AI Face Detection: Enhancing Security & Playback Efficiency

In today's security landscape, AI-powered face detection is becoming an increasingly vital tool. Beyond simple surveillance, this technology offers smarter, more efficient ways to manage video data and improve security protocols. This article will explore the function of face detection, and the ways RhinoCo Technology is leveraging it to enhance security. The difference between face detection and facial recognition will be discussed, as well as common uses and benefits that face detection can provide.

What is Face Detection?

AI face detection, also known as face capture technology, is a powerful function available on select VIP Vision AI-based network video recorders (NVRs) and AI-based IP cameras. The technology's primary function is to capture an image of a face or multiple faces within a live video feed.

It's crucial to distinguish between face detection and face recognition. Face detection simply identifies the presence of a human face without identifying the individual. In contrast, face recognition identifies who the person is by comparing the detected face against a database of known individuals. Facial recognition is a separate and more advanced function that can be built upon initial face detection features. This article focuses exclusively on the practical applications and setup of face detection capabilities.

Why Use Face Detection if There's No Facial Recognition?

You might ask, "If I'm capturing a face, what's the point if I'm not going to recognize it afterwards?" While face recognition offers advanced identification capabilities, face detection alone provides significant value.

One of the most common and valuable uses of face detection is for streamlining video review. Imagine aiming a camera at the front entrance of a building. Instead of sifting through hours of footage, one can perform smart searches based on faces. With this type of function, the cumbersome process of manually searching through videos is avoided. This can save valuable time when investigating security events. This approach can significantly reduce the time and resources required to review video footage.

Face detection also facilitates proactive security measures. Alerts and triggers can be configured, so that if a face is detected, notifications can be sent to phones or PC-based clients. An example might be instead of setting up a tripwire, one can activate alerts when a face is present in the video. This provides a more reliable alert system, because triggering is now possible based on detecting the presence of a human. For example, this can help prevent false alarms triggered by animals or water flowing, rather than a person.

By triggering from faces, users can customize security protocols. With this function, alerts can be activated, saving time and resources, while creating more accurate triggers for important actions.

Navigating The User Interface

Let's walk through the process of setting up face detection using the VIP Vision interface. It's worth noting that the UI may vary. If your NVR matches the models mentioned earlier, updating the firmware ensures compatibility. Check the RhinoCo website for the latest firmware updates for your specific recorder model.

In general, there are three main sections: Smart Search, Parameters, and Database.

The Smart Search function helps to review the faces that we detect later on, but we need to set the parameters to enable this function. To configure the face detection, we need to navigate to the AI menu. From there, click on parameters to configure the face detection settings. Select the appropriate channel. We are going to use channel 7. Then, we need to select the box to enable face detection. From there, click apply. To view what we are seeing through the AI lens, we can right click and click on Preview Mode. Then, click AI Mode.

This is how to get an AI system set up, and allows for face detection.

Now, let's dive a bit deeper and talk about how the settings can be applied to AI by Camera, AI by Device and setting smart plans to get the most out of your VIP vision system.

AI by Camera

When using AI by Camera, you do not need to update your recorders. It's best to use an AI-based camera with a relatively modern VIP Vision recorder for seamless integration. The AI processing occurs at the camera level, offloading the processing burden from the recorder. Here are the key steps to activate this function.

1. Enable Face Detection: Check the "Enable" box within the parameters section for the chosen camera channel. This activates face detection on that specific camera feed.
2. Set a Smart Plan: If you are using AI by camera, the recorders AI setting will not be available. A smart plan can be used to help make face detection easier to use. More specific setup may be required by camera based off of their type, resolution, and Recording specs.

AI By Device

With an AI by Device configuration, you leverage the processing power of the NVR for AI functionalities. Here's how to set it up:

1. Upgrade the Firmware: Make sure your recorder firmware is up to date. You'll need the correct firmware version to run this. See RhinoCo for information on your recorder.
2. Add Your Smart Camera: With AI by Device, smart plans are set using an AI enhanced network video recorder. To set up, first make sure you have your camera added and selected as the appropriate channel.

Enhancing Face Image Quality with Face ROI Tracking

One of the additional functions of AI enabled cameras, is its ability to help enhance face detection. To do this with a VIP vision camera, is the Face ROI (region of interest) tracking. This process enhances image of detected faces, optimizing video quality.

When a face comes into shot, the system enhances that image by using what is called region of interest tracking. This technique automatically allocates more data to the area around the face, ensuring more facial detail is recorded. By increasing data usage in the region of the face, quality is preserved, and detection and future recognition is enhanced.

This ROI optimization is especially valuable at lower bitrates. When bandwidth is limited, prioritizing facial detail ensures critical information is captured without sacrificing storage capacity. For example, the area with the most data allocated will be kept higher resolution. Setting up region of tracking and interest also helps to increase the detection.

This function balances efficiency and effectiveness, optimizing face capture in various network environments. It's a method for capturing the face, and not performing facial recognition.

Smart Playback Features

In order to perform playback, follow the directions below.

1. You want to click into your AI menu.

   

2. Click the "smart search" option

3. Then, select the appropriate channel on the left hand pane.

4. Set the gender, age, and mask, and glasses that you would like to select. Leaving these options at "all" means the system will search for every face.

5. From there, click Smart Search, and let the AI filter faces for you.

Setting triggers

In order to set triggers to enhance security, follow the directions below.

1. You want to click into your AI menu.
2. Click the "Parameters" option.
3. Select the appropriate camera, or AI option that you want to select. For example, AI by Camera or AI by Device.
4. Configure buzzer, voice prompts, record channel or Tour.

VIP Vision AI Network Surveillance Products

RhinoCo Technology offers a range of VIP Vision AI network video cameras and recorders. These devices are AI-based and offer face capture capabilities for advanced AI technology. When browsing the RhinoCo website, you can easily identify supported products. A "Face Capture" icon next to a camera indicates its compatibility with the face detection features we're about to describe.

Here are some of the products offered by RhinoCo with Face Capture technology:

• Professional AI 16 Channel Network Video Recorder with ePoE
• Professional AI 32 Channel Network Video Recorder with ePoE
• Ultimate AI Series 4.0MP Motorised Bullet
• Ultimate AI Series 8.0MP Motorised Bullet
• Ultimate AI Series 4.0MP Motorised Vandal Dome
• Ultimate AI Series 8.0MP Motorised Vandal Dome
• Professional AI Series 4.0MP Fixed Motorised Bullet
• Professional AI Series 4.0MP Fixed Motorised Bullet
• Ultimate AI Series 8.0MP Motorised Fixed Motorised Bullet
• Ultimate AI Series 4.0MP Fixed Motorised Turret
• Ultimate AI Series 8.0MP Motorised Turret

These products allow users to access AI-powered features, making security monitoring more reliable and efficient.