Body-Worn Camera Docking With Recorder Buffer Against Network Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for handling data from body-worn cameras are vulnerable to network failures, expensive, and inflexible, with docking stations being a significant cost and security risk, and often tie users to specific data management systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a body-worn camera, a docking station with minimal intelligence, and a separate recorder for intermediate storage, allowing data transfer over a local area network, with the recorder configured to manage operational parameters and securely store data before transferring it to a data management system, enabling flexible and cost-effective data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If continuous wireless transfer is used, then data transfer convenience is improved, but system vulnerability to network failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a docking station as an intermediary device between the body-worn camera and the data management system. The docking station provides a local interface for data transfer, eliminating direct dependency on wireless network connectivity. Officers can transfer data by physically connecting the camera to the docking station, ensuring reliable data transfer even when network infrastructure is unavailable or compromised.
2Reliability
If docking station with full functionality is used, then data storage security is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data management functionality across multiple devices: the docking station handles local data reception and temporary storage, while the data management system (separately located) performs secure long-term storage and processing. This segmentation allows the docking station to be simpler and less expensive, while security requirements are met by the dedicated data management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves as an intermediary that receives data from cameras and transfers it to the data management system, rather than requiring each docking station to have full storage and processing capabilities. This intermediary role reduces the complexity and cost of individual docking stations while maintaining overall system security.
3Ease of operation
If docking station is placed in accessible area, then ease of use is improved, but security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station acts as a secure intermediary that temporarily holds camera devices and transfers data automatically. Even though placed in accessible areas for convenience, the docking station's secure design and automated data transfer process minimize risks. The data management system, which contains the actual data, can be located in secure facilities, separating the accessible interface from the sensitive data storage.
4Device complexity
If integrated docking station and data management system are used, then system simplicity is improved, but security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the docking station from the data management system into distinct, independently located components. This segmentation allows the docking station to be placed in accessible areas for officer convenience, while the data management system containing sensitive data can be secured in protected facilities. The separation reduces the security risk associated with integrating both functions in a single accessible location.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (1) for handling data captured by a body worn camera (2) is disclosed. The system (1) comprises a body worn camera (2), a docking station (3), and a recorder (4). The camera (2) comprises a local storage device (6). The docking station (3) comprises a data interface (7) for connecting the local storage device (6) to the docking station (3), and a first network interface (8) for connecting the docking station (3) to the recorder (4). The docking station is physically separate from the recorder. The recorder (4) comprises a second network interface (9) for connecting the recorder (4) to the docking station (3), and a recorder storage device (10). The recorder (4) is arranged to retrieve the captured data from the camera (2) and store it in the recorder storage device (10), and comprises a third network interface (11) for transfer of stored data to a data management system (5). A method for handling data captured by a body worn camera (2) is also disclosed.