Semantic Conceptual Framework for Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance—A Case Study on Forest Fire Video Monitoring and Surveillance

This paper presents a semantic conceptual framework and definition of environmental monitoring and surveillance and demonstrates an ontology implementation of the framework. This framework is defined in a mathematical formulation and is built upon and focused on the notation of observation systems. This formulation is utilized in the analysis of the observation system. Three taxonomies are presented, namely, the taxonomy of (1) the sampling method, (2) the value format and (3) the functionality. The definition of concepts and their relationships in the conceptual framework clarifies the task of querying for information related to the state of the environment or conditions related to specific events. This framework aims to make the observation system more queryable and therefore more interactive for users or other systems. Using the proposed semantic conceptual framework, we derive definitions of the distinguished tasks of monitoring and surveillance. Monitoring is focused on the continuous assessment of an environment state and surveillance is focused on the collection of all data relevant for specific events. The proposed mathematical formulation is implemented in the format of the computer readable ontology. The presented ontology provides a general framework for the semantic retrieval of relevant environmental information. For the implementation of the proposed framework, we present a description of the Intelligent Forest Fire Video Monitoring and Surveillance system in Croatia. We present the implementation of the tasks of monitoring and surveillance in the application domain of forest fire management.

Shoreline Detection Accuracy from Video Monitoring Systems

Video monitoring has become an indispensable tool to understand beach processes. However, the measurement accuracy derived from the images has been taken for granted despite its dependence on the calibration process and camera movements. An easy to implement self-fed image stabilization algorithm is proposed to solve the camera movements. Georeferenced images were generated from the stabilized images using only one calibration. To assess the performance of the stabilization algorithm, a second set of georeferenced images was created from unstabilized images following the accepted practice of using several calibrations. Shorelines were extracted from the images and corrected with the measured water level and the computed run-up to the 0 m contour. Image-derived corrected shorelines were validated with one hundred beach profile surveys measured during a period of four years along a 1.1 km beach stretch. The simultaneous high-frequency field data available of images and beach surveys are uncommon and allow assessing seasonal changes and long-term trends accuracy. Errors in shoreline position do not increase in time suggesting that the proposed stabilization algorithm does not propagate errors, despite the ever-evolving vegetation in the images. The image stabilization reduces the error in shoreline position by 40 percent, having a larger impact with increasing distance from the camera. Furthermore, the algorithm improves the accuracy on long-term trends by one degree of magnitude (0.01 m/year vs. 0.25 m/year).

ANALYSIS OF THE USEFULNESS OF VIDEO MONITORING RECORDS FOR THE PURPOSES OF IDENTIFYING THE PERPETRATORS OF HOMICIDES

The article presents content related to the assessment of the usefulness of video monitoring for the identification of perpetrators of homicides as well as qualifying it as an important element of crime prevention. It presents the impact of the growing tendency of mass use of public space monitoring systems on the increased sense of security and control over situations which may threaten society. Moreover, the issues related to a perpetrator’s awareness of the inevitability of preserving their image by means of visual monitoring and its impact on the manner of their conduct as well as the possible withdrawal from committing a prohibited act have been signalled. The article also attempts to explain the reasons for the long-term impunity of some killers from the 1960s to the 1980s in relation to the lack of certain technological solutions, and especially the lack of video surveillance in areas where it is commonly used today. The article also covers the current legal solutions allowing for the legitimate collection of images from video monitoring, including those related to the protection of personal data in connection with the processing of images of the perpetrator.

Remote video monitoring for offshore sea farms: Reliability and availability evaluation and image quality assessment via laboratory tests

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p class="Abstract">In this article, the availability and reliability of a remote video monitoring system for offshore sea farming plants are studied and tested in laboratory. The scope of the system is to ensure a video surveillance infrastructure so to supervise breeding cages along with the fish inside them, in order to contrast undesired phenomena like fish poaching as well as cages damages. The system is installed on a cage floating structure: it is mainly composed of an IP camera that is controlled by a Raspberry Pi Zero which is the core of the system. Images are streamed thanks to a 3G/4G dongle, while the overall system is powered via two photovoltaic panels charging a backup battery. Simulations are carried out considering two seasonal functioning periods (i.e., winter and summer): each of them is characterised by temperature trends defined according to the average temperatures of the system deployment site, 8 km offshore the city of Piombino, Italy. In order to optimise power consumption without hindering application scenario requirements, the system operates according to a duty cycle of 2 minutes out of 15 (i.e., 8 minutes of operation per hour). The performances of the system are then tested in laboratory exploiting a climatic chamber so to simulate different environmental conditions: variations on image quality are then analysed in order to identify possible dependencies on critical situations related to specific temperature and relative humidity values and to the presence of salt in the air.</p></div></div></div></div>

Comparative Evaluation of Anti-Corrosion Coatings for NdFeB-Type Magnets with Respect to Performance and Recyclability via Hydrogen-Assisted Recycling (HPMS)

Various anti-corrosion coatings used on commercially available NdFeB-type magnets were comparatively examined for their durability and suitability for magnet reprocessing by hydrogen-assisted recycling (HPMS). Layer thickness and structure were determined by systematic microstructural analysis, and a standardized corrosion test was used to assess the durability of each layer. Chemical composition of the coatings was analyzed using SEM/EDS and ICP-OES. HPMS behavior was investigated using in situ video monitoring. The results of the presented investigations are an important contribution for the implementation of a sorting and labeling system to support and facilitate a commercially viable recycling of permanent magnets on an industrial scale.

Design and simulation of video monitoring structure over TCP/IP system using MATLAB

Video monitoring systems are undergoing an evolution from conventional analog to digital clarification to provide better rate and security over internet protocols. In addition, analog surveillance becomes insufficient to face enormous demand of security of system contains more than hundreds of camera often deployed in hotels environments far away from room control. This paper presents the design and simulation of a video monitoring scheme in excess of a transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) system using MATLAB. Sophisticated cameras could record directly high-definition digital videos based on digital technology which simply communicate the control room relaying on ordinary internet protocol infrastructure networks. This technology provides a flexible network interface over a wide variety of heterogeneous technology networks. Though, the acceptance of IP designed for video monitoring pretense severe difficulties in terms of power processing, system dependability, required bandwidth, and security of networks. The advantage of IP based video monitoring system has been investigated over conventional analog systems and the challenges of the method are described. The open research issues are still requiring a final solution to permits complete abandon against conventional technology of analog methods. In conclusion, the method to tackle the purpose of video monitoring in actual operation is proposed and verified properly by means of model simulation.