Network Camera Visual Feedback for Condition Change Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network camera systems fail to effectively notify users of changes in photo-taking conditions outside the currently displayed areas on terminal devices, leading to user interference and improper operation when automatic adjustments are made by sensors or voice direction changes.

Innovation Solution

A network camera system with a detection unit to identify condition changes, an obtaining unit to determine the direction of these changes, and a notification unit to inform the user on the terminal device, using icons or images superimposed on the video display to indicate the condition changes, allowing users to adjust the camera direction accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the image taking direction is automatically adjusted by sensor or voice detection, then the camera can respond to environmental changes, but the user cannot perform proper operation when they are manually adjusting the camera

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic image taking direction adjustmentVSAvoiduser operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying icons on the terminal device that indicate the direction and type of condition changes detected by sensors or voice detection. This allows users to see what the camera is detecting and manually override automatic adjustments, resolving the conflict between automation and user control reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device acts as an intermediary between the automatic detection system and the user. It receives detection data from the camera, processes it into visual icons, and presents it to the user, allowing manual intervention in the automatic control loop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If the camera automatically adjusts image taking direction based on sensor or voice detection, then the camera can track objects of interest, but the user cannot readily recognize where condition changes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic object trackingVSAvoiduser awareness of condition changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses visual icons with different shapes and positions to represent different types of condition changes (optical, acoustic, temperature). These visual indicators make the invisible sensor data visible and interpretable for users, preventing information loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors detect condition changes in different directions, then the camera can monitor multiple parameters, but the user cannot distinguish the source of condition changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-sensor condition detectionVSAvoiduser understanding of condition sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns different visual characteristics to icons representing different sensor types and detection directions. Each icon's position, shape, or appearance corresponds to a specific sensor or condition type, allowing users to easily distinguish the source of each condition change despite multiple sensors operating simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to readily recognize and respond to changes in photo-taking conditions by providing visual notifications on the terminal device, preventing interference and ensuring proper camera operation.

Implementation Method 1

the detection unit comprises at least one of an optical sensor, a voice sensor, and a temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Implementation Method 2

the detection unit comprises at least one of an optical sensor, a voice sensor, and a temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic detection:

Implementation Method 3

the detection unit comprises at least one of an optical sensor, a voice sensor, and a temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7945938B2Network camera system and control method therefore

Publication Date: 2011.05.17 CANON KK

AI summary

A network camera system is provided that detects an occurrence of a condition change at a periphery of an image pickup apparatus, obtains a direction of the detected condition change, and notifies a user of the occurrence of the condition change and a direction of the condition change on a display of a terminal device.