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No. 26/2010 (Aug. 23, 2010)
"Brave New World."
Buying a laptop, do you want to pay the lowest price? - Take a photo of it with your smartphone, after a moment you will receive a message about the price of the cheapest. You explore a city - you don't need a guide, again - just use the smartphone, take a picture and you'll get a wealth of information on the monument, historic building, or restaurant. You do not understand the menu in the restaurant? - Again, another photo will solve the problem.All this is possible thanks to Google Goggles - the application for mobile devices based on searching information connected with certain images. Google's programmers have developed an excellent algorithm for object recognition facilitating the search, among others for objects such as books, monuments, works of art, shops and restaurants (based on photographs of the facades of the buildings), various products (based on bar codes and labels).
The application has implemented a special algorithm to recognize the main characteristics of various objects, which uniquely maps the picture and distinguishes its specific features. The entire set of information about the object is then sent to a remote server with a large database. After finding objects that meet the criteria, the feedback information provides the data in connection with the inquiry.
Other tools include text recognition and Google translate service. The current work of the team is focused on recognizing other objects (such as furniture or clothing) and animals.
The application, in addition to the use of a digital camera and Internet connection, can also utilize the compass and GPS receiver installed in the smartphone. It allows to combine the features of Google Maps (including location service) and the search engine showing "live" information about objects seen through the lens of the camera.
The prospective improvement of live comfort due to the new technology can be enormous, including safety issues. The database can even include pictures of wanted or dangerous persons and may help to catch them, using video surveillance systems with street cameras.
However, there is a danger that the gathered images and identification data will allow for surveillance of citizens on an unprecedented scale. Just now we should think about legal issues, not to find ourselves in a continuation of Aldous Huxley's novel.
A short presentation of Goggles integrated with Google Maps and GPS
Image analysis is one of the biggest challenges for IT professionals. The large amount of information carried by pictures, the impact of external factors (lighting, movement, time-related changes of the appearance of the objects) and technical limitations of the imaging equipment (still and video cameras) - cause great difficulties in developing efficient recognition algorithms.
The results achieved by Google are among the most advanced in this field. The work gained momentum after April 10, 2010, when Google acquired a revolutionary search engine - PlinkArt - created for searching works of art. The engine was developed by young Oxford University graduates - Mark Cummins and James Philbin - who in 2009 received $100 000 prize in the Android Developer Challenge 2. Less than a year later, Google bought their company and technology, thus making the first acquisition in the British market. This application is designed for mobile phones equipped with Android operating system.
Image recognition methods can be based on the imitation of mental processes (neural networks based on models of the nervous system) or on various algorithms.
The breakthrough in the development of algorithmic methods has been Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). This algorithm finds and describes characteristic points of the image. The points are not susceptible to rotation, scale change, and - to some extent - to change in lighting. The method of detecting objects based on the algorithm was presented in 1999, making a breakthrough in image analysis, as it did not required special lighting conditions or fixed locations of the objects. The next step in the development of image analysis was the emergence of Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF) algorithm in 2005. It allows for faster data processing and requires less computing power.
The results achieved by Google are among the most advanced in this field. The work gained momentum after April 10, 2010, when Google acquired a revolutionary search engine - PlinkArt - created for searching works of art. The engine was developed by young Oxford University graduates - Mark Cummins and James Philbin - who in 2009 received $100 000 prize in the Android Developer Challenge 2. Less than a year later, Google bought their company and technology, thus making the first acquisition in the British market. This application is designed for mobile phones equipped with Android operating system.
Image recognition methods can be based on the imitation of mental processes (neural networks based on models of the nervous system) or on various algorithms.
The breakthrough in the development of algorithmic methods has been Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). This algorithm finds and describes characteristic points of the image. The points are not susceptible to rotation, scale change, and - to some extent - to change in lighting. The method of detecting objects based on the algorithm was presented in 1999, making a breakthrough in image analysis, as it did not required special lighting conditions or fixed locations of the objects. The next step in the development of image analysis was the emergence of Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF) algorithm in 2005. It allows for faster data processing and requires less computing power.
"Engagingly about Antennas".
We have already received more than 70 pictures sent to this year's "Engagingly about Antennas" competition.The entries for the 9th edition can be sent until September 30, 2010. The winners of the competition and their works will be presented in DIPOL Weekly Review on October 4, 2010.
The photos will be adjudicated by well known photographer from Krakow, Mr. Pawel Zechenter. The prize for the first place is DVB-S/T Ferguson Ariva HD combo receiver A99381.
 |  |  |
Antenna tangle Jakub Rybicki | Super set with extra cooling Tomasz Nowak | Two on the balcony Jakub Welnowski |
Power supply via a coaxial cable is limited by the resistance of the cable. The voltage drop on the element with a given resistance is directly proportional to the intensity of electric current. The resistance of Triset-113 E1015 cable is about 30 ohm/km (the sum of the resistance of the inner and outer conductors).
Power supply through H lines
The calculation using Ohm's law shows that at the maximum load of the amplifier (2 A) and with the resistance of the cable of 0.032 ohm/m, there is ca. 6 V voltage drop over a 100 m length of the cable. Incidentally, it is the maximum distance at which one can send power supply under these conditions (18 V - 6 V = 12 V, the lower voltage limit for the multiswitches).
In practice, the number of multiswitches is usually much lower than that limited by the current capacity of the amplifier. For example, with five MSV-516 R70716 multiswitches, the current consumption from the amplifier is about 0.45 A. For this value the voltage drop over the E1015 cable is around 1.44 V per 100 m, which translates to the maximum distance of about 400 m (taking into account voltage drops in passive components - SS taps - below 0.1 V).
In practice, the number of multiswitches is usually much lower than that limited by the current capacity of the amplifier. For example, with five MSV-516 R70716 multiswitches, the current consumption from the amplifier is about 0.45 A. For this value the voltage drop over the E1015 cable is around 1.44 V per 100 m, which translates to the maximum distance of about 400 m (taking into account voltage drops in passive components - SS taps - below 0.1 V).
It shows that the very convenient remote power option of TERRA multiswitches is extremely efficient and effective. In practical implementations, the maximum distances in the multiswitch systems are limited by the required minimum signal levels, and not by DC voltage drops on the cables.
A new quality of analog CCTV cameras - 600 TVL.
The cameras n-cam 640 + IR M11273 and n-cam 680 + IR M11274 are equipped with 1/3'' Sony Super HAD II CCD + New CP DSP. The cameras capture high resolution video by using high-tech imaging technology and special processing algorithms. Due to enhanced resolution and very high S/N ratio (over 50 dB) they provide high-quality images with fine detail.600 TVL resolution of color images (700 TVL in the case of B/W imaging) and sensitivity of 0.01 lx (without IR illumination) allow to use the cameras both in difficult lighting conditions and in demanding environments requiring high quality video.
External adjusting knobs allow to set focal length within the range of 2.8-12 mm, changing viewing angle within 87o...16o! Additional advantages of the cameras include the ability to adjust the level of IR illumination, and implementation of test video output allowing quick setting of focal length and focus without disconnecting the main path.
View of the n-cam 680 + IR M11274 camera
Online video from n-cam 680 + IR camera.
The digitalization and streaming of the video from the analog camera is performed by ACTi video server - TCD-2100 K2150. The employed technology allows for simultaneous access of up 100 Internet users. Unfortunately, the server is able to digitize video with resolution of 540 lines. So, the image you see when you connect the camera via the Internet does not show the full potential of the camera.
The digitalization and streaming of the video from the analog camera is performed by ACTi video server - TCD-2100 K2150. The employed technology allows for simultaneous access of up 100 Internet users. Unfortunately, the server is able to digitize video with resolution of 540 lines. So, the image you see when you connect the camera via the Internet does not show the full potential of the camera.
The solution has been the use of the CD04 M1570 wireless telemetry modules designed for remote control of PTZ cameras. The CD04 wireless telemetry module with output power of 500 mW and operating in unlicensed ISM band (869 MHz) is used in professional CCTV systems in order to control advanced PTZ cameras over distances up to 6 km. The module can fully replace a wired link because it does not limit any control functions. It is compatible with all types of PTZ cameras and DVRs supporting any control protocol and using RS485 or RS232 interface. This versatile module can also be used in modern automation systems.
The application of CD04 M1570 modules
There have been mounted three PTZ cameras C4399/FCB-EX1010P M12291. One of them has been placed in the workshop, the rest outside the buildings. Each PTZ camera is connected with the CD04 M1570 module. The cameras are controlled by two DS-1003 M77920 system control units. One of them is placed in the manager room, while the second in the surveillance post.
The whole system uses 6 CD04 modules operating in point to multipoint configuration. The 869 MHz band allows for wireless connectivity even without optical visibility.
The owner of the company is fully satisfied with the results - the installation work took very little time and did not affect the normal operation of his company, while the subsystem with PTZ cameras is very stable and provides a lot of flexibility.
The whole system uses 6 CD04 modules operating in point to multipoint configuration. The 869 MHz band allows for wireless connectivity even without optical visibility.
The owner of the company is fully satisfied with the results - the installation work took very little time and did not affect the normal operation of his company, while the subsystem with PTZ cameras is very stable and provides a lot of flexibility.
Online monitoring of a marketplace.
The simple video surveillance system employs Aviosys 9070 IR K1162 and Aviosys 9070 CS K1161 IP HD cameras equipped with Tokina 16-48 mm F2.0 M2237 lenses. The K1161 camera has been put into water-proof Marathon M5406 housing equipped with heater that prevents fogging of the lens. The camera is connected to RouterBoard 450g N24505 run by MikroTik license level 5 system, placed in versatile outdoor housing for WLAN devices - N93400. This hermetic enclosure protects the board against changeable weather conditions. In order to eliminate any potential interruption in the transmission of the images caused by a system hang up, the system uses IP power switch & watchdog Aviosys 9258HP ( N3410 ) allowing automatic or manual reset. All the active devices are powered by efficient buffer power supply ZBP-13.8V/3A AWZ 300 M18287.
Video surveillance system using Aviosys IP cameras for monitoring parking lot of a marketplace
The picture settings and transmission parameters can be easily modified using a web browser such as IE, Firefox or Google Chrome.
The video stream from the Aviosys 9070 CS camera is available on its catalog page ( K1161 ).
Distinguishing features of the Aviosys camera:
The video stream from the Aviosys 9070 CS camera is available on its catalog page ( K1161 ).
Distinguishing features of the Aviosys camera:
- Exchangeable SD card (up to 8 GB - Kingston) for local recording
- Resolution up to HD 720P
- Three streams
- Electronic PTZ
- CNT technology
- Support for SSL, gmail, EZ Blog, My Web
- Support for Apple iPhone
Sharing ADSL service (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) - a popular service provided via analog telephone lines (Annex A).
The installation can be built using the TD-W8901G N2902 router (Annex A). The device allows to connect computers via UTP/FTP cables or wirelessly, with the use of the TL-WN321G N2920 wireless USB adapters (laptops etc.), or, in the case of desktop computers - mounting TL-WN551G N2970 wireless PCI adapters.
We have written about:
Two signals in one cable. Is it possible to transmit the channel received by a sat receiver to other TVs in the home with the same coaxial cable that connects LNB?
Yes, employing two DC-009 R85300 TV/SAT combiners (diplexers) one can avoid the necessity of laying additional cable. The cable linking the two combiners carries SAT IF from the LNB to the sat receiver (TUNER) and - in opposite direction - the currently received channel converted into the RF signal by the modulator Signal R95175 (or R95176 ). The combiner does not pass the DC voltage from the IF input of the sat receiver to the terrestrial TV circuit.
Modernization of a hotel TV antenna system - SMATV based on TERRA headend. Many investors think of enriching the terrestrial channels by an array of satellite broadcasts, using the wiring that has been installed for distribution of terrestrial television.
The best solution is to apply a headend, which can operate with any existing, properly designed and implemented TV antenna distribution system, no matter whether it is an installation of a star, pass-through, or mixed topology...
Two signals in one cable. Is it possible to transmit the channel received by a sat receiver to other TVs in the home with the same coaxial cable that connects LNB?
Yes, employing two DC-009 R85300 TV/SAT combiners (diplexers) one can avoid the necessity of laying additional cable. The cable linking the two combiners carries SAT IF from the LNB to the sat receiver (TUNER) and - in opposite direction - the currently received channel converted into the RF signal by the modulator Signal R95175 (or R95176 ). The combiner does not pass the DC voltage from the IF input of the sat receiver to the terrestrial TV circuit.
Modernization of a hotel TV antenna system - SMATV based on TERRA headend. Many investors think of enriching the terrestrial channels by an array of satellite broadcasts, using the wiring that has been installed for distribution of terrestrial television.
The best solution is to apply a headend, which can operate with any existing, properly designed and implemented TV antenna distribution system, no matter whether it is an installation of a star, pass-through, or mixed topology...
Monitoring of construction sites. Everyday activity of the builders on a construction site is interesting both for the investor/developer and the building contractor.
The contractor, using IP CCTV, improves security (including health and safety), can document the course of work, supervise the sub-contractors, analyze possible stoppages. The investor/developer can monitor the pace of work, organization and commitment...
Index of published issues
The contractor, using IP CCTV, improves security (including health and safety), can document the course of work, supervise the sub-contractors, analyze possible stoppages. The investor/developer can monitor the pace of work, organization and commitment...
Index of published issues
