolution.

We are expanding our outstanding image processing technology from scanners to IP and analog surveillance,” commented Jack Chuang, Plustek Product Manager. “Our company already features a complete product line of 4 to 12 channel, and 128 channel VMS management tools targeted at SOHO, retail, and enterprise-level applications, respectively. Now, with this new video server encoder, we offer technology to successfully make existing analog systems more flexible, so they can easily and efficiently connect to nDVR applications.”

Contact
www.Plustek.com

Resource

Former chief superintendent for West Midlands Police, Russ Smith, has been appointed National Security Director at Resources Services Group.

Russ Smith, who first joined the company as Police and Justice Services Director, has been appointed National Security Director for the British arm of the company.

During his time with West Midlands Police, Russ, who lives in South Derbyshire, undertook a variety of roles, including staff officer, chief constable and senior investigating officer for a number of serious offences. He was also a firearms, football and public order commander during his time at the force.

“I am looking forward to tackling the challenges this new position will bring and applying the wealth of valuable knowledge I gained during my time with one of the largest police forces in the country to further enable Resource to develop its security offering,” he said.

“We already have a number of high profile security contracts under our belt and are confident we will continue to understand and meet the needs of organisations that outsource their security requirements within this highly specialised and regulated sector.”

Resource, which provides outsourcing staff to the private and public sectors in the UK and Ireland, has also further bolstered its security expertise with the appointment of Neill Pow as National Security Operations Manager. Neill, who lives in Stafford, has significant experience of working within the prison industry.

The security market is a key focus for Resource, which made the innovative move of launching a Security Advisory Board (SAB) in February last year in a bid to boost the firm’s security offering and act as advocates for that offering at the highest level.

The company’s outsourcing service includes manned guarding, supplying close protection officers and custodial detention officers.

Andy Vaughan, managing director at Resource, said: “The security sector is a key focus of ours and the creation of these two new roles will further enable us to develop in this newly-emerging market. We are delighted to have made the appointments and welcome the wealth of expertise both Russ and Neill both bring to the team.”

Resource’s British headquarters are located at Ashted Lock, Birmingham Science Park.

Contact

BSIA

Members of the British Security Industry Association’s Export Council, who exhibited at last week’s Intersec 2012 exhibition in Dubai, are reporting a record level of visitor interest in the wide range of innovative UK security solutions, from integrated systems to access control, CCTV and intruder alarm technology, on display during the show.

Now that member companies have had the opportunity to analyse the leads generated from Intersec 2012 – the 14th time the BSIA has taken part – it is shaping up to be the most successful edition yet when it comes to building links and generating business in the Middle East region. To put this into context, 83% of those questioned in a post-event survey conducted by the BSIA’s Export Council said they had witnessed a growth in visitors to their stand, compared to 2011, only 17% said numbers were the same and, crucially, none of those who replied had experienced a fall in attendees.

Many of the BSIA’s Export Council members at Intersec were concentrated on the BSIA- organised UK Security Pavilion which for 2012 featured the largest ever number of British security businesses. The strong demand for UK security products and services evidenced on the ground during Intersec also ties-in with the findings of new research unveiled by the BSIA, to coincide with the exhibition, which discovered that 62.5% of the Export Council members had witnessed an upturn in business revenues in the Middle East over the past 12 months.

Said John Davies, Chairman of the BSIA’s Export Council: “There is little doubt that Intersec 2012 has been a tremendous success for both the Export Council and our member companies when it comes to the number and quality of attendees. Undoubtedly there is growing interest across the Middle East in what the British security industry can offer whether it be innovative solutions, best practice or compliance with industry standards. With the BSIA, as the leading trade association for the UK’s private security industry, and through our Export Council, we believe that we are well placed by participating in events like Intersec to provide critical advice and guidance for our members and their prospective customers, so helping to forge strong and productive business links.”

Contact
www.bsia.co.uk

Bosch

Bosch Security Systems has strengthened its sales team with two new appointments: Chris Williams joins as Regional Sales Manager for the North West; and Mark Jenner joins as a new Sales Support Engineer.

Chris arrives from Swift Fire & Security where he was a Key Account Manager responsible for developing new business across the North West, working on projects such as the Trafford Centre and Manchester’s Selfridges store and other installations that use Bosch Security products. He has more than 20 years’ experience as a service and installation engineer and later as a national account manager.

Mark Jenner joins Bosch from CBC where he gained comprehensive technical experience and a valuable knowledge of the latest IP technologies. Mark started his career in technical repairs before moving into technical support, product demonstrations and customer training. Within Bosch he will be providing the vital link between the sales and technical teams, whilst serving as a reliable contact for customer who need technical support. He will also help with system design and advising on product specification.

“We are adding more breadth and depth to our sales and support teams in the UK,” says Paul Wong, Managing Director of Bosch Security Systems, “and I am pleased to welcome Chris and Mark on board.

“They join us at a crucial time,” he says, “with new products being launched, including the 5th Generation AutoDome modular range, and a series of significant product announcements which will be made over the course of 2012.”

Contact
www.bosch.co.uk

Powered by Pixim

Pixim Inc., a leading provider of imaging chips for enterprise security cameras, announced the development of an imaging solution custom-tuned for IC Realtime’s line of DVRs and NVRs. IC Realtime of Pompano Beach, Florida has introduced the I-Sniper video security solution. I-Sniper is based on Pixim’s latest image capture chip, but Pixim has implemented the technology to produce algorithms that are in sync with IC Realtime’s storage and network streaming devices. When I-Sniper cameras are paired with IC Realtime DVRs or NVRs, the result is 25-45 percent longer recording times and reduced network bandwidth versus non-optimized third-party cameras.

Through Pixim, I-Sniper cameras adjust to highlights and lowlights in the same scene, capturing the entire picture even in the most challenging, mixed lighting conditions. In addition, I-Sniper offers 690 HTVL effective resolution and the industry’s proven best wide dynamic range. The new I-Sniper cameras require just 0.1 lux of illumination to produce usable, color images at a full 30 frames per second, and as low as 0.001 lux with slow shutter modes enabled.

“Our partnership with Pixim is the first time an image sensor developer and a system manufacturer have worked so closely together to custom design an image capture solution,” explains Matt Sailor, CEO of IC Realtime. “I-Sniper will allow our customers to not only capture the best images in all types of challenging lighting, but they will also be able to optimize the use of their DVRs and NVRs—saving money and storage space.”

“Pixim’s engineers enjoyed the challenge of designing an imaging solution that took the best of our chip technology and enhanced it work with IC Realtime’s storage and network devices,” says Scott Takaoka, Pixim’s director of sales, Americas. “IC Realtime is known as one of the industry’s best developers of DVRS and NVRs, and now, with the addition of I-Sniper cameras, they can offer their customers a seamlessly integrated system.”

Contact
www.pixim.com