Shopping street safety using all-in-one-type security cameras

In this paper, we review an “all-in-one-type” stand-alone security camera that is developed for the e-JIKEI Network, which is a network that is designed to allow residents to view their surroundings remotely using an all-in-one-type security camera (1, 2). We developed an all-in-one device called the ‘‘e-JIKEI Camera’’ (3) . However, the ‘‘e-JIKEI Camera’’ was too expensive to be installed in individual homes. Therefore, in this study, we develop a relatively inexpensive “all-in-one-type” security camera. A social experiment with the e-JIKEI Network is carried out using all-in-one-type security cameras. The network is designed to monitor safety in street-shopping areas. We also propose a guideline for security camera operations in order to protect the privacy of ordinary citizens. According to this guideline, the owner of the camera cannot see an image, unless there is a crime or an accident.


Introduction
Many security camera systems have been installed recently by national and local governments in countries such as the UK and the USA.If a considerable number of security cameras are installed so that there are no dead angles on any road within a certain area, then every criminal who uses those roads can be traced and captured.
Therefore, we propose a new concept called the ''e-JIKEI Network'' that helps communities to monitor their surroundings with inexpensive security cameras and hence prevent crimes.The idea behind the e-JIKEI Network is to allow residents to view their surroundings remotely using an all-in-one-type security camera.
A security camera with clear image quality is required at all times.However, the system and the security camera can be very expensive.Therefore, many people do not install security cameras in their homes because of the high costs of doing so.In other words, the introductory expense is a high hurdle for ordinary citizens that are considering the possibility of introducing a camera security system.
As a result, we started developing an inexpensive security camera that can be easily implemented by ordinary citizens.We started a joint research venture with another company and succeeded in developing an (JV-eJK-101a).The all-in-one-type security camera is inexpensive because there are no complicated functions.It may be possible to solve the issue of the high introductory cost of security cameras with this all-in-one-type security camera.

Details of the all-in-one-type security camera
During development, we decided to add improvement to inexpensive models that were already available in the  market.
We sought a camera that fulfills the following specifications.
(a) Recording memory and camera are integrated.
(b) Wiring to other apparatus is unnecessary.
(c) The camera can be powered by standard electrical wiring.(d) Pictures can be taken at night.Cameras that fulfilled these conditions were ordered and tested for one week.The camera was selected based on the results from the operational tests.In order to realize the concept of the e-JIKEI Network, we made modifications to improve drip-proof capabilities of the camera, improved the mechanical operations of the camera, and improved the operational stability.The result was the successful development of an all-in-one-type security camera.This all-in-one-type security camera has a minimum set of functions that do not include privacy protection functions.
The price of the cameras was kept low by keeping the functionality simple.Therefore, it is necessary to devise a set of guidelines for the protection of privacy rights when recording public space.We proposed two methods, a physical method by which a camera is installed at a height such that it is beyond the reach of pedestrians, and an ethical method that is based on certain rules.This all-in-one-type security camera (JV-eJK-101a) includes the following features: (a) The built-in MicroSD card for storing images.(Max, 32GB.Recommended, 2GB.)(b) An animation and voice recording (10 seconds) mode, and overwrite mode that allows a 2GB memory card to be overwritten up to 500 times.. (c) Recording capability using an LED sensor light.(d) Operation requires only a power supply of AC100V.(e) After power failures, the camera resumes operations automatically once the power is restored.(f) (f) It has simple drip-proof protection.It can be installed under the eaves where it is not exposed directly to rain.(g) Images are not encrypted.They are saved in typical file format.

Social experiment
A social experiment with 20 all-in-one-type security cameras has been underway in a street-shopping area in Kiryu city in Japan since February 10, 2012.The security cameras were installed under the arcade along the main street, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 5 shows the locations of the 20 all-in-one-type security cameras.
During this experiment, we used a security camera with no privacy protection functionality.Hence, the owner of the camera could easily access the images.Therefore, in order to protect the privacy of ordinary citizens, we established guidelines for operating the security camera system.
We reorganized and used a section of the guidelines for security cameras that were enacted in the Gunma Prefecture in Japan.These guideline defined the duties regarding confidentiality, management of the images from the security cameras, restrictions on transmittals of the images, and the prevention of unjust infringements on others' rights.The owner of the camera cannot see the images from a security camera, unless there is a crime or an accident.These guidelines are put in place so that residents will accept the cameras without resistance.Moreover, the   We performed opinion surveys about the security cameras on 3 occasions: one at the beginning of the social experiment, one at six months after the start of the social experiment, and another at one year after the start of the social experiment.The targets of the questionnaires were the residents of Honcho and Suehiro in Kiryu, Japan, which is also the location of the social experiment.In this (a) About the effect of a security camera.
(b) About privacy protection.Fig. 6.The result of questionnaires.questionnaire, we inquired about residents' opinions about the security cameras and tried to determine whether employment method would be acceptable to the residents.Fig. 6-(a) shows the results for the question about the effects of a security cameras and the question about privacy protection.
After the start of the experiment, no cases of vandalism were detected in areas where the cameras were installed, even though such cases had been previously reported in those same areas.Additionally, issues with loitering in the middle of the night were also eliminated in areas where the cameras were installed.Fig. 6 shows that many of residents thought that the new camera security system was effective for monitoring safety in the street-shopping area.During the experiment, many residents expressed their opinion that the security cameras were very effective in improving the safety of such areas.
There were no complaints about invasions of privacy during the social experiment.Fig. 6-(b) shows that many of residents thought that privacy was protected by the guidelines.It is possible to use guidelines to protect privacy even with inexpensive security cameras that have no privacy protection functionality built in.The residents provided the following opinions about the installed system: (a) It seemed to be very effective for improving the safety of the community.(b) It seemed to be very effective for preventing privacy violations.(c) There were no complaints about the guidelines for security camera operations (d) The number of cameras was very small.(e) However, there were complaints about the functions of the cameras.

New all-in-one-type security camera
During the social experiment, we discovered areas of dissatisfaction and points for improvements in the system.Therefore, we worked with our partner company in order to improve the all-in-one-type security camera.
The following problems were found during the social experiment: (a) The recorded images were not clear.(b) The light was not bright enough.(c) The waterproofing was not robust enough.(d) It was not easy to check the cameras to see if they were operating correctly.The resolution of the image from old (JV-eJK-101a) model was 640 x 480.The recorded pictures were blurry and the range of effectiveness was limited.As a result, there was one case where it was difficult to identify the person in an image.Additionally, t was not possible to obtain clear images at night because the LED light was not bright enough.Furthermore, the camera (JV-eJK-101a) was drip-proof, not waterproof.Hence, it was necessary to install the cameras in locations where they were not affected by rain, such as under the arcades.
Based on the results, we developed a new (JV-eJK-102a) camera.In the new (JV-eJK-102a) security camera, the resolution was changed from 640 x 480 to 1280 x 720.The higher resolution makes it possible to record clear pictures.The LED was changed to a higher-intensity type.An LED indicator was added in order to make it possible to check on the camera to see if it is operating.This indicator makes it easy ensure that the camera is operating correctly.We added additional waterproofing so that the camera can be installed in more locations.A video output connector was also added.It is possible to adjust the angle of view of the camera simply by connecting the monitor to the video output connector.

Discussion
The social experiment with the security cameras in a street-shopping area showed that the cameras can have a deterrent effect on criminals.If high a number of security cameras are installed over a large area, the crime rate will decrease.This approach will be even more effective if cameras are installed on every street.Moreover, it will be easy to identify criminals after a crime has been committed.Thus, a street-shopping area will become a safer place for both store owners, and shoppers.One of the most important barriers to the wide use of security cameras is a cost of installing security cameras.All-in-one-type security cameras can solve this problem by holding down costs.As security cameras become more economical, they will become more common in street-shopping areas.
Moreover, one of the issues associated with inexpensive security cameras is the issue of privacy protection.During this experiment, we found that guidelines can be used to protect privacy even when privacy protection functions are not integrated into the cameras.The security cameras will be accepted more readily by local residents if they are used in accordance with the guidelines.It is possible to lower the costs of the security cameras by leaving out unneeded functions, such as image encryption, that require complex software.The installation of security cameras will become more common as the cameras become less expensive.
If our model for security camera systems is accepted by society, then a considerable number of cameras will be introduced in communities throughout the country and the world.Then, every street will be monitored by numerous cameras and photographs of suspects will be provided to the police when a crime occurs in a community.

Conclusions
Our objective is the realization of safe communities through the use of security cameras.We hope to deter criminals and facilitate criminal identification by installing many security cameras in a town.We developed an inexpensive all-in-one-type security camera.We believe that such all-in-one-type security cameras have great potential for widespread use.Furthermore, we have considered the issue of privacy rights.Privacy can be protected by enacting a guideline, even in cases where privacy protection functions are not integrated into the cameras.It is our goal to balance surveillance and the protection of privacy.
As security cameras become more capable and are installed in a wider range of settings, communities will become more secure and safe.

Fig. 5 .
Fig. 5. Locations of all-in-one type security camera.