Larry Bowe

PureTech Systems Inc, is pleased to announce that deployment of its PureActiv wide area intrusion detection software system has been successfully completed at multiple Power Generation Sites in the U.S.. PureActiv integrates PureTech’s geospatial AI video analytics and other sensor technologies into a seamless Common Operating Picture. Additional site deployments are planned this year under an additional contract award. For security reasons, the client cannot be disclosed. "These deployments demonstrate that our patented perimeter intrusion detection software solution can be successfully deployed on a large scale in a very short time frame" stated Larry Bowe, President of PureTech Systems. "It speaks to the 15 years of investment we have made, not only in market-leading intrusion detection and classification, but also in ease of deployment and use."

PureTech Systems announced delivery of several mobile versions of its PureActiv wide area video surveillance software suite, including its patented geospatial video analytics, to the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as part of the Mobile Video Surveillance Systems (MVSS) program. The MVSS program, won by Tactical Micro of Fredericksburg VA, a division of Benchmark Electronics, consists of a complete mobile surveillance platform to aid the U.S. Border Patrol track and identify Items of Interest (IOI) along the U.S. southwest border. The MVSS includes an all-terrain pickup with a surveillance sensor payload mounted on a pneumatic mast system The MVSS includes an all-terrain pickup with a surveillance sensor payload mounted on a pneumatic mast system which can raise the sensors up to a height of 30 feet. The mobile vehicle sensor payload includes a thermal camera, visible camera, long-range illuminator, laser range finder, cab mounted command and control, as well as, other power management and deployment capabilities. Within the MVSS, PureTech Systems software provides the command and control (C2), as well as, the long-range camera pointing and video analytics. Mobile Video Surveillance Systems The objective of the MVSS is to provide a rapid deployment short- and medium-range mobile surveillance directly from Border Patrol vehicles. An agent can deploy the system, which can then aid in detecting, tracking, identifying and classifying items of interest using the video feed and on-board software. The agent/operator can then use that information to monitor the situation, respond to events, or share the information to assist other agents. “PureTech Systems strives to create highly dependable, tactically superior solutions to help our customers readily address critical surveillance needs,” commented Larry Bowe, president and CEO of PureTech Systems.  “We’re proud to be a team player on another program delivering industry leading video solutions to customers, such as the Customs and Border Protection.” Electronic border protection strategy MVSS is a part of a larger electronic border protection strategy which includes both mobile and fixed platformsMVSS is a part of a larger electronic border protection strategy which includes both mobile and fixed platforms including the Integrated Fixed Tower System (IFT) and the Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS). In addition to the MVSS, PureTech Systems also provides its PureActiv software suite for the RVSS program and other customers on similar fixed and mobile platforms, which includes radar integration and wireless connectivity to enable monitoring and controlling both fixed and mobile sensor suites from a central command. The MVSS program was awarded as a 5-year indefinite period contract, extending into 2021. The systems are scheduled for mobile use in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas as well as several potential Northern border locations.

PureTech Systems today announced its first entry into the security imager market, the VisionViewTM 180 camera.  The next-generation outdoor security camera combines three EO CCTV imagers and three thermal imagers into a single ruggedised housing, providing 180-degree coverage for both day and night operation. Key features of the VisionView 180 camera include: Multiple thermal sensors – Provides the ability to deliver wide-area monitoring in unfavourable lighting or weather conditions and at night High-definition optical cameras – 1080p resolution to realize accurate visual identification of intruders. Horizon Alignment - Ability to adjust side cameras to ensure a continuous horizon when installed at various heights. Single Ruggedised Housing – IP67, temperature rated housing for harsh environment installation. Power over Ethernet – POE connections allow ease of installation "The VisionView 180 represents a significant step in PureTech Systems’ journey as an intelligent video technology leader in the surveillance and safety markets," explains Larry Bowe, PureTech Systems President/CEO. "For well over a decade we have worked with the best cameras in the industry, specifying them in critical infrastructure protection designs.  By applying our patented video analytics algorithms to these camera images, we transform the combination into powerful detection and tracking sensors. The VisionView 180 camera leverages years of imaging technology experience to enable us to offer a unique camera that provides continuous day and night detection coverage over a 180-degree field of view."

PureTech Systems announces the release of the newest version of its patented PureActiv geospatial video management and video analytics software. PureActiv 14 adds a deep learning video analytics module, a dashboard for monitoring the health condition of the system and connected peripherals, increased location based intelligence and an improved alarm work flow. The release also contains a wealth of feature improvements, bugs fixes and 3rd party sensor integrations. PureActiv 14 key features Key features of the PureActiv 14 release include: Map-Based Threat Assessment – The PureActiv map-based GUI provides a user interface with a high level of situational awareness. The newly added map-based threat assessment feature correlates track data from multiple sensors (video analytics, radar, buried acoustic) and analyses the data based on various geolocation aspects, including location, track, speed, and object type in order to better assess the target, minimise false alarms and declutter the real-time display of tracks on the GIS map. Deep Learning – The use of neural network software to evaluate scenes has proven effective for many types of video analytics scenarios. PureActiv 14 now includes a deep learning capability, which can be applied to recognise specific objects in the video scene to enhance object classification, decrease nuisance conditions, and improve detection accuracy. Health Monitoring Dashboard – PureActiv communicates with all connected surveillance system components such as cameras, radars, and fence sensors. The new health monitoring dashboard included in the latest software release provides a health summary of all of the connected surveillance system components. The dashboard indicates the current health of monitored software, hardware, sensors and inter-component communications using red, yellow, and green indicators. These status alerts can then be used to quickly identify hard-to-find system problems and rapidly address the root cause of failures. Alarm Work Flow – Many institutions use multiple locations and a team of security professionals to monitor and react to security events. For these installations, PureActiv 14 adds supervisory capability to alarm workflows, whereby alarms can be assigned to specific users, reassigned, and sorted by user, type, or severity. Alarms that are not addressed in a pre-defined period are automatically flagged, so they may be reassigned. The new capability also includes a supervisory review function for alarms and assignments. Continued Integrations – As with all PureActiv releases, a wide range of 3rd party integrations have been added including camera integrations from Silent Sentinel, Hikvision, KT&S Innovative and PVP Advanced Electro-Optical systems, integration with SRC Inc and SpotterRF radars, US Towers integration for mobile deployment, OptaSense Fibre Optic Perimeter Intrusion Detection System and gunshot detection systems from Safety Dynamics and the SST ShotSpotter. “Our underlying mission is innovation of geospatial video technology to help our customers ensure a secure and safe environment,” explains Larry Bowe, President and CEO of PureTech Systems. “In this release, we’ve added several new capabilities that will add considerable value, including the health monitoring dashboard to aid our installers during installation and system support and the deep learning module, which can be used to improve detection/classification accuracy and handle more sophisticated use cases.”

(Click here for larger image)  An important component of the RVSS system is PureTech Systems’ Geospatial Video Management System The recent designation by the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) granted “Full Operating Capability” of General Dynamics’ Remote Video Surveillance Systems (RVSS) deployed for protection across the southern border of the United States. An important component of the RVSS system is PureTech Systems’ Geospatial Video Management System for Command and Control and the PureActiv patented video analytics used for real-time automated long range detection, classification, and tracking in support of CBP’s mission along the U.S southern border. “Achieving this approval is a great accomplishment and we’re honoured to be an instrumental part of the solution that is helping the great men and women of Customs and Border Protection protect our nation’s borders,” commented Larry Bowe, president and CEO of PureTech Systems. “Reaching this milestone was truly a team effort with all those involved.” General Dynamics RVSS upgrade contract General Dynamics, was awarded the contract to upgrade the RVSS capability along the southern U.S. border in July of 2013 with field deployments, including the PureActiv system, beginning in 2015. The RVSS system consists of a series of elevated towers and structures equipped with advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors enabled with video intelligence and advanced sensor control developed by PureTech Systems to provide persistent ground surveillance to border patrol agents. In their release, General Dynamics Information Technology’s IT Services and Solutions sector vice president and general manager, Dan Busby, quoted that, “Reaching a full operating capability designation is a testament to both the effectiveness of the RVSS solution and our continued partnership with CBP. The RVSS upgrade will continue to provide CBP and U.S. law enforcement personnel with the advanced technology necessary to secure our nation's borders and increase agent safety through enhanced situational awareness." Efficient and effective border security Also, quoted in the release was Ronald D. Vitiello, Chief of CBP's U.S. Border Patrol, who said "The deployment of the Remote Video Surveillance System is important to the safety of our agents and to our mission. Successful partnerships like the one we have with the General Dynamics team, are necessary to efficiently and effectively secure the border." The recent “Full Operating Capability” milestone was the culmination of two years of deployment and field testing at key locations across the southwest, including the Arizona sites of Nogales, Douglas, Naco and Ajo, as well as, the McAllen and Laredo locations in Texas. The RVSS Upgrade program has a potential 10-year performance period, during which the General Dynamics OneSource team, will manage the operation and maintenance at all sites.

Patent addresses video detection for long fall safety at cruise lines, military, oil platforms, and bridges Man overboard events continue to be a safety concern for cruise lines and their passengers. Recent action by the cruise industry and current legislation calls for systems that can accurately detect and communicate these types of events to aid in the safety of passengers. The latest patent issued to PureTech Systems by the United States Patent Office - US Patent No 9,569,671, ‘System And Method For Man Overboard Incident Detection’, furthers the company’s development of geospatial video analytics to address this safety issue. Accurate detection The new technology claimed in the patent is aimed at two specific needs of the end-user, accurate detection and low false alarm rates. Specifically, the patent protects the use of opposing videos sources monitoring the same zone and utilising the paired video data along with world coordinate data, to more accurately detect a person falling. The patent also addresses the use of fall characteristics—object size, location, time, speed, acceleration, and trajectory—to accurately classify a fall event while suppressing non-fall situations that could otherwise create a false alarm. Additional claims include the act of a person climbing up a structure, which would then create an alarm for a potential piracy or intrusion event. PureActiv geospatial video management system The complete system includes a full alarm database and video playback capability “Our company continues to develop novel computer vision algorithms to address real-world problems,” explains Larry Bowe, President and CEO of PureTech Systems. “This particular patent is the first that specifically addresses the use of video analytics for a safety application,” furthers Bowe. “We will continue to innovate and expand our intelligent video offerings to meet market needs in security, safety, and business intelligence.” The technology protected via the patent is combined with the PureActiv geospatial video management system and user interface, designed specifically to provide the ship’s crew with real time situational awareness to facilitate immediate dispatch of search and rescue assets in the event of a man overboard event. This is achieved through geolocation of the man overboard alarm, instant access to detection images, looping videos of the event, as well as audio notification. The complete system includes a full alarm database and video playback capability. Further to addressing man overboard events in the cruise line market, the technology is directly applicable to the broader safety category of long fall events, which are a safety concern to bridges, oil platforms, ferry operators, commercial shipping, as well as, the military. The new technology is fully integrated into the PureActiv geospatial video management system, developed by PureTech Systems, which is deployed in the United States and internationally.

PureTech Systems’ new calibration provides intelligent video on mobile platforms within minutes after deployment PureTech Systems has announced its latest software release focused on rapid deployment. The new capability provides advanced video detection and autonomous sensor control for mobile platforms or vehicles with a total setup time of just a few minutes. The result enables mobile surveillance platforms to be moved rapidly between observation positions, and once there, be quickly enabled for automated video detection and sensor operation. Rapid intelligent deployment The key to rapidly deploying intelligent video capability lies in understanding the vehicle’s position in 3-space. 3-Space refers to the platform’s heading, roll, and pitch, which can vary extensively based on the vehicle’s operating environment and final observation location. This understanding is facilitated through several specific sensor integrations, including GPS and Attitude Heading Reference Systems (AHRS). This results in a rapid camera calibration process, which in turn allows for critical autonomous video capability, such as, long range map-based camera control, target detection and classification via video analytics, slew to radar and scan to target. Mobile surveillance system “We see a growing demand for the use of intelligent video in non-stationary situations,” informs Larry Bowe, president at PureTech Systems. “One of the major markets for this type of technology is in the area of mobile surveillance. These customers want the ability to quickly deploy a video surveillance platform and then have it perform to the highest specification levels in terms of detection distance, accuracy and automation,” furthers Bowe. “No one sensor can easily provide that level of performance, especially in a rapid deployment scenario, but allowing several sensors to collaborate results in a high performing system that can quickly adjust to the physical location and attitude of the mobile platform.” Covering large surveillance areas PureTech Systems provides the intelligent video, video management system and sensors control and teams with key integrators and sensor partners to provide the complete mobile video surveillance solution. These mobile platforms are intended for use in border protection, military operations and for law enforcement organisations with large surveillance areas or the need to monitor temporary events. However, the rapid calibration capability extends into many adjacent markets desiring intelligent video where the video source is received from a non-stationary location. Save

The new calibration provides intelligent video on mobile platforms within minutes after deployment PureTech Systems announced its latest software release focused on rapid deployment. The new capability provides advanced video detection and autonomous sensor control for mobile platforms or vehicles with a total setup time of just a few minutes. The result enables mobile surveillance platforms to be moved rapidly between observation positions, and once there, be quickly enabled for automated video detection and sensor operation.Rapid camera calibration processThe key to rapidly deploying intelligent video capability lies in understanding the vehicle’s position in 3-space. 3-space refers to the platform’s heading, roll, and pitch, which can vary extensively based on the vehicle’s operating environment and final observation location. This understanding is facilitated through several specific sensor integrations, including GPS and Attitude Heading Reference Systems (AHRS). This results in a rapid camera calibration process, which in turn allows for critical autonomous video capability, such as, long range map-based camera control, target detection, and classification via video analytics, slew to radar and scan to target.Intelligent video in non-stationary situations “We see a growing demand for the use of intelligent video in non-stationary situations”, says Larry Bowe, president at PureTech Systems “We see a growing demand for the use of intelligent video in non-stationary situations,” informs Larry Bowe, president at PureTech Systems. “One of the major markets for this type of technology is in the area of mobile surveillance. These customers want the ability to quickly deploy a video surveillance platform and then have it perform to the highest specification levels in terms of detection distance, accuracy and automation,” furthers Bowe. “No one sensor can easily provide that level of performance, especially in a rapid deployment scenario, but allowing several sensors to collaborate results in a high performing system that can quickly adjust to the physical location and attitude of the mobile platform.”Security application areasPureTech Systems provides the intelligent video, video management system, and sensors control and teams with key integrators and sensor partners to provide the complete mobile video surveillance solution. These mobile platforms are intended for use in border protection, military operations, and for law enforcement organisations with large surveillance areas or the need to monitor temporary events. However, the rapid calibration capability extends into many adjacent markets desiring intelligent video where the video source is received from a non-stationary location.

The resulting system capability provides for enhanced COP, better detection probability and reduced false alarm rates PureTech Systems, an Arizona-based physical security software, specialising in video analytics, recently announced the completed integrations of several force protection sensors. The technical milestone adds to a growing list of long-range persistent surveillance capabilities to the PureActiv Wide Area Surveillance platform aimed at protecting borders and large perimeters. The resulting system capability provides for an enhanced common operating picture (COP), better detection probability (PD) and reduced false alarm rates (FAR).  Specific integrations announced include: Silent Sentinel Aeron Searcher thermal camera pan & tilt system SpotterRF NetworkedIO server series KT&C innovative high definition cameras OptaSense® fiber optic perimeter intrusion detection system Klein Marine Systems HarborGuard® radar SENSR CX1 structural response monitor SST ShotSpotter SiteSecureTM gunshot detection In addition to the display and management of a variety of security sensors and associated alarms on a single map-based user interface, the PureActiv integrations include ability to synthesise the new sensor data with other sensors already integrated within the PureActiv system. Collaborating this sensor data provides more accurate and robust situational information to the operator. The collaboration of data from force protection sensors “Force protection sensors, such as cameras, intelligent fences, ground sensors and radar, continue to evolve in their ability to detect potential targets, but each has scenarios or environments where detection may be less than optimal,” explains Larry Bowe, president at PureTech Systems. “The collaboration of data from various sensors via integrations, such as these just announced, overcomes these situations, resulting in higher detection rates and more importantly lower incidence of false alarms. This becomes increasingly important as the demand for very long persistent surveillance along country borders and large facilities pushes the detection limits of surveillance sensors.” The military and other high security facilities have long used this multi sensor layered protection approach, via a variety of sensor types, for highly accurate and robust perimeter protection. It is not until recently that this capability has been readily available to the broader security market as technology has improved and prices have become more affordable. This integration list represents only a small portion of sensors available for collaboration within the PureActiv platform. An entire list of integrated sensors and capabilities are available by contacting customer support representative.

Within video analytics, background modelling refers to ability to understand normal movement that may occur in a scene PureTech Systems, an Arizona-based geospatial video analytics company, recently announced the issuance of a patent by the United States Patent Office - US Patent No 9,292,743 “Background Modelling for Fixed, Mobile, And Step-And-Stare Video Camera”. More accurate target detection and reduction in false alarms Within the field of video analytics, “background modelling” refers to the ability to understand normal movement that may occur in a scene, such as vegetation movement, lighting changes, flowing water or even the passing of a subway train. Having a keen understanding of the changing background, allows for more accurate target detection, and more importantly, a reduction in false alarms. One significant claim of the new patent is that no assumption about the nature of the background is required. The software and/or installer does not need to concern themselves with the type of scene for which the algorithm will be utilised. More specifically, the pixel-based multimodal background model makes no assumption about the number of modes or functional forms of the underlying distributions while exploiting radiometric information along with gradient magnitude and orientation through one, or a host, of such models to adapt to backgrounds that change with multitude of periodicities over the same or different regions of the scene while remaining geospatial-aware. An additional, and perhaps more important, aspect of the patent is that it lends itself to deployment on PTZs, and video cameras mounted on mobile platforms including, ground vehicles (trucks, trains, AGVs-Automated Guided Vehicles), waterborne vessels and aerial platforms (including AGVs, aerostats). The act of steering a PTZ camera, or the movement of a vehicle or platform on which a camera is mounted, results in a constantly moving background, for which this patent applies. In the same manner as the patent provides claims for a fixed scene with a changing background, it also applies to background movement induced by changing the position of the camera. Development of new capability in video analytics “PureTech Systems continues to be a pioneer in the development of new capability in the field of video analytics,” notes Larry Bowe, President of PureTech Systems. “As the demand for intelligent video increases, so does the complexity of the scenes and the variety of methods and platforms used to collect video data,” furthers Bowe. “These new market demands require continued research and development; which PureTech Systems continues to pursue.” The patent, granted on March 22, 2016, has application across multiple markets, including perimeter security, defence, geo-intelligence/GEOINT applications, border, military, retail, transportation, manufacturing and consumer.

The newly awarded patent addresses PureTech Systems' technology growth in the area of utilising video analytics on pan-tilt-zoom cameras PureTech Systems an Arizona-based geospatial video analytics company, recently announced the issuance of a patent by the United States Patent Office - US Patent No 8,929,603 “Autonomous Lock-On Target Tracking with Geospatial-Aware PTZ Cameras.”  The newly awarded patent addresses PureTech Systems' technology growth in the area of utilising video analytics on pan-tilt-zoom cameras whether stationary or on a mobile platform. In the same manner video analytics is utilised on fixed cameras, when applied to a moving camera the software must determine what part of the image is inherent to the scene and what part constitutes the target of interest. This problem becomes somewhat more complicated when the target is moving, the camera is moving and there are potentially other objects in the scene. In comparison to tracking with fixed video cameras, autonomous lock-on-target tracking offers the advantage of extending the camera field of view without compromising resolution, by reorientation of the camera view. This patent protects PureTech System’s method for autonomously locking onto a target of interest and automatically keeping it centered in the camera’s field of view as both the target and camera move. The practical application of the patent provides for high automation, greater target detail and addresses operational needs in the protection of critical facilities, defense, border and homeland security. “The pan-tilt-zoom camera continues to be a very powerful assessment and response tool for security personnel,” explains Larry Bowe, president of PureTech Systems. “However, as human-monitored systems become larger and more complex the need for automating these sensors increases. For those reasons, we continue to develop video analytics technology related to cameras in motion, including the ability to automate that control,” adds Bowe. PureTech Systems specialises in video analytics algorithms and the use of geospatial solutions for security applications, as furthered through this issued patent. PureTech Systems continues to develop video detection and control algorithms for use in the security and adjacent markets.