We designed and implemented customized, browser-based,
picture-audit and video monitoring applications,
allowing Program staff to covertly monitor emission
inspection activity in real-time, without having
to be proximal to the emission station.
The live video monitoring function allows monitoring
of the test area in any testing facility, on a real
time basis, via a video stream passed through the
standard communication network. Live video monitoring
is done on a by-request basis. Our application facilitates
a video monitoring request from connection and authentication,
to the actual viewing event.
To provide live video monitoring, the Video Monitoring
Application includes a Video Control Center. This
control center is an interface allowing the auditor
to submit a request to view a specific facility.
The control center interface provides search functions
and status reporting functionality, to assist the
auditor in selecting a facility for viewing. For
example, an auditor can search by facility ID or
name for a specific facility to select for viewing.
Also, an auditor can view station status to see
if a station is online and therefore available for
a video request. When selecting a facility for viewing,
the auditor can set viewing parameters specific
to that facility. The setting selections include
length of time for viewing, the camera to view from,
and the polling frequency (the frequency in minutes
at which the facility shall check for future video
requests).
The video picture auditing function will allow
post-test auditing by station, vehicle, etc. To
support this auditing method, the analyzer records,
stores, and transmits to the central database low
resolution digital images during each test performed.
The server receives and stores the images, and retrieves
them for viewing. Picture auditing has proven quite
effective in catching fraudulent activity. For example,
an auditor may want to keep an eye open for the
following situations:
The vehicle pictured does not match the vehicle
description stored in the test record
The vehicle pictured in a retest does not look
like the same vehicle pictured during the initial
test
A station has conducted tests on a vehicle that
looks the same but is recorded as multiple vehicles
over multiple tests
