IP Camera Network Relay for Elastic Image Stream Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image surveillance systems are inflexible due to the need for direct connections between IP cameras and the image recording host, limiting the elasticity of image stream transmission and physical distribution.
Innovation Solution
An image surveillance system where IP cameras form a local area network among themselves using identification codes and communication circuits to establish connections, either directly or indirectly through other cameras, allowing for flexible transmission of image streams to the image recording host.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all IP cameras are directly connected to the image recording host through a network, then the image stream transmission can be stable and reliable, but the physical distribution of IP cameras is limited and the system lacks elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate IP cameras that act as relay nodes between the image recording host and other IP cameras. These intermediate cameras receive image streams from the host and forward them to other cameras in the network, enabling indirect connections and eliminating the requirement for all cameras to be directly connected to the host.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into multiple hierarchical levels: the image recording host at the top level, intermediate IP cameras in the middle level that serve as relay nodes, and terminal IP cameras at the bottom level. This segmentation allows the system to scale and adapt to different physical distributions while maintaining stable image stream transmission.
2Area of stationary object
If IP cameras are physically distributed over a large area, then the surveillance coverage is extended, but direct network connections become impractical and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses intermediate IP cameras as mediators to bridge the gap between geographically dispersed cameras and the image recording host. These intermediates receive and forward image streams, enabling surveillance coverage over large areas while maintaining manageable network connections through a hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a flat, direct-connection network topology to a hierarchical, multi-dimensional topology. Image streams can flow through multiple dimensions (host → intermediate → terminal), allowing the system to accommodate large physical distributions while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized relay operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a direct connection architecture is used, then the network configuration is simple, but the system cannot accommodate flexible physical distributions of IP cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring intermediate IP cameras with relay functionality and pre-establishing the hierarchical network structure. This allows the system to quickly accommodate new IP cameras by simply connecting them to existing intermediates, reducing the time required for system establishment and expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic network architecture where the hierarchical structure can adapt to changing physical distributions. New IP cameras can be dynamically added by connecting them to appropriate intermediate nodes, and the system automatically adjusts to maintain stable image stream transmission without requiring complete reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an image surveillance system that includes an image recording host and IP cameras. Each of the IP cameras includes a storage circuit that stores identification information including identification codes, a communication circuit that performs network communication and a processing circuit. The processing circuit executes software and firmware executable commands to execute an image surveillance system establishing method that includes the steps outlined below. The other IP cameras are identified according to the identification information by using the communication circuit to perform network connection thereto to form a local area network that only includes the IP cameras. Within the local area network, a connection path is set to connect the image recording host either indirectly through at least one of the other IP cameras or directly. An image stream is transmitted to the image recording host through the connection path by using the communication circuit.