How to Fix Inaccurate Comelit Person Detection
Comelit's person detection feature is a significant upgrade over standard motion detection, designed to provide you with more relevant alerts by ignoring trivial movements. However, when it works incorrectly—either by sending false alerts for shadows or failing to detect an actual person—it can become unreliable. This guide will help you troubleshoot and fine-tune your Comelit system for accurate person detection.
By optimising a few key settings, you can dramatically reduce unwanted notifications and ensure you are only alerted to the events that truly matter.
Understanding How Comelit Person Detection Works
Unlike basic motion detection which reacts to any change in pixels, person detection uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyse the shape and movement of objects. It specifically looks for human-like forms before triggering an alert. However, the accuracy of this AI can be affected by several factors:
- Sensitivity Levels: How "sensitive" the algorithm is to potential human shapes.
- Detection Zones: The specific areas of the camera's view where the system is instructed to look for people.
- Environmental Conditions: Lighting, weather, and obstructions can all impact the AI's ability to see clearly.
- Firmware Version: The sophistication of the detection algorithm depends on the installed software.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Detection Accuracy
Let's work through the settings to enhance your system's performance. These settings are typically found within the Comelit app or the system's web interface.
1. Adjust the Detection Sensitivity
This is your primary tool for controlling alerts.
- If you get too many false alerts: Your sensitivity is likely too high. The system may be misinterpreting other moving objects (large pets, swaying trees, car headlights) as people. Lower the sensitivity setting one level at a time and test the results.
- If the system misses people: Your sensitivity may be too low. The system is being too strict in its analysis and isn't flagging actual human shapes. Try increasing the sensitivity and see if detection improves, without introducing too many false positives.
2. Configure a Precise Detection Zone
Tell the system exactly where to look. Don't analyse the entire frame if you don't need to.
- Navigate to Detection Zone Settings: Find the menu labelled "Detection Area," "Activity Zone," or "Smart Detection Zone."
- Draw Your Zone: Use the on-screen grid to draw a box that covers only the areas of interest. For a front door, this might be the path leading to the door and the porch area.
- Exclude Problem Areas: Crucially, you should exclude areas that cause false alerts, such as a busy public pavement, a road with passing cars, or a neighbour's property. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce unwanted notifications.
3. Optimise Camera Placement and Environment
The camera's physical position and condition are vital.
- Clean the Lens: A smudged or dirty lens can obscure the view, making it difficult for the AI to analyse shapes correctly. Regularly clean the lens with a microfibre cloth.
- Avoid Strong Backlight: Try to position the camera so it doesn't point directly at the rising or setting sun. Strong backlighting can create dark silhouettes that are difficult to identify as human.
- Check for Obstructions: Ensure there are no tree branches, decorations, or other objects partially blocking the camera's view of the detection zone. Also, check for cobwebs, as these can cause false alerts, especially at night when illuminated by IR.
4. Update Your System's Firmware
Manufacturers constantly release software updates to improve the performance of their AI detection algorithms.
- Check for Updates: In the system settings menu of your Comelit app or device interface, look for a "Firmware Update" or "Software Update" option.
- Install the Latest Version: If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. This can provide a significant improvement in detection accuracy.
5. Reboot the System
After making changes to sensitivity or zones, it's always a good practice to reboot your Comelit device. This ensures that all new settings are properly loaded and applied. A simple power cycle (unplugging the device for 30 seconds and plugging it back in) is usually sufficient.
By following these steps, you can transform your Comelit person detection from a source of annoyance into a precise and reliable security tool.