Video Storage Allocation Manager for Surveillance Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large organizations with numerous surveillance cameras face challenges in efficiently and reliably managing and recording thousands of hours of video data, requiring significant mass storage capacity and management capabilities, especially since video recording occurs continuously.
Innovation Solution
A video storage management system that includes edge video capturing devices, a video buffer, storage units, and a video allocation manager to split and record video data in parallel across multiple storage units, ensuring redundancy and optimal performance by selecting storage units based on available space, active controllers, and communication paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If video data is recorded on a single storage unit, then the system is simple to manage, but the reliability and redundancy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the video recording system into multiple independent storage units, each capable of storing video data independently. This segmentation enables redundancy by distributing data across multiple units, so that if one unit fails, other units still contain the video data. The video allocation manager segments the recording task across multiple storage units based on availability and performance parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by evaluating and selecting storage units based on their specific local characteristics such as available space, controller status, and communication path performance. Each storage unit is assessed individually for its current state and suitability for receiving video data, allowing the system to optimize reliability by choosing the most appropriate unit for each recording task.
2Reliability
If video data is recorded on multiple storage units, then the reliability and redundancy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a video allocation manager as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of managing multiple storage units. This intermediary automatically selects appropriate storage units based on predefined criteria (available space, controller availability, communication paths) and coordinates the recording process, thereby reducing the operational complexity despite having multiple storage units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by having storage units autonomously report their status (available space, controller state, communication path health) to the video allocation manager. This automatic status reporting and selection process eliminates manual intervention and simplifies management while maintaining the reliability benefits of multi-unit storage.
3Quantity of substance
If the system uses more storage units, then the mass storage capacity increases, but the management capabilities required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where storage units continuously report their status parameters (available space, controller availability, communication path performance) to the video allocation manager. This feedback enables automated, real-time selection of optimal storage units based on current conditions, reducing the manual management burden despite having extensive storage capacity across multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by dynamically changing parameters such as selecting storage units based on real-time status changes (availability, performance thresholds). The video allocation manager adjusts its decisions based on current system state, allowing efficient management of large storage capacities through parameter-based automation rather than manual control.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present invention refer to an apparatus and method for managing video storages. The method may include periodically receiving parameters indicative of a level of performance of video storage units and detecting up-down states of the video storage units upon receipt of an instruction to record video data. The method may further include detecting writing rates and reading rates of video data associated with the storage units and selecting one of the video storage units to record the video data, based on the parameters received, the detected up-down states, the detected writing rates and the detected reading rates.