Do You Turn Your Head When You Hear A Loud Noise?

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Do you turn your head when you hear a car crash? Probably yes, because this is an instinctive reaction. It is a useful human attitude that lets people flee from dangers if only alerted in time. Good souls would rush to help, if they can. Other ones, less good, will snap a few photos maybe, and go away not to become involved.

Alertness is true also for animals, always ready even when at sleep, to fight or flee if in danger. And for mothers too, who are always tuned to their children voices or silences.

What about a listening machine, for making sense of what is said? Maybe the police, only in non democratic countries we should hope, uses computers to spy on phone conversations, to put its hands on seditious elements? That may be possible, who knows?

But we read on future cars that will be so wise to brake and stop on their own, before a collision becomes inevitable. This would be a worthy lifesaving improvement. Unfortunately, for the time being, we can only dream of such a happy outcome.

In fact much activity did already take place in the field of screening noises, although in a different context. The potential for helpful use of results, obtained by analyzing audible sounds, did not go unnoticed. Clever minds thought that picking up signals of distress would give a mighty push to surveillance and security electronic solutions.

They started by asking questions. What if one could determine the type of the most common noises heard at all times in public places? What if one could deduce the origins of those noises? What if one could extract the meaning of such occurrences? Could one be forewarned in time? Could an alarm be launched once such a danger is perceived?

It took much time and effort for developing ways to process the signals and extract meaningful information. Useful results were not easy to come by. But when they arrived, without much fanfare, a new branch of applied knowledge was born, and was given the obvious name of Audio Analytics.

Today a few companies offer methods capable to collect and screen noises, and to trigger alarms of different kinds, if dangerous signals are detected. Available and ready for use, these solutions are based on voices and sounds heard by the simplest microphones embedded in almost all new IP-cameras. Those cameras that are directly connected to the Internet without a dedicated computer.

The software that makes these wonders is stored somewhere in the system, always ready to analyze the signals and to raise a flag when needed. And the output is seamlessly integrated with Video Management Systems that monitor live a large number of cameras and alarms.

Successful applications are reported to have saved many risky situations from slipping out of control. Additional uses are explored and tested in different plights, typically for obtaining advance notice of aggressive behavior before it develops into dangerous fighting.

Ideally, with suitable infrastructure, one should have rapid intervention personnel ready to come to rescue as signs of distress are heard. The place could be a school, a hospital, a residence, a business, a factory or any other gathering of people, for that matter.

Of course there are still problems, because a computer cannot match the human brain. A computer can provide a welcome help, but only human supervision can reduce incorrect interpretations. Providers should resist unreal expectations from customers, to avoid later disappointments.

Installers too are not yet completely familiar with devices and applications. Anyhow working solutions already exist and significant progress is anticipated for the near future.

This means that those interested in home and business surveillance solutions should be aware that Audio Analytics with enhanced capabilities is available. Can this be useful in specific applications? That is another question.

Elia E. Levi is a retired engineer with vast experience in a wide range of fields. Upon retirement from over 40 years of serving in manufacturing industries, he started a new activity using the Internet as a means to reach large audiences, to spread knowledge and know how.
As a curious person he has investigated the subject of Home Surveillance and Security, suggesting do-it-yourself solutions to interested readers. To read more on the subject of this article click on Audio Analytics.