PLAYMOBIL Capture Agent

At ETH Zurich, camera tracking is part of our PLAYMOBIL capture agent. It works as a live tracking system in that it follows the lecturer during the lecture without any post-processing. The system uses technology from the surveillance business in that movements in a defined area are being detected by one camera (i.e. the software behind it) and reported to another camera tracking the lecturer. This solution calls for a customized setting for each classroom, but it does not ask for the lecturer to wear any trackable object; it certainly has limitations when more than one person is present in the defined area.

Cameras

Our solution is based on a system from NIO Security Munich (contact Géri Engler at ETH Zurich for contact details) and is using a Panasonic "WV-CP280/G4" and "WV-LZA61 Vario Objektiv" camera for overview and a Sony
PTZ Cam (EVI D100) for tracking, using the VISCA protocol to communicate with the CloseView solution from NIO SEC.

Classroom

We have tried different position for the cameras in the lecture halls. It's important that the cameras are facing down to the lecturer so you can mask the students and the projection. Cameras have to be next to each other for the system to work properly. For large classrooms the Sony PTZ has problems because of the long distance to the lecturer and the light situation.

Demo

http://www.podcast.ethz.ch/channels/details?id=720