Video synopsis

Recently I read about video synopsis, a new technology for the security industry.

Video cameras are used across the world to record what happens in front of the camera. A problem has been that reviewing the recording takes as long as the period it covers. In other words, reviewing what Camera 3 'saw' between midnight and 6AM takes six hours. To save time, the person reviewing the recording could play it back at a higher speed, but risked missing fleeting but vital evidence.

The video synopsis technology separates moving objects and inert background. When reviewing the recording, moving objects are clustered, meaning the operator can view the movements of many hours in a few minutes.

Moving figures are played back at their actual speed and are tagged with the time they appeared. In this way, individuals and events that warrant further examination can be played back separately.

Video synopsis is a good example of an innovation that arises from combining existing technologies in a new way. The existence of technology does not create innovation - the recombination of existing technologies does. Recombination arises from trial and error or thinking the problem through.

The starting point of the solution is a clear appreciation of the problem. As shown on the left, video synopsis succeeds because it puts 'review' into a different quadrant from 'record' in terms of time, without compromising 'accuracy'.

In my experience, many knowledge workers expect technologists to provide solutions to their information problems. This is a pity because it is the worker who understands their role and the problems they face. If they developed an appreciation of the problem and recombined their existing tools, they would create many powerful solutions to their knowledge problems.

Developments such as video synopsis arise because:

• it is a unique solution to a widespread problem;
• its intellectual property can be protected;
• development costs can be amortised across the application of the technology to many different locations.

It is a business model that works.

Many years ago Peter Drucker wrote about knowledge workers trying to answer the questions: what information do I need? In what form? Drucker prescribed that they 'must assume information responsibility. Unfortunately most people expect the chief information officer or some other technologist to answer those questions. That won't do.'

For information problems, the video synopsis business model is not available. Getting the technologist to solve your particular problem is too expensive. The solution may not have wider application.

The answer for knowledge workers is to develop an appreciation of existing technologies, developing the ability to analyse problems and applying trial and error to recombine existing technologies.