17 Dec
2003
17 Dec
'03
11:17 p.m.
------- Forwarded Message Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 09:18:29 -0500 From: Dan S <dan@SOUTHEAST.NET> Subject: [CTRL] Smart spy cameras on the way To: CTRL@LISTSERV.AOL.COM -Caveat Lector- >From : http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=001036222020742&rtmo=VqqqD8sK&atmo=kkkkkkku&P4_FOLLOW_ON=/98/12/3/ecnspy03.html&pg=/et/98/12/3/ecnspy03.html - - Smart spy cameras on the way By Patrick Hook POLICE scientists are close to a major breakthrough that will allow CCTV cameras to "recognise" criminal activity. Using leading-edge neural and pattern recognition technologies, developed for space and defence applications, scientists are confident that it will shortly be possible to police whole areas of the country automatically and alert the authorities to criminal activity. Speaking at a recent London conference organised by the research and development group SIRA, Dr Mike Taylor, head of technology operations at Scotland Yard, said the main barrier to the development of such a system was the quality of the images that were generally produced by existing CCTV equipment.""It is perfectly feasible to develop software which can distinguish certain actions, but the quality of image capture means that it is often difficult to see exactly what is going on," he said. "The quality is, it seems, in direct proportion to the amount of effort that users are prepared to invest in such systems. Since its introduction more than 20 years ago, the need for such technology has increased, and intelligent sensory information processing and information fusing is going to play a very key part in crime management. The next step is to add other sensory devises such as microphones to pick up the sound of breaking glass and sensors that can detect the smell of particular substances and trigger an appropriate response." The work is part of a research programme into an area of security that has been identified by the government's Foresight Challenge as a priority for further study. Drawn from a range of organisations, including the police, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and the Home Office, the work of the team is being partly funded by Brussels. Most of the research is centred on the fusing of information from several sources to present a more accurate report of what the CCTV camera has seen. "The additional cost of a microphone or other sensor is not likely to be great," said Taylor, "and should make a significant difference to the ability of the police to detect criminal activity." Not everyone is enthusiastic, however. John Wadham, director of Liberty, said: "It's difficult to see how this kind of technology would work accurately in practice. It could result in officers' time being wasted investigating incidents - and indeed individuals - which turn out to be entirely innocent. I do wonder whether we have enough surveillance already. Surveillance technology is better at protecting property than people and is still not adequately regulated to protect privacy." - -- dan@southeast.net DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substancenot soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] LISTSERV@LISTSERV.AOL.COM To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] LISTSERV@LISTSERV.AOL.COM Om ------- End of Forwarded Message