Getting False Alerts? How to Fix Yale Person Detection
The person detection feature on your Yale smart camera is designed to provide you with relevant, important alerts, letting you know when someone is actually at your property. When it works well, it’s a brilliant tool. However, when it starts sending you alerts for moving cars, pets, or shadows—or worse, misses a person completely—it can quickly become a source of frustration. If your Yale camera's person detection is wrong more often than it's right, this guide is for you. We'll explore the common causes of inaccurate detections and provide practical steps to make your alerts smarter and more reliable.
Why Your Yale Camera Gets Person Detection Wrong
Inaccurate person detection is rarely a fault with the camera itself. More often, it's an issue with how the camera is set up and how it perceives its environment.
Poor Camera Placement and Angle
If the camera is mounted too high, people appear too small. If it's too low, it might only see legs. An awkward angle can also distort a person's shape, confusing the detection algorithm.
Challenging Lighting Conditions
Strong backlighting (e.g., the sun shining directly into the lens) can create silhouettes that are hard to analyse. Similarly, deep shadows or rapid changes in light at dawn and dusk can lead to false triggers or missed events.
Incorrect Sensitivity Settings
If the motion sensitivity is set too high, the camera's software will try to analyse every minor event, like rustling leaves or a neighbour's cat, increasing the chance of a mistake. If it's too low, it may not even trigger when a person walks by.
Obstructions and Dirty Lenses
A smudged, dirty, or rain-splattered lens can obscure the view, making it difficult for the camera's AI to correctly identify shapes. Likewise, a tree branch or other object partially blocking the view can interfere with detection.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improve Detection Accuracy
Let's fine-tune your setup to ensure your Yale camera performs at its best.
1. Optimise Camera Positioning
The physical placement of your camera is the most critical factor for accurate person detection.
- Ideal Height: Mount your camera between 2-3 metres (7-10 feet) from the ground.
- Downward Angle: Angle the camera slightly downwards. This provides a clear, top-down view of people as they approach, which is ideal for the detection software.
- Avoid Obstructions: Ensure there are no tree branches, walls, or large objects blocking the main field of view.
2. Configure Activity Zones
Activity zones tell your camera to only pay attention to motion within a specific area, ignoring irrelevant movement elsewhere.
- Open the Yale App: Select the camera you want to adjust.
- Go to Settings: Find the 'Detection Settings' or a similar menu.
- Set Up Zones: Choose 'Activity Zones' or 'Detection Zones'. Draw one or more boxes around the key areas you want to monitor, such as your walkway, porch, or gate. Exclude busy pavements or roads.
3. Adjust Motion Sensitivity
Finding the right sensitivity balance is key.
- Start in the Middle: In the camera's motion settings, set the sensitivity slider to a medium level.
- Test and Tweak: Walk in front of the camera to test the detection. If it fails to detect you, increase the sensitivity slightly. If it's triggered by minor movements, decrease it. This may require a bit of trial and error to get just right.
4. Clean the Camera Lens
This simple step is often overlooked.
- Power Down (Optional): For safety, you can turn off the camera before cleaning.
- Wipe Gently: Use a clean, soft microfibre cloth to gently wipe away any dust, smudges, or water spots from the lens. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
5. Ensure Your Firmware is Updated
Yale periodically releases firmware updates that include improvements to the detection algorithms.
- Check for Updates: In the Yale app, go to the camera's settings or an 'About Device' section to check for any available firmware updates.
- Install Updates: Follow the prompts to install any updates. Ensure the camera remains powered on during this process.
By carefully working through these steps, you can significantly reduce false alerts and make your Yale camera's person detection far more accurate and reliable.