Camera Control via Peer-to-Peer Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Networked video camera systems face challenges with rigid management and high latency when using cloud-based services for remote control, particularly for time-critical operations like panning, tilting, and zooming, due to increased costs and latency associated with data traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the type of communication path for instruction messages sent to networked video cameras, using either a peer-to-peer connection or a cloud-based service, allowing for selective use of communication paths to reduce costs and latency, with peer-to-peer connections providing a more direct and cost-effective path for controlling video cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cloud-based services are used for remote camera control, then system accessibility and management flexibility are improved, but latency and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication paths into two types: peer-to-peer connections for time-critical control commands and cloud-based paths for non-time-critical operations. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for speed when needed while maintaining cloud-based management capabilities, thereby reducing latency for control operations without sacrificing remote accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (peer-to-peer connection establishment protocol) that enables direct communication between cameras and control systems while maintaining the ability to fall back to cloud-based mediation. This intermediary approach allows the system to bypass cloud latency for time-critical operations while preserving cloud-based management for non-time-critical functions.
2Ease of operation
If cloud-based services are used for remote camera control, then system accessibility is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments data traffic into time-critical control commands that use peer-to-peer connections and non-time-critical operations that use cloud-based services. This segmentation reduces the amount of data traffic routed through paid cloud services, thereby lowering operational costs while maintaining remote accessibility for both control and management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes communication parameters (connection type, protocol, routing) based on the time-critical nature of the operation. For time-critical control commands, the system switches to peer-to-peer connections with modified communication parameters to bypass cloud services, thereby reducing data traffic costs while maintaining remote control capability.
3Loss of time
If peer-to-peer connections are used for all communication, then latency is reduced, but system management flexibility and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects communication paths based on the time-critical nature of each operation. For time-critical control commands, peer-to-peer connections are established to minimize latency. For non-time-critical operations such as system management, configuration, and logging, cloud-based paths are used to maintain management flexibility and security. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for speed when needed while preserving management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different communication qualities to different operations: peer-to-peer connections with low latency characteristics are used locally for time-critical control commands, while cloud-based services with higher management overhead are used for non-time-critical operations. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve low latency where needed without sacrificing overall management flexibility.
4Productivity
If multiple communication paths are implemented, then performance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that automatically monitor communication performance and dynamically select the optimal path for each operation. Time-critical control commands trigger peer-to-peer connection establishment, while non-time-critical operations use cloud-based paths. This feedback-driven automation reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining multiple communication paths for optimized performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the communication controller automatically determines the appropriate communication path based on operation characteristics without requiring manual configuration. The system self-manages peer-to-peer connection establishment, path selection, and fallback logic, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining multiple communication paths for improved control efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for remotely controlling a networked video camera includes sending an instruction message for the video camera, from the client to a communication controller, and determining whether the message is a candidate for being sent via a peer-to-peer connection.In response to the instruction message being determined not to be a candidate for being sent via a peer-to-peer connection, sending the instruction message from the communication controller to a camera control service, logging at the camera control service at least a portion of the instruction message, and sending the instruction message received at the camera control service from the camera control service to the video camera via the communication network.In response to the instruction message being determined to be a candidate for being sent via a peer-to-peer connection, the method further includes sending the instruction message via a peer-to-peer connection.