Image analysis from IP cameras as an alarm partition. A new feature of the PulsON Alarm panel

Until now, the alarm system and video surveillance have operated separately. Now, the PulsON Alarm panel can directly receive alerts from IP camera image analytics. Crossing a virtual zone or entering a restricted partition triggers an alarm in exactly the same way as a violation detected by a traditional detector on the premises.

Perimeter security has always been a challenge. Traditional infrared barriers can be difficult to install, and outdoor motion detectors are prone to false alarms caused by animals and weather conditions. On the other hand, modern IP cameras with powerful image analytics are often already mounted on building facades; they can reliably distinguish a person from a tree swaying in the wind. Until recently, these systems were unable to communicate effectively with one another. Now, the PulsON panel has gained a new feature: the ability to directly receive events from the video analytics of IP CCTV cameras.

The IP Camera as a Virtual Alarm Detector

The principle behind this new feature is simple and relies on direct network communication. When a camera with analytics enabled (e.g., intrusion detection in a specific partition, motion detection, or zone crossing) detects a threat, it immediately transmits this information to the panel. The panel receives this signal and treats it exactly the same as a physical violation at an input on the panel. There is no need to use additional relays connected by cable to the monitoring zones. Everything takes place digitally over a local network (LAN or Wi-Fi), which the PulsON Alarm 2.0 4G panel supports as standard—without any additional modules.

Compatibility

The new functionality has been optimized for seamless integration with popular solutions on the market. It integrates natively with devices from the BCS Line, BCS Point, and BCS Basic series. Most importantly for installers upgrading existing systems, the system is by no means limited to a single ecosystem. The panel can receive an alarm from any IP camera available on the market, provided that the camera’s software can send a notification rule using a GET request via HTTP. This is a powerful tool in the hands of an integrator.

What happens when a camera detects an intruder?

When a camera triggers an alarm, the panel handles it the same way it would a violation of a traditional zone—whether wired or wireless:

• On-site sirens: If the system is armed, the assigned audible and visual sirens are activated.
• Notification process: The user immediately receives an alert on their smartphone via a push notification (or SMS message).
• Security response: The event is sent directly to the security agency’s monitoring station (in supported formats, such as SIA or ContactID), allowing for the rapid dispatch of a response patrol.

BCS ONE – Instant Video Verification

When an event occurs, verification becomes critical. With the BCS ONE app on your smartphone, the entire process is handled within a single interface. You receive a push notification about a “video partition” violation in the driveway. You click on it, and the BCS ONE app lets you immediately view live footage from the camera that triggered the alarm—without having to switch to other programs. This reduces response time to an absolute minimum. You make a decision based on hard visual evidence—you either dismiss a false alarm caused by a delivery person or confirm a break-in.

FAQ

Will any IP camera work with the new feature of the PulsON panel? Any camera (from any manufacturer) will work as long as its smart event configuration includes the option to send an HTTP request (GET method) to the specified IP address of the panel on the local network.

Do I need additional modules to connect the cameras to the alarm system? No. The PulsON Alarm 2.0 4G panel has built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. The devices simply need to be operational and on the same subnet.