Video Annotation Markers for Distributed Storage Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data management systems are inadequate for efficiently organizing and searching large volumes of personal video information, which are often scattered across various storage locations and sources, lacking effective annotation and retrieval methods.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves annotating recorded video information with markers, such as audio and video markers, which are electronically searchable, allowing for categorization and retrieval of specific segments within the video files, either during recording or post-processing, and storing these markers in a separate searchable file associated with the video file.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If video information is stored in various places using various storage means, then the quantity and accessibility of personal data is improved, but the complexity of managing and organizing the data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of personal informationVSAvoiddata management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary data management system that acts as a mediator between users and the distributed video storage infrastructure. This system provides centralized control and organization capabilities while the actual video data remains distributed across multiple storage locations, thereby resolving the contradiction between data quantity and management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the video information management into distinct components: video data storage, marker annotation, and search/indexing functions. By dividing the management system into modular segments that can operate independently, the complexity of managing large volumes of distributed video data is reduced while maintaining comprehensive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If video information is annotated with markers during recording or post-processing, then the searchability and organization of video content is improved, but the processing time and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrieval efficiencyVSAvoidannotation processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables video information to be annotated with markers during the recording process itself, rather than requiring separate post-processing steps. This preliminary action approach allows markers to be embedded in real-time as video is captured, improving retrieval efficiency without adding significant processing delays later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for flexible annotation timing, performing marker insertion periodically or at selected intervals during recording or post-processing, rather than continuously processing all video data. This periodic approach balances retrieval efficiency with acceptable processing time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If markers are made substantially undetectable by manual review, then the cleanliness and usability of video content is improved, but the difficulty of verifying marker placement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo content usabilityVSAvoidmarker verification difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a separate marker file that contains copies of marker information associated with the video data. This allows markers to be stored in a format that is undetectable in the original video content while maintaining a verifiable copy in the associated marker file, thereby preserving both content usability and verification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8701005B2Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing video information
Publication Date: 2014.04.15 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P
  • US8701005B2 patent drawing
  • US8701005B2 patent drawing
  • US8701005B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Recorded video information is managed by annotation markers. The recorded video information is annotated with at least one marker and the annotated video information is saved in an electronically searchable file.