Mesh Network Adapter for Camera Image Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless mesh networks face challenges in efficiently and reliably transmitting image data from cameras to remote computers, particularly in outdoor environments where traditional networks may lack coverage and depend on internet access, and devices often require complex configurations.

Innovation Solution

A mesh network adapter with a weather-proof housing, microprocessor, transceiver, and flexible extension cable that connects to a camera's memory card slot, allowing intelligent data transfer and staging for wireless transmission to a gateway within the mesh network, enabling direct device communication and self-healing network capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wireless networks are used for transmitting image data from cameras, then internet access and complex configurations are required, but network coverage and reliability in outdoor environments deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh network adapter automatically performs network formation, device discovery, and data transmission without requiring user configuration or internet access. The system self-configures by establishing peer-to-peer connections between cameras, adapters, and computers, eliminating the need for complex network setup while maintaining reliability in outdoor environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh network adapter acts as an intermediary device between the camera and the computer, enabling direct local network communication. This intermediary facilitates image data transmission through a decentralized mesh topology, bypassing the need for traditional internet-dependent wireless networks and reducing configuration complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If image data is transmitted over large distances through multiple network hops, then transmission distance is improved, but data loss and transmission reliability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoiddata transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter pre-establishes multiple potential transmission paths through the mesh network before actual data transmission occurs. By proactively forming a complete mesh topology with redundant routes, the system prepares alternative pathways in advance, ensuring that if one path experiences data loss, corrected data can be transmitted through pre-existing alternative routes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements error correction mechanisms and redundant transmission paths that cushion against potential data loss during long-distance transmission. Multiple hops are compensated for by having backup routes and error-checking protocols ready beforehand, maintaining reliability even when images must travel through several intermediate adapters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If weather-proof housing and protective measures are added to protect the adapter from environmental factors, then environmental resistance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter employs a weather-proof housing that utilizes sealed enclosures and protective coatings to resist environmental factors such as moisture and dust. This approach provides robust environmental protection while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through standardized sealing techniques and protective film applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Loss of information

If continuous wireless transmission is maintained to ensure real-time data delivery, then data freshness is improved, but power consumption worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous transmission, the mesh network adapter employs periodic polling and scheduled data transmission intervals. The system checks for new image data at regular intervals and transmits only when data is available, maintaining data freshness while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission modes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10757271B2Mesh network adapter, method for transmitting image data from a camera to a remote computer

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 GONZALEZ GREGORY HERBERT

AI summary

A mesh network adapter is designed to communicate with a camera, and is configured to form a mesh node in a wireless mesh network. The network adapter includes housing, a microprocessor, a transceiver, a non-volatile onboard data storage medium, and an elongate flexible extension cable. The flexible cable is operatively connected to the microprocessor at the camera end, and interfaces with the onboard data storage medium and a removable memory card. The microprocessor functions to control the transfer of image data from the camera through the flexible cable to the removable memory card, and from the removable memory card to the onboard data storage medium for subsequent wireless transmission to a gateway within the mesh network.