Remote Camera Management via Email Relay for Firewall Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote management systems for cameras lack efficient methods to transmit images and counting data across firewalls and do not provide real-time monitoring and management capabilities for multiple remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A remote management system comprising cameras that capture moving and still images, a storage unit, a control unit for operation control, and a communication unit that transmits images via email if access is blocked, allowing real-time monitoring and data transmission, including counting data on people in monitored regions, with options for image deletion after successful transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct network transmission is used to send images from remote cameras to the monitoring server, then transmission speed is improved, but access is blocked by firewalls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an email server as an intermediary to facilitate image transmission when direct network access is blocked by firewalls. The camera captures images and sends them via email through the mail server, which acts as a mediator between the camera and the user's device. This allows reliable delivery of images even when direct network paths are blocked, resolving the contradiction between transmission speed and access reliability.
2Reliability
If images are transmitted via email when firewalls block direct access, then access reliability is improved, but transmission speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between direct network transmission and email-based transmission based on network conditions and firewall configurations. When direct access is available, the system uses fast direct transmission; when blocked, it automatically switches to email transmission via the mail server. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing for speed when possible and reliability when necessary.
3Loss of information
If all captured images are stored in the storage unit, then data availability is improved, but storage space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only specific captured images via email when needed, rather than storing and managing all images locally. The camera selects and sends relevant images through the email system, reducing the burden on local storage while ensuring important data is available to users. This extraction approach balances data availability with storage space constraints.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote places are monitored simultaneously, then monitoring coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal monitoring system where a single mail server handles image transmission for multiple remote cameras. The same email-based communication mechanism serves all monitoring locations, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate complex transmission systems for each location. This universal approach expands monitoring coverage while keeping system complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote management system, a remote management method, and a monitoring server are provided. The remote management system includes at least one camera which captures at least one of a moving image and a still image of a remote place; a storage unit which stores the captured image; a control unit which controls operation of the at least one camera; and a communication unit which transmits to a device selectively the stored image or an email attached by the stored image.