Introducing.......

Cyclops!

Cyclops is a proactive proposed joint venture between participating communities and local area merchants.  The objective to is to reduce losses attributable to burglary and vandalism of unattended premises while simultaneously adding a level of safety for law enforcement officers responding to burglary calls.

The concept is very simple, both for the law enforcement agency and for the merchant.  The merchant only has to purchase a compatible camera with motion sensor that can be connected to an existing Ethernet network or to a Cable or DSL router.  No computer is necessary.  Cyclops has its own IP (Internet Protocol) address and connections via a CAT-5 cable and RJ45 connector. A high speed Internet connection capable of minimum speeds of 128 kilobits per second is the final customer requirement.  In some cases, installation of a router or CAT-5 cable for connection to a remote router may be necessary.  In a worse case situation, the cost should not exceed $500 for everything including installation.  In many cases, the cost could be significantly less.

Once installed, the  Observer camera shown above can be used to provide remote viewing by authorized Internet users to monitor the premises at any time. The viewer has the capability to remotely control pan, tilt, or zoom functions as well as brightness control.  If desired, the remote viewer can even turn on a microphone to listen in on the activities.

Most security cameras have a flashing light to alert would be thieves that they are being monitored.  Alerting a thief is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house!  Anyone with a military background knows the secret of winning is to provide your enemy with NO information (or wrong information), and to take the first action.  The same is true in dealing with a criminal.  He deals in secrecy and taking action quickly.  If you want to win the war on crime, YOU do the same!  That is why the activity light on the Observer camera can be turned on or OFF by the remote viewer!

The second element of the Cyclops system, is a device known as a motion sensor shown at the left.  This gadget detects motion in the secure area.  It can be set to ignore small animals.  Otherwise, we would have a major problem with our two office cats, BJ and Tux, who have worked out a partnership bath giving plan!  The addition of the motion sensor provides a unique first alerting capability by sending an email to your dispatch center or directly to your officer on their cell phone, wireless PDA or mobile data terminal using a standard WINDOWS operating system.  In addition to the email notification, the Observer camera sends a SNAPSHOT of the person or persons who activated the sensor (subject to the capabilities of the receiving PC).

By now, you should be getting an idea of the capabilities of the Cyclops system.  Now you can have instant notification AND VERIFICATION of intrusion alarms without the delays of a private central alarm service provider.  Instead of just an alarm, you and your officer know what caused the alarm.  Better yet, when the officer arrives on the scene, a standard laptop computer or mobile data terminal can access the camera directly via the Internet before entering the premises.  If there are a half dozen guys inside with automatic weapons, it would be good to know before charging in!

Technically, there are a few requirements for remote viewing by your dispatch center or by officers in the field.  If you are using a mobile data terminal such as the Datalux Tracer, the information can be received directly using a high speed wireless Internet access service such as the Sprint AirCard (available from Falcon Wireless).  Speaking of the DataLux Tracer mobile data terminal, did you know the Observer camera (at a cost of approximately $250) can be plugged into the terminal and used as an in-car camera with direct recording capability?  Better yet, when used with the Sprint AirCard, the information can be sent directly to dispatch or the shift commander!

Anyway, back to the technical requirements.  The Observer camera uses a standard RJ-45 Ethernet connector.  An adapter cable is available with an RH-45 on one end and a USB on the other for use with the aforementioned DataLux terminal or laptop PC with a USB port. 

For remote viewing, your web browser must be Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher (sorry - no Palm or Pocket PC capability at this time) and a Windows operating system no earlier than Windows 98 connected to a Local Area Network (LAN).  If these terms are unfamiliar to you, don't worry.  It is not nearly as complicated as it sounds.  The really big considerations are the operating speed of your PC and the bandwidth of your Internet connection.  Your processor speed should be no less than 300 MHz with a minimum of 64 MB or RAM, 150 MB of available hard disk space and 800x600 resolution with 16-bit color.  Your Internet connection can Cable, DSL, AirCard, 802.11 or Satellite as long as you have a minimum 128k upload speed.

One last comment on things technical.  A fixed IP address is not required to access the Observer camera via the Internet but much recommended.  If the IP address provided by your Internet Service Provider is dynamic (changing), then signing up for a dynamic DNS service will make accessing from the Internet much more convenient.

So the question is why should you set up Cyclops in your community?  Well, for starters, IMPROVED COMMUNITY RELATIONS!  You will be providing a much needed service for the citizens of your community.  Second, IMPROVED OFFICER SAFETY!  Remember our earlier comment about knowing who is inside and armed with what type of weapons?  That is important!  Third, COST SAVINGS!  By using the Observer camera in conjunction with a DataLux terminal or laptop PC, you can eliminate the cost of an expensive to purchase and maintain in-car camera. 

Want to know more?  Visit http://68.17.186.225 for a live view of our office.  Then give us a call locally at 205.854.2611 or 1.800.489.2611 nationwide for more information.  We can show you easily you can set up the Cyclops program in your community!