Multi-Camera Surveillance Image Processing with FPGA Parallel Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surveillance systems struggle to efficiently process high-resolution image data from multiple camera modules, leading to resource inefficiencies and potential errors.

Innovation Solution

A surveillance system is designed with a network camera comprising multiple camera modules sharing an IP address, utilizing a communication module to receive and process image data, a decoder to decode, a scaler to scale, a multiplexer to combine, and an encoder to encode the data, ensuring the sum of scaled resolutions meets client terminal requirements, and an FPGA device for separate processing to prevent time differences and increase speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple camera modules process high-resolution image data through one processor, then surveillance coverage is improved, but processing efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurveillance coverage areaVSAvoidimage data processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the processing system into multiple independent processing units (FPGA devices), each handling specific camera modules. This segmentation allows parallel processing of image data from multiple cameras simultaneously, maintaining high processing efficiency while expanding surveillance coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-processor sequential processing model to a multi-FPGA parallel processing architecture. By adding the dimension of parallel processing across multiple devices, the system can handle high-resolution data from multiple cameras without sacrificing processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If one processor handles all image data from multiple cameras, then system complexity is reduced, but processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structure complexityVSAvoidimage data processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into multiple FPGA processing units, each responsible for specific camera modules. This division enables concurrent processing operations across separate hardware units, dramatically increasing processing speed while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple FPGA devices are merged into a coordinated processing system where each unit handles specific tasks. The combination of parallel processing capabilities from multiple devices achieves high-speed processing without requiring a single overly complex processor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If high-resolution image data is processed in real-time, then image quality is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolution qualityVSAvoidprocessing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The processing workload is segmented across multiple FPGA devices, distributing resource consumption rather than concentrating it in a single processor. This allows real-time processing of high-resolution data while managing energy and computational resources efficiently across the distributed system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each FPGA processing unit independently handles its assigned camera modules' data processing, making autonomous decisions about resource allocation and processing priorities. This self-service capability optimizes resource usage for maintaining high image quality without excessive overall system consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If multiple camera modules share one IP address, then network configuration is simplified, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork configuration easeVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary layer (the host device or control unit) that manages communication between the network and multiple camera modules sharing an IP address. This intermediary handles data routing and transmission optimization, maintaining simplified network configuration while improving actual data transmission efficiency through intelligent traffic management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3758383B1Image processing device and method
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 HANWHA VISION CO LTD
  • EP3758383B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3758383B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3758383B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a surveillance system including a communication module configured to receive a plurality of pieces of image data obtained by a plurality of camera modules, receive a multiple image data request from a client terminal, and transmit a multiple image data response including multiple image data to the client terminal; and a processer configured to generate the multiple image data by scaling the plurality of pieces of image data in response to the multiple image data request and combining a plurality of pieces of scaled image data, wherein the plurality of camera modules share one internet protocol (IP) address.