Peer-to-Peer Surveillance Nodes Eliminate Single Point of Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surveillance systems are vulnerable to single points of failure, making them unreliable and difficult to update, especially in critical applications where public safety is concerned, as they require centralized controllers and physical connections that are hard to maintain and expand.
Innovation Solution
A peer-to-peer surveillance architecture that eliminates the need for a central controller by using independent nodes capable of capturing, analyzing, and communicating surveillance information through multiple communication links, including wireless and cellular networks, allowing for redundancy and easy deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized controller is used to aggregate and control surveillance information, then the system provides centralized monitoring and control capability, but the system becomes vulnerable to single point of failure and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized surveillance system into multiple independent peer-to-peer nodes, each capable of autonomous operation. Instead of one central controller, the system segments functionality across multiple nodes that can independently capture, analyze, store, and transmit surveillance information, eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining distributed monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a hierarchical centralized architecture to a distributed peer-to-peer architecture, changing the dimensional organization of the system. Each node operates independently in the same hierarchical level rather than having a clear controller-subordinate relationship, enabling the system to function even if individual nodes fail.
2Reliability
If physical connections are used to connect cameras to the central controller, then the system provides stable communication links, but the system becomes difficult to update and expand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical connections (cables, connectors) with wireless communication links between nodes. This substitution allows nodes to be added, removed, or repositioned without installing new physical infrastructure, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining communication stability through established wireless protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where nodes can freely join and leave the surveillance network without requiring fixed physical installations. The peer-to-peer architecture allows nodes to dynamically establish and break connections, enabling easy system expansion and updates while maintaining stable communication through automatic network reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If backup central controllers are configured to increase reliability, then the system provides redundancy, but the cost increases and seamless transition is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of capture, analysis, storage, and control into single integrated peer nodes. Each node combines multiple functionalities that were previously separated between cameras, controllers, and servers, reducing overall system complexity and cost while providing inherent redundancy through distributed functionality across multiple nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
Each peer node is self-sufficient and can independently perform surveillance functions without requiring a central controller. Nodes autonomously capture, analyze, and transmit information, and can seamlessly take over functions of failed nodes without manual intervention, providing redundancy with minimal complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional cameras are added to the surveillance system, then the coverage is expanded, but physical connections must be installed which is difficult in existing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for physical cable installations with wireless communication between nodes. New surveillance nodes can be deployed anywhere within wireless range without drilling, cabling, or structural modifications, making coverage expansion trivial while maintaining communication stability through wireless protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A peer to peer surveillance architecture comprising a plurality of independent nodes for capturing, analyzing, storing, and viewing surveillance information is disclosed. The surveillance architecture has no central controller or single point of failure because of the peer to peer or independent relationship between its nodes. Generally, surveillance information of various types is captured by one or more capture nodes and transmitted to or one or more viewing, content storage, or server nodes for display, analysis, storage, or a combination thereof. Server nodes may provide authentication services to validate user or device credentials prior to granting access to surveillance information. In one or more embodiments, specialized video compression hardware is provided to allow high quality video surveillance information to be transmitted across low bandwidth connections. Compression may also be performed on other types of surveillance information.