Verkada CP52-E Pan-Tilt-Zoom PTZ Camera User Guide
- June 13, 2024
- Verkada
Table of Contents
User Guide for Sentry Mode
Overview
Sentry Mode is a new feature available for all CP52-E Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ)
cameras. With Sentry Mode, the PTZ becomes your vigilant eye, providing the
benefits of live monitoring when an operator is not available.
When Sentry Mode is activated, the PTZ camera automatically detects people
that enter its field of view. Once a person is detected, the camera zooms in
to capture high resolution footage of the individual and follows them for
approximately 15 seconds before zooming out to regain full context of the
scene. Sentry Mode can be enabled 24/7 or follow a set schedule.
Sentry Mode is part of our People Analytics suite of computer vision
technology. Similar to other People Analytics features, the accuracy of Sentry
Mode is highly dependent on the proper installation of the camera, people
density in the scene, and the visibility and distance of the individuals that
enter the camera’s field of view.
This user guide provides an overview of:
- Key use cases
- Setup and user experience
- Factors affecting accuracy
- Expected behaviors for Sentry Mode
- How to install the PTZ to maximize accuracy
Use cases
Sentry Mode allows organizations to effectively monitor vast indoor and
outdoor spaces when a live operator is not available. By autopiloting the PTZ,
Sentry Mode helps to ensure that detailed attributes of people found within
the area of detection are captured clearly. Equipped with close-up images of
clothing and faces, organizations can then better conduct investigations and
leverage People Analytics features like attribute and face search across their
entire camera fleet.
Sentry Mode works best in areas with low people density and a clear and
unobstructed view. For areas with high people density, we recommend scheduling
Sentry Mode to activate during periods of decreased foot traffic such as after
hours.
Storage lots, warehouses and manufacturing facilities after hours
Safeguard valuable assets, such as inventory and equipment, during hours
when people should not be present. Detect unauthorized access, track the
movement of individuals, and zoom in to gather identifying details when a live
operator is not available.
Parking lots, campuses and parks with low foot traffic
Effectively monitor outdoor spaces with low foot traffic or at night for
suspicious activities. Capture high-quality images of individuals conducting
illegal behavior like catalytic converter theft in auto dealerships, parking
lots and school campuses.
Stadiums and venues when not in use
Continue monitoring stadiums and venues even outside of event hours.
Automatically scan the space for suspicious activities such as unauthorized
access, loitering and vandalism during idle periods.
Setup and user experience
Site admin permissions are required to set up Sentry Mode on a PTZ camera. Upon navigating to a PTZ camera in Command, users can find the Sentry Mode icon in the toolbar to the right of the video feed.
When enabling Sentry Mode for the first time, users need to select a field of
view for the camera to monitor.
The list of options correspond to the preset views on that PTZ camera. For the
best results, we recommend a wide field of view that captures the entire
scene.
After selecting a preset location, users may also define an active region for
Sentry Mode by drawing a polygon in the field of view. Once activated, Sentry
Mode will only zoom in on people detected inside that region of the scene.
Users can also configure a schedule for Sentry Mode. This is useful for
monitoring areas during specific times such as nights and weekends. If the
scheduling feature is disabled, Sentry Mode will be on 24/7 once activated.
To activate Sentry Mode, simply click “Save and Activate.” The PTZ will start
to automatically capture high-resolution imagery of people within the area of
detection during the scheduled times.
Users will be able to view high-quality, close-up images of people captured
during Sentry Mode under the “People” and “Faces” tabs.
Factors affecting accuracy
Sentry Mode relies on our people detection algorithm to accurately zoom in on people who enter the camera’s field of view. This algorithm can be affected by environmental factors, causing Sentry Mode to occasionally miss individuals. There are four main variables that might inhibit Sentry Mode’s accuracy and general performance.
- Obstructions. As a person moves through the camera’s field of view, they may be temporarily or permanently hidden from the PTZ’s line of sight by another object. This can cause issues for our tracking algorithms when it comes to accurately following individuals throughout the entirety of the scene. For optimal results, we recommend using Sentry Mode in areas with minimal obstructions.
- Limited detection window. When configuring Sentry Mode, we recommend choosing a wide field of view that captures the entire scene you are looking to monitor. This is important as individuals need to be visible for roughly 5 seconds for Sentry Mode to accurately follow their path. People who are running across a narrow field of view and/or appear for less than 5 seconds may be missed by the camera’s tracking algorithm.
- High foot traffic. In areas with high people density, such as airports, stadiums and concert venues, Sentry Mode may miss individuals in the scene because the camera is already tracking another person or group of people. Although we have implemented camera movement constraints in scenes with large crowds (10+ people) as well as a zoom timeout mechanism, the camera may still miss certain people present on the edge of the scene.
- Distance to camera. Sentry Mode’s accuracy may decrease when individuals are more than 150 feet (50 meters) away from the camera.
For ideal coverage when using Sentry Mode, we recommend pairing the PTZ with a
fixed camera (e.g. Dome, Bullet or Fisheye) that monitors the entire scene.
This helps to maintain general context of the overall area when the CP52-E is
zooming in on specific individuals.
Expected behaviors
Camera boot-up. Upon initial boot-up of the CP52-E PTZ, Sentry Mode may
take a couple minutes before detecting people.
Obstructions. When objects obstruct the PTZ’s line of sight to a detected
person that is being followed, the camera will zoom out slightly and pause
temporarily to regain tracking of the subject. If the subject is not detected
within two seconds, the camera will revert back to Sentry Mode’s home
position.
Large groups. When following a group of people, the PTZ will choose the
optimal zoom level to keep every person clearly visible inside the frame. If
more than 10 people are detected within the camera’s field of view, the PTZ
will remain in Sentry Mode’s home position to retain full context of the
scene.
Installation guidance
Install the camera at a high vantage point
For optimal results, the PTZ camera should be installed at least 25 feet (8
meters) above the ground. The higher vantage point allows the camera to have
as wide of a view as possible and fully utilize the 28x optical zoom.
Position the camera within 150 feet of potential subjects
The people detection algorithm is most accurate when individuals are no more
than 150 feet (50 meters) away from the camera. While the camera may capture
individuals at greater distances, Sentry Mode’s accuracy will decrease.
Minimize obstructions
When setting up Sentry Mode, it is important to choose an unobstructed
field of view in an area that minimizes interference from objects such as
trees or fencing. Obstructions may cause the camera to lose track of detected
people in the scene.
Examples of bad installations
Narrow field of view
People must be present for at least 5 seconds before Sentry Mode can
accurately detect and zoom in on them. In this example, the camera may not be
able to follow people who are walking across the frame.
Examples of good installations
Unobstructed view of the entire scene
The street alongside the railroad tracks is unobstructed and within the 150
feet (50 meter) range for accurate people detection.
High number of obstructions
Large objects like fences and trees may prevent Sentry Mode from accurately
following individuals who are temporarily or permanently hidden from the
camera’s line of sight.
Complete field of view
Using the widest field of view possible, the CP52-E can effectively monitor
the parking lot and accurately zoom in on people walking through the
unobstructed sections of the area.
www.verkada.com
1023
sales@verkada.com
Documents / Resources
|
Verkada CP52-E Pan-Tilt-Zoom PTZ
Camera
[pdf] User Guide
CP52-E Pan-Tilt-Zoom PTZ Camera, CP52-E, Pan-Tilt-Zoom PTZ Camera, Zoom PTZ
Camera, PTZ Camera, Camera
---|---
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>