PC Based Video Detection

motion detectors

Go to: http://www.pysoft.com/

They have an app that should fit your need.

I have been using PYSoft for several years with no problems.

And yes, you can mark individual pixels in the image to capture movement (record), send an e-mail, or upload to an FTP site for each event.

You can download a trial version to experiment with.

The software can be used on the host or user end.

On a side thought, there are also IP surveillance cameras on the marked that are relatively inexpensive that have built in mini servers that have the motion detection capability.

What about digital trail camera's?

Here's one web site.

http://trailcameras.net/

I'm fairly certain that this guy does not have a packaged solution, and I don't know if he'd make his software available to you, but it appears to be something like what you're looking for. Watch the video.

IIRC, it might be his thesis, so maybe some part of his work is "in the public domain" or similar?? (IP issues tend to confuse me ;-)

---++ video tracking, face recognition
---++ object tracking algorithm learns on the fly

* [[http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/zdenek-kalals-object-tracking-algorithm-learns-on-the-fly-like/][Zdenek Kalal's object tracking algorithm learns on the fly, likely to make next 007 flick (video)]]--the video: [[http://www.youtube.com/embed/1GhNXHCQGsM]]

This one looks promising;

ZoneTrigger

About $50 for basic, $100 for pro, check out their website for details of both. Looks like they offer a free trial too, so you could try before you buy.

Here's another one, setup for Linux OS

ZoneMinder

If you google something like "webcam regions of interest" or "webcam zone monitoring", you should get some meaningful hits.

Hope that helps,

Tom D.

This software looks right up your street, does exactly what you were asking.

http://www.deskshare.com/wcm.aspx

'WebCam Monitor keeps watch over your home, office, or any location. It detects motion or noise, and triggers customizable Alerts that can record video and audio of the incident, notify you by e-mail or text message, or sound an audible alarm. It can also begin recording at pre-set intervals to maintain a record of events.'

Not too expensive either, although nothing should be too expensive to protect your extremely precious 2 year old. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Steve

I didn't know them, because I wasn't born, but, one of my cousins died by drowning in a garden pond. I don't think this is an area where going high tech. is really the answer: build a fence or cover the pond with a fine mesh grill which will hold up the child if they venture in.

I have a tall fence preventing child access. I also removed other potential climbing obstacles that are near the fence (BBQ, Tree) and ensure that there are no chairs near-by. My concern is that when he's a little older that he may want to venture in and want that extra safe-guard. My 'fear' is stemmed from a workmate where he's nephew got up earlier than the grandparents, found a chair and propped it up against the fence and climbed over it. He was unfortunately found drowned.

I think you can never have enough safeguards. And yes - my little one is getting swimming lessons. Every second helps in an emergency.

And yes - my little one is getting swimming lessons.

Good: it's never too young to learn.

I filled in the pond in my garden as soon as I knew I had a little one on the way.

Here is a freeware version that may meet your needs

http://www.ispyconnect.com/

Linux systems have the "motion" application and it's free. It can be run on just about anything since it's small. I have used it to detect motion with my webcam and send the video to me via email.

Just search "motion" in the package manager and you have it.

Zoneminder is another one.

Just a word of caution--I've looked very quickly at some of the links listed here. From what I can tell, some of the products don't recognize motion on the video feed, but instead use other motion sensors of some sort to start and stop video recording.

That may work for your purposes, or not. You have to read rather carefully (and sometimes between the lines) to make sure you understand what you're buying. (Or, go with a free Linux product.)

Thanks all...I will defenately look into each and every one of these. Great help. From time to time i do get mental blocks and even google blocks

Try Googling "pool alarm". There's a lot of choices of alarms that detect water movement (child falls in). The camera is somewhat of a good idea but what if you're not in front of the PC when/if (god forbid) an accident should happen? At least with a loud alarm, it should attract the attention of anyone nearby...

Good luck.

Rick@cae...had that, not that good. If you read my OP you would see that my request was that if there was movement within a specified area, an alarm would be triggered. I also like the idea to get a notification on a mobile (cell) phone in case other neighbours 'venture in' when I'm not home.

Must have misread...I understood that the pool was the primary target. Luckily, I wasn't the only responder and you got some good advice in there...

Good luck again,

Rick.

If some neighbour ventures... if you put a sign for per hour rate for venturing and get a record of how much time who ventutred, it will give you good source of income.

Yeah...Or Youtube video!