Portable Digital Storage Device SDI Interface Data Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital cinematography lacks a compact, lightweight, and robust portable data storage device that is compatible with various camera systems, capable of interfacing with both cameras and editing hardware, and user-friendly for widespread acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A portable data storage device with SDI inputs and outputs, incorporating a device controller that converts high-speed serial data to parallel data, packetizes it, and distributes it via medium-speed channels to memory controllers and modules, utilizing NAND flash memory and buffer chips for efficient data handling and power management, along with a user-friendly interface for controlling functions and obtaining status information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If digital video data is recorded using traditional film-based systems, then high capacity storage is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical film-based recording system with a digital electronic storage system using solid-state memory devices. This substitution eliminates the need for physical film reels and mechanical transport mechanisms, dramatically reducing device weight while maintaining or increasing storage capacity through digital data encoding.
2Weight of moving object
If digital cinematography equipment is used, then portability is improved, but compatibility with various camera systems and editing hardware becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal digital storage device with standardized interfaces that can interface with multiple camera systems (e.g., HD-SDI, SD-SDI) and editing hardware. The device incorporates multiple input/output ports and protocols, allowing a single portable unit to serve various functions across different video production workflows, thereby achieving versatility without compromising portability.
3Speed
If high speed data transfer is implemented for video recording, then data transfer rate is improved, but heat dissipation becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high-speed data transfer function across multiple parallel data channels rather than using a single high-bandwidth connection. This segmentation distributes the heat generation across several lower-power channels, reducing the thermal load on any single component while maintaining the overall high data transfer rate required for video recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffer memory as an intermediary component between the high-speed video input and the storage medium. This buffer absorbs peak data rates and smooths out data flow, allowing the system to operate at high speeds during recording while reducing the sustained thermal load on the storage interface, thereby managing heat dissipation more effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable data storage device compatible with both standard and high definition digital video cameras is provided. The device includes at least one SDI I/O, and preferably at least one audio I/O and preferably at least one medium speed I/O interface. A device controller takes the high speed serial data, packetizes it, and then sends it out to a plurality of memory modules. Preferably each memory module includes four NAND clusters, each NAND cluster consisting of a flash memory controller and two NAND flash memories. Interposed between the device controller and the memory modules are a plurality of memory controllers, each memory controller controlling a group of memory modules. A user interface is coupled to the device controller, the interface including a display capable of at least two user-selectable orientations, record/playback controls and a four-way directional control pad.