Modular Camera Module with Overlapping Fields of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera systems lack redundancy and are easily disabled, especially in hostile environments, due to limited field of view and vulnerability to intentional or unintentional damage.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, universally mountable camera module with multiple cameras providing a 180-degree view and overlapping fields of view, housed in a hemispherical shape made of durable materials, allowing for redundant coverage and resistance to disablement, with wireless communication for real-time data processing and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cameras are used to provide wide coverage, then field of view and redundancy are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into multiple individual camera modules, each with its own field of view. These segmented cameras are distributed around the housing to collectively provide 360-degree coverage, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive monitoring through division rather than using a single complex camera system
Solution Approach 2:
Each camera module serves multiple functions: it provides coverage for its specific field of view, contributes to overall system redundancy, and can be individually replaced or maintained without affecting other cameras. This multi-functionality allows each component to contribute to both coverage and reliability
2Measurement precision
If high resolution cameras are used, then image quality is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one or two high-resolution cameras to cover all areas, the system uses multiple lower-resolution cameras that collectively provide sufficient overall image quality. Each camera captures its portion of the environment at moderate resolution, and the combined coverage achieves the necessary monitoring precision without the expense of high-resolution components
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs lower-resolution, more cost-effective camera modules that can be easily replaced if needed. These cameras are designed to be economical components rather than expensive high-resolution units, allowing the overall system to achieve reliability through quantity and redundancy rather than through the high cost of individual premium components
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system having at least one self-contained, universally mountable camera module having a housing and a plurality of cameras disposed within the confines of the housing, each camera having a predetermined field of view to the exterior of the housing that when combined provide at least a 180 degree view about the housing. The system also includes communication elements within the housing to provide electrical communication between the plurality of cameras and a position external to the module and at least one receiver that receives the camera views from the module that is operable by a user to view one or more camera views at a time as individual views as well as a composite view of at least two or more camera views.