Edge AI Network Relay for Privacy-Safe Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart cameras rely on public cloud services for storage and processing, raising privacy and security concerns, and require specialized hardware, making it difficult to implement robust, independently secured IoT-enabled security systems.

Innovation Solution

An Input Output (I/O) Network Relay and a device with edge processing capabilities that integrate with video security systems, allowing for local operation and integration with various devices to trigger actions, perform object detection, and use machine learning for scene and object detection without relying on cloud architectures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If cloud-based platforms are used for video processing and storage, then advanced AI capabilities and object detection are improved, but privacy and security are worsened due to data transmission over public networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection accuracyVSAvoidprivacy and security risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the AI processing capabilities from the cloud environment and embeds them directly into the camera device. The camera includes an integrated processor that performs object detection, scene analysis, and AI-based recognition locally, eliminating the need to transmit video data to external cloud servers while maintaining advanced detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an on-device AI processor as an intermediary between the camera sensor and the output system. This local processing unit acts as a mediator that analyzes video data in real-time without requiring external cloud infrastructure, thus preserving privacy while enabling sophisticated object detection and recognition functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If specialized smart camera hardware is used for cloud integration, then cloud-based AI processing is improved, but device compatibility and independence are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAI processing capabilityVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the smart camera with universal interfaces and protocols that enable compatibility with multiple camera types and configurations. The system can process video from various sources including IP cameras, analog cameras, and multiple camera feeds simultaneously, while maintaining the integrated AI processing capabilities for object detection and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If cloud services are required for video processing, then advanced detection features are improved, but system autonomy and energy efficiency are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the computationally intensive AI processing functions from remote cloud servers and relocates them to the camera's local processor. This enables the camera to perform object detection, facial recognition, and scene analysis independently without requiring continuous cloud connectivity, thereby reducing energy consumption associated with data transmission and enabling autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If cloud-based IoT platforms are used for device control, then smart home integration is improved, but system security and independence are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmart home integrationVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a local processing unit and edge computing architecture as intermediaries that enable smart home integration functions to execute on-device. The camera can perform local video analysis, trigger alerts, and integrate with security systems without requiring constant cloud platform mediation, thus maintaining smart functionality while reducing security vulnerabilities associated with cloud dependency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240414285A1Network relay
Publication Date: 2024.12.12 MONITOREAL LTD
  • US20240414285A1 patent drawing
  • US20240414285A1 patent drawing
  • US20240414285A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments are directed to a relay configured to operate a plurality of electric appliances in conjunction with smart camera device that performs object detection.