Video data storage, search, and retrieval using meta-data and attribute data in a video surveillance system

Abstract

One embodiment is a method of storing video data from a video surveillance system having one or more cameras. Video data is captured from one or more surveillance cameras. Meta-data is automatically generated by performing video analysis on the captured video data from the surveillance cameras. A human operator may manually enter additional meta-data. Attribute data and associated weights, representing information about the relevance of the meta-data, is received. The video data is stored in a hierarchical video storage area; the meta-data, indexed by date and time stamp to the video data, is stored in a meta-data storage area; and the attribute data is stored in an attribute storage area. One or more alerts may be issued based on the past and present meta-data. The video data is secured by encrypting and storing the video data remotely, and audit trails are generated about who and when viewed the video data.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 746,043 entitled “Apparatus, methods, and systems for intelligent security and safety” to John Donovan et al., filed on May 8, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is generally related to video data storage in security and surveillance systems and applications. More specifically, this invention relates to storage of video data and associated meta-data and attribute data, and subsequent search and retrieval of the video data using the meta-data. The present invention may be used to store, search, and retrieve video data and meta-data that has been obtained from surveillance cameras in various security and safety applications. The present invention may be used to help fight crime, detect and possibly prevent terrorist activity, and help ensure safety procedures are followed.BACKGROUND OF...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0040]One embodiment of the present invention provides a user interface for a system administrator to enter and customize the attribute data. A particular user of the present invention would customize the present system by entering weights that are associated with attribute data. For example, the system administrator would select the attribute data that corresponds with each camera. A system administrator may identify a low-hanging camera that may be easily tampered with a lower attribute weight, while a high-hanging camera that is difficult to tamper with a higher attribute weight.

Problems solved by technology

For example, a weight associated with a camera may go down if the camera was not maintained for a period of time.

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