Glossary
Key terms explained: pet monitoring, privacy, and video streaming technology.
End-to-End Encryption (E2E)
A method of secure communication where content is protected between the communicating endpoints so an intermediary cannot read it. Call Pet uses WebRTC DTLS/SRTP for the direct P2P media session and separately encrypts signaling and control messages.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
A communication architecture where endpoints exchange data directly instead of sending the media through a central relay. In Call Pet, the Monitor sends audio/video directly to the Controller; signaling infrastructure only helps establish the connection.
WebRTC
Web Real-Time Communication — an open technology for real-time audio, video, and data between devices. WebRTC can support direct or relayed connections depending on an app's configuration. Call Pet configures its media for direct P2P only and does not use TURN or a media relay.
X25519
An elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman key-agreement algorithm used to establish a shared secret over an untrusted channel. Call Pet uses X25519 as part of protecting signaling and control messages between paired devices; WebRTC's DTLS/SRTP layer protects media.
AES-GCM
Advanced Encryption Standard in Galois/Counter Mode — an authenticated symmetric-encryption mode that provides confidentiality and integrity. Call Pet uses AES-256-GCM for signaling and control messages after key agreement; WebRTC DTLS/SRTP protects audio/video media.
Cloud Storage
A model where data is stored on remote infrastructure and accessed over a network. Security and privacy depend on the provider's encryption, access, and retention design. Call Pet does not provide cloud video storage or cloud playback; optional manual recordings stay on the Controller device.
Separation Anxiety (Pets)
A behavioral condition in pets — most commonly dogs — where the animal experiences significant distress when left alone or separated from their owner. Symptoms include excessive barking, destructive behavior, house soiling, and refusal to eat. A pet camera allows owners to monitor symptoms, identify triggers, and track improvement during behavioral training.
Spare Phone Camera
The practice of repurposing an unused smartphone as a monitoring camera instead of buying dedicated hardware. Call Pet keeps the Monitor app open in the foreground on a low-brightness standby page and sends media through a direct P2P connection.
Pet Monitor App
A mobile app that uses a phone camera for remote pet monitoring. Available features and media paths vary by product. Call Pet provides live video and two-way audio over a direct P2P connection, with no cloud video storage.
Transport Encryption
Encryption that protects data while it travels across a network, such as TLS between a device and a server. Whether an intermediary can access content depends on the complete architecture and key design. End-to-end encryption instead keeps content readable only at the intended endpoints.