SECURITY VIDEO MONITORING
Security video monitoring applications help to visually assure
that valuable assets are not eroded or destroyed by unauthorized
users. Traditionally, security video monitoring was limited
to on-site video monitors that security personnel viewed as
either videotapes or as real-time images. The introduction of
low-cost digital video cameras and data connections allow for
the remote location of video cameras. When these cameras are
connected through the Internet, they are called Web cameras
(WebCams.)
At the end of 2000, there were already in excess of 100,000
public WebCams in operation throughout the world* and private
video monitoring systems have millions of privately
installed video cameras. Although many of these video cameras
are connected by wire, some are connected by wireless links.
The key applications for wireless security monitoring
included traffic management (traffic cams), public access
monitoring (public safety), law enforcement (cameras on
police cars), and other applications that require a camera at
remote locations where wired connections are not practical or
where mobility (video monitoring while moving) is important.
Figure 4-12 shows the video camera that is normally
mounted in police cars. Using high-speed wireless systems,
images from police cars can be monitored at a central facility.
This may dramatically increase the safety for police officers. 176