Video Analytics for Scene-Based Camera-to-Recorder Load Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale CCTV installations face challenges in optimizing the automated assignment of cameras to recorders, as existing methods lack a basis for ensuring optimal load balancing between cameras and recorders with varying specifications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for load balancing that utilizes scene analysis to determine load balancing factors, including camera scene importance, storage redundancy, activity level, and object proximity, to dynamically assign cameras to recorders with varying specifications, leveraging artificial intelligence and neural networks for classification and assignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automated load balancing is implemented without scene analysis basis, then automation is improved, but load balancing optimization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated load balancingVSAvoidload balancing optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scene analysis to generate scene importance values before making camera-to-recorder assignments. This advance preparation of scene importance data enables automated decision-making to be both automated and optimized, resolving the contradiction between automation extent and optimization quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses scene analysis feedback to continuously adjust and optimize camera-to-recorder assignments. By analyzing scene importance values and using them as feedback for load balancing decisions, the system achieves both high automation and optimal resource allocation simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If cameras are assigned to recorders without scene analysis, then assignment simplicity is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera assignment simplicityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables recorders to self-select based on their capacity and assigned cameras to self-determine optimal scene coverage. This self-service mechanism maintains operational simplicity while achieving efficient resource allocation through scene importance-based decisions without complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the assignment parameter from simple camera-to-recorder mapping to scene importance-weighted assignment. By incorporating scene importance values as a key parameter, the system maintains ease of operation through automated parameter-driven decisions while significantly improving resource allocation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual camera-to-recorder assignment is used, then assignment control is improved, but automation level deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassignment controlVSAvoidautomated assignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces scene importance values as an intermediary between manual control requirements and automated assignment execution. This intermediary enables the automated system to operate with the same level of control intelligence that would require manual intervention, achieving both high automation and effective control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Speed

If load balancing ignores recorder specifications, then assignment speed is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassignment speedVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of recorder specifications and camera scene importance values before making assignments. This advance preparation enables the system to make rapid, informed decisions that optimize resource utilization without sacrificing assignment speed, as the complex analysis is completed beforehand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4601284A1Video analytics, scene-based camera to recorder load balancing
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
  • EP4601284A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4601284A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4601284A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus for performing a load balancing assignment of a set of cameras having different camera specifications to a set of recorders having different recorder specifications/ The aspects include determining a set of load balancing factors configured to match the cameras in the set of cameras to the recorders in the set of recorders responsive to scene analysis information. The set of load balancing factors include at least a camera scene importance. The aspects include assigning one or more of the cameras in the set to record to one or more of the recorders in the set responsive to the set of load balancing factors and the set of recorder specifications. The aspects include recording, by the one or more of the recorders, video information from a corresponding one of the one or more cameras based on the assigning of one or more of the cameras to record to the one or more of the recorders.