How to Reduce False Notifications from Your Aiphone Intercom System
While receiving timely notifications from your Aiphone video intercom is a key security feature, a constant barrage of false alerts can be more of an annoyance than a help. These unwanted notifications are often triggered by environmental factors rather than actual events. This guide will show you how to fine-tune your system's settings to ensure you only get alerts that matter.
### Understanding the Cause of False Notifications
Most false alerts are caused by the system's motion detection being triggered by non-threatening movements. Common culprits include:
- Moving Trees and Shadows: Wind blowing through trees and the resulting movement of shadows are very common triggers.
- Insects and Rain: Spiders crawling across the lens or heavy rain can be mistaken for motion.
- Headlights: The lights from passing cars can cause a sudden change in the scene, triggering an alert.
- Public Areas: If the camera's view includes a public pavement or road, you'll get alerts for every pedestrian or car.
## Optimising Your Aiphone's Motion Detection Settings
The key to reducing false alerts is to tell your system what to ignore. You can do this by adjusting the motion detection settings. The location of these settings will vary depending on your Aiphone model (e.g., IX Series, JP Series), but the principles are the same.
### 1. Adjusting Motion Detection Sensitivity
The sensitivity setting determines how much movement is required to trigger a notification.
- Lower the Sensitivity: If you're getting too many alerts, the sensitivity is likely set too high. Access the motion detection settings through your master station, PC software, or mobile app. Try lowering the sensitivity level by one step at a time and then monitor the results for a day or two.
- Find the Balance: The goal is to find a balance where the system ignores minor environmental movements but still reliably detects a person approaching your door.
### 2. Creating Motion Detection Zones (Masking)
This is one of the most powerful tools for eliminating false alerts. Motion detection zones, sometimes called an 'activity mask', allow you to select specific areas of the camera's view to monitor for motion while ignoring others.
- Access the Zone Menu: In your system's settings, find the motion detection or video sensor menu. You should see a grid overlaid on the camera's live view.
- Exclude Problem Areas: Carefully deselect the grid squares that cover public roads, pavements, waving flags, or busy trees.
- Focus on Your Property: Ensure the active zones are focused exclusively on the areas you want to protect, such as your walkway, porch, or garden path leading to the entrance.
### 3. Firmware and Software Updates
Aiphone periodically releases firmware updates for their systems. These updates can include improvements to the motion detection algorithms, making them better at distinguishing between genuine threats and false alarms.
- Check for Updates: Regularly check the official Aiphone website or consult with your installer to ensure your system is running the latest firmware.
- Update Mobile Apps: Also, make sure your Aiphone mobile app is kept up to date through your phone's app store.
By carefully adjusting sensitivity and creating precise motion zones, you can dramatically reduce the number of unwanted notifications and turn your Aiphone system into a more effective and less intrusive security tool.