What is the purpose of video surveillance?
The purpose of video surveillance is to monitor and record activity in a specific area for security, safety, or other purposes. Video surveillance can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Crime prevention: Video cameras can help deter crime by monitoring high-risk areas such as banks, ATMs, shopping centers, and public transportation systems.
- Monitoring safety: Video surveillance can help monitor hazardous areas such as construction sites, chemical plants, and oil refineries, to ensure the safety of workers and the public.
- Employee monitoring: Employers may use video surveillance to monitor the performance and productivity of employees, as well as to prevent theft and other forms of misconduct in the workplace.
- Traffic management: Video cameras can be used to monitor traffic flow and help with traffic control, reducing congestion and improving road safety.
- Marketing and customer behavior: Retailers may use video cameras to monitor customer behavior and improve their marketing efforts.
Overall, the purpose of video surveillance is to provide an added layer of security and safety, and to support decision-making and problem-solving in various fields and industries.
Traditional classic CCTV systems relied on human operators or security guards to monitor the cameras and their performance, instead of utilizing artificial intelligence. However, these systems have evolved into complex, document-intensive systems that are not suitable for small office/home office (SOHO) users. Some Chinese camera manufacturers have attempted to offer their own cloud and peer-to-peer (P2P) services, but these services tend to have a user-unfriendly interface, are prone to instability and slow performance. Their usage also requires the installation of ActiveX extensions, the use of specific browser versions, and additional plug-ins, making them geared towards less demanding Chinese users.
The integration of artificial intelligence and peer-to-peer (P2P) technology enables the creation of an efficient
video surveillance system without the need for costly specialists. The setup and operation are straightforward, requiring no knowledge of communication protocols or special requirements. This eliminates the need for additional cloud relay and video stream processing (encoding/decoding) and reduces dependence on the limitations of the cloud provider. In this setup, the server serves only as a mediator, connecting your IP camera directly to the user's device. The video stream is transmitted directly from one device to another, making it accessible on a computer or mobile device.
Any business that seeks to safeguard its assets and avoid theft or fraud can gain from installing a video surveillance system. The presence of cameras alone can sometimes be enough to discourage robbers or vandals.