Horizontal Timelines versus Vertical Timelines

In most Security Cam applications the timeline feature is horizontal with older events to the left and more recent to the right. This suits PC based applications.

a horizontal timeline

a horizontal timeline

In the mobile world timelines are vertical, think of Facebook and Twitter. New events are at the top older events are toward the bottom.
As the demand for mobile access to security cam systems increases we predict that the orientation of timelines will do a 90 degree flip and go vertical.
In our latest app “Timeline” we feature a vertical timeline. Timeline is the world’s first mobileVMS. No server or PC is required; everything runs on the mobile. Because there is no server or PC there was never any reason to build a traditional horizontal timeline, so we went vertical. Come and see this innovative app at IFSEC stand B110. We have a live demo running throughout the show.

timeline screenshot

timeline screenshot

Press release: IFSEC: EyeSpyFX: Stand B110

Enterprise strength Mobile Apps for Security Camera Systems
EyeSpyFX will be exhibiting many of our lead titles such as:

EyeSpyFX App icons

EyeSpyFX App icons

We will be profiling advanced App features such as ACAP Injection, In App Notifications for Motion Detection events and our Timelapse ACAP.

Timeline – changing the idea of a VMS
We will also be showcasing our latest software innovation at IFSEC14. “Timeline” is an Alpha Prototype Mobile app that enables users to view live and recorded video and reporting details from the A1001 Access Control Device. The app maximises the potential of Edge technology.

timeline icon

timeline icon

Cameras and doors are discovered by the app and appropriate User Interfaces are presented to suit the capabilities of each device. By recognising the capabilities of each device and utilising edge storage the app removes the need for a centralised server and VMS.

In a general sense a VMS architecture resembles an “axle and spokes” where the VMS is the axle and the cameras and peripheral devices are the spokes. To a certain extent the VMS sets up the ‘centre’ as the place where all computing takes place and casts the cameras as relatively dumb entities. This may have been so in the past but in many cases now the cameras at the edge have a great deal of computing power built in. Far from being ‘dumb’ many Network Cameras now have onboard the computing power of a small laptop computer of ten years ago. It is entirely feasible to set up a compelling security camera system where there is no centralised VMS.
The components of the Timeline Edge based solution are:
• EyeSpyFX Timeline app
• AXIS ACAP capable cameras
• A1001 Access Control
• A NAS box or other Edge storage
• A VPN software located on the router
• Router and Switch

Timeline follows a new emerging architectural model in line with the development of the Internet of Things where computing functions are placed at the Edge; like NEST. This new model of distributed computing is much more scalable than the axle and spoke method typical of a VMS. If the power is all centralised then adding more cameras requires ever more computing resource to be built. Eventually this will grow huge, fall over, overheat or run out of power. If however, computing resource is distributed to each camera around the edge then in theory an endless amount of cameras can be added to a system that is not burdened by a “centre”.

Timeline is ideal for a small factory or shop where two doors are controlled and up to ten cameras are present. There is no need for a NVR or Server, everything is managed from the Mobile App.

timeline screenshot

timeline screenshot

Edge storage – more options

We were setting up our demo unit for IFSEC when we noticed our NETGEAR router has a USB port. We bought a 64GB USB pen drive and set it up as Edge storage for Video Motion Detection on our Viewer for AXIS Cams app. We thought that was pretty cool, it is clear that edge storage is getting easier and more powerful every day. Find out more about the latest update for Viewer for AXIS Cams here or call in for a chat at IFSEC stand B110.

Edge storage USB pen drive

Edge storage USB pen drive

Viewer for AXIS Cams – update: v3.6.0

An update for our leading App Viewer for AXIS Cams went live on the App Store on Saturday 8th June.

The new version features App Injection for AXIS Video Motion Detection ACAP. AXIS VMD can be installed on AXIS Cameras that support ACAP. VMD makes it possible to detect motion and automatically make a recording. The mobile app injects VMD into the camera in a seamless way saving time-consuming installation via the web and installing Active X on Internet Explorer. The motion detection area can be set up on the app by positioning a polygon over the area where movement is to be detected.

app injection store

App injection store on Viewer for AXIS Cams mobile app

The app also features Timelapse ACAP also set up via App Injection.

Edge storage is also available as an in app purchase. Edge storage can take the form of an SD card mounted in the camera or a NAS box or a USB memory stick mounted on the router.

Set up for VMD via Viewer for AXIS Cams mobile app

Set up for VMD via Viewer for AXIS Cams mobile app

These new features make Viewer for AXIS Cams is the most sophisticated app for AXIS cams available on the market today.

Security and the Internet of Things; The Internet of Security

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a hugely hyped concept. The hype is fueled by multi million dollar acquisitions such as the Google purchase of NEST. So far, much of the IoT action has been in the domestic consumer space.

One of the main ideas in IoT is the idea of Smart objects. In Security the tendency to build centralised server systems runs somewhat counter to the IoT idea of Smart objects.  In Security, intelligence, analytics and computational features tend to reside in the server rather than in the objects: the cameras, sensors and controllers that connect to the system. This contrasts with the consumer IoT where there are fewer central systems. In the consumer IOT features reside in the smart devices themselves, perhaps supported by generalized metadata from a cloud service. The NEST thermostat for example is a Smart object of itself not an object that relies on a connection to a smart server .

There are signs that Security is moving to a more edge based IoT style architecture. The AXIS Camera Companion system is one example of this. If an Internet of Security is to prosper then objects need to be discoverable and configurable and need to be able to respond to queries about the features they possess. In higher end security cameras this level of program-ability is already in place.

At IFSEC we have seen for several years now the development of Mobile Clients for server based Security Camera systems. Of course, this is good ,but really it is simply adding a mobile layer to an old Architecture. This trend contrasts with the next wave of mobile apps on ever more powerful mobile devices that can connect directly to cameras and other smart security devices and present customized UI elements to suit the properties of each individual device. Increasingly it is clear that a central server is not required. Instead edge devices organised and managed by a powerful, easy to use mobile apps stands to become a prevalent architectural model. Could this be the future Internet of Security?

At IFSEC14 EyeSpyFX are pleased to demonstrate an alpha version of our own Internet of Security product called Timeline. Timeline is a mobile app system that manages and enables video from AXIS Cameras and combines it with Access events from the new A1001 Access control product from AXIS. Timeline needs no server, all its capability is drawn from the mobile app. Essentially, Timeline is a Mobile Video Management System (mobileVMS). Timeline is an example of the next generation of mobile apps for the security industry: ultra light weight, agile and extremely powerful with a focus on ease of ease of use. To find out more about this potentially disruptive next wave of app technology call in and talk to us at stand B110 at IFSEC 14.

We would like to invite to installers and system integrators to join out join our advance thinking test flight group and help us shape the future of mobile  Security Camera Systems.

Timeline: The Internet of Security

Timeline: The Internet of Security