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An American Company Protecting America's Past, Present and Future |
Providing innovative, IP based Video Surveillance Systems and Analytics |
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Video Alarming and Artifact Protection Paul Steiner Jr., CPP, CHPA , Randolph A. Stankie, MS* Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum 1 Key Plaza Cleveland OH . 44114 216.515.1265 psteiner@rockhall.org *Acuity – VCT 4807 Rockside Rd, Suite 370 Independence , OH . 44131 216.901.1726 rstankie@acuity-vct.com Key words: museum, motion detection, Digital video recording, video alarm, remote surveillance
INTRODUCTION The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (RRHOFM) is the world’s leading institution for the display, preservation, and study of Rock and Roll music and artifacts. Located The RRHOFM is located in Cleveland, Ohio along side Lake Erie , the RRHOFM and hosts averages approximately 500,000 visitors annually. One of reasons that the RRHOFM is a premiere detestation is its non-traditional approach to displaying its artifacts of many music entertainers. The RRHOFM exhibits many of its artifacts in an open manner. The use of display cases is limited whenever possible so that visitors can have the most intimate experience possible and see the artifacts in an unobstructed environment . . see the items on exhibit without anything distorting their view. This openness gives the visitor a more intimate experience then traditional glass display exhibits. The lighting of the main exhibit hall is designed to provide the best possible experience for our RRHOFM guests. The lighting plot calls for areas of dark perimeters around the displays to provide a striking contrast to the spotlight artifacts. Many areas around artifacts are left dark, with the artifacts in spotlights so that the artifacts are highlighted. There is also extensive use made of colored lighting. The net effects are intended effect is evocative of a rock concert - audience in the dark, the artists washed in light of varying intensity and tone . The security challenges the lighting design presents , while pleasant fo r the visitor are significant and complex for the organization . recreate the atmosphere of a concert for our visitors. As at a real concert these lighting effects create an environment that presents some unique security challenges. Additionally the artifacts owned and displayed by the RRHOFM are highly desired and easily sold on the vast collectibles underground market. Once an artifact is sold via this underground it may never been seen again. A review of the security program at the RRHOFM identified a need to improve the security of both the physical building and its collection. The process began with a review of the many different security systems currently commercially available. These systems Options ranged from a microwave based microwave based system to laser beam detection based systems. None of the se systems provided the level of security, flexibility, or affordability that the RRHOFM desired. At this point I began to think about some other possible methods to meet our needs. Another solution was needed. “We had recently completed an up-grade of our CCTV system. We went from an old analog Multiplexer/VCR based system to a digital video recording system. The system is designed to record on motion once when the motion detected exceeds an operator set level threshold. The recording sensitivity could be changed with a few keystrokes and the ‘motion area’ is defined by simple paintbrush-type controls. Thinking about this ability attribute, I began to wonder if the system’s basic feature s could be expanded to include the ability to sound an alarm when motion was is detected. I wondered, could central security and the offending visitor be notified simultaneously or independently ? Could I get a near z ero fals e- ing rate so as to not inhibit the high-quality visitor experience we currently enjoy? Could the whole system be unobtrusive enough to not inhibit our active (and often dancing) visitors yet robust enough to provide the stringent security I demand ? . Armed with a ton of questions II then contacted our vendor, Acuity-vct to see if any of this was possible , ” said Paul Steiner, Security Manager, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Mr. Steiner went on to say, “The goal of the new Artifact Alarming System was would be to protect the exhibits from theft and/or damage. To realize this goal we had a number of specific requirements. T hese included: To accomplish this, the following items were identified:
the flexibility to be able to quickly modify software settings, such as, number of seconds the strobe light will remain on, the sensitivity level to trigger an alarm, how many seconds before and after motion is detected that will the video will be saved . "Acuity-vct was able to address our concerns and meet our needs. The solution required state-of the art design and implementation. I could not be happier with the result.”
BACKGROUND The original CCTV upgrade included the requirement to use as many of the existing cameras as possible, to achieve the lowest upgrade cost possible. The number of cameras was increased from 32 to 53, with additional fixed and PTZ cameras. The number of cameras increased again with the Motion Alarming project to 75 cameras. The Acuity-vct Video Capture System (VCS) is an IP/network-based digital video recording system and interfaced easily with the existing analog cameras. No additional wiring was necessary. The new Artifact Alarming System would require 18 additional cameras mounted above the exhibits. The task to add features to the VCS to meet the RRHOFM’s objectives was intriguing. Acuity-vct knew that the potential need from other museums that wanted to protect their property without having obtrusive laser beams or glass walls would open the door for the VCS to be a viable option to Museums. When the original VCS base software developed, it was design to allow for future software and functionality that was not foreseen at the time. RRHOFM and Acuity-vct personnel met to discuss the basic goals and functional requirements. DETAILED SOLUTION There were many software and hardware functions that needed to be added or modified. The VCS software was changed in three areas, 1-the video server/recorder system and the client software; 2-the client software for the VCS system administrator; and 3-the client software for the security guards. The VCS Client Software modifications for the System Administrator to modify camera and alarm settings are shown in the following figure. The new software features are highlighted in the red.
When the “Configure Motion Window” is selected in the previous figure, the following figure is displayed for the administrator to define the “alarm areas”. Rectangles and oval shapes and free-hand drawing can be used to maximize the desired area.
The following VCS Client Software modifications were designed for the Security Guards in the main security office. An 'ALERT' button was added to the Live Viewing screen. When the ALERT button turns red, the only action required is to mouse-click the button to bring up live images from the breached area.
When the Alert button is clicked on, the Live screen will change to a Review screen with a list of alarms being displayed on the left part of the following screen (highlighted in red). The “Disable Alarms” are used for a temporary period when the exhibit areas are cleaned or changed.
The same information is available in the Live view mode, as shown below.
Due to agreements between the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & and Museum and various artists, images of artifacts have been ‘blurred’ to hide their identity. The VCS Server software modifications were:
RESULTS “After months of collaboration Acuity-vct’s Video Capture System has meet all of the RRHOFM requirements for an economical yet powerful CCTV/alarm system. The system has increased the RRHOFM ability to provide an outstanding experience for our guests while at the same time protecting our artifacts. An additional bonus of the system is Acuity-vct’s continuing commitment to improve the system. They have included several user requested system up-grades that have increased the effectiveness of the system . ” - Paul Steiner.
APPENDIX A – Details of the VCS System The Acuity-vct Video Capture System (VCS) is a state-of-the-art network digital video recording system. Images from cameras placed throughout one or many facilities to provide video surveillance. Whether the cameras are analog or IP/digital, the VCS stores the images for weeks, months or even years. Images from an IP/digital camera are in a motion jpeg format. Analog video signals are inputs to an A/D converter. The VCS system converts the analog camera signals to digital image files, processes the image files and archives the required images to a hard disk array. Two separate networks are included, one used exclusively for video camera interfaces and the second to interface to the plant network. This architecture insures that 24x7 video traffic does not interfere with the RROHFM intranet network. Security and management personnel can view the camera images from any PC. Since the VCS is network-based, any computer using a standard web browser or the VCS Client software is capable of displaying live and archived images via an intranet or the internet. There are a number of other features the VCS can provide:
The flexibility of choosing the right camera for the job is also critical. The VCS is designed to easily integrate with many different camera manufacturers. It also allows for multiple types of cameras, such as, analog, IP digital, wireless, high-resolution mega pixel and pan-tilt-zoom cameras, are all integrated into one system. The VCS Client software shields the users from differences between the camera types. The VCS is based on a unique concept of total images per second (ips). For example, we can choose to utilize 800 ips in different ways. There can be 200 cameras recording 4ips, or 800 cameras at 1 ips, or in any other combination. Critical cameras can be stored for longer periods of time and at a higher frame rate, than less critical cameras. The same is true for the image storage time. Critical cameras can be stored for more days, less critical for fewer days. This concept also allows for only one VCS system being needed compared to multiple 16-port DVR solutions when 17 or more cameras are installed. There are three VCS rack mount servers that are available; an 8, 16 and 24 disk drive system. Each VCS is customized for each application. It’s based on a number of parameters: total number of cameras; image/second capture rate; storage length; percent recording activity; and future expansion plans. A VCS requiring 12 disk drives will have 4 spare slots in the 16 disk system, and 12 spare slots in the 24 disk system for future cameras or the decision to increase storage times In addition to the applications mentioned in this paper, Acuity-vct and its parent company Benchmark Automation, has also developed additional applications to meet the changing requirements in security and manufacturing environment.
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