Circular Storage Buffer for Simultaneous Data Recording and Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data recording and playback systems face limitations in capturing real-time events due to inadequate temporal and video resolutions, leading to 'dropped frames' and difficulties in rapid data access, especially when resources are diverted during recording.
Innovation Solution
A data recording and playback system with a memory mapped circular storage buffer that allows simultaneous recording and playback, using a monitoring device, memory device, event controller, and access controller to store and retrieve data frames with timestamps, minimizing the likelihood of dropped frames and enabling easy data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a circular storage buffer is used for recording data signals, then the system can continuously record and overwrite old data, but the system cannot simultaneously playback recorded signals without interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circular storage buffer into separate recording and playback operational modes. The system segments the data flow by using a recording indicator and playback indicator to control distinct operations, allowing the buffer to be dedicated to either recording or playback at any given time while maintaining the ability to switch between modes without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the circular storage buffer through software-managed indicators (recording indicator and playback indicator) that can be adjusted in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to flexibly switch between recording and playback modes, and to control the timing and sequence of operations adaptively based on operational requirements.
2Ease of operation
If proprietary hardware architectures are used for time-delayed recording and playback, then simultaneous recording and playback can be achieved, but the system cannot be readily adapted for different applications or sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal event recording and playback system that can handle multiple types of sensors and applications through a common architecture. The system uses generic data structures and processing routines that can accommodate video, audio, and other sensor inputs without requiring proprietary hardware modifications, making it adaptable to various monitoring applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces proprietary hardware architectures with a software-based control system running on general-purpose computers. By substituting dedicated hardware circuits with software-managed processes, the system gains flexibility while maintaining the capability for simultaneous recording and playback operations through virtual memory management and file system operations.
3Reliability
If multiple files are stored in intermediate storage location for event data, then data can be organized by time segments, but rapid viewing and access of recorded data becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple time-segmented event files into a single continuous playback sequence. The system combines the individually stored event files (each containing pre-trigger and post-trigger data) into a unified playback stream, allowing users to view recorded data continuously without manually retrieving or switching between multiple files, thus reducing access time while maintaining organizational integrity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If computer resources are diverted during recording, then system can perform other tasks, but temporal resolution decreases leading to dropped frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary buffering of incoming sensor data in a circular storage buffer before final processing and storage. This preliminary action allows the system to capture data at full temporal resolution continuously while permitting resource diversion for other tasks, as the critical time-stamped data is already secured in the buffer and can be processed later without loss of temporal precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A data recording and playback system and method with a memory device adapted to receive and temporarily store input signal data as data frames with time stamps, the memory device having addresses associated thereto, and a circular storage buffer having a memory mapped file with same address space as the memory device for storing the input signal data. In one embodiment, an event controller provides an event signal associated to time of an event, and an event processor is provided that copies plurality of data frames stored in the circular storage buffer that have time stamps proximate to the time of the event. Another embodiment is adapted to allow playback of stored input signal data from the circular storage buffer without interrupting simultaneous recording of new input signal data into the circular storage buffer.