Modular Camera Monitoring System With Application-Specific Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monitoring systems are expensive, difficult to install seamlessly, and ineffective in low-light conditions, especially at night, and are not adaptable for mobile environments such as those surrounding people, pets, or vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A modular camera system that interfaces with an application-specific base, equipped with a GPS receiver, communication module, and processor, which can download monitoring applications to capture specific types of monitoring information, including image and location data, and provide remote access through personal electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems are used to provide seamless visual monitoring, then monitoring reliability is improved, but installation difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into modular components: a base unit with power supply and processing capabilities, and interchangeable camera modules. This segmentation allows the system to be installed in phases or configured for specific needs, reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliable monitoring through dedicated functional modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple types of camera modules and adapt to different monitoring scenarios (indoor, outdoor, mobile, fixed). This multi-functionality reduces installation difficulty by using a single base unit for various applications while ensuring reliable monitoring through purpose-built camera modules.
2Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems operate in low-light conditions, then monitoring capability is improved, but system cost increases due to illuminators and infrared imagers
Solution Approach 1:
The camera modules incorporate sensors with enhanced sensitivity to low-light conditions and extended spectral response (including near-infrared). By changing the sensor parameters rather than adding expensive illuminators or specialized infrared imagers, the system achieves reliable low-light monitoring at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera modules are designed to passively capture available light without requiring active illumination systems. The sensors themselves provide the capability to detect low-light conditions, eliminating the need for separate illuminator components and reducing overall system cost while maintaining monitoring capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed monitoring systems are used, then installation stability is improved, but adaptability to mobile environments decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed installations to dynamic mobile monitoring capabilities. The base unit can be mounted on moving platforms (vehicles, wearables, drones), and the camera modules are designed to function reliably in mobile environments with vibration, motion, and changing orientations, thus achieving both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed as a universal platform that can be deployed in both fixed and mobile configurations. The same base unit can support stationary installations or be mounted on moving platforms, providing adaptability to different environments while maintaining stable operation through robust design and protective features.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide monitoring systems including one or more modular cameras and at least one application-specific base. The application-specific base may include features and/or components corresponding to a particular type of monitoring. A monitoring system includes at least one modular camera that first establishes a communication link with an application-specific base and then downloads a monitoring system application corresponding to the application-specific base. After a modular camera receives the monitoring system application, the modular camera performs the application in order to capture monitoring information corresponding to the particular type of monitoring supported by the application-specific base.