Smart Cameras

3029 Words7 Pages

Smart Cameras

Since the events of September 11th the governments in the United States and other countries have increased their surveillance of society. Meanwhile smart cameras are steadily becoming smarter and more usable. It is often difficult to estimate what impact new technology will have on society. What are the ethical issues that smart cameras bring about?

The technology behind smart cameras

The main difference between a smart camera and an ordinary one is that a smart camera analyzes what it sees, and makes certain decisions based upon the results of the analysis. An example is a smart security camera that calls the attention of the staff when it suspects a crime is committed.

How does this work?

The first step is to transform the signal from analog to digital, if the camera itself is not digital already. The data is then processed and based on the results certain actions are taken. The processing occurs in the camera itself, if required hardware for this is built in, or the data is sent to a computer.

Applications

There is a wide spectrum of applications, from different security systems for crime prevention and investigation to commercial and private use. For example, doors that open automatically have existed for a long time. To save energy, if a smart camera is used instead of a simple motion detector, the camera can choose to open the door if a person is approaching or leave it closed if a person is just walking by the door. One of the most sophisticated tools for smart cameras is a method called facial recognition.

Facial Recognition

Computerized facial recognition is an old idea conceived decades ago, but the use of it has accelerated since the 1990s, due to cheaper technology and...

... middle of paper ...

...ight © 1993, HarperCollins Publishers

http://www.ccsr.cse.dmu.ac.uk/resources/general/ethicol/Ecv12no1.html

http://www.library.ca.gov./CRB/97/05/index.html

http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,52563,00.html

http://www.aclu.org/issues/privacy/FaceRec_data.pdf

http://www.aclu.org/issues/privacy/CCTV_Feature.html

http://www.aclu.org/issues/privacy/drawing_blank.pdf

http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,52563,00.html

http://www.eff.org/Censorship/Terrorism_militias/fisa_faq.html

http://faceit.com/

http://www.privacy2000.org/

http://amsterdam.nettime.org/Lists-Archives/nettime-l-0111/msg00045.html

http://www.privacy.org/pi/conference/copenhagen/report.html

http://www.notisum.se/rnp/SLS/LAG/20000344.HTM

http://www.house.gov/Constitution/Amend.html

http://www.wespot.com/

http://whatis.techtarget.com/

Open Document