Camera Wireless Configuration via Encoded Image Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing webcam configurations require a wired connection for configuration purposes, which introduces overhead and redundancy, and often necessitate user knowledge of firewalls to ensure image data transmission, especially when setting up wireless connections and traversing network obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A camera with circuitry for establishing wireless connections using encoded configuration data and a processor executing an image data decoding program to supply configuration data, combined with a communications client program to handle login data, allowing secure and firewall-friendly data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wired connection is provided for configuration purposes, then the camera can be configured and authorised, but the camera requires additional ports and circuitry introducing overhead and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wired mechanical connection system with an optical system. Instead of using physical ports and cables for configuration, the camera captures configuration data through its image capture device (lens) from images displayed on a display device. This substitutes the mechanical wired connection with an optical imaging-based configuration method, eliminating the need for additional ports and circuitry.
2Ease of operation
If a wired connection is provided for configuration purposes, then the camera can be set up, but the connection becomes redundant after wireless access is established
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the configuration action preliminarily through a single wired connection, then eliminates the need for ongoing wired connection. The camera is configured once through the wired connection to establish wireless connectivity, after which the wired connection is no longer needed. This preliminary configuration approach avoids the redundancy of maintaining wired connection infrastructure after wireless access is established.
3Reliability
If firewalls are implemented for network security, then authorised access is controlled, but user knowledge of firewalls is needed to ensure image data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a display device showing configuration data in image form and a decoding program at the camera - to bridge the gap between firewall-protected networks and camera configuration. The configuration data is transmitted as images that can be captured by the camera's lens, bypassing firewall restrictions that would block traditional configuration protocols. This intermediary approach maintains network security while enabling configuration without requiring user firewall knowledge.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera for connection to an authorised user via a network. The camera has a processor arranged to execute a communications client program and an image data decoding program. The camera further has means for capturing image data including encoded login data, the image data being supplied to the image data decoding program, the image data decoding program being arranged to decode the image data and to supply the login data decoded from the image data to the communication client program to set up the camera as an authorised device accessible by the user via the network.