Published:
June 8, 2018
Category:
Design / Ideas
Client:
Near East University
Automatic Smart Surveilance System
Brief Overview
A rotating camera offers the ability to capture wide-angle images and observe extensive areas using a single device. This functionality renders them a preferred choice for security in commercial establishments, educational institutions, and public spaces. With their pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities, rotating cameras provide a comprehensive view of the monitored area. Verkada’s rotating cameras employ advanced technology to ensure high-quality video and to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of surveillance measures.
Rotating cameras present numerous advantages for organizations seeking to bolster their security protocols. The following are some notable benefits:
Expanded coverage: Rotating cameras can cover a larger area compared to stationary cameras.
Enhanced visibility and adaptability: The pan, tilt, and zoom features allow rotating cameras to capture detailed imagery of specific locations, facilitating the identification of potential security threats.
Optimized composition: The ability to adjust the camera angle enables the exploration of various compositions to achieve the most appropriate results tailored to specific needs.
Cost-effective: Utilizing fewer cameras to monitor a wider area, rotating cameras can provide improved cost efficiency in comparison to traditional fixed cameras.
About the project
This project is an important part of our final year in the Bachelor of Science degree program. The primary aim of our project was clear and simple. We wanted to identify any unusual activities that might occur, capture video footage of these incidents as they happened, and then upload this footage to an online platform. In addition to this, we also focused on ensuring that the resident of the location as well as the local security authorities received timely notifications whenever any unusual activities were detected.
Our design process was somewhat basic and straightforward. We recognized that we did not have a lot of time to dedicate to making the project visually appealing or elaborate. Instead, we concentrated on demonstrating the core concept behind our project. One of the key takeaways from our work is that you can create nearly anything by utilizing the materials that you have on hand. If you take a moment to look closely at the assembled image of our project, you will notice that we repurposed a casing from an old PC power supply to serve as the main outer shell. This creative use of available materials allowed us to securely hold all the components in place. Furthermore, we incorporated various other low-cost yet functional elements, such as an aftermarket camera, a Raspberry Pi 2, an Arduino Mega, and an LCD screen along with its driver, making everything work together efficiently and effectively.
In the accompanying image, you will see a detailed breakdown of the internal components of the power supply that we selected to be the housing for our project. To tackle some of the irregularities and unpredictable challenges that arose during our design process, we decided to use a breadboard rather than a traditional circuit board. This decision allowed us to run multiple experiments and tests without the need for permanent soldering of components, making it easier for us to make adjustments as necessary. In retrospect, this approach turned out to be quite advantageous for our overall progress and development.
Another critical aspect of our design was keeping the entire system cool to ensure everything would function properly. To address this vital concern, we utilized the built-in fans that were part of the power supply unit. By ensuring that there was adequate ventilation within the enclosure, we aimed to maintain the best possible operating conditions for all electronic components. This careful attention to cooling not only helped protect the individual parts from overheating, but also contributed to improving the overall performance and reliability of our project.
Positioning, setup and Wriring
But while DevOps as a development approach remained uncontested, the security aspects of the app development process largely remained under the shadow. There was a perception that along with the operations, app security should equally be a part of the development process. With the demand for integrating security with the product life cycle, the DevSecOps approach has emerged. This approach has already proven to play an instrumental role in reducing the security vulnerabilities of the apps. While integrating the security with the DevOps approach has always been of high demand, this requires a completely different range of processes and tools. DevOps is already known to boast of an agile development methodology.
While integrating the security with the DevOps approach has always been of high demand, this requires a completely different range of processes and tools. DevOps is already known to boast of an agile development methodology. Though the companies embracing DevSecOps development methodology are only a few in numbers, in the time to come many companies working with DevOps approach can actually embrace this new methodology for giving their projects.
Because of the type of housing we selected for our project, we were very conscious of any possible electrical shorts that could occur due to the metal properties involved. To prevent any issues related to this before they could arise, we took proactive steps to insulate any cross connections and headers that could pose risks. This task was quite challenging given the size constraints of each component and the need to fit everything snugly together. Therefore, careful wire organization became our top priority in order to maintain a clear and safe setup.
The design we implemented was somewhat basic, relying heavily on electrical insulation pipes for structural support. Even though these pipes were lightweight, they managed to provide adequate stability for our setup. We carefully laid out all of the components, ensuring that we bonded everything tightly and securely using epoxy, specifically choosing a non-metallic type for the job. Our goal was to achieve a clean and straightforward finish without the need for any external screens, so we opted to use a Raspberry Pi LCD. This choice delivered excellent results, allowing us to proceed smoothly with our project.
Once again, simplicity is key, and crude yet effective methods often drive innovation. This philosophy was at the heart of our project, which began with the essential components: a camera and an elbow joint. Our approach was straightforward but practical—starting with a basic selfie stick that was readily available and inexpensive. This everyday item served as the foundation for our design, providing the structural support needed to hold both the camera and the servo motor that would allow for rotational movement.
The choice of a selfie stick might seem unconventional, but it highlights a critical principle in engineering—maximizing utility with minimal resources. By using readily available materials, we kept costs down while maintaining functionality, proving that creativity and resourcefulness can often replace more expensive, complex solutions. The servo, which controls the rotation of the camera, was mounted directly onto the selfie stick, creating a simple yet efficient system for capturing a wide range of motion.
To ensure our system could accommodate various peripherals, such as the camera and other sensors, we needed to incorporate a good number of USB ports. These ports would allow us to connect and power multiple devices simultaneously, enhancing the versatility of our setup. Given the growing demand for peripheral integration in modern robotics and automation systems, ensuring adequate USB connectivity was crucial to the success of our project.
For detecting obstacles and mapping the environment, we chose a budget-friendly ultrasonic radar sensor—commonly found in Arduino projects and simple robotic applications. This sensor, which uses ultrasonic waves to measure distance, offered a reliable and cost-effective way to gather environmental data. While more sophisticated sensors are available on the market, the ultrasonic radar met our needs, striking the right balance between affordability and functionality. It allowed us to implement basic object detection and ranging capabilities, which are essential for many robotics applications.
Despite the humble nature of our components, our project successfully demonstrated how even the most basic materials can be transformed into an effective, functional system. By focusing on the core principles of design and leveraging affordable technology, we were able to create a prototype that not only met our needs but also opened the door to future improvements and scalability.
This approach underscores an important lesson in engineering: innovation doesn’t always require cutting-edge technology or expensive materials. Sometimes, all you need is a little ingenuity, a willingness to work with what you have, and a focus on the essentials. In the end, the simplicity of our design became one of its greatest strengths, proving that even “crude” methods can lead to sophisticated outcomes.
First System power up successful, We had to reposition the screen as it was facing upside down.
Test run, Making sure everything is running smooth and as expexted.
Demonstrating the elbow Movement.
Video Stream via localhost test, servo control and image processing setup
At this stage of our project, the focus shifted to testing critical functionalities, including obstruction detection, image capture, and data uploading into a database. These elements are essential for ensuring the system can accurately perceive its environment, document it, and store relevant data for future use or analysis. To streamline the process and avoid unnecessary complexities, we opted to leverage the Tumblr API for managing the data uploading and syncing aspects of the project.
In addition to obstruction detection, we integrated an image capture module. This allowed the system to visually document its surroundings and capture important moments during its operation. Image capture served several purposes, from recording data for later analysis to verifying the accuracy of obstruction detection by cross-referencing sensor data with visual information. This redundancy improved the system’s reliability and provided a more comprehensive picture of its environment. Images were taken at regular intervals or triggered by certain events, such as detecting an obstacle, and were automatically processed for upload.
For managing the storage and organization of the captured images and data, we needed a solution that would be simple to implement, scalable, and compatible with our existing project architecture. After evaluating various options, we chose to utilize the Tumblr API. The decision was influenced by several factors, including its ease of use, the ability to sync seamlessly with our project, and the range of features that suited our needs without requiring additional overhead.
One of the significant advantages of using the Tumblr API was that it provided a robust platform for handling media uploads without the need for us to set up and manage our own server infrastructure. By using Tumblr as a hosted solution, we were able to bypass many of the challenges typically associated with managing a database, such as designing complex data structures, securing the system, and ensuring uptime. Tumblr’s backend handled the heavy lifting, allowing us to focus on the core functionality of our project rather than getting bogged down in backend logistics.
Moreover, by opting for Tumblr, we avoided having to secure a domain name or configure web hosting services. These tasks can be time-consuming and require specialized knowledge, especially in cases where security concerns, such as data encryption and user authentication, are paramount. Tumblr’s platform inherently manages these aspects, ensuring that our data remains secure without us having to develop a custom security framework. This not only saved us time and effort but also allowed us to prototype more efficiently by removing potential hurdles related to web and database management.
The API integration allowed us to upload captured images and associated metadata (such as timestamps and sensor readings) directly to Tumblr as posts. These posts were organized in a way that allowed for easy retrieval and analysis, with each image linked to its corresponding environmental data. The syncing feature of Tumblr further ensured that the uploads were reliable and consistent, providing an easily accessible and centralized location for all the collected data.
Final result.
