Surveillance Video Format Conversion Platform

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) require proprietary software for remote viewing, leading to management challenges and delays in video transmission, and there is a disconnect between DVR owners and law enforcement agencies, resulting in delayed access to surveillance footage and inefficient resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

A platform that converts video from multiple DVRs into a standard format for viewing across platforms, utilizing a central server and mesh computing to enable on-demand access to live and recorded video, reducing server overhead and facilitating immediate video access for emergency responders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary software is used for each DVR brand, then remote viewing capability is achieved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote viewing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal platform that can access and manage multiple DVR brands through a single interface. The system uses standardized protocols and converters to enable one remote viewer application to work with various DVR manufacturers, eliminating the need for separate proprietary software for each brand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediary components including protocol converters and a central server that act as mediators between different DVR brands and the remote viewer. These intermediaries translate proprietary protocols into standardized formats, enabling compatibility without requiring separate software for each DVR type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If video files are transmitted over network, then remote access is enabled, but transmission delays increase due to large file sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote accessVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments large video files into smaller chunks or frames for transmission. Video data is divided into manageable units that can be transmitted more efficiently over the network, reducing individual transmission delays while maintaining overall video stream continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-buffering and pre-processing video data before transmission. Video frames are prepared and staged in advance, allowing for smoother and faster delivery when requested, reducing perceived delays for remote users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If centralized server is used to convert video formats, then standardized output is achieved, but server power requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo format standardizationVSAvoidserver power requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements local quality conversion where format conversion is performed at or near the source DVR rather than centralized. Each DVR or local gateway converts its output to standardized formats locally, distributing the processing load and reducing the power requirements of any single centralized server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion function is segmented and distributed across multiple points in the system. Instead of one powerful centralized converter, conversion capabilities are distributed to individual DVRs or local gateways, reducing the burden on centralized servers and lowering overall power requirements through parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of information

If manual maintenance of DVR lists is required, then tracking capability is achieved, but time consumption and operational burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service functionality where the platform automatically discovers, registers, and maintains DVR device information. The system autonomously tracks IP addresses, usernames, passwords, and location details without requiring manual intervention, eliminating the time-consuming task of maintaining DVR lists while preserving complete tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where DVR devices automatically report their status and information to the central platform. This automated feedback loop keeps the DVR registry updated without manual maintenance, as devices self-register and notify changes in their operational status, location, or configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

5Reliability

If surveillance footage is stored locally on DVRs, then data availability is achieved, but access delays for law enforcement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidaccess delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges local storage on DVRs with centralized cloud storage. Surveillance footage is simultaneously retained locally on DVRs for immediate availability and copied to a centralized server for remote access. This dual-storage approach ensures data reliability through local backup while enabling immediate law enforcement access through centralized retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-uploading and pre-positioning surveillance footage on the centralized server before law enforcement needs it. Video data is proactively transferred and staged in advance, so when law enforcement requests access, the footage is already available immediately without retrieval delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8417090B2System and method for management of surveillance devices and surveillance footage
Publication Date: 2013.04.09 I VIEW NOW LLC

AI summary

A system or method of transmitting and receiving surveillance video and/or alarm data and converting proprietary video formats into a single, standardized format for viewing on a multiplicity of devices at the surveillance location by authorized emergency responders.