Security Camera Multi-Directional Mounts for Sensor Position Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of determining the location and orientation of sensor modules in multi-sensor security camera systems with customizable panoramic fields of view, which are attached to a mounting dome, to facilitate image stitching and analytics functions.
Innovation Solution
An application on a mobile computing device or a remote server uses image analysis to detect the location of sensor modules by capturing an image of the configuration, or utilizes external points of reference to determine their positions through image analytics, generating reference images that are compared to sensor module data to associate them with mounting points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical positioning system is used to tilt sensor modules, then the sensor modules can be repositioned to cover panoramic field of view, but the device complexity and blind spots increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting dome is divided into multiple discrete mounting sockets positioned at different orientations, allowing sensor modules to be independently attached at specific locations without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms. This segmentation enables panoramic coverage through strategic placement of individual sensor units rather than moving a single complex assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using mechanical tilting in three-dimensional space, the patent distributes sensor modules across multiple fixed mounting sockets on the dome surface, effectively using the angular distribution around the dome's circumference to achieve panoramic coverage. This transforms the problem from mechanical movement to spatial distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor modules are attached to mounting sockets, then unlimited arrangements are possible, but determining location and orientation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs unique identifiers or visual markers (analogous to color coding) on the mounting sockets and corresponding sensor modules to enable easy detection and identification of module positions. This allows the system to automatically determine which sensor modules are installed at which locations without complex detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital model or copy of the physical sensor module arrangement by detecting the positions of sensor modules relative to the mounting sockets. This digital representation stores the location and orientation information, simplifying the detection process while enabling complex arrangements to be managed through software rather than complex hardware sensing.
3Productivity
If image analysis is used to detect sensor module locations, then processing time and resources are reduced, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference features or markers as intermediaries between the sensor modules and the image analysis system. These reference points provide stable, easily detectable landmarks that enable accurate location determination through image analysis. The markers serve as a bridge, allowing the system to translate visual information into precise positional data without requiring complex direct measurement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A security camera system includes a base unit and sensor modules for generating image data. The base unit includes several mounting sockets arranged at different elevational and azimuthal directions around the base unit, and the sensor modules attach, for example, magnetically, to the mounting sockets. The security camera system is capable of automatic detection of the location of the sensor modules, as the identification information for the mounting sockets to which the sensor modules are attached are identified by image analytics. A reference image depicting the security camera system or an area surrounding the security camera system is analyzed and the positions of the sensor modules are determined based on the reference image. In the latter example, the reference image includes markers designating points of reference visible to the sensor modules and is compared to image data generated by the sensor modules.