Server-Based Video Stream Distribution for Multi-User Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for remote camera video viewing and control allow only one user to access and control a live camera stream effectively, leading to conflicts and network overload when multiple users try to access the same stream, limiting their ability to perform tasks such as crowd control, inventory monitoring, and security monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a server to receive and distribute video streams to multiple users, with a gateway subsystem determining the appropriate video stream size and preventing direct connection to the camera source, allowing each user to view and manipulate their own stream independently without conflicting with others, thereby alleviating network burden and lag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users directly access the same camera stream, then each user can control and view the stream, but network bandwidth is overwhelmed and lag time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates multiple copies of the video stream from a single camera source, distributing these copies to multiple users through a server. This allows each user to have their own stream copy for manipulation and analysis without competing for the original camera bandwidth, thereby eliminating lag while enabling multi-user access.
Solution Approach 2:
A server acts as an intermediary between the camera and multiple users. The server receives the single camera stream, processes and distributes it to multiple users, and manages user commands. This intermediary architecture prevents direct multi-user competition for camera resources, reducing network overload and lag time.
2Ease of operation
If the camera distributes multiple video streams to allow each user independent control, then user independence is improved, but network burden increases and lag time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple user control operations into a single command processing pipeline. Instead of each user requiring a separate camera connection, all user commands are processed through the server which manages a single camera connection, reducing network burden while maintaining independent control capabilities through software-based stream manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than creating multiple physical camera streams, the system creates virtual copies of the video data at the server level. These copied streams are then distributed to users, allowing independent manipulation without the network burden of multiple physical camera connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera allows mechanical lens movement for different viewing angles, then different objects can be viewed, but only one user's command can be executed at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical lens movement with electronic image processing and software-based pan/tilt/zoom operations on the video stream. This allows multiple users to independently control viewing angles and focus on different objects simultaneously without mechanical conflicts, as each user's commands are processed as software operations rather than conflicting mechanical movements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for substantially simultaneously remote monitoring including receiving, at a server, one or more video data streams, and providing, from the server, the one or more video data streams to multiple users, each one of the multiple users being able to view and manipulate the one or more video data streams. Systems that implement the method are also disclosed.