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Video Surveillance: Interactive IP Cameras

IP cameras, or webcams, are an internet phenomenon, and have become a ubiquitous element of web surfing for many in their short life spans. Webcams are digital, PC-powered cameras which connect to a computer and record passing images, broadcasting them over the internet. Incredibly versatile, IP cameras are used by individuals, businesses, classrooms, students, security officials, researchers, and businesses to broadcast their lives and information around the world. The first use of a webcam was in 1991, in the Trojan Room, a computer lab at the University of Cambridge. Students and professors in a computer lab trained an IP camera on the lab coffee pot, and broadcast the footage over the internet. This footage of the coffee pot allowed the students and professors to check and see if there was coffee available without having to leave their chairs. Since then, use of webcams has become widespread. IP cameras are used today by people all around the world for a wide host of different reasons.

Hotels and other attractions in popular tourist locations place IP cameras at popular destinations like beaches, ski resorts, amusement parks and restaurants to give potential tourists an idea of the environment and draw business in to their area. IP cameras at popular tourist destinations, historical sites, and far-fetched locales also provide a window to the world for many people who might never have the time to reach them. For example, it is rare that civilians and ordinary citizens get the privilege to travel to such remote locations like Antarctica. Researchers at the South Pole have set up several webcams to allow web browsers to observe their every day life – performing research, playing cards, eating, and bundling up in countless numbers of layers to brave the sub-zero temperatures and biting winds. Other cameras in more accessible places like Mount Rushmore, the Eiffel Tower and the Smithsonian museums allow those who are severely disabled and home-bound the chance to witness historical sites and other cultures. Many cameras also allow the user to control the camera from their computer at home, letting them tilt the lens, zoom in and out, and take screen shots of what they see. For some, IP cameras provide an educational glimpse to far-off and exotic places that was until very recently, limited to those who had the resources to travel extensively. Today, all you need is a computer and the internet and you can travel the world.

IP cameras are also a valuable observatory tool. Many cameras trained on mountains, roadways, rail crossings, beaches and busy streets allow officials to easily monitor weather patterns and traffic in a large number of locations with little effort. Alerts of foul weather and emergency situations can be easily handled and taken care of through the observation of webcams. Many states broadcast feeds of highways, busy roads, and popular ski routes online, which gives the citizen the power to preview traffic or snow conditions before setting out on a commute.

While many IP cameras and broadcasts of webcams over the internet satisfy the voyeuristic needs of some, some use webcams to satisfy their exhibitionist sides. The wide availability of webcams and the proliferation of the internet into every day life have brought people to broadcast their entire lives over IP camera. This phenomenon has people broadcasting their performances of everyday activities like eating, sleeping, brushing their teeth, doing homework, watching TV, and doing the dishes, with many fans and admirers. While many choose not to go to such extremes, the popularity of IP cameras has increased the amount of video chats, especially among families that are spread apart across the country. Videoconferencing has also been made a reality through the use of IP cameras, which helps businesses conduct affairs from offices around the country and around the world.

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