Methods and Tools of Video Monitoring for Remote Laboratory

The ability to monitor the progress of online experiments using a video monitoring system is one of the most important advantages of remote laboratories. In this case, special requirements are imposed on the capture area, quality and degree of image details. Therefore, the further development of methods and tools of capturing, broadcasting, receiving and displaying video images to improve the quality of educational services provided by a remote laboratory is an urgent task. In the course of the work, technologies for capturing and processing video images, implementing wireless protocols for receiving (commands, requests) and transmitting data (images), as well as architectural features, principles of software implementation and operation of video monitoring systems are investigated and realized. The developed system provides the ability to organize video monitoring for remote experiments observing and fixing. Thus, students receive the fullest information and data streaming provides the effect of physical presence at the site of the experiment. The hardware/software complex is developed on the basis of ESP-32 and ESP-32-CAM modules, as well as Wi-Fi, HTTP and WebSocket protocols. The ability to update the developed software is implemented using the OtaDrive cloud service. This makes it easier and faster to deploy and test new software. The main advantages of the proposed solution are ease of assembly, customization, availability of components, the possibility of easy modernization of both hardware and software parts of the complex, low power consumption. It has low cost, which ensures availability even for small educational laboratories. The practical value of the work lies in the fact that the created software/hardware complex can be used to organize effective video monitoring of experiments in remote laboratories, as well as for other video surveillance systems in various fields.