HD and VCA
HD video and video content analysis (VCA) were two major advances on-site. Both 720p and 1,080p HD cameras were used, and VCA was incorporated to cover certain entrances, exits and pathways. Image clarity and color reproduction of HD cameras can come in handy covering critical areas with high-density, high-volume foot traffic, according to Axis Communications.
The key issues challenging the use of HD cameras at sports complexes are bandwidth and back-end storage. Beijing Visia, Brainaire, Visiondigi and many other local solution providers are beginning to notice these problems and develop better or hybrid alternatives.
At the Games, VCA helped with people counting and detection of objects left behind at the entrances and exits. Built-in technologies such as video processing, pattern recognition and artificial intelligence were readily available from Axis, Bosch, Hikvision and several others. Aebell believes that people counting is already mature with an accuracy rate of at least 90 percent. Future developments may be on facial recognition and behavioral analysis.
Bosch added that theft and violence detection, unusual crowd gatherings and fire detection are increasingly demanded as well.
Access Control
Access control to areas such as offices, VIP rooms, fire exits and utilities rooms was vital, and reliability and remote authentication and management of at least 40,000 users were minimum requirements.
At the core of the Games' security operation, the access control system was tasked to integrate video, audio, data, alarms, VCA, resource management and personnel dispatch, while keeping components and users in check.
In terms of functionality and capability, the access control system provided interfaces for the following:
● Power and environment monitoring integrated with video verification
● Electronic map with geographical information of each device
● Perimeter protection with IR and vibration sensors
● VCA
● Public address system
Back-End Management
Not only was the back-end management software capable of basic functions such as regular device checks, flexible user groups and alarm management, it also took in more digital and analog inputs from multiple systems. In access control, Israeli service provider DDS saw more functional advances:
● Mandated regular password changes and reminders
● Passport scanning: An unlimited amount of images can be attached to a cardholder's file. When a scanner is connected, workstations can be shut down or reboot by the server to for easier maintenance and operation.
● Remote and regular upgrades
● 3-D electronic map
● Multinode, multisite and multilevel management of various competition areas across all venues