7. Camera Configuration
Configure camera focus, zoom and exposure; calibrate software with detection zones and settings to optimise object detection and tracking accuracy.
Proper camera configuration is essential to maximise the performance of the XVision Video Analytics Platform. This section provides detailed instructions on the initial setup of camera hardware and the software calibration required to optimize object detection and tracking. By meticulously configuring focus, exposure, synchronization, and analytics settings, you ensure the system operates effectively under various environmental conditions.
Summary of Key Points
Focus and Zoom Adjustments:
Fine-tune focus during installation for sharp images.
Utilise remote focus and zoom features if available for ease of adjustments.
Select appropriate lenses based on required field of view and detection distances.
Image Settings Configuration:
Set exposure modes (automatic or manual) based on environmental stability.
Enable backlight and highlight compensation to handle challenging lighting conditions.
Adjust white balance to ensure accurate colour representation.
Software Calibration:
Define detection zones precisely to focus on relevant areas.
Adjust sensitivity and object size parameters to minimise false detections.
Perform 3D calibration to enhance accuracy in size and speed estimation.
Test and validate the system regularly to maintain optimal performance.
Initial Setup
Focus and Zoom Adjustments
Fine-Tuning the Focus:
Manual Focus Adjustment:
After physically installing the camera, manually adjust the focus ring to achieve the sharpest image possible.
Perform adjustments during typical operating conditions to account for lighting and environmental factors.
Use a test pattern or focus chart placed in the detection zone to assist with precise focusing.
Remote Focus Capability:
If the camera supports remote focus, use the camera's software interface to fine-tune focus settings from a workstation.
Benefits include easier adjustments without the need for physical access, especially useful for cameras installed at height or in hard-to-reach locations.
Zoom Configuration:
Fixed Lens Cameras:
Fixed lenses have a set focal length; select the appropriate lens during installation based on required field of view and detection distance.
Ensure that the chosen lens provides sufficient coverage and detail for accurate detection.
Varifocal and Motorised Zoom Lenses:
Varifocal lenses allow for manual adjustment of focal length; set the zoom level to balance field of view and image detail.
Motorised zoom lenses can be adjusted remotely, providing flexibility to change the field of view as needed.
Image Settings Configuration
Exposure Settings:
Automatic Exposure Control:
Enable automatic exposure to allow the camera to adapt to changing lighting conditions dynamically.
Suitable for environments with variable lighting, such as outdoor areas affected by weather and time of day.
Manual Exposure Settings:
Set exposure parameters manually (shutter speed, gain, iris) for consistent image brightness in stable lighting conditions.
Adjust settings to prevent overexposure or underexposure, ensuring optimal image quality.
Backlight and Highlight Compensation:
Backlight Compensation (BLC):
Enable BLC to enhance image visibility when the background is significantly brighter than the foreground.
Useful in scenarios where vehicles are silhouetted against bright skies or headlights.
Highlight Compensation (HLC):
Activate HLC to suppress bright light sources in the image, such as vehicle headlights or streetlights.
Helps to reveal details that might otherwise be obscured by intense light spots.
White Balance Adjustment:
Automatic White Balance:
Allows the camera to adjust color balance based on the lighting conditions, ensuring accurate color representation.
Essential for environments where lighting color temperature changes, such as during sunrise and sunset.
Manual White Balance:
Set manually when consistent lighting conditions are present.
Useful for correcting color casts in environments with artificial lighting.
Software Calibration
Detection Zones Setup
Defining Detection Zones:
Polygonal Zones:
Draw custom-shaped detection zones within the camera's field of view to specify areas where vehicle detection should occur.
Exclude irrelevant areas such as sidewalks, adjacent properties, or sky regions to reduce false positives.
Multiple Detection Areas:
Create separate zones for different lanes, directions of traffic, or specific monitoring purposes.
Allows for targeted analysis, such as counting vehicles in a particular lane or monitoring restricted zones.
Virtual Tripwires and Lines:
Setting Up Tripwires:
Define virtual lines across the detection area that trigger events when crossed by vehicles.
Useful for counting vehicles, detecting wrong-way movements, or triggering alarms for unauthorised access.
Direction Sensitivity:
Configure the system to detect crossing in specific directions, preventing false triggers from irrelevant movements.
Parameter Settings
Sensitivity and Threshold Adjustment:
Motion Sensitivity:
Adjust the sensitivity settings to balance between detection accuracy and false positives.
Higher sensitivity may detect smaller or slower-moving objects but could increase false alarms from non-vehicle movements.
Object Size Filtering:
Set minimum and maximum object size parameters to ignore objects that are too small (e.g., animals, debris) or too large (e.g., oversized vehicles if not of interest).
Object Classification and Recognition:
Vehicle Type Classification:
Configure the system to classify detected vehicles into categories such as cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc.
Enables detailed analysis and reporting based on vehicle types.
License Plate Recognition (Optional):
If the system supports it, enable license plate recognition features.
Adjust settings for plate size, angle, and reflectivity to improve accuracy.
Calibration Tools and Procedures
Talk to Minnovation to assist with these calibration procedures. they should only be undertaken after all adjustments have been exhausted and accuracy still needs to be improved.
3D Scene Calibration:
Purpose of Calibration:
Calibrating the camera's perspective allows the system to accurately interpret the size, speed, and distance of detected objects.
Essential for functions like speed estimation or size-based classification.
Calibration Methods:
Manual Calibration:
Use known reference objects in the scene (e.g., lane markings, signage) to set scale and perspective.
Input measurements directly into the software to establish real-world dimensions.
Testing and Validation:
Simulated Events:
Run test scenarios by introducing vehicles or objects into the detection zones to verify system responses.
Check for correct detection, classification, and tracking.
Performance Metrics:
Monitor detection rates, false positives, and system responsiveness.
Use this data to fine-tune settings for optimal performance.
Ongoing Adjustments:
Regularly review system logs and analytics reports to identify areas for improvement.
Adjust calibration settings as necessary to adapt to changes in the environment or operational requirements.
By meticulously configuring the cameras and calibrating the software, you ensure that the XVision Video Analytics Platform operates at peak efficiency. Proper setup enhances detection accuracy, reduces false positives, and adapts the system to the specific requirements of your monitoring environment. Regular testing and adjustments help maintain system effectiveness over time, accounting for environmental changes and evolving operational needs.
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