Networked Camera Redundancy for Video Data Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video surveillance systems face challenges such as data loss due to camera theft, malfunction, or failure, limited streaming capacity, and high maintenance costs associated with self-contained IP cameras, which lack redundancy and efficient storage management.
Innovation Solution
A redundant array of cameras (RAC) framework that provides redundancy and storage pooling, allowing video data to be rebuilt from other cameras in the array, with data blocks sized for optimal disk access and metadata management for efficient storage and retrieval, and the use of flash-based storage to reduce reliability concerns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If video data is stored on on-board storage in the camera, then cost savings and operational simplification are achieved, but data loss occurs when cameras are lost, stolen, destroyed, or malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cameras into a unified networked storage system where video data from multiple sources is aggregated and stored collectively. This merging approach ensures that individual camera failures or thefts do not result in permanent data loss, as the system can recover and reconstruct video data from the combined storage pool.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates redundant copies of video data across the networked camera array. When video is captured by one camera, it is copied and stored in the collective network storage, ensuring that multiple identical copies exist. This copying mechanism protects against data loss from camera theft, destruction, or malfunction while maintaining deployment simplicity.
2Reliability
If traditional NVR/DVR recorders are used to store video data, then data security is improved, but maintenance costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera network performs self-service storage functions by utilizing its own members as storage nodes. Each camera in the network can store video data from itself and other cameras, eliminating the need for external NVR/DVR infrastructure. This self-service approach reduces system complexity and maintenance costs while maintaining data security through distributed redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera nodes in the network serve multiple functions: they act as both video capture devices and storage devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated recording infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining secure data storage through the universal participation of all network members in the storage process.
3Ease of operation
If self-contained IP cameras are used, then operational independence is achieved, but redundancy is lacking and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension operational independence model to a multi-dimensional approach where cameras maintain operational independence in terms of capture but gain redundancy through networked storage. Video data from independently operating cameras is aggregated into a collective storage pool, providing redundancy without compromising the operational independence of individual camera units.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a video frame from an encoder associated with a first camera that is coupled to a network; appending the video frame to a data block; associating a parity block to the video frame; evaluating whether the data block is full; and communicating the data block to a second camera in the network. In other embodiments, the method can include receiving additional video frames from the encoder; appending the additional video frames to a plurality of data blocks; and aligning particular sizes of the plurality of data blocks to a plurality of corresponding disk write sizes.