Network Camera Subnet Segmentation for Multi-Interface Conflict Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network cameras with multiple interfaces often experience decreased convenience due to incorrect detection and control issues when all interfaces belong to the same subnet, leading to repeated or omitted processing during initial settings.

Innovation Solution

The network camera monitors setting information for its interfaces and executes a process to avoid using them in parallel if they are set to the same subnet, preventing incorrect detection and ensuring proper network settings by identifying and managing subnets for each interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the network camera uses multiple network interfaces (wired and wireless) to improve connectivity flexibility and simplify wiring, then adaptability is improved, but the device may be erroneously detected as multiple devices when all interfaces belong to the same subnet, causing decreased ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity flexibilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network interfaces by assigning them to different subnets (wired interface to one subnet, wireless interface to another subnet). This segmentation prevents the device from being detected as multiple devices while maintaining the benefit of multiple interface types for improved connectivity flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the network camera allows parallel communication through multiple network interfaces to improve productivity, then communication efficiency is improved, but network setting complexity increases and may impair ease of operation depending on network configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different subnet characteristics to different network interfaces. The wired interface operates in one subnet while the wireless interface operates in another subnet, allowing each interface to have optimized local network properties while maintaining overall system simplicity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the network camera responds to requests through all network interfaces to ensure complete communication coverage, then reliability is improved, but the device may be detected as multiple devices causing repeated processing and decreased ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces subnet assignment as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between multiple network interfaces. By ensuring interfaces belong to different subnets, it enables reliable communication coverage through all interfaces while preventing the device from being erroneously detected as multiple devices, thus avoiding repeated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3451633B1Image capturing apparatus, client apparatus, and method
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 CANON KK
  • EP3451633B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3451633B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3451633B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An image capturing apparatus (101) capable of communicating with another apparatus (103) by using a network interface, outputs information indicating that a setting is performed, wherein a plurality of network interfaces of the image capturing apparatus belong to the same subnet, if the setting affects the network interfaces belonging to the same subnet.