A self-configurable real-time video surveillance system with distributed IP-cameras

Everyday events demonstrate (if there is still a need for demo) the need for security. One cause is the occurrence of antisocial events which seem to be once again on the rise. Another cause (increasingly important) is represented by terrorist threats. As events in New York, London and Madrid have demonstrated, this threat is very much alive. Video surveillance is an alternative attempting to prevent the above events to happen (or reduce their chances). This paper presents a digital video surveillance system with distributed IP-cameras, describes the camera HTTP commands to set the parameters and provides and algorithm for automatic camera-configuration.