Networked Video Camera Storage Reliability via Periodic Health Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surveillance systems face vulnerability in storing important video data due to high storage demands and potential failures in storage devices, especially in small systems where redundant storage may not be feasible or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A method involving periodic test messages from networked video cameras to Networked Storage Devices (NSDs) to detect failures, generating fail signals, and sending alerts via electronic or human-perceptible signals to ensure timely maintenance and prevent data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant storage systems are provided to increase reliability, then the vulnerability to storage device failures is reduced, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by periodically sending test messages to the storage device before actual video data is stored. This proactive health checking allows the system to detect storage device failures early and switch to alternative storage locations or alert operators, preventing data loss without requiring complex redundant storage infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where test message responses from the storage device are continuously monitored. When failures are detected, the system provides feedback by generating alerts to notify operators or automatically switching to backup storage locations, creating a closed-loop system that maintains reliability through continuous monitoring and response.
2Quantity of substance
If video data is stored only when events of interest occur, then storage capacity requirements are reduced, but the system becomes more vulnerable to data loss when storage devices fail
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary health checks of the storage device using test messages before storing event-based video data. This ensures that when critical event data needs to be stored, the storage device is verified to be operational, preventing data loss while maintaining efficient use of storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors storage device health through continuous test messaging and provides feedback when issues are detected. This allows the system to take preventive actions such as alerting operators or switching to alternative storage before actual event data is lost, maintaining reliability without requiring excessive storage capacity.
3Device complexity
If small surveillance systems are deployed to reduce cost, then system affordability increases, but the availability of redundant storage becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device performs self-service by autonomously testing its own storage device connection and health status without requiring external monitoring infrastructure. This allows small, cost-effective surveillance systems to maintain storage reliability through built-in self-diagnosis capabilities, eliminating the need for expensive redundant storage or external monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements internal feedback loops where the monitoring device continuously monitors its own storage device health and can autonomously respond to failures by generating alerts or switching to alternative storage, enabling reliable operation in small systems without complex redundant infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for decreasing the risk of monitoring data failing to be stored. The method comprises periodically sending a test message from the monitoring device to a Networked Storage Device, NSD, generating an NSD fail signal in the monitoring device if events following the sending of the test message indicates that the NSD is not operating properly, and sending, in response to the NSD fail signal, a fail message from the monitoring device for detection outside housing of monitoring device.