💡 At a Glance
Coram's detection accuracy relies on optimal camera resolution and placement, and maximizing Pixels Per Foot (PPF) values to capture fine details. Evaluating your setup according to these guidelines is crucial for reliable, consistent detection across various surveillance scenarios.
⚡ Key Takeaways
Optimize Resolution & Placement
Use high-resolution cameras and position them appropriately to capture critical areas at optimal angles and distances.
Maximize PPF
Aim for 50–70 PPF (or higher) for detailed detection, by calculating effective horizontal resolution and FOV to ensure sufficient accuracy.
Consider Environment & Lighting
Ensure cameras are placed in well-lit, unobstructed areas to avoid interference from glare, low light, or obstructions, and at sensible angles to capture typical images of subjects.
Evaluate and Adjust
Regularly assess your camera's current PPF and reposition or upgrade hardware if targets aren't captured with enough detail.
Overview
Coram AI supports a range of detection types, from identifying smaller objects like firearms and facial details to recognizing motion and activity of people and vehicles. Achieving consistent, reliable accuracy depends on several key factors:
Optimizing Camera Resolution & Placement: Higher-resolution cameras and optimized mounting positions increase detail and, consequently, detection accuracy.
Maximizing Pixel Per Foot (PPF) Values: Ensures cameras capture enough detail for effective detection, especially for smaller objects or facial features.
Considering Environment & Lighting: Poorly-lit areas, or visual obstructions such as foliage or fencing, may reduce accurate recognition rates.
Pixels Per Foot (PPF) Fundamentals
Pixels Per Foot (PPF) indicates the number of pixels covering one foot of distance in a camera’s field of view. A higher PPF means more fine-grained detail, allowing Coram's recognition models to better distinguish subtle details and features.
Why PPF Matters
Accuracy: When cameras capture sufficient pixel detail, Coram can differentiate between real threats and benign objects.
Consistency: Higher PPF reduces missed detections and false positives by ensuring each frame has enough clarity.
Recommended Ranges
Coram AI generally recommends aiming for 50–70 PPF (or beyond) to capture enough detail for fine-detail detection tasks. The exact distance you can achieve this PPF at depends on the camera resolution and lens field of view (FOV).
Example Distances
A 5MP fixed lens might capture reliable detail within 17 ft if you aim for ~50 PPF.
A 4K optical zoom camera (8MP) can maintain 50–60 PPF at much greater distances (up to 123–147 ft) due to its higher resolution and narrower FOV when zoomed in.
Tip: To learn more about specific PPF values for facial detection and firearm detection, refer to Introduction to Facial Recognition and Understanding Pixel Per Foot (PPF) Requirements for Firearm Detection.
Meeting PPF Requirements
Check Your Setup
Compare your camera’s current resolution and position to Coram’s recommended distances.
If you’re unsure of your current PPF, calculate it using the camera’s horizontal resolution and the effective horizontal FOV in feet.
Maximize PPF Where It Counts
Identify high-priority zones (e.g., entryways, corridors, or focal points).
Place cameras so that footage captured in these areas meets or exceeds your target PPF.
Move or Upgrade Cameras If Needed
If you can’t reach the ideal PPF by repositioning a camera, you may need higher-resolution hardware.
Consult your Coram representative if you're considering replacing or upgrading cameras.
Positioning Cameras to Ensure Visibility
Ideally, place cameras within 15–20 feet of critical areas to improve accuracy for smaller items or facial detail, even with lower-resolution cameras.
Aim for reliable angles & eye-Level views, as cameras capturing near-frontal perspectives increase detection likelihood.
Try to position cameras with an unobstructed view of subjects, as the camera may not capture enough detail to offer sufficient detection accuracy, even if it is only partially blocked.
Where possible, subjects should be well-lit, as intense glare, low light, or extreme backlighting can mask key features.
Even if cameras meet PPF guidelines, its important to remember that harsh or uneven lighting, awkward or uncommon angles, and visual obstructions can significantly lower detection accuracy.