Camera Operation Mode Determination for Surveillance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-channel surveillance systems face inefficiencies as camera operation modes must be set separately, even for cameras with similar environments, leading to suboptimal image capture due to changing environmental conditions over time.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine and set camera operation modes based on specific time periods, utilizing installation environment information and pre-learned data correlations to select optimal modes for each period, including pan tilt zoom (PTZ) and multi-sensor cameras, with user selection and image preview for intuitive mode choice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If camera operation modes are set separately for each camera in a multi-channel surveillance system, then each camera can be configured individually, but the setup time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration process of multiple cameras into a single automated operation. The server collects installation environment information from multiple cameras, determines appropriate operation modes centrally, and applies them across the network, replacing individual manual configuration with a unified automated process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration where cameras automatically transmit their installation environment information to the server, which then autonomously determines and configures operation modes without requiring manual intervention for each camera, reducing both time and operational complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a camera is set in one operation mode, then the configuration is simple, but the camera cannot properly obtain images in all time periods when environmental conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes that adapt to changing environmental conditions. Instead of a fixed configuration, the system determines different operation modes for different time periods based on installation environment information, allowing cameras to dynamically adjust their settings (such as exposure time, gain, and white balance) to maintain optimal image quality throughout the day.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes camera parameters based on time of day and environmental conditions. The server determines appropriate parameter settings for different operation modes (e.g., day mode, night mode, dawn/dusk mode) and applies them according to the current time period, enabling the camera to maintain reliable image capture quality across varying lighting conditions.
3Reliability
If multiple operation modes are configured for different time periods, then image quality improves across all periods, but the device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple operation modes. Instead of requiring users to manually configure multiple modes directly in each camera, the server acts as a central coordinator that collects environment information, determines appropriate modes, and automatically distributes configurations to multiple cameras, simplifying the user interface while maintaining multiple time-period-specific settings.
4Ease of operation
If manual configuration of operation modes is performed for each camera, then precise control is achieved, but the time required for setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting installation environment information from cameras before determining operation modes. The server proactively gathers data about each camera's location, mounting height, and surrounding environment, then pre-determines appropriate operation modes based on this information, enabling automated configuration that maintains precision without requiring manual input for each camera.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining an operation mode of a camera with respect to each of a plurality of time periods includes: obtaining installation environment information of the camera, the information including images obtained by the camera in the plurality of time periods; determining one or more candidate operation modes with respect to each of the plurality of time periods, with reference to the installation environment information of the camera; and determining, as the operation mode of the camera with respect to each of the plurality of time periods, any one of the determined one or more candidate operation modes with respect to the each of the plurality of time periods.