IP Camera Power Management via State Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network video surveillance systems, particularly IP cameras, consume excessive power due to continuous operation, leading to high power consumption and short battery life when powered by adapters or batteries.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an IP camera control method that allows the camera to switch between a working state and a low-power standby state upon user instruction, using heartbeat packets and wake-up packets to maintain connectivity without constant protocol stack support, and disconnecting from routers during standby to reduce power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the IP camera operates continuously in working state, then video recording and monitoring functions are maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IP camera implements periodic operation by alternating between working state (video recording) and standby state (low power consumption). The camera activates periodically to record videos and send them to the server, then enters standby mode. This periodic action pattern reduces overall power consumption while maintaining essential monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions the IP camera between two operational states: working state and standby state. This dynamic state adjustment allows the camera to adapt its power consumption level based on operational needs, switching to low-power mode when continuous recording is not required while maintaining the ability to activate when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the IP camera enters standby state, then power consumption is reduced, but connectivity and responsiveness may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
Before entering standby state, the IP camera completes essential tasks such as sending recorded videos to the server and establishing heartbeat connections. This preliminary action ensures that the camera is fully synchronized with the server before reducing its operational state, maintaining connection reliability despite the transition to low-power mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses heartbeat packets exchanged between the IP camera and server to maintain connection awareness. Even in standby state, the camera periodically sends heartbeat signals to keep the connection alive and responsive, allowing the server to track the camera's status without requiring continuous full-power operation.
3Reliability
If the IP camera maintains protocol stack support, then network communication is reliable, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential communication function from the full protocol stack requirement. Instead of maintaining complete protocol stack support continuously, the system uses simplified communication mechanisms such as predefined wake-up packets and heartbeat signals that don't require full protocol processing, reducing device complexity while maintaining essential communication reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an IP camera control method, apparatus, and system. The method includes: waiting, by an IP camera, for receiving a standby instruction, where the IP camera is currently in a working state; and if the IP camera receives the standby instruction sent by a server, switching, by the IP camera, from the working state to a standby state. The IP camera control method, apparatus, and system provided by the present invention can prevent an IP camera from being always in a working state, so that power consumption of the IP camera is reduced.