Magnetic Tape Data Recording Apparatus for Multi-Channel Security Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing multi-channel recording systems, such as security camera systems, are limited by high costs due to the need for multiple hard disk drives to increase camera connectivity, with each hard disk drive costing significantly more than a tape medium, restricting the number of cameras that can be connected to 16 channels at a data transfer speed of 14 Mbps.
Innovation Solution
A data recording apparatus and system that utilizes a magnetic tape as the recording medium, incorporating an accumulating portion for image data with added address data, a selecting portion for reading and ordering data, and a recording portion for writing data onto magnetic tape, enabling higher data transfer speeds and increased channel connectivity without the need for additional systems, thereby reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hard disk drives are used for recording image data, then data transfer speed is maintained at 14 Mbps, but the number of channels is limited to 16 and cost increases substantially when adding more cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive hard disk drives with inexpensive magnetic tape media. The tape is a disposable/recordable medium that can be reused after recording, providing a cost-effective solution for increasing channel capacity without the high costs associated with adding multiple hard disk drives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple channel data streams (up to 64 channels) onto a single magnetic tape recording system. By accumulating data from multiple channels in buffer memory and then selectively reading and recording them onto one tape, the system merges previously separate recording paths into a unified, cost-effective solution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of cameras is increased beyond 16 channels, then more external appliances can be connected, but additional hard disk drives must be added which costs about ¥1,000,000 per drive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive hard disk drives (¥1,000,000 each) with inexpensive magnetic tape media that costs only several tens of thousands of yen per volume. This allows the system to accommodate more cameras without incurring substantial additional costs for storage hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic tape recording system serves multiple functions: it can record data from any number of channels (up to 64) using a single tape drive, whereas previously each additional camera required additional hard disk drive capacity. The tape medium provides universal storage capability across all channels.
3Quantity of substance
If hard disk drive capacity is used up, then recording continues but system cost increases largely with each additional hard disk drive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs magnetic tape as a low-cost storage medium compared to hard disk drives. When recordable capacity is exhausted, instead of purchasing expensive additional hard disk drives, the system can simply replace or reuse inexpensive tape volumes, dramatically reducing the cost per unit of storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic tape system allows for discarding full tape volumes and recovering storage capacity by inserting new or reused tapes. This eliminates the need to purchase additional expensive hard disk drives when capacity is exhausted, as tape media can be easily replaced or reused at minimal cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A data recording apparatus and a data recording system of the present invention includes buffer memories 2a to 2c that accumulate data in a plurality of channels transferred from an external appliance on a channel basis, a data selector 3 that reads the data accumulated in the buffer memories 2a to 2c, and a data drive 4 that records the data read by the data selector 3 onto a magnetic tape, wherein the data selector 3 selectively reads the data accumulated in the buffer memories 2a to 2c, and outputs the data in an order of recording onto a magnetic tape in the tape drive 4. According to such a configuration, a data recording apparatus that can be realized at low cost and a recording system using the data recording apparatus can be provided.