ENRA: Event-based network reconfiguration algorithm for Active Camera Networks

Abstract

Smart cameras play an important role for security systems as they combine video sensing, video processing and communication within a single device. One weak point is that smart cameras are usually stationary and so occlusions may create blind spots in the system. These blind spots may be overcome by enhancing smart cameras with mobility (e.g., mounting them on unmanned vehicles) in order to create so called Active Cameras (ACs) and network them into AC networks. Nevertheless, mobility of cameras comes along with challenges in terms of coordination and configuration. Additionally, the per unit cost of AC networks is higher in comparison to static camera networks but the number of cameras needed to observe large areas, e.g. an apron of an airport, can be reduced considerably. In this paper, we present an algorithm paving the way for self-adaptation in AC networks. Based on the number of events occurring in the workspace ACs increase or decrease so-called spatial redundancy regions with neighboring nodes to balance the network's load. Simulation results show that the presented protocol increases the overall system's performance and is well-suited for dynamic scenarios.