IP Camera Direct Object Storage Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network video recorder (NVR) systems are limited by their computing capacity, storage scalability, and management complexity, leading to high costs and low camera-to-NVR density ratios, especially in large-scale security installations.
Innovation Solution
A surveillance system that eliminates the need for NVRs by allowing IP cameras and streamers to directly access and record video and audio data to storage, using database server technology for centralized management and search functions, enabling efficient meta-data reporting and retrieval, and utilizing object-based storage systems for scalable and intelligent storage management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional NVR systems are used, then centralized video management is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase while camera density remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the NVR function from the traditional architecture by eliminating the need for dedicated NVR devices. Instead, IP cameras directly store video data in object-based storage systems, removing the intermediate NVR layer that caused system complexity while maintaining centralized management capabilities through the storage system's built-in features.
Solution Approach 2:
The object-based storage system provides multi-functionality by serving both as the storage backend and as the NVR replacement. It handles video storage, retrieval, search, and management functions that traditionally required separate NVR devices, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
2Quantity of substance
If more NVRs are deployed to handle large numbers of cameras, then storage capacity increases, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage function with the NVR function by using object-based storage systems that can directly receive and store video data from multiple cameras. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate NVR devices, increasing storage capacity while reducing system complexity through functional integration.
3Quantity of substance
If file-based storage systems are used, then storage capacity is limited, but system scalability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage architecture from traditional file-based systems to object-based storage systems. This parameter change enables scalability to petabyte-level capacities while maintaining ease of management, as object-based systems handle large volumes of data more efficiently and provide better scalability for growing surveillance systems.
4Device complexity
If SAN storage systems are used to eliminate NVRs, then hardware cost decreases, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces object-based storage systems as an intermediary between IP cameras and traditional file-based storage. This intermediary layer simplifies management by providing centralized control, easy data retrieval, and simplified search functions, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining the hardware cost benefits of eliminating NVRs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A video surveillance system includes at least one of a camera or a streamer. A data base server is coupled to the camera and can store metadata for a video clip from the camera or streamer. A media storage server is coupled to both the camera or, the streamer, and to the data base server to store the clip in the absence of any network video recorders.