Camera Water Drainage via Segmented Housing and Audio Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor cameras face issues with water accumulation affecting sound broadcasting and reception quality during rainy conditions, as existing technologies do not effectively address the problem of water accumulation impacting microphone and speaker functionality.
Innovation Solution
A camera design with a processing module, image capturing module, speaker, and two microphones, where the microphones are arranged to avoid water accumulation, and an audio processing unit generates low-frequency audio files to eliminate water from the speaker while comparing received audio files with presets to determine and stop broadcasting when water is present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the speaker holes face upward to facilitate water drainage, then water accumulation is reduced, but rainwater directly enters the speaker and degrades broadcasting quality
Solution Approach 1:
The camera housing is divided into multiple sealed compartments with independent waterproof structures. Each component (speaker, microphone, lens) is housed in its own waterproof chamber, allowing the speaker holes to face upward for drainage while preventing rainwater from reaching the speaker through the sealed compartment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A waterproof membrane or hydrophobic coating is introduced as an intermediary between the external environment and the speaker component. This intermediary layer allows water vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water, enabling the speaker holes to face upward without allowing rainwater to enter and degrade broadcasting quality.
2Reliability
If the speaker holes face downward to prevent water entry, then broadcasting quality is maintained, but water accumulation occurs inside the camera
Solution Approach 1:
The water drainage function is extracted from the speaker housing and implemented as a separate waterproof drainage system. Condensation and rainwater are collected in dedicated drainage channels and expelled through waterproof outlets positioned at the lowest points of the camera housing, preventing water accumulation while allowing the speaker holes to face downward for optimal broadcasting quality.
3Measurement precision
If audio processing is continuously monitored to detect water accumulation, then water presence is accurately detected, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The processor monitors audio signals at intervals, comparing current audio characteristics against pre-stored baseline data. This periodic monitoring maintains accurate water detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Baseline audio characteristics are pre-recorded and stored in memory during normal operating conditions. The system compares current audio signals against these pre-established references to detect water accumulation, eliminating the need for continuous complex analysis and reducing real-time processing energy requirements while maintaining detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera with an accumulated water treatment function and a method of treating accumulated water thereof are disclosed. The camera includes a main body, a processing module, an image capturing module, a speaker, a first microphone, and a second microphone. The processing module has an image processing unit and an audio processing unit. The image capturing module is used for capturing an environmental image. The first microphone and the speaker are arranged on different sides of the main body. The second microphone and the first microphone are arranged on different sides of the main body. The audio processing unit controls the speaker to broadcast a first audio file and uses the first microphone or the second microphone to record to generate a second audio file so as to determine the difference between the second audio file and a first preset audio file.