Camera Unit Static Image Transmission for Cost-Effective Surveillance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image surveillance systems for home and business security often require broadband Internet connections, which may not be available or easily configured, and they typically transmit live or recorded video, which is costly over expensive network connections like cellular and satellite.
Innovation Solution
The system captures static images of activity on monitored properties using a camera unit integrated with an intrusion security system, transmitting these images over relatively expensive network connections more affordably, and provides a customer portal for accessing captured images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system transmits live or recorded video for surveillance, then the visual surveillance quality is improved, but the transmission cost over expensive network connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information from video streams by capturing still images at specific moments when security events occur. Instead of transmitting continuous video data, the system extracts and transmits only the captured images along with associated event metadata, significantly reducing data volume while maintaining surveillance effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from continuous video transmission to periodic image capture and transmission. Images are captured at discrete time points when motion sensors or other detectors trigger events, and these periodic transmissions occur only when necessary, reducing overall transmission costs while maintaining security monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If the system uses broadband Internet connection for surveillance, then the surveillance reliability is improved, but the ease of installation decreases when broadband is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alternative communication intermediaries such as cellular networks and satellite connections as substitutes for traditional broadband Internet. These intermediaries enable the surveillance system to function in locations without reliable broadband infrastructure, maintaining surveillance capability while improving installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with multi-functional communication capabilities that can operate over multiple network types (broadband, cellular, satellite). This universality allows the surveillance system to be installed anywhere regardless of network infrastructure availability, significantly improving ease of installation while maintaining reliability through adaptive communication protocols.
3Area of stationary object
If the system transmits continuous video data, then the surveillance coverage is improved, but the data transmission volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the most critical information from continuous video streams by capturing still images at specific event moments. This extraction approach maintains comprehensive surveillance coverage by capturing key moments when security events occur, while dramatically reducing the quantity of data that needs to be transmitted and stored.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and filtering actions locally at the camera unit before transmission. Motion sensors and image processing algorithms pre-filter the data to identify only the most relevant events that require transmission, preventing unnecessary data volume from being sent over the network while maintaining complete surveillance coverage of the monitored area.
Data Source
AI summary
Image surveillance and reporting technology, in which an event that is indicative of potential physical activity within an area corresponding to a location of a camera unit is detected. In response to detection of the event, the camera unit is controlled to capture one or more images of the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images captured by the camera unit are analyzed to determine whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images are handled based on the determination of whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit.