Robert, Check out the March issue of Wired Magazine. While it's probably more than the hotel wants to spend, there's an article about a product specifically designed to address the boredom factor. Here's a link to the article:
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From:Robert L. Bass snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net
I received a call from a hotelier this morning.
> He has an interesting problem which I
> thought I'd run by the newsgroup. The hotel
> has cameras in all the hallways to protect
> guests from intruders (or other guests?).
>
> The cameras are monitored at a security desk.
> The problem is security people get bored
> staring at a monitor and may not be looking
> when something bad happens.
>
> In a hotel hallway the sound level is usually
> quite low -- typically >30dB. They would like
> to install a system to detect audio above a
> threshold. They don't want to monitor or
> record conversations -- just activate a flashing
> light at the security desk if there is a scream or
> any noise above a given threshold in the
> hallways.
>
> This should be simple enough. I don't happen
> to know of a ready-made hardware device that
> would work as the sensor. If any of you have
> done this or something similar I'd appreciate
> your suggestions, which I will pass along to
> the gentleman.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Robert L Bass
>
> =============================>
> Bass Home Electronics
> 2291 Pine View Circle
> Sarasota · Florida · 34231
> 877-722-8900 Sales & Tech Support
>
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