Edge Camera P2P Streaming via Proxy Servers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network-based video surveillance systems rely heavily on cloud-based processing and separate media streaming servers, which can be expensive and inefficient for applications with limited viewers and infrequent viewing, and pose security vulnerabilities due to the need for internet protocol addresses and dynamic domain name systems.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables peer-to-peer media streaming from edge data storage devices, such as video surveillance cameras, to internet browsers using standard web protocols without relying on separate media streaming servers, by establishing a secure socket connection through intermediaries like a VSaaS server and signaling server, allowing direct streaming of video data across proxy servers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If cloud-based processing and separate media streaming servers are used, then media streaming functionality is provided, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidstreaming reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the media streaming server functionality directly into the edge device (video surveillance camera), merging previously separate functions (edge computing and media streaming) into a single integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate cloud-based processing servers and media streaming servers, reducing system complexity while maintaining streaming reliability through direct peer-to-peer connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the media streaming server functionality from the cloud infrastructure and relocates it to the edge device itself. By taking out the streaming server dependency from the system architecture, the solution eliminates the need for expensive cloud-based media streaming infrastructure while enabling direct streaming to client browsers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic domain name systems and port mapping are implemented for edge devices, then internet accessibility is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork accessibilityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a signaling server as an intermediary that facilitates peer-to-peer connection establishment without requiring edge devices to have public IP addresses or implement dynamic domain name systems. The signaling server mediates the connection process by enabling clients to discover and connect to edge devices through secure channels, maintaining network accessibility while eliminating security vulnerabilities associated with direct internet exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If cloud-based infrastructure is used for video surveillance, then centralized control is achieved, but cost-efficiency decreases for limited viewership

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost-efficiencyVSAvoidinfrastructure dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables edge devices to serve themselves as media streaming servers, providing video streams directly to client browsers without requiring cloud-based infrastructure. This self-service approach allows the system to efficiently handle limited viewership scenarios by eliminating the need for expensive cloud resources, achieving cost-efficiency while reducing infrastructure dependency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11621986B2Peer-to-peer media streaming from an edge data storage device to a browser
Publication Date: 2023.04.04 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • US11621986B2 patent drawing
  • US11621986B2 patent drawing
  • US11621986B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for peer-to-peer video streaming from an edge data storage device to a browser are described. A media device, such as a surveillance video camera, may include a media server and a proxy server. The media server may send media streaming files using a first data transfer protocol to the proxy server in the media device. Using a second data transfer protocol, the proxy server on the media device may establish a secure peer-to-peer connection to another proxy server on a user device. The proxy server on the user device may provide the media streaming files to an internet browser on the user device and the internet browser may display the media from the media streaming file.