Digital Video Camera Image Data Segmentation for Bandwidth Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital video cameras face challenges in transmitting high-quality images over narrowband connections, leading to bandwidth issues and reduced recording quality, especially in surveillance scenarios where both live observation and image archiving are critical.
Innovation Solution
A digital video camera design that separates image data streams for storage and live transmission, allowing for reduced data volume in stored images while maintaining high resolution for recording, and adjustable image refresh frequency for efficient transmission, using multiple image generators to manage data output effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high resolution and high image refresh frequency are used for live transmission, then image quality is improved, but bandwidth requirements increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image data stream into multiple segments with different resolutions and quality levels. The image is segmented into important regions (e.g., areas with motion or interest) that are transmitted at high resolution, while less important regions are transmitted at lower resolution, thereby reducing total bandwidth while maintaining perceived image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the image are assigned different quality levels based on their importance. Critical areas such as moving objects or regions of interest maintain high resolution, while static or less important background areas use lower resolution, optimizing bandwidth utilization without sacrificing essential image quality.
2Quantity of substance
If image resolution is reduced for transmission, then bandwidth requirements are reduced, but recording quality is also reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments image data into full-resolution frames at lower frame rates and reduced-resolution frames at higher frame rates. This allows the recording to maintain high spatial resolution when needed while using lower resolution for routine transmission, preserving overall recording quality while managing bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic transmission of high-resolution images interspersed with lower-resolution images. This periodic action ensures that bandwidth is reduced during routine operation while still maintaining the capability to provide high-quality recordings when necessary, balancing bandwidth usage with recording quality preservation.
3Ease of operation
If full resolution images are stored for later search, then search capability is improved, but memory storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments stored image data into full-resolution frames and reduced-resolution frames. During search operations, the system first performs preliminary searching using reduced-resolution data that occupies less memory, and only retrieves full-resolution images when potential matches are identified, thereby improving search efficiency while reducing overall memory storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary search operations using lower-resolution image data before retrieving full-resolution images. This preliminary action filters out non-relevant images early in the search process, reducing the need to store and process large volumes of full-resolution data while maintaining effective search capability.
4Speed
If high frame rate is used for storage, then motion detail is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic high-frame-rate capture interspersed with lower frame-rate capture. During periods of high activity or interest, the system captures images at high frame rates to preserve motion detail, while during routine periods it operates at lower frame rates to reduce power consumption, thereby balancing motion detail preservation with energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different frame rates to different regions or aspects of image capture. High frame rates are applied selectively to regions with significant motion or interest, while other regions use lower frame rates, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining motion detail where it matters most.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a digital video camera comprising an image sensor that generates an image data raw stream, and comprising a memory for storing image data generated in response to the image data raw stream, and comprising a data output unit. In this case, it is provided that the data output unit is designed for outputting image data generated in response to the image data raw stream to the memory and for simultaneously outputting image data and for simultaneously outputting image data from the stored data from the camera to users.