Modular Game Camera With Dockable Control Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor cameras, such as game and security cameras, lack a modular design that allows for easy user interface access and interchangeable power sources, making it difficult to program and maintain camera settings and power without opening the camera housing.
Innovation Solution
A modular camera system comprising a camera module and a camera control module that can be docked and undocked, featuring a user interface with a display and input options, and interchangeable power sources including disposable batteries and rechargeable battery packs, allowing for easy programming and operation without opening the camera housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera housing is sealed to protect internal components, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot access the user interface without opening the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is divided into separate modules: a sealed camera module containing the image sensor and optical components, and a separate control module containing the user interface and processing functions. This segmentation allows the camera body to remain sealed while providing accessible controls through wireless or physical interfaces on the control module.
Solution Approach 2:
A control module serves as an intermediary between the user and the sealed camera module. This control module provides the user interface, processing functions, and communication interfaces while maintaining the integrity of the sealed camera housing through wireless communication or protected physical connections.
2Reliability
If the camera housing is sealed to protect internal components, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates because users cannot access internal components for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into a sealed camera module and a separate control module. The camera module can be sealed to protect the image sensor and optical components, while the control module provides accessible interfaces for maintenance and repair operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functions and user interface are extracted from the sealed camera housing and placed in a separate control module. This allows the camera module to remain sealed for protection while providing maintenance access through the separate control module or external interfaces.
3Device complexity
If power sources are integrated inside the camera housing, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because users cannot easily interchange power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into interchangeable components: a sealed camera module and a separate power supply unit. This allows the camera module to maintain simple integrated power connections while enabling easy interchange of power sources through standardized interfaces on the power supply unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply unit is designed with universal interfaces that can accommodate different power source types and configurations. This provides adaptability and versatility in power options while maintaining simple integrated connections within the sealed camera module through standardized power interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera including first and second modules combinable to form the camera. The first module can be a camera module, and the second module can be a camera control module. In one embodiment, the camera module includes an image sensor, light source, and motion sensor, and the camera control module includes a power source receiver, camera control system, and image storage device port. The camera control module can be used separated from the camera module for functions such as viewing and editing images or camera settings.