| Lightfinder Technology helps to capture detailed images at night in colour without additional lighting |
Axis Communications AB of Sweden won in the Physical Security category for its Lightfinder technology, which makes it possible for digital cameras to capture detailed images at night—in colour—without additional lighting.
Analogue security cameras, by contrast, capture only black-and-white images, which are less useful for identifying culprits.
The surveillance industry is divided between new digital video technologies and older analogue closed-circuit television systems. Digital has a lot of advantages. Its images are higher quality and its signals can be sent over computer networks and viewed from just about anywhere. Analogue has retained one big edge, though: It works better in low-light conditions.
The new digital cameras from Axis, which introduced the first network-enabled video surveillance camera in 1996, combines Axis-developed video chips, exceptionally sensitive light sensors, and software that makes images clearer. The company began delivering cameras equipped with the technology late last year.
"I felt they put together a few different ideas to put more intelligence into how the camera works," says William Webb, chief technology officer of Neul Ltd. and an Innovation Awards judge. "That did stand out for me."