Memory management in event recording systems

Abstract

In vehicle event recorders which capture video as discrete image frames, a managed loop memory and management system is provided to realize a virtual ‘timeline dilation’ effect. For a buffer memory of limited size, the maximum extent of a video series in time is extended by trading a reduction in temporal resolution for an increase in temporal range. Memory cells are overwritten in an ‘interleaved’ fashion to effect a reduced frame rate for certain periods in relation to an event moment. In time periods furthest from the event moment, an effective frame rate is minimized while at time periods closest to the event moment, an effective frame rate is maximized.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS [0001] 1. Field [0002] The following invention disclosure is generally concerned with electronic data storage and specifically concerned with memory allocation and writing schemes in vehicle event recording devices. [0003] 2. Prior Art [0004] Video recording systems are commonly used to monitor places where activity sometimes includes that which a record is desirable. For example, in a security zone criminal activity may be recorded if video monitors are arranged about space to be monitored. When an incident occurs, a video record of the criminal activity is available from the recording system. During periods when no cruel activity occurs, a considerable amount of data is generated by the video recording system. However, this data has little or no value. Thus, it can be readily discarded without loss. The act of ‘discarding’ data amounts to merely rewriting new data over old recorded data. Indeed, most video security systems are arranged with a recording...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides improved memory allocation and writing schemes for vehicle event recording systems. The system records over a large time range with respect to a prescribed size-limited memory. The invention stands in contrast to prior art methods and devices because it uses a managed loop memory allocation scheme that adjusts the storage frame rate throughout a prescribed capture time period. The invention also uses an overwrite scheme that selects which frames are expired and subject to discard, ensuring that data in memory is transferred to a more permanent storage in a unique manner. The recorded timeline contains various frame rates over the capture period, allowing a memory of given size to accommodate a timeline of greater temporal extent. The invention provides set memory allowances and extended record period, as well as memory overwrite schemes that provide a time dilation on either end of a record period.

Problems solved by technology

However, this data has little or no value.

This is due to the fact that the oldest data in a buffer is typically the least valuable.

These incidents may include traffic type accidents, theft, vandalism, among others.

As will be described in detail later, Rayner's first in first overwritten scheme necessarily creates a loss of important and valuable data.

While systems and inventions of the art are designed to achieve particular goals and objectives, some of those being no less than remarkable, these inventions have limitations which prevent their use in new ways now possible.

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