OPTEX

The recent theft of luxury wines from Spanish restaurant, Atrio, highlighted one of the greatest difficulties when it comes to security in the entertainment sector. From museums and art galleries to wineries, hotels, and restaurants, protecting against theft, vandalism and unauthorised handling of goods is a continuous challenge in the tourism industry. Despite the wide variety of issues, there is a key differentiating element, which is that these are places open to the public, where security must coexist with daily business operation and must not deteriorate the visitor experience. Perfect security solution This is a key aspect to consider when designing an effective security strategy, with 2D LiDAR sensors positioned as the perfect security solution. Laser detectors based on LiDAR technology (Laser Imaging, Detection and Ranging) allow users to protect goods very discreetly on display by detecting hands or objects that come too close to them. Laser detectors based on LiDAR technology allow users to protect goods very discreetly The sensor creates an invisible virtual wall or curtain that protects the cabinets or shelves where the items are on display, precisely excluding other areas, thus avoiding the effect on the user experience. Because of their smart and versatile detection, LiDAR sensors are successfully used in a wide variety of applications. Security in warehouses, bars, and restaurants Bars and restaurants often offer diners a selection of fine wines and spirits. Wineries and cellars have also become a tourist attraction, and an important part of the experience is usually to visit areas where high-value products are stored. In these confined spaces, the precise detection of LiDAR technology can alert if a bottle or item is removed from the shelf. For example, in the case of The Londoner luxury hotel in the UK, its six bars and restaurant areas have REDSCAN LiDARs installed to protect their expensive beverages on display. The laser sensor creates an invisible wall and continually scans the detection area; the size of the detection zone can be configured for objects as small as 2.5 cm, so that if any hand or object were to enter the detection area, the alarm would trigger, alerting staff by activating cameras or sound alerts. The precise detection of LiDAR technology can alert if a bottle or item is removed from the shelf Protection in art spaces At the same time, LiDAR allows users to create separate zones within the detection area and link them to arming and disarming alarm systems, or access control credentials to not obstruct day-to-day work. Similarly, in museums, galleries, and art exhibitions, 2D LiDARs are used to create a virtual ‘shield’ that allows customers and visitors to enjoy works of art while protecting them, activating alerts with extreme precision only when someone or something approaches the protected art. Whether intentionally or not, paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of art face a series of threats—it could be a curious hand, a child playing or a real theft attempt. This can occur during opening hours or while the business is closed, but in all cases losses due to stolen or damaged art can be very significant; therefore, adequate protection is required. Complete wall protection LiDARs allow different settings to protect the same space to adapt to security needs Some artistic goods can be protected in a display cabinet, but, in most cases, art is exhibited without any physical protection. So that visitors may connect with the art, it’s important that security should not get in the way nevertheless threats must be identified quickly and accurately and security personnel must be alerted. LiDARs allow different settings to protect the same space to adapt to security needs depending on opening and closing times. For example, only valuables can be protected during opening hours, and complete wall protection can be set up when the exhibition is closed. It’s important that security should not get in the way nevertheless threats must be identified quickly Security at festivals and seasonal events The organisation of festivals requires mobilising large electronic and AV equipment, instruments, costumes, props, and more. The short-term nature of these events can be a significant vulnerability when it comes to protecting all these high-value goods and, to some extent, limits security options. The solution must be quick to implement and not require an existing structure or fixed wiring. The LiDAR sensor can create a virtual wall that alerts if someone enters the warehouse area A LiDAR with a built-in camera, such as the new REDSCAN Pro model, allows the creation of a security system in these environments, offering extremely precise and ultra-fast detection to initiate security events, together with a camera for video verification of alarms and event recording. Mounted on a retractable pole and easy to install and transport, the LiDAR sensor can create a virtual wall that alerts if someone enters the warehouse area or parking areas, where equipment is usually stored. Accurate detection technology In addition, the LiDAR wall can alert if someone or something enters hazardous areas, such as fuel tanks or electrical generators, immediately alerting someone to their approach to these areas and setting off a sound warning or informing the security team. With the use of smart, versatile, and accurate detection technology, security goes from being a reactive process to a proactive, much more agile, and effective security system. LiDARs offer the precision and reliability that high-value goods need, in addition to being aesthetically discreet, both because of the type of protection they offer (a very thin invisible laser curtain) and because the cover can be customised to adapt them to the environment where they are going to be installed.

One of the key problems in airport security is the sheer size of the perimeter and a large number of incidents are in fact linked to unauthorised access onto the airfield, either runways or where aircrafts are being loaded or refuelled posing an extremely high risk. Most airports will combine multiple sensors and technologies to protect the actual perimeter fence and even beyond the perimeter fence, to warn of potential threats. OPTEX LiDAR sensor integration with RSA module Some airports have found the level of information generated by the perimeter security systems quite challenging to deal with and they wanted to decrease the number of events so operators could focus on what was critical. The Airport development team at Genetec integrated the OPTEX LiDAR sensor into their Restricted Security Area (RSA) Surveillance module, an extension of the Genetec Security Center platform with the purpose to unify data from the sensor and camera to present more meaningful information to the operators.  Restricted Security Area Surveillance module The RSA module has been designed specifically with a view to providing wide area protection The RSA module has been designed specifically with a view to providing wide area protection and integrating with wide area surveillance technology, including radar, fibre optic and laser detection devices. The solution allows security staff to determine the level of threat for each area, map them, and utilise OPTEX technologies to identify and locate quickly and precisely the point of intrusion. For instance, with Fibre optic fence sensor, zones can be 100m-200m long and will identify people cutting through a fence, crawling under or climbing over. Newer fibre technologies provide point location. Another way to pin-point exact intruder location is with OPTEX LiDAR technologies or with Radar. ‘Fuse’ data into a single event A particularly intelligent feature of the system is its ability to ‘fuse’ data (known as ‘target fusion’) coming from multiple sources and confirm an event as a single (i.e. the same) activity rather than a multiple threat. For instance, using the X&Y coordinates provided by OPTEX REDSCAN sensors, RSA allows to map exactly the path of the intruders or moving vehicles, fuses the path from one camera to the other and considers it as one event, one target and tracks it precisely on the map. Intelligent tracking and event categorisation This gives a more meaningful picture to the operator and presents events in a unified and intelligent way. This helps support the security team in making the right decisions. The deeper integration of OPTEX’s technologies into Genetec’s RSA platform enables intelligent tracking and event categorisation, making it a very precise security system for airports.

Pioneering global sensor manufacturer OPTEX will be exhibiting at the International Security Expo (ISE) to showcase the advanced capabilities of its range of intrusion detection solutions. For the high-security environments, including critical infrastructure, logistics centres, banks, museums, luxury residential properties and more, OPTEX will be providing a series of live demonstrations of its award-winning REDSCAN LiDAR sensors throughout the show. REDSCAN sensors REDSCAN sensors enhance environmental resistance to provide avant detection in all conditions Extremely reliable and accurate, as well as versatile, the sensors can be mounted horizontally to create virtual laser planes to protect roofs and ceilings or vertically to protect facades, narrow spaces or corridors and high-value assets.  REDSCAN sensors also feature enhanced environmental resistance to provide advanced detection in all environments, even in extreme weather, operating from −40 to +60 degrees, and even in complete darkness. REDSCAN mini-Pro Various models from the REDSCAN range, providing short and long-range detection will be showcased live on stand, including the latest addition to the series, REDSCAN mini-Pro, which provides an extra layer of security intelligence with a built-in FHD camera with infrared LED for ultra-fast visual verification of what has triggered an alarm. For critical sites with large perimeters, such as airports, military sites, mines, solar farms and electricity substations, OPTEX will demonstrate its latest evolution in fibre optic sensing solutions, EchoPoint Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS). Intelligent detection algorithms Sensors utilise intelligent detection algorithms to provide point detection of ±6 m in a range of up to 100 km The sensors utilise intelligent detection algorithms to provide point detection of ±6 m in a range of up to 100 km, with the ability to be mounted and operated across multiple applications – installed on fences above ground, buried or in a hybrid layout.    Ben Linklater, Commercial Director at OPTEX, says the International Security Expo provides the ideal platform to showcase OPTEX’s pioneering sensing and detection solutions and connect with the global security market: “ISE is rightly recognised as one of the standout events in the global security calendar that brings the industry together to showcase the latest innovations and advancements in technologies and solutions. We are looking forward to connecting with partners, colleagues and customers alike to showcase our broad range of advanced and pioneering intrusion detection solutions that can be combined to create a unified and multi-layered security system.” New and existing security technologies OPTEX will also use ISE 2024 to showcase the Olarm MAX, a smart communicator, which has recently been launched in the UK. Coming at a time when the old Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) is being phased out, and users will be obliged to switch to a digital communicator, Olarm MAX provides a simple upgrade solution that is easy to install and enables new and existing security technologies to be managed conveniently and remotely via the Olarm app with a level of user experience second to none.  ISE 2024 has a long-standing reputation as the go-to event for those working at the highest levels of global security, and will take place 24th-25th September at Olympia Events in London and visitors can find OPTEX’s booth at Stand C41.