Computer system and method for storing video data

• US 20020194253A1
• Filed: 06/13/2001
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mdi Security, LLC
• Original Assignee: MDI Inc
• Inventors: Cooper, Alan N., Bauerle, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,892,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums

Abstract

A computer system and method for storing video data in memory is disclosed. Memory capacity is evaluated. If the memory capacity is sufficient to allow the storing of video data in the mass storage device, then the video data is stored. If the memory capacity available is insufficient to storage the video data and the mass storage device, the oldest stored video data in the mass storage device is identified. The oldest stored video data is then removed from the mass storage device and stored in memory. The video data in memory is then modified to require less space in memory. The new video data and the modified video data are then written to the mass storage device.

Claims

1. A method of storing video data in a memory, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving video data from a video source;

evaluating memory capacity available;

if memory capacity available is sufficient, storing video data in the memory;

if memory capacity available is insufficient, performing the following steps;

locating previously stored video data in the memory;

reading previously stored video data out of the memory;

modifying previously stored video data, wherein the modified previously stored video data requires less space in memory,

rewriting modified previously stored video data to the memory,

writing the received video data to the memory.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of locating previously stored video data in the memory includes locating the oldest previously stored video data in the memory.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving video data includes receiving video data in frames.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of receiving video data in frames includes receiving pixel data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of receiving video data includes receiving one byte of data for each pixel data in the frame.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of receiving video data in frames includes receiving at least 307,000 bytes per frame.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of reading previously stored video data out of the memory includes reading frames out of the memory.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of modifying previously stored video data includes removing pixels from the frames.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of modifying previously stored video data includes removing pixels from the frames in an amount equal to the number of pixels in the received video data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of evaluating memory capacity includes determining amount of unused memory.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of locating previously stored video data in the memory includes locating modified previously stored data.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of locating previously stored data includes locating previously stored data based upon an aging protocol.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the aging protocol includes the steps of:

determining amount of degradation acceptable before removing modified previously stored video data from memory;

determining amount of the memory to be allocated for modified previously stored video data;

partitioning memory according to the allocation;

determining amount of degradation of modified previously stored video data in partitioned memory;

if amount of degradation is acceptable, identifying modified previously stored to video data; and

if amount of degradation is unacceptable, removing modified previously stored video data from the memory.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of determining amount of degradation acceptable includes determining the amount based upon a predetermined coefficient.

15. A system for storing video data in a memory, the system comprising:

a video source; and

a video storage system coupled to the video source;

the video storage system comprising;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a mass storage device coupled to the processor

video storage software resident in the memory, the video storage software, when executed, performing the steps of;

receiving video data from the video source;

evaluating capacity available of the mass storage device;

if capacity available of the mass storage device is sufficient, storing video data in the memory;

if capacity available of the mass storage device is insufficient, performing the following steps;

locating previously stored video data in the mass storage device;

reading previously stored video data out of the mass storage device in to the memory;

modifying previously stored video data in memory, wherein the modified previously stored video data requires less space in the mass storage device;

rewriting the modified previously stored video data to the mass storage device.

writing the received video data to the mass storage device.