Travis Baldwin Is Honored with the Silver A' Design Award for Argus Biometric Camera in Security, Safety and Surveillance Products Design

The Work

Project

Argus Biometric Camera

Function

Biometric Camera

Category

Security, Safety and Surveillance Products Design

Discipline

Industrial Design

Industry

Electronics & Appliances and Social Impact

Colors

Dark Slate Gray, Ghost White, Dim Gray, Gainsboro and Silver

Images

5

Client

Crea Inc Design LTD

The Recognition

Laureate

Travis Baldwin

Country

Great Britain

Brand

Créa Inc Design

Recognition

Silver A' Design Award

Edition

2017 - 2018

Design ID

#64450

Credits

Team

Bill Willis, Bill Haushalter, Steve Eckhardt and Jeff Kormanec

Image Credits

Image #No 1-5 : Photographer Bill Haushalter, Argus prototype photo shoot, 2016-2017. Image #No 1-5 : Designer Travis Baldwin, Argus Digital Prototype Imaging 2016-2017.

Design Details

Unique Properties

Argus was created as a low cost alternative to more expensive biometric solutions or staffed checkpoints. The current auto-recognition systems are expensive and require multiple cameras around a portal where people pass. They also use high levels of IR light. Argus simplifies this with a single mounted camera system that can pan, tilt, and zoom at high speed to capture all people passing and aims less IR light only at a single person. A longer custom made low-light zoom lens & camera can be used because it is in a vertical orientation. This increases the capture range, even people in wheelchairs.

Inspiration

Argus is a nondescript mounted camera pillar that can ID 10 people per minute at 3 to 8 feet. It’s made for locations where laptops or alternate solutions won’t work, such as secure offices, airports, and checkpoints. Product layout was optimized to house a long zoom lens camera vertically and only move a mirror to give pan tilt functionality. This allowed a compact size and fast movement, while delivering high performance - groups could be identified at the same time! Initial designs moving a large large lens were deemed too dramatic and inertia presented problems. Styling was optimized for serious but minimal look, camouflaging high speed movements behind an opaque glass lens.

Research

At the start of the project, we had a general idea of what performance spec we had to meet or exceed, based on market research of competitors. This included costs, installation complexity, identification methodology, and camera specs. The learnings helped us lay out our unique concept. Sales people researched use case scenarios first hand with clients, which was used for product architecture, features, appearance, and placement. Subject well-being was important, so consideration of their experience was a priority. During development look & feel concepts, physical prototypes, and CAD images were continually tested with them for function & aesthetics.

Challenge

Our main challenge was to create a high performance biometric camera at a low price to compete with expensive current systems. We used our expertise to invent new ways of configuring off the shelf components in a bespoke design to outperform existing products. From the start we developed the housing to use inexpensive std materials if possible, such as PVC tube structure rather than moldings. Some components were custom fabricated, such as zoom lens & mechanisms. A second goal was a serene external design to convey non-threatening seriousness of purpose. Early concepts had a large moving cylinder to “aim” camera at subjects.

Realization and Technology

Our team approached this challenge by leveraging our previous biometric development experience - we knew we could integrate hi-spec off-the-shelf components to outperform more expensive systems for a fraction of the cost. Argus uses hi-res 75 frame/sec digital cameras, standard motors and arduino PCBs. For select non-standard components we designed bespoke lenses, mechanisms, and enclosures for our specific needs.The lens was custom designed for unique low-light use but high zoom, unique to us and not available commercially. Mechanisms were developed to pan, tilt,and zoom but also be optimized for CNC mfg.

Operation and Interaction

Argus first recognizes faces with a wide angle camera, calculates subject’s face location in 3d space, then sends pan/tilt/zoom instructions to lens abd mirror motors. Built in IR LEDs are aimed at eyes in wavelengths not visible to humans. The camera aims & focuses on each person’s eyes to capture high res iris images. Capture is at 75 frames/sec, ensuring several sharp images on even moving subjects. A 2nd camera captures face ID images. Matching happens on a connected PC in milliseconds, then audio or 360 degree LEDs to communicate status to subject. One use scenario could be in airports when people line up to pass checkpoints.

Project Duration and Location

The project kicked off in Washington D.C., Minnesota, Austin TX and Bristol UK in Dec 2015. Design activities started in Washington and Bristol in Jun 2016. The initial main device low volume production was started in July 2017. Revisions and accessories were continued to be developed until the start of 2018.

Specifications

Argus was designed to be a compact, simple cylindrical form that could be mounted in a variety of ways (floor or ceiling mounted, free standing, or wall mounted). The overall design is tightly fit into the form, efficiently using the space. Different lens options can capture different view boxes, shown in product image. Dimensions: 168.28mm/6.62 in Diameter x 749.31mm/29.5 in Height Mounted Height: 1859.31mm/73.2 in Weight: 16 Lbs / 6 Kg Capture Speed: 1/10 second per person at 75fps Capture Distances: 3ft to 8ft Pan Range: 27 Degrees left or right pan (54 degrees total) Tilt Range: 34 Degrees left or right pan (68 degrees total)

Keywords

Biometric camera, Multi-modal, Camera, Iris Recognition, Facial recognition, Identity, Security, Argus, Corvus