Video Management System Seamless Server Reassignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video surveillance systems face challenges in seamlessly managing video data when a camera is reassigned from one server to another, leading to potential confusion or misinterpretation of footage during the transition, especially in security applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enable seamless playback of video data by providing, in response to a client request, video data from both the original and new camera servers, with the first server delivering video data up to the point of reassignment and indicating the second server, allowing for continuous playback without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a camera is reassigned from one camera server to another, then the camera server load balancing and maintenance flexibility is improved, but the video playback continuity and client operation simplicity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera server assignment database as an intermediary that mediates between multiple camera servers and clients. This database stores and manages camera-to-server assignment information, enabling seamless transitions when cameras are reassigned. When a client requests video data, the system queries the database to determine which server currently holds the camera, ensuring continuous playback without requiring client intervention during server transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera server assignment database serves multiple functions: it tracks current camera assignments, manages reassignment operations, and provides lookup services for video playback requests. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain video continuity while supporting flexible camera reassignment across different servers without requiring separate management systems.
2Reliability
If video data is distributed across multiple camera servers, then system reliability and maintenance capability is improved, but the complexity of managing video playback across servers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera server assignment database acts as a central intermediary that simplifies the complexity of managing distributed video data. Instead of requiring clients to manually track which server holds which camera data, the database provides a single point of query that returns the current server assignment. This reduces the management complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of distributed servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through automated queries to the camera server assignment database. When video playback is requested, the system automatically queries the database to obtain current server assignment information and routes the request accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that clients always connect to the correct server without manual intervention, reducing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If manual reassignment of cameras between servers is performed, then system maintenance and load balancing is improved, but the potential for footage confusion and misinterpretation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically updating the camera server assignment database before and during camera reassignment operations. This ensures that the database reflects the current assignment state before clients request video data, preventing confusion about which server holds which camera footage. The preliminary update of assignment information eliminates gaps or contradictions in video playback continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated query mechanism provides continuous feedback to clients about which server currently holds the camera data. This feedback ensures that even during maintenance operations or load balancing transitions, clients are directed to the correct server without manual intervention, preserving video footage continuity information and preventing confusion or misinterpretation.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for managing video data. In overview, various embodiments provide software, hardware and methodologies associated with the management of video data. In overview, a video management system (such as a surveillance system) includes a plurality of camera servers, each of which being configured to make available stored video data for one or more assigned cameras. A given one of the cameras is reassigned from a first one of the camera servers to a second one of the camera servers. The system is configured such that, in the event that a client places a request for video data from that camera for a time period overlapping with the reassignment, the client is provided with a playback stream that seamlessly traverses the reassignment.