Object Content Navigation via Map-Based Camera Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring systems with multiple cameras require users to manually navigate and guess which camera is capturing a specific moving object, making it cumbersome and non-intuitive to track targets across a surveillance area.
Innovation Solution
A surveillance system that uses a graphical user interface to associate cameras with coordinates on a map, allowing users to select virtual objects and automatically switch between cameras to follow moving targets, with features like hyperlinks, a database for location association, and an object navigator to process video streams based on selected locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually navigate between multiple camera screens to locate a moving object, then the system can provide comprehensive surveillance coverage, but the operation becomes extremely cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a map as an intermediary element between the user and the camera system. The map displays icons representing camera locations and the moving object's position, allowing users to visually locate the object and select the appropriate camera without manually checking multiple screens. This intermediary map significantly reduces the time and effort required to track moving objects across multiple camera views.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy or representation of the physical surveillance area through the map interface. The map icons and their positions replicate the spatial relationships of actual camera locations and the moving object, providing a simplified virtual model that users can interact with to quickly identify and switch to the relevant camera view.
2Reliability
If the system displays multiple camera views simultaneously on multiple screens, then complete area coverage is achieved, but the user interface complexity and difficulty of navigation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the surveillance information into two distinct components: the map interface for location identification and the camera view for detailed observation. The map is divided into segments showing different area locations with camera icons, allowing users to systematically navigate and select the desired camera without being overwhelmed by a single complex multi-screen display.
Solution Approach 2:
The map serves as an intermediary layer that simplifies the complex relationship between multiple camera screens. Instead of directly managing multiple camera displays, users interact with the map to locate objects and select cameras, which then switches to the appropriate camera view. This intermediary significantly reduces interface complexity while maintaining complete surveillance coverage.
3Ease of operation
If users guess which screen corresponds to which location, then navigation between cameras is possible, but the process becomes non-intuitive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates an accurate visual copy of the physical layout on the map, with icons positioned to reflect their actual spatial relationships. This visual representation preserves and communicates location-camera associations clearly, eliminating the need for users to guess which screen corresponds to which location. The map provides intuitive spatial information that directly guides users to the correct camera selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs visual indicators such as color-coded icons and highlights on the map to clearly distinguish different camera locations and the moving object's position. These visual cues enhance the clarity of location-camera associations, making it immediately obvious which camera is monitoring which area without requiring users to make educated guesses.
Data Source
AI summary
A surveillance system for monitoring a selected object that comprises a multiplicity of video cameras, a software application and at least one computerized medium. The computerized medium enables operating the application and the application is operatively associated with the cameras, which are installed in different locations in a surveillance area. The system allows a user to select at least one object such as an image or an area that is filmed by at least one of said cameras and monitor said object by automatically operating cameras that are associated with the object's coordinates' location, where the associated camera enables filming the selected object.