Sensor Technology as a replacement for Invasive CCTV technology

Tracking people's every move using buildings packed with motion sensors is more effective than CCTV, and less invasive to privacy, say researchers who tried the technique on their own colleagues.

"We want to have a god's eye view of the entire space," says Yuri Ivanov of the Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL), who led the project with colleague Christopher Wren.

That may sound like the desire of George Orwell's fictional "Big Brother" in 1984. But the MERL system should actually preserve people's privacy better than CCTV and make buildings safer and more secure, says Ivanov.

All-seeing eyes

As digital video cameras get cheaper and smaller, CCTV systems are becoming more common. But as well as raising privacy concerns, Ivanov and Wren say, the footage is difficult to search through or interpret quickly.

As an alternative, the two researchers used arrays of small, cheap motion detectors to watch over people instead, with their officemates as guinea pigs. They fitted their 3000 square metre office building with an array of 215 simple detectors placed along the hallways at 2-metre intervals.

The detectors collect much less information than the cameras. "It's not going to catch you picking your nose. You can only tell that some person went by," Wren explains, "maybe this is better than living under thousands of cameras."

But the motion-detector system still collects a lot of information. To find unusual or interesting patterns in the data, the researchers developed software to display movements of people around the building on a map in real time. People show up as a bright spot trailing a tail of lights that slowly fade away (see video, right).

Another view summarises data from sensors across a period of time, for example a week, month or year, in a way that makes it possible to see patterns or anomalies at a glance.

Identity parade

The system also includes a handful of cameras, at selected spots in the building. Footage of passers by can be used to identify people, who can then be tracked around the building using the motion sensor data.

Users can select a certain path on the map – for example from the office drinks machine to the front door – to call up motion and video data from the path at a particular time and reveal who used the route. "A target audience for this was security," says Ivanov, "but that's not the only use."

Data collected during a fire evacuation drill revealed that almost everyone in the building left through one exit; the two other doors nearby went largely unused. Understanding how people use spaces like this could help improve safety, they argue.

Longer-term patterns, like how late people stay at work or where they tend to congregate, have other uses. "It has large implications for energy savings," Ivanov adds, saying that heating or air-conditioning use could be informed by the data.

Marauder's map

"I've not seen this approach before in journals or at conferences," says Marimuthu Palaniswami at the University of Melbourne in Australia. "But I have seen it in fiction, for example the Marauder's map in Harry Potter."

The technique appears simple and usable, he says. "They have produced a system that could be implemented with little difficulty and would be very useful for security monitoring."

Daniel Keim of the University of Konstanz in Germany agrees that usability is a big advantage. Most techniques for analysing data from sensor networks depend on automatically detecting certain behaviours specified ahead of time, making spotting unexpected features difficult, he says.

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Master Key Systems America Joins Creve Coeur Olivette Chamber of Commerce

Master Key Systems America LLC announces today of our acceptance into the membership of the Creve Coeur Olivette Chamber of Commerce. We look upon this opportunity to expand our involvement in the community and hope to meet and make new friends and business acquaintances.

We have been invited to a chamber meeting and activity where we will be officially welcomed and given a plaque to commemorate this occasion. We will be invited to give a 60 second spiel about our operation and will also get to meet many of the existing members represented in the chamber.

Wireless Child Monitoring System

A not so new gadget that can be an effective child monitoring system so your child toddler doesnt stray too far from you but does not need to remain tethered.

Put the tag on your child and if they move up to 15 feet away from you the siren beeps and vibrates, warning you to keep an eye out for them.




Instruction:

From the Receiver:

S-ON - Seeking ON

OFF - Turn OFF the receiver

N-ON - Anti-Lost ON

Wheel - For tuning distance

At First, switch to N-ON and use the Wheel to tune up the detecting distance.

When you lost the object, switch to S-ON to find the object.

As the object is closed, the Receiver will become alert and vibrate frequently.

Package Included:

1 pc Transmitter

1 pc Receiver

1 pc CR2032 cell battery

$11.00

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Wireless Computer Padlock

You can protect your private data in your computer by plugging in this USB Wireless Security Lock. It changes into Lock Mode when user is 2 meters away from computer. And computer will resume when user is within the effective range.

Features:

USB interface

Reliable radio frequency wireless technology

2 meters effective range

Password is required to unlock the computer if transmitter is not available

One transmitter can be shared with several computers

Size: 69x19x10mm

Extended Cable Length: 1m

Weight: 20g

Specifications:

One unique "Security Code" in the Transmitter; the computer will recognizes the code automatically

Operating Frequency: 315 or 434 MHz

Transmitter Power Supply: DC3V

Transmitter uses 3V/CR2032 battery (included)

Battery Usage: approximately 2000 hours

Support Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP

Package Contents:

USB Wireless Security Lock

Transmitter with strap

Driver CD (3-inch type)

USB extended cable

3V (CR2032) battery

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Siren Alarm Padlock

• High security design made of durable steel
• 96 - 98 db alarm that sounds when tampered
• Two settings - active alarm and inactive alarm
• Suitable for all weather conditions
• Powered by 6 lithium batteries
• 3 High-security cut keys

Essential Info

Keep your bike, garage door, garden shed, side gate, tool box or locker, or anything you desire secure with this Heavy Duty Siren Alarm Padlock. This lock comes equipped with two settings, armed and unarmed, so you can be alerted by a 96 - 98 db alarm when the lock is tampered with. Basically, double the protection. The Heavy Duty Siren Alarm Padlock has a body made of extra strong cast steel as well as a high-grade steel shackle.

The lock is extremely durable and 100% secure, leaving no doubt that this is the best lock for multiple applications.

What's Included Siren Alarm Padlock High-grade Steel Shackle 3 High Security Cut Keys

More Info

The Heavy Duty Alarm Siren Padlock couldn't be easier to operate. You can choose between armed and unarmed with a simple twist of the wrist. Once you decide how you want to use the lock (armed or unarmed), simply look at the shackle and place it properly in the Siren Alarm Padlock. The shackle has a notch on both ends. When you insert the shackle into the padlock, you'll hear a single beep; this means the lock is armed. If you want to use the lock without the alarm, simply turn the shackle around and there will not be a beep. High Security Design This lock is very well designed. It has a solid steel shackle that latches into the metal padlock for maximum security. You'll be amazed with how durable this lock really is! Two-Tone Alarm This Heavy Duty Siren Alarm Padlock comes with a 96-98 decibel alarm that sounds in two tones. When tampered with, the alarm will sound for 10 seconds and then re-enter arm mode, so if the lock is tampered with again, the alarm will sound for another 10 seconds, and so on. It sounds just like a siren. Keep in mind that the lock can also be used without the alarm (siren) armed. The alarm is located at the bottom of the lock.

Specifications
Manufacturer:	Roberta’s Inc.
Manufacturer Product No.:	SAP - 01
Dimensions:	4” H x 3 ¾” W x 1 ¼” D
Weight:	15 oz.
Power:	6 Lithium batteries no.A76/LR44
Exposure:	All weather
Warranty:	1 year, limited

$19.99

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Unlocking Antique Furniture Locks

Antique furniture locks come in all shapes sizes and styles. Often people lose their keys when the pieces are locked. As a locksmith, I have been called upon numerous times to open and make keys to these antique furniture pieces.

Many antique furniture pieces including curio cabinets, use really old hardware made from brass and iron. Many of the locks are small and can be rusting.

The most efficient and easiest method for opening a locked drawer or door, is to impression a new key to the lock. The impression system of key fitting is the one skill that is unique to locksmithing.
Impressioning is used daily by few locksmith technicians these days and the art and talent is diminishing.

Impressioning enables the use of a keyblank, some hand files and some practised techniques to produce working keys to locks without the need to dismantle the piece of furniture. Largely, there is also rarely any damage to the woodwork, which is a good thing, because this maintains the value of the piece.

How does one impression an antique cupboard lock?

1. Select Key blank
2. Cut down flag to enter keyway.
3. Blacken the flag (with carbon or a match)
4. Insert key into keyway and turn as far as it will go.
5. Turn and wiggle key numerous times.
6. remove key from keyway
7. Examine keyblank for "impressions"
8. File minimally, where the impressions occur on the keyblank

This method need to be continued until such a time that the key operates the lock smoothly. It is a talent that few tradesmen technicians still use today. It definitely requires practise, but it save the needs to dismantle a perfectly good lock.

Forcable Entry Training

Recently came across this fascinating video about how easily firefighters break down entrances.

Conventional thinking, with regard to security products and locking systems, rarely actually take into account the strength of the door or jamb. Sometimes, it may not matter how expensive a lock you install on your entry, a determined burglar with the right tools will cause such destructive entry all too easily.

This is a prime reason why people, concerned about security or the protection of their assets, should consider products like the Strikemaster II.

It is designed to strengthen the jamb against this type of attack. It would be grossly irresponsible to claim total protection from this attack, with the product, although it is one of very few products of it's type to offer some sort of defense.

Samsung Digital Door Locks

Samsung have recently released a new electronic digital door lock with a very slim user interface, which looks more like a cell phone at first sight, with a thickness of only 21.5 mm! The EZon Home Network System SHS-1110 has a touchscreen and is made of aluminum alloy and tempered glass.
The SHS-1110 comes in two colors, black and silver, and it measures 2.70 inches (W) x 6.89 inches (H) x 0.84 inches (D). The price tag is about US$ 180.

Technical specifications will be released soon, but it is supposed to work with virtually all existing mortise locks for commercial use in the United States.

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