Video Camera Control via Wireless Signature Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Controlling video cameras in surveillance systems that are not easily accessible is challenging, especially when physical access is difficult, and distinguishing between similar camera views is problematic.

Innovation Solution

A method using a control device to transmit a signature wirelessly, which is analyzed in video streams to identify and associate with the corresponding camera, allowing control through movement detection, light changes, or visual signals, enabling remote configuration of camera settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical access to video camera is required for control, then direct configuration is possible, but control becomes difficult when camera is not easily accessible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of camera controlVSAvoidphysical accessibility requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical connection system with an optical recognition system. Instead of requiring physical cable connections or direct access to control a video camera, the system uses a mobile device to capture visual information (QR codes or unique visual identifiers) from the camera and automatically establish control through wireless communication. This substitution of mechanical interaction with optical recognition resolves the contradiction by enabling remote control without physical access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the operator and the video camera. The mobile device captures visual information from the camera, processes it to identify the target camera, and then establishes wireless control connection. This intermediary facilitates remote control by mediating the interaction between the operator and the inaccessible camera, eliminating the need for direct physical access while maintaining control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual association between control device and video camera is performed, then control can be established, but the process becomes difficult when multiple cameras display similar scenes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of camera associationVSAvoidcamera identification difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual identifiers (such as colored QR codes or unique visual patterns) displayed by each video camera to enable automatic identification. Instead of relying on operators to manually distinguish between similar camera scenes, each camera presents a unique visual signature that the mobile device can automatically recognize and decode. This visual differentiation system resolves the identification difficulty by providing distinct, easily distinguishable markers for each camera regardless of scene similarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses QR codes or visual identifiers that encode unique camera information as a copyable representation of the camera's identity. The mobile device captures this visual copy, decodes the embedded information, and automatically associates the control function with the correct camera. This copying mechanism eliminates manual identification by allowing the system to automatically read and process the camera's unique visual identifier, even when multiple cameras show similar scenes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Extent of automation

If video content analysis is performed to identify control device signature, then automatic camera association is achieved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of camera associationVSAvoidassociation processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by having each video camera continuously display its unique visual identifier (QR code or visual signature) in advance of any control operation. When an operator needs to control a camera, the mobile device simply needs to capture this pre-displayed identifier rather than analyzing video content in real-time. This preliminary presentation of identification information dramatically reduces processing time by eliminating the need for complex real-time video analysis, achieving automatic association through simple image capture and decoding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3291546B1Method and system for enabling control, by a control device, of a video camera in a video surveillance system
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 CANON KK
  • EP3291546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291546B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3291546B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for enabling control, by a control device, of a video camera in a video surveillance system comprising a plurality of video cameras, the method comprising: - obtaining from the control device a signature of the control device; - identifying information corresponding to the signature of the control device from a video stream generated by a video camera of the system; and - associating the control device with the video camera that generated the video stream in which information corresponding to the signature of the control device has been identified, thereby enabling control of the video camera by the control device.