Pooled Surveillance Camera Storage Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surveillance cameras that store image data locally face inefficiencies in data compression and resource allocation, as the ability to store data varies with the dynamic field of view, leading to unequal prioritization of resource allocation in surveillance systems, where more important data from busy areas may be overwritten sooner than less important data from empty areas.
Innovation Solution
A distributed storage system that allows surveillance cameras to allocate image data storage across other cameras or remote storage resources based on real-time available and required storage information, using a primary camera to query secondary cameras for resources and a virtual storage controller to determine data distribution, enabling peer-to-peer data sharing and cloud storage options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If surveillance cameras store image data locally with fixed storage capacity, then each camera functions as a stand-alone unit reducing installation complexity, but the storage duration is limited and cannot adapt to varying surveillance priorities across different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage resources of multiple surveillance cameras into a unified pooled storage system. Cameras that are not actively recording can share their storage capacity with cameras monitoring high-priority areas, effectively merging individual storage capacities to extend overall storage duration while maintaining the stand-alone functional architecture of each camera unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allocates storage resources based on real-time surveillance priorities and motion detection activity. Storage capacity is not fixed per camera but dynamically adjusted according to the operational needs of different camera locations, allowing the system to adapt storage duration to varying surveillance requirements without changing physical hardware configurations.
2Productivity
If surveillance cameras allocate storage resources independently based on local motion detection, then each camera optimizes its own storage efficiency, but important data from busy areas may be overwritten sooner than less important data from empty areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary that coordinates storage allocation across the entire camera network. The server receives motion detection data from all cameras and makes centralized decisions about which cameras should retain data and for how long, based on system-wide priorities. This intermediary enables cameras to maintain high local storage efficiency while ensuring that critical data from busy areas is protected from being overwritten by less important data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where motion detection information and storage status are continuously monitored and used to adjust storage allocation decisions. The central server receives real-time feedback from cameras about their storage usage and motion detection activity, then dynamically reallocates storage resources to maintain data retention reliability according to changing surveillance priorities.
3Quantity of substance
If surveillance cameras use motion detection to trigger storage, then storage resources are conserved by only recording when necessary, but the system cannot guarantee adequate storage for high-priority areas during periods of high activity across multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where storage capacity is not statically assigned to individual cameras but dynamically shared across the network based on real-time needs. When high-priority cameras experience high activity, the system automatically allocates additional storage capacity from lower-priority cameras, enabling the system to adapt to varying surveillance demands across different locations and time periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The pooled storage system creates a universal storage resource that serves multiple cameras simultaneously. Each camera's storage capacity becomes a shared resource that can be allocated to any camera in the network based on priority and need, making the storage system multi-functional and adaptable to different surveillance scenarios rather than being dedicated to single-camera use.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surveillance camera and image data storage system and method are disclosed. The system includes a network of surveillance cameras that generate image data and a storage allocation system implemented at the level of the individual surveillance cameras. The storage allocation system enables the surveillance cameras to distribute storage of their image data across one or more surveillance cameras having excess local storage available within the surveillance cameras. In one embodiment, a primary surveillance camera of the storage allocation system exchanges messages with the other cameras functioning as secondary surveillance cameras to determine the available and required storage resources of each of the cameras, and to store image data across the cameras in response to the determined available and required storage resources. The storage allocation system can also distribute storage of the image data of the cameras to a remote cloud storage system.