Monitoring Camera Power Management via Energy Accumulator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Monitoring cameras face challenges in meeting processing power requirements due to limited power supplies, particularly in scenarios where high image processing is needed, leading to insufficient power for optimal performance.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows a monitoring camera to switch between processing states based on detected events, using both an external power source and an energy accumulator to increase power levels beyond the external maximum, optimizing image processing capacity and extending battery life by charging the accumulator during periods of low demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the monitoring camera uses high processing power to handle complex image processing requirements, then the image processing capability is improved, but the power consumption increases beyond the limited power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing powerVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between processing states (first and second processing states) based on detected events. The camera transitions from a low-power first processing state to a high-power second processing state only when events are detected, allowing the system to adapt its processing capability to actual needs rather than maintaining constant high power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power consumption parameter by utilizing an energy accumulator to supplement the external power source. When in the second processing state, the camera draws additional power from the accumulator, effectively changing the total available power parameter to enable high-processing tasks without permanently increasing the external power supply requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the monitoring camera continuously operates at high processing power to ensure optimal performance, then the image processing quality is maintained, but the service interval is reduced due to faster battery depletion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage processing qualityVSAvoidservice interval

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic charging of the energy accumulator during periods when the camera operates in the first processing state (low-power state). This periodic energy accumulation allows the system to maintain high processing capability when needed while extending the overall service interval by recovering energy during low-demand periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The energy accumulator is charged in advance during low-demand periods before high-processing tasks are needed. This preliminary energy accumulation ensures that when events occur and the camera needs to switch to the second processing state, sufficient energy is already available without requiring continuous high-power operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the monitoring camera uses Power over Ethernet with limited maximum power output, then the installation is simplified, but the processing capacity is insufficient for high-demand scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidprocessing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The energy accumulator acts as an intermediary between the limited external power source and the high-power processing requirements. It receives the limited power from PoE during low-demand periods and stores energy that can be drawn upon during high-demand periods, effectively mediating between the constraints of simplified installation and the needs of high-processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables high-performance image processing even with limited power supplies, enhancing image quality and extending service intervals by utilizing both external and accumulator power sources dynamically.

Implementation Method 1

An amount of energy in an energy accumulator is determined in the monitoring camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy accumulation: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentUS8964113B2Method and arrangement in a monitoring camera

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 AXIS

AI summary

A monitoring camera is connected to an external power source. The external power source has an external maximum power level. Image data is being processed in a first processing state. The monitoring camera detects (202) an event and determines (206) a type of the detected event. An amount of energy in an energy accumulator is determined (208) in the monitoring camera. Based on the type of the event and based on the external maximum power level and based on the determined amount of energy in the energy accumulator, a second processing state is determined (210). The second processing state requires a power level that is higher than the external maximum power level. Image data is then processed (212) in the second processing state.