JP2005318380A - Data recorder and data recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data recorder having functions for recording new data without erasing old video images by a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: A video image recorder 100 is equipped with: a capture 101 for receiving data; a storage device 109 for storing data; a sending end determination portion 105 for inquiring each of a plurality of other video image recorders on a network for information concerning the remaining capacity of a storage region, when the remaining capacity of the storage device 109 becomes smaller than a transfer judging threshold value; an other recorder management portion 106 for storing information concerning the remaining capacities of the other data recorders on the network acquired by inquiries by the determination portion 105; the sending end determination portion 105 for determining an input data sending end, on the basis of information concerning the remaining capacities stored in the management 106 when the remaining capacity of the storage device 109 becomes smaller than an inquiry judging threshold value; and a transceiving portion 107 for transferring data to a video image recorder of the sending end determined by the determination portion 105. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data recording apparatus for recording data, and more particularly to a video recording apparatus that digitizes an input video and stores it in a storage area. More particularly, the present invention relates to a video recording apparatus having a function of transferring and recording to another video recording apparatus connected via a network when a storage area for recording a video is insufficient and a new video cannot be recorded. .

  Conventionally, a video recording apparatus that records input video and stores it in a storage medium such as a hard disk is known. However, if the storage area is insufficient, new video cannot be continuously recorded. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to record a new video when the storage area is insufficient.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a network storage type video camera system that stores video in a server connected via a network, instead of recording in a video recording device.
JP 2003-18525 A

  However, when the above system is used, it is necessary to separately install a server for storing video data in addition to the video recording device. In addition, when the server storing the video data is damaged, there is a problem that all the recorded video data is lost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, has a function of recording new data without erasing old video with a simple configuration, and does not require a separate server. An object is to provide a data recording apparatus.

  The data recording apparatus of the present invention includes a data input means for inputting data, a data storage means for storing data input by the data input means, and a first amount in which the remaining amount of the data storage means is predetermined. The remaining amount inquiry means for inquiring information on the remaining amount of the storage area to a plurality of other data recording devices connected via the network when the threshold value is less than the threshold, and the obtained by the inquiry by the remaining amount inquiry means Other device remaining amount storage means for storing information relating to the remaining amount of other data recording device, and said other device remaining amount storage means when the remaining amount of said data storage means becomes less than a predetermined second threshold value Transfer destination determining means for determining a transfer destination of the input data from among the plurality of other data recording devices based on the information relating to the remaining amount stored in the storage device, and the transfer destination determining means And it has a configuration in which a data transfer means for transferring the input data to the forwarding destination determined Te.

  With this configuration, when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes less than the first threshold, information on the remaining amount of other data recording devices connected via the network is inquired and stored in the remaining amount remaining storage means. Therefore, when it is determined that the remaining capacity of the data storage means is less than the second threshold value and the remaining capacity of the data storage means is insufficient, the data storage means From this, it is possible to promptly determine a data recording device that should store data. Therefore, when its own data storage means falls short of the remaining amount, it can be quickly stored in another data recording device. In particular, when video data is continuously acquired by shooting or the like, this configuration is effective because it is necessary to quickly store the acquired data without loss. In addition, since data is stored in a plurality of data recording devices, the risk of total data loss due to a crash of the data recording device can be reduced.

  The data recording apparatus of the present invention may further include a storage destination management unit that stores information for identifying a transfer destination to which data is transferred by the data transfer unit.

  With this configuration, data recorded in another data recording device can be easily retrieved based on the identification information stored in the storage destination management unit.

  In the data recording apparatus of the present invention, the storage destination management unit may store a channel of the data input unit that acquired the data transferred by the data transfer unit, a transfer start time, and a transfer end time.

  With this configuration, it is possible to manage which of the plurality of channels of the data input means has transferred the input data. Further, by storing the transfer start time and transfer end time, it is possible to manage which part of the data has been transferred.

  In the data recording device of the present invention, the other device remaining amount storage means includes the remaining amount of the storage area of the other data recording device, the bit rate being recorded by the other data recording device, and the information relating to the remaining amount, The inquiry time is stored, and the transfer destination determination means calculates the remaining capacity of the storage area at the current time from the remaining capacity of the storage area, the bit rate, and the inquiry time stored in the other apparatus remaining capacity storage means. The transfer destination of the input data may be determined based on the remaining amount at the current time.

  With this configuration, when the remaining amount of the storage area of another data recording apparatus dynamically changes, the remaining amount of the storage area at the current time can be obtained, and the transfer destination can be determined based on the obtained remaining amount.

  In the data recording device of the present invention, the other device remaining amount storage means further stores the number of channels being recorded in the other data recording device as information relating to the remaining amount, and the transfer destination determining means further includes a channel The remaining amount of the storage area at the current time may be calculated based on the number, and the transfer destination of the input data may be determined based on the remaining amount at the current time.

  With this configuration, the current remaining amount in the storage area of another data recording device can be calculated appropriately.

  The data recording apparatus of the present invention may further comprise remaining amount information transmitting means for transmitting information relating to the remaining amount of the data storage means in response to an inquiry from another data recording apparatus connected via the network.

  With this configuration, in response to an inquiry about the remaining amount from another data recording device, the remaining amount of the storage region of the data storage means is notified, and the data storage device itself is also connected to the storage region of the other data recording device via the network. Candidates for data transfer when the remaining amount of data becomes low.

  The data recording apparatus of the present invention includes inquiry history storage means for storing information for identifying another data recording apparatus that is a transmission source of the inquiry about the remaining amount, and the remaining amount information transmitting means includes the information about the remaining amount. May change, information on the remaining amount may be transmitted to the data recording device stored in the inquiry history storage means.

  With this configuration, another data recording apparatus can appropriately obtain the remaining amount of the data storage means.

  The data recording system of the present invention includes a plurality of data recording devices connected by a network, and each data recording device stores data input means for inputting data and data input by the data input means. A remaining amount query for inquiring information about the remaining amount of the storage area to the data storage unit and a data recording device connected via the network when the remaining amount of the data storage unit becomes smaller than a predetermined first threshold value In response to an inquiry from another data recording device connected by the network, a remaining amount transmitting means for transmitting information on the remaining amount of the data storage means, and an inquiry by the remaining amount inquiry means. In addition, another device remaining amount storage means for storing information relating to the remaining amount of the other data recording device, and the remaining amount of the data storage means are predetermined. The transfer destination of the input data is determined from among the plurality of other data recording devices based on the information on the remaining amount stored in the other device remaining amount storage means when it becomes less than the second threshold value. And a data transfer means for transferring the input data to the transfer destination determined by the transfer destination determination means.

  With this configuration, like the data recording apparatus of the present invention, each data recording apparatus can promptly store the data in another data recording apparatus when its own data storage means runs short. Each configuration of the data recording apparatus described above can also be applied to the data recording system of the present invention.

  In the data recording method of the present invention, a data input step for inputting data, a data storage step for storing data input in the data input step in a data storage means, and a remaining amount of the data storage means are predetermined. Obtained by a remaining amount inquiry step for inquiring information on the remaining amount of the storage area to a plurality of other data recording devices connected via a network when the threshold value is less than the first threshold, and an inquiry in the remaining amount inquiry step Another device remaining amount storing step for storing information relating to the remaining amount of the other data recording device, and when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes smaller than a predetermined second threshold, Based on the information on the remaining amount stored in the amount storage step, the input data is selected from the plurality of other data recording devices. It has a transfer destination determining step of determining a data transfer destination, a configuration in which a data transfer step of transferring the input data to the forwarding destination determined in the transfer destination determining step.

  With this configuration, similarly to the data recording apparatus of the present invention, each data recording apparatus can promptly store the data in another data recording apparatus even when its data storage means runs short. Each configuration of the data recording apparatus described above can also be applied to the data recording method of the present invention.

  The program of the present invention is a program for recording data, and a data input step for inputting data to a computer connected to a plurality of data recording devices via a network; and the data input in the data input step A data storage step to be stored in the data storage means, and a plurality of other data recording devices connected by a network when the remaining amount of the data storage means is less than a predetermined first threshold, A remaining amount inquiry step for inquiring information on the remaining amount, an other device remaining amount storing step for storing information on the remaining amount of the other data recording device obtained by the inquiry in the remaining amount inquiry step, and the data storage When the remaining amount of the means becomes less than a predetermined second threshold A transfer destination determining step for determining a transfer destination of the input data from the plurality of other data recording devices based on the information on the remaining amount stored in the storing step; and a transfer determined in the transfer destination determining step And a data transfer step of transferring the input data first.

  With this configuration, similarly to the data recording apparatus of the present invention, each data recording apparatus can promptly store the data in another data recording apparatus even when its data storage means runs short. Each configuration of the data recording apparatus described above can also be applied to the program of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes smaller than the first threshold value, information on the remaining amount of the other data recording device connected via the network is inquired and stored in the remaining amount remaining storage means. Therefore, when it is determined that the remaining capacity of the data storage means is less than the second threshold value and the remaining capacity of the data storage means is insufficient, the data storage means Therefore, it is possible to promptly determine a data recording device to store data from, and to quickly store the data in another data recording device when its own data storage means falls short of the remaining amount.

  Hereinafter, a data recording system and a data recording apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, video data is taken as an example of data to be recorded, and a video recording apparatus and a video recording system for recording the acquired video data will be described.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a video recording apparatus 100a according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the video recording system includes a plurality (four in this case) of video recording devices 100a to 100d, and is configured by connecting the video recording devices 100a to 100d via a network. The video recording devices 100a to 100d have the same configuration.

  First, an outline of the video recording apparatus 100a of the present embodiment will be described. The video recording apparatus 100a according to the present embodiment has a function of digitizing an input video and recording it on a storage medium. When the capacity of the storage area is insufficient, the input video data is connected to another network connected to the network. It has a function of transferring and recording to the video recording apparatuses 100b to 100d. The video recording apparatus 100a has two threshold values for the usage amount of the storage area. When the usage amount of the storage area becomes smaller than the first threshold, all the video recording devices 100b to 100d connected to the network have a remaining storage area, the number of channels being recorded, and the total recording bit rate. The response result is recorded together with the reception time. Hereinafter, this threshold is referred to as an inquiry determination threshold. When the usage amount of the storage medium becomes smaller than the second threshold, the remaining amount of the storage area of the video recording devices 100b to 100d connected to the network is estimated from the recorded information, and the remaining amount of the storage area is the largest. The data is transferred to the device, and the identifier, input channel, transfer start time, and transfer end time of the transfer destination video recording device are recorded. Hereinafter, this threshold is referred to as a transfer determination threshold.

  In addition, the video recording apparatus 100a according to the present embodiment receives an inquiry about the remaining storage area, the number of channels being recorded, and the total amount of the recording bit rate from the other video recording apparatuses 100b to 100d, and then performs recording. The number of recording channels and the recording bit rate are monitored, and when the total number of recording channels or recording bit rate changes, the remaining amount of storage area, the number of recording channels and The total amount of the rate is notified. Here, the change in the recording bit rate and the total amount of the recording bit rate is detected when it changes beyond a predetermined amount.

  Note that the video recording apparatus of the present invention can be realized by causing a computer to execute a program including a module for executing the functions of the respective components described above. Such a program is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the video recording apparatus 100a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The video recording apparatus 100a according to the present embodiment operates based on the block diagram shown in FIG. In the following description, the video recording apparatus 100a will be described, but the video recording apparatuses 100b to 100d have the same configuration as described above.

  A video recording apparatus 100a shown in FIG. 1 stores a capture unit 101 having a function of capturing and digitizing a video, an encoding unit 102 having a function of encoding a video captured by the capture unit 101, and storing the encoded video. A storage destination determination unit 103 having a function of determining whether to transfer to the device 109 or to other video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network, and a function of managing information on the remaining capacity of the storage device 109 A resource management unit 104, a transmission destination determination unit 105 that determines the transfer destination of the encoded video data, and another device management unit that manages the remaining storage areas of the other video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network. 106 and a transmission / reception unit 107 having a function of transmitting and receiving video between the video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network, and the storage device 1 A video management unit 108 that manages video data recorded in the video recording unit 9, a storage device 109 that records video data, and a function that records video received from other video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network in the storage device 109. It has a received video processing unit 110, a search unit 111 that searches for video recorded according to search conditions given by the user, and a display unit 112 that displays video.

  The processing of each block will be described below.

  First, the capture unit 101 will be described. The capture unit 101 converts the received analog video into a digital video and transmits it to the encoding unit 102. The capture unit 101 is connected to an imaging device such as a video camera, for example, and receives video transmitted from the imaging device. In this case, since the capture unit 101 continuously receives video, it is necessary to process it quickly in order to reduce data loss.

  Next, the encoding unit 102 will be described. The encoding unit 102 encodes the video received by the capture unit 101. In addition, the encoding unit 102 transmits the encoded video to the storage destination determination unit 103.

  Next, the storage destination determination unit 103 will be described. The storage destination determination unit 103 has a function of determining whether the video data transmitted from the encoding unit 102 is stored in its own recording device 109 or in other video recording devices 100b to 100d.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the storage destination determination unit 103. First, the storage destination determination unit 103 inquires of the video management unit 108 whether the video being received by the capture unit 101 is being transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d (S201). In response to the inquiry result from the video management unit 108, the storage destination determination unit 103 determines whether the video is being transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d (S202). When this result is true, that is, when the video is being transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d, the storage destination determination unit 103 notifies the transmission destination determination unit 105 of the device being transferred and displays the video. Transfer (S203). That is, it is determined that one of the other video recording devices 100b to 100d is a video storage destination.

  When the result of the determination as to whether or not the video is being transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d is false, that is, when the video is not being transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d, the storage destination determination unit 103 Inquires the remaining amount of the storage unit 109 of the storage device 109 to the resource management unit 104 (S204). The storage destination determination unit 103 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the storage unit 109 obtained by the inquiry is smaller than the transfer determination threshold (S205). If the determination result in step 205 is true, that is, if the remaining amount of the storage area is smaller than the transfer determination threshold, the storage destination determination unit 103 records the video on the other video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network. After the notification to the transmission destination determination unit 105, the video is transferred to the transmission destination determination unit 105 (S206). When the remaining amount of the storage device 109 is larger than the transfer determination threshold, the storage destination determination unit 103 determines whether the remaining amount of the storage area is smaller than the inquiry determination threshold (S207). When this determination result is true, that is, when the remaining amount of the storage device 109 is larger than the transfer determination threshold value and smaller than the inquiry determination threshold value, the other video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network have the recording area. The destination determination unit 105 is notified so as to inquire about the remaining amount (S208). Next, the storage destination determination unit 103 transfers the video to the video management unit 108 (S209). If the determination in step 207 is false, that is, if the remaining amount of the storage area is equal to or greater than the inquiry determination threshold, the storage destination determination unit 103 transfers the video to the video management unit 108 (S209).

  Next, the resource management unit 104 will be described. The resource management unit 104 has a resource management table, and records and manages the remaining amount of the storage area of the storage device 109, the number of captured channels, and the total encoding rate in the resource management table. The resource management unit 104 has a function of responding to inquiries from the storage destination management unit 103 and the transmission / reception unit 107.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the resource management unit 104. The resource management unit 104 first determines whether an inquiry has been received from the storage destination determination unit 103 (S301). If the determination in step 301 is true, that is, if an inquiry is received from the storage destination determination unit 103, the resource management table is read and the storage area remaining amount is notified to the storage destination determination unit 103 (S302).

  If the determination in step 301 is false, that is, if an inquiry has not been received from the storage destination determination unit 103, the resource management unit 104 determines whether an inquiry from the transmission / reception unit 107 has been received (S303). If the determination in step 303 is true, that is, if an inquiry is received from the transmission / reception unit 107, the resource management unit 104 reads the resource management table, and the transmission / reception unit calculates the remaining storage area, the number of capture channels, and the average encoding rate 107 is notified (S304).

  If the determination in step 303 is false, that is, if an inquiry has not been received from the transmission / reception unit 107, the resource management unit 104 performs the following processing. First, the resource management unit 104 inquires the capture unit 101 about the number of channels being captured, and updates the resource management table (S305). Next, the resource management unit 104 inquires the encoding unit 102 about the total amount of encoding rate, calculates the average encoding rate by dividing by the number of capture channels, and updates the resource management table (S306). Next, the resource management unit 104 inquires the storage device 109 about the remaining amount of the storage area, updates the resource management table, and records the update time in the resource management table (S307).

  Next, the transmission destination determination unit 105 will be described. The transmission destination determination unit 105 has a function of determining a device that records video data from a plurality of video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the transmission destination determination unit 105. First, data is received from the storage destination determination unit 103 (S401). As described above, when the data is received from the storage destination determination unit 103, as shown in the flow of the storage destination determination unit 103 illustrated in FIG. Therefore, the transmission destination determination unit 105 needs to determine a device for recording video data from the video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network.

  The transmission destination determination unit 105 determines whether or not the received data is being transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d (S402). If the determination in step 402 is true, that is, if the data is being transferred to the other video recording apparatuses 100b to 100d, the transmission / reception unit 107 is notified to transfer to the transfer destination apparatus and the data is transferred. (S403).

  Next, a process when the determination in step 402 is false, that is, when the data is not being transferred to the other video recording apparatuses 100b to 100d will be described. The transmission destination determination unit 105 displays the acquisition time of other device information, the average bit rate, the number of channels being captured, and the remaining storage area for each of the video recording devices 100b to 100d connected to the network. (S404). The transmission destination determination unit 105 estimates and calculates the remaining amount of the storage area of each of the video recording devices 100b to 100d connected to the network based on the remaining amount information acquired in step 404. The estimation calculation here is performed, for example, using the following equation: current remaining amount = remaining remaining storage area− (current time−other device information acquisition time) × average rate × number of channels being captured (S405). . By this formula, the remaining amount of the storage area at the current time can be calculated in consideration of the amount of data accumulated from the time when the other device information is acquired to the current time. The transmission destination determination unit 105 notifies the transmission / reception unit 107 to transfer the data to the device having the largest remaining storage area remaining in step 405, and transfers the data (S406). Thereafter, the transmission destination determination unit 105 notifies the device transferred to the other device management unit 106 (S407).

  Next, the other device management unit 106 will be described. The other device management unit 106 has a function of managing information related to the remaining storage areas of the other video recording devices 100b to 100d connected to the network. Specifically, the other device management unit 106 has an other device management table, and the number of channels captured in the other device management table, the average of the video encoding rate, and the remaining amount of the storage area are stored in the information. Is stored together with information on the time of acquisition. The other device management unit 106 has a function of responding to an inquiry from the transmission destination processing unit 105.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the other device management unit 106. First, the other apparatus management unit 106 receives a notification from the transmission destination determination unit 105 (S501). Here, the notification received by the other device management unit 106 is an inquiry notification of the remaining amount of the other video recording devices 100b to 100d, a notification of a video transfer destination, or an update notification of other device information.

  The other device management unit 106 determines the type of the received notification (S502). When the notification received by the other device management unit 106 is an inquiry notification, the other device management unit 106 refers to the other device management table, and sends the remaining storage area and capture of the other video recording devices 100b to 100d to the destination determination unit 105. The number of channels, the average rate, and the total rate of video reception are notified (S503). When the notification received by the other device management unit 106 is a notification notifying the data transfer destination, the other device management unit 106 transmits the channel number, transmission start time, and other device of the transmission destination notified from the transmission destination determination unit 105. Is sent to the video management unit 108 (S504). When the notification received by the other device management unit 106 is an update command, the other video recording devices 100b to 100d on the network are inquired about the number of channels being captured, the average rate, the remaining capacity of the storage area, and the total rate of video reception. The transmission / reception unit 107 is notified so as to do this (S505).

  Next, the video management unit 108 will be described. The video management unit 108 has a video management table, stores a location where video data is recorded in the video management table, and has a function of managing video data. The video management unit 108 also has a function of transferring video data transmitted from the storage destination determination unit 103 or the received video processing unit 110 to the storage device 109 for storage.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video management unit 108. The video management unit 108 first receives data (S601). It is determined whether the received data is from the storage destination determination unit 103 (S602). If the determination in step 602 is true, it is further determined whether or not the received data is for a channel that is already being transferred to the storage device 109 (S603). If the determination in step 603 is true, the video management unit 108 transfers the received data to the storage device 109 (S605). If the determination in step 603 is false, that is, if the received data is not being transferred to the storage device 109 but is for a new channel, the received video data is added to the video management table (S604), and then the data storage The data is transferred to the device 109 (S605).

  Next, a case where the determination in step 602 is false, that is, a case where received data is from the received video processing unit 110 instead of from the storage destination determining unit 103 will be described. In this case, the video management unit 108 determines whether or not the received data is a video of an already received device and channel (S606). If the determination in step 606 is true, the received data is transferred to the storage device 109 (S608). If the determination in step 606 is false, that is, if it is newly received video data, the video management unit 108 records device identification information, reception start time (current time), and channel number in the video management table ( Thereafter, the data is transferred to the storage device 109 (S608).

  Next, the received video processing unit 110 will be described. The received video processing unit 110 has a function of processing video data transmitted from other video recording devices 100b to 100d connected to the network.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the received video processing unit 110. The received video processing unit 110 first receives video from the transmission / reception unit 107 (S701). Next, it transfers to the image | video management part 108 (S702).

  Next, the search unit 111 will be described. The search unit 111 has a function of searching for data according to the input conditions.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search unit 111. When the search unit 111 first receives an event (S801), the search unit 111 determines whether the received event is a search condition input by the user (S802). If the determination in step 802 is true, the search unit 111 searches for data from the storage device 109 based on the search conditions of the user (S803). Next, the search unit 111 refers to the video management table of the video management unit 108 (S804), and determines whether there is a video transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d (S805). If the determination in step 805 is true, the search unit 111 transmits to the transmission / reception unit 107 so as to request the other video recording devices 100b to 100d with reference to the other device management table (S806). If the determination in step 805 is false, that is, if there is no video transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d, the processing in step 806 is not performed. Subsequently, the search unit 111 notifies the search result to the display unit 112 and displays the search result (S807). Thereafter, the video selected by the user is acquired from the storage device 109 and transferred to the decoding unit 113 (S808).

  Next, a case where the determination in step 802 is false, that is, a case where the received event is not a search condition input by the user will be described. In this case, the search unit 111 determines whether there is a search command notification from the other video recording devices 100b to 100d from the transmission / reception unit 107 (S809). If the determination in step 809 is false, no processing is performed. If the determination in step 809 is true, the search unit 111 first searches the storage device 109 for data corresponding to the search command (S810). Next, the search unit 111 refers to the video management table of the video management unit 108 (S811), and determines whether there is a video transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d (S812). If the determination result in step 812 is true, the search unit 111 refers to the other device management table and transmits it to the transmission / reception unit 107 so as to request the other video recording devices 100b to 100d to search (S813). If the determination result in step 812 is false, that is, if there is no video transferred to the other video recording devices 100b to 100d, the search unit 111 does not perform step 813. Next, the search unit 111 notifies the search result to the transmission / reception unit 107 (S814).

  According to the video recording apparatus 100a of the first embodiment described above, the video data input to the capture unit 101 is stored in the recording apparatus 109 of the video recording apparatus 100a or another video connected to the network. Whether to store in the recording devices 100b to 100d is determined based on the remaining amount of the recording device 109, so that even when the remaining amount of the recording device 109 is low, a new video is recorded without erasing the already recorded video It becomes possible to do.

  Further, when the remaining amount of the storage device 109 becomes smaller than the inquiry determination threshold, information regarding the remaining amount of the recording area of the other video recording devices 100b to 100d connected to the network is acquired and the other device management unit 106 is obtained. The transmission destination determination unit 105 determines the storage destination of the video data from the plurality of video recording devices 100b to 100d connected to the network based on the information managed by the other device management unit 106. When the remaining amount of the device 109 becomes smaller than the transfer determination threshold, the data transfer destination can be quickly determined. Thereby, data continuously input from the capture unit 101 can be stored without loss.

  Further, since the other device management unit 106 manages information on the number of recording channels and the recording bit rate of the other video recording devices 100b to 100d, the transmission destination determination unit 105 determines the remaining recording area at the current time. It is possible to calculate and select an appropriate data transmission destination.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a video recording apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The video recording apparatus 100a of the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the video recording apparatus 100a of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), but the function of the resource management unit 104 is different.

  In the second embodiment, in addition to the function of the resource management unit 104 of the first embodiment, the resource management unit 104 has a function of re-notifying other video recording apparatuses of information relating to the remaining storage area. .

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the resource management unit 104. First, the resource management unit 104 determines whether or not there is an inquiry from the storage destination determination unit 103 (S1001). If the determination in step 1001 is true, the resource management unit 104 reads the resource management table and notifies the storage destination determination unit 103 of the remaining storage area.

  Next, a case where the determination result in step 1001 is false will be described. First, the resource management unit 104 determines whether or not an inquiry has been received from the other video recording devices 100b to 100d from the transmission / reception unit 107 (S1003). If the determination result in step 1003 is true, the resource management unit 104 reads the resource management table and notifies the transmission / reception unit 107 of the remaining storage area, the number of channels being captured, and the average encoding rate (S1004). The operation up to this point is the same as that of the resource management unit 104 in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the resource management unit 104 records the identification number of the transmission destination device in the other device management table as an inquiry history (S1005).

  If the determination result in step 1003 is false, the resource management unit 104 first queries the capture unit 101 for the number of channels being captured, calculates the difference from the number of channels recorded in the resource management table, and the calculation result Accordingly, the number of channels stored in the resource management table is updated (S1006). Next, the resource management unit 104 inquires the encoding unit 102 about the total amount of the encoding rate, and notifies the total amount of encoding rate recorded in the resource management table and the encoding unit from the encoding unit. The coding rate stored in the resource management table is updated with the calculation result by taking the difference of the total amount of the coding rate received (S1007). Next, the resource management unit 104 inquires the storage device 109 about the remaining amount of the storage area, updates the remaining amount of the storage area stored in the resource management table based on the inquiry result, and sets the update time in the resource management table. Recording is performed (S1008). That is, the resource management unit 104 updates information regarding the remaining amount.

  Thereafter, the resource management unit 104 refers to the inquiry history of the other device management table and determines whether or not there has been an inquiry from the other video recording devices 100b to 100d (S1009). If the determination result in step 1009 is true, the amount of change in the number of channels being captured calculated in step 1006 is greater than 0, or the amount of change in the total amount of coding rate calculated in step 1007 is set in advance by the user. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the determined amount (S1010). If the determination result in step 1010 is true, the resource management unit 104 reads the resource management table, and the remaining storage area, the number of channels being captured, and the average encoding rate are recorded in the other device management table. The transmission / reception unit 107 is notified so as to notify the recording apparatus, that is, the inquired video recording apparatus (S1011).

  When the total number of recording channels or recording bit rates of the other video recording apparatuses 100b to 100d changes, the video recording apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment again notifies the recording channel number or recording bit rate after the change. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately estimate the storage area capacity of the other video recording apparatuses 100b to 100d.

  Also, the video recording apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment promptly determines the data transmission destination apparatus when the remaining capacity of its recording apparatus 109 is reduced, like the first video recording apparatus 100a. Since data is transferred, data loss can be reduced and new video can be recorded without erasing already recorded video.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when its own data storage means falls short of the remaining capacity, it is possible to quickly determine the transfer destination and store it in the determined other data recording device. It has an effect and is useful as a video recording device for recording video data and the like.

Block diagram of a video recording apparatus according to the first embodiment The figure which shows the video recording system of this Embodiment Operation flow diagram of the save destination determination unit Resource Management Department Operation Flow Diagram Operation flow diagram of destination determination unit Operation flow diagram of other device manager Operation flow diagram of video management unit Operation flow diagram of the received video processing unit Operation flow diagram of the search unit Operation flow diagram of resource management unit in second embodiment

Explanation of symbols

100 Video Recording Device 101 according to First Embodiment Capture Unit 102 Encoding Unit 103 Storage Destination Determination Unit 104 Resource Management Unit 105 Transmission Destination Determination Unit 106 Other Device Management Unit 107 Transmission / Reception Unit 108 Video Management Unit 109 Storage Device 110 Reception Video processing unit 111 Search unit 112 Display unit 113 Decoding unit

Claims (10)

Data input means for inputting data;
Data storage means for storing data input by the data input means;
Remaining amount inquiry means for inquiring information about the remaining amount of the storage area to a plurality of other data recording devices connected via the network when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes smaller than a predetermined first threshold. When,
Other device remaining amount storage means for storing information on the remaining amount of the other data recording device obtained by the inquiry by the remaining amount inquiry means;
Based on the information on the remaining amount stored in the other device remaining amount storage unit when the remaining amount of the data storage unit becomes smaller than a predetermined second threshold, the plurality of other data recording devices A transfer destination determining means for determining a transfer destination of the input data from within,
Data transfer means for transferring the input data to the transfer destination determined by the transfer destination determination means;
A data recording apparatus comprising:   The data recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage destination management unit that stores information for identifying a transfer destination to which data is transferred by the data transfer unit.   3. The data recording according to claim 2, wherein the storage destination management unit stores a channel of the data input unit that acquired the data transferred by the data transfer unit, and a transfer start time and a transfer end time. apparatus. The other device remaining amount storage means stores the remaining amount of the storage area of the other data recording device, the bit rate being recorded in the other data recording device, and the inquiry time as information on the remaining amount,
The transfer destination determining unit calculates the remaining amount of the storage area at the current time from the remaining amount of the storage area, the bit rate, and the inquiry time stored in the other apparatus remaining amount storage unit, and at the current time The data recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transfer destination of the input data is determined based on a remaining amount. The other device remaining amount storage means further stores the number of channels being recorded in the other data recording device as information on the remaining amount,
The transfer destination determination means further calculates the remaining amount of the storage area at the current time based on the number of channels, and determines the transfer destination of the input data based on the remaining amount at the current time. 4. The data recording device according to 4.   2. The data according to claim 1, further comprising a remaining amount information transmitting unit configured to transmit information on the remaining amount of the data storage unit in response to an inquiry from another data recording device connected via the network. Recording device. Inquiry history storage means for storing information for identifying another data recording device that is the transmission source of the inquiry about the remaining amount,
The said remaining amount information transmission means transmits the information regarding a remaining amount to the data recording device memorize | stored in the said inquiry log | history memory means, when the information regarding the said remaining amount changes. Data recording device. A plurality of data recording devices connected by a network;
Each of the data recording devices
Data input means for inputting data;
Data storage means for storing data input by the data input means;
A remaining amount inquiry means for inquiring information relating to the remaining amount of the storage area to the data recording device connected via the network when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes less than a predetermined first threshold;
In response to an inquiry from another data recording device connected via the network, a remaining amount transmitting unit that transmits information on the remaining amount of the data storage unit;
Other device remaining amount storage means for storing information on the remaining amount of the other data recording device obtained by the inquiry by the remaining amount inquiry means;
Based on the information about the remaining amount stored in the other device remaining amount storage unit when the remaining amount of the data storage unit becomes smaller than a predetermined second threshold, the plurality of other data recording devices A transfer destination determining means for determining a transfer destination of the input data from within,
Data transfer means for transferring the input data to the transfer destination determined by the transfer destination determination means;
A data recording system comprising: A data entry step for entering data;
A data storage step of storing data input in the data input step in a data storage means;
A remaining amount inquiry step for inquiring information about the remaining amount of the storage area to a plurality of other data recording devices connected via the network when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes smaller than a predetermined first threshold value. When,
Another device remaining amount storage step for storing information on the remaining amount of the other data recording device obtained by the inquiry in the remaining amount inquiry step;
Based on the information on the remaining amount stored in the other device remaining amount storage step when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes smaller than a predetermined second threshold, the plurality of other data recording devices A transfer destination determination step for determining a transfer destination of the input data from among;
A data transfer step of transferring the input data to the transfer destination determined in the transfer destination determination step;
A data recording method comprising: A program for recording data, which is connected to a plurality of data recording devices via a network,
A data entry step for entering data;
A data storage step of storing data input in the data input step in a data storage means;
A remaining amount inquiry step for inquiring information about the remaining amount of the storage area to a plurality of other data recording devices connected via the network when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes smaller than a predetermined first threshold value. When,
Another device remaining amount storage step for storing information on the remaining amount of the other data recording device obtained by the inquiry in the remaining amount inquiry step;
Based on the information on the remaining amount stored in the other device remaining amount storage step when the remaining amount of the data storage means becomes smaller than a predetermined second threshold, the plurality of other data recording devices A transfer destination determination step for determining a transfer destination of the input data from among;
A data transfer step of transferring the input data to the transfer destination determined in the transfer destination determination step;
A program characterized by having executed.

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