Overlapping Camera Alarm Merging for Security Event Deduplication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Security systems with overlapping camera fields of view generate redundant alarms, increasing the workload for operators and diverting attention from other events.

Innovation Solution

Implement methods to detect and reduce redundant alarms by identifying overlapping camera fields of view and sending combined notifications, using techniques such as manual definition, self-discovery, and tracking object movement to determine overlapping regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If video analytics are executed on all video streams from multiple cameras, then security event detection capability is improved, but redundant alarm notifications increase operator workload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity event detection capabilityVSAvoidoperator workload
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges alarm notifications from multiple cameras that detect the same security event in overlapping FOV regions. When camera 1 and camera 2 both detect an event in their overlapping region, the system combines these into a single alarm notification, eliminating redundancy while preserving comprehensive security event detection capability across all cameras.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary component that receives alarm notifications from multiple video analytics systems, identifies redundant alarms from overlapping FOV cameras, and filters/combines them before presenting to operators. This intermediary layer maintains the detection capability of all cameras while reducing the burden on operators by eliminating duplicate notifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple cameras cover the same area with overlapping FOVs, then security monitoring coverage is improved, but redundant alarms are generated for the same event

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity monitoring coverageVSAvoidredundant alarm information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines alarm information from multiple cameras covering overlapping areas into a single consolidated alarm. By merging notifications from cameras 1 and 2 that detect the same event in their overlapping FOV, the system preserves comprehensive monitoring coverage while eliminating redundant alarm information that would otherwise be lost or duplicated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Speed

If alarm notifications are sent for every detected event, then event response time is improved, but operator attention is diverted from other security events

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevent response timeVSAvoidoperator attention management
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple alarm notifications for the same security event into a single consolidated alert, enabling rapid operator response to unique security events while preventing attention diversion caused by redundant notifications from multiple cameras covering overlapping areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4280187B1Methods and systems for reducing redundant alarm notifications in a security system
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP4280187B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4280187B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4280187B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for reducing alarm notifications from a security system deploying a plurality of cameras within a monitored area includes processing a first video stream captured by the first camera of the security system to detect an alarm event observed in the Field of View (FOV) of the first camera and processing a second video stream captured by a second camera of the security system to detect the same alarm event observed in the FOV of the second camera. A combined alarm notification corresponding to the alarm event is sent, wherein the combined alarm notification includes the alarm event and may identify the first camera and the second camera as both detecting the same alarm event in their respective FOVs.