Federated Camera Array for High-Resolution Surveillance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surveillance camera systems face challenges with high costs, mechanical complexity, and bandwidth limitations, which restrict their ability to deliver high-resolution video streams effectively, requiring multiple cameras for coverage and manual calibration, and often result in low-quality video feeds due to bandwidth constraints.
Innovation Solution
A distributed camera system comprising an array of high-pixel sensors with redundant capabilities, including zoom, focus, and sensitivity, that self-installs, orients, and connects to other systems, using consumer-grade camera technology to produce composite XHTML streams with object information, enabling panoramic coverage and high-resolution imaging without mechanical PTZ mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution sensors are used, then image quality is improved, but network bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-resolution image data into multiple lower-resolution streams or selectively transmits only relevant portions of the image data over the network, while maintaining full resolution locally. This allows the system to utilize high-resolution sensors without proportionally increasing network bandwidth requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are deployed for coverage, then area coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera feeds into a single integrated system with unified processing and control. By combining the cameras into a coordinated networked system rather than independent units, the overall system complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal camera system where each camera unit can function independently or as part of a coordinated group. The system provides multi-functionality by handling various surveillance tasks through a standardized platform, reducing the need for specialized equipment and simplifying system management.
3Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed, then camera positioning accuracy is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary automatic calibration routines that are executed during system initialization or setup. The cameras perform self-calibration and automatic positioning adjustments before full operation begins, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual calibration while achieving accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables cameras to perform self-calibration and self-positioning through automated algorithms and sensors. Each camera unit independently determines its location and adjusts its parameters without requiring manual intervention, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining positioning accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical PTZ mechanisms are used, then field of view adjustment is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) mechanisms with electronic image processing and digital zoom capabilities. Field of view adjustment is achieved through software-based image cropping, scaling, and processing rather than physical movement of camera components, eliminating mechanical failure risks while maintaining field of view flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a plurality of cameras each enabled to operate independently of the others as a component camera. The system includes logic operable to form the component cameras into a network operable as a single federated camera device. The lens types of the component cameras are non-heterogeneous, and the federated camera forms a virtual lens comprising characteristics combining the lens types of the component cameras.