JP2004088561A - Image backup system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a backup system in which a burden is not imposed on maintenance while preventing trouble caused by centralized management of backup data. <P>SOLUTION: Each image storage server 1 acquires its status information by a self-diagnostic part 17 and transmits the information to a base station 3. In the base station 3, a fault machine diagnostic part 32 specifies an image storage server 1 having potentiality of failure and at the same time, an image storage server 1 in a normal status is judged as a backup device. A copy instruction part 34 transmits a copy instruction designating the backup device to the image storage server 1 having potentiality of failure. The image storage server 1 which receives the copy instruction, transmits a copy of the image to the image storage server 1 which is the backup device by an information distribution part 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image backup technique in an image distribution system that distributes an image at a remote place via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are devices called so-called Web cameras and moving image servers that distribute images via a network. Some Web cameras and moving image servers include a hard disk or a semiconductor memory for recording images and sounds digitally in a main body device. These may be referred to as a stored moving image server.
[0003]
At a browsing station connected to the storage video server via a network, it is possible to view images taken by the storage video server in real time. The browsing station can also browse images stored in the stored moving image server via the network at an arbitrary timing.
[0004]
Further, there is a system in which a base station is added to an image distribution system including a storage moving image server and a viewing station. In this system, data is exchanged via a base station, and various processes such as authentication, accounting, data conversion, and data recording are performed in the base station. Then, in this system mode, the image distributed by the storage moving image server is relayed to another browsing station via the base station.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-described stored moving image server is used, for example, in a system for crime prevention (security) or monitoring (monitoring). When used for such purposes, the image data stored in the storage moving image server is very important information.
[0006]
However, equipment may fail, and valuable recorded data may be lost at times. Because of the characteristics of the storage moving image server, the storage moving image server is distributed and arranged in various places. Therefore, it is difficult to perform a maintenance and backup of data for all devices.
[0007]
Furthermore, if the number of stored moving image servers distributed in various places increases, it is difficult to manage all image data in a base station or the like. If the backup is performed collectively by the base station, the hard disk capacity of the base station becomes enormous, and if a failure occurs in this hard disk, the data of all the stored moving image servers will be lost.
[0008]
In view of the above problems, the present invention has been made to construct a system capable of protecting image data without increasing the maintenance burden while avoiding the problem of centralized management of backup data. With the goal.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention focuses on the fact that a moving image server is connected to a network, and prevents data loss by backing up each other via a network before a failure or other failure occurs. It shall be.
[0010]
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for backing up an image between the first and second image storage devices, wherein the first and second image storage devices include a photographing unit and a photographing unit. A storage unit for storing the acquired image; and a unit for receiving a request from an image browsing terminal connected via a network and distributing the image stored in the storage unit to the image browsing terminal. Means for transmitting a copy of the image stored in the storage means of the own apparatus to the second image storage apparatus via a network, wherein the second image storage apparatus further comprises: Means for storing the received copy in its own storage means.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image distribution system including the first and second image storage devices and the base station, a system for backing up images is provided. Means, storage means for storing the image obtained by the photographing means, and means for distributing the image stored in the storage means to the image viewing terminal in response to a request from an image viewing terminal connected via a network; The first image storage device further comprises: a unit for acquiring status information of the own device, and a unit for transmitting the status information to the base station, wherein the base station receives the received status information. Determining means for evaluating the state of the first image storage device by evaluating the state information based on a predetermined condition indicating a possibility of failure; determining that the first image storage device has a possibility of failure; Instruction means for transmitting a duplication instruction to the first image storage device, wherein the first image storage device further stores, when receiving the duplication instruction, its own storage device. Means for transmitting a copy of the image stored by the means to the second image storage device via a network, wherein the second image storage device further stores the received copy in its own storage means. Means for performing the following.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image backup system according to the second aspect, the image distribution system includes a plurality of image storage devices including the first and second image storage devices, and the determination unit includes: Means for specifying an image storage device in a normal state as the second image storage device from the status information received from each image storage device, wherein the instruction means is specified as the second image storage device Means for designating an image storage device in a normal state as an image backup device.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image backup system according to the second or third aspect, the instructing unit instructs the base station as an image backup device replacing the second image storage device. Wherein the first image storage device further transmits a copy of the image stored in the storage means of the own device to the base station via a network when the base station is instructed as an image backup device. Means for performing the following.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image backup system according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the instructing means includes the image browsing terminal as an image backup device replacing the second image storage device. Means for instructing, when the image browsing terminal is instructed as an image backup device, the first image storage device further copies a copy of the image stored in the storage device of the own device via a network. Means for transmitting to the image viewing terminal.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image backup system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the base station further transmits the first image storage device when transmitting the copy instruction. Means for notifying the managing administrator by e-mail.
[0016]
In the invention according to claim 7, there is provided a system for backing up an image between the first and second image storage devices, wherein the first and second image storage devices have a photographing unit and the photographing unit acquires the photographing unit. Storage means for storing images, means for receiving a request from an image browsing terminal connected via a network, distributing the images stored in the storage means to the image browsing terminal, and timing means for outputting a current time; And when the current time acquired by the timing unit is a predetermined first time zone, a copy of the image stored in the storage unit of the first image storage device is copied via the network to the second The backup is performed by transmitting the image data to the image storage device, and when the current time obtained by the time measurement unit is within a predetermined second time zone, the storage unit of the second image storage device stores the current time. And performing a backup by sending a copy of the image in the first image storage apparatus via a network.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 8 is the image backup system according to claim 7, wherein the first time period is a main operation time period of the first image storage device, and the second time period is the main operation time period. It is a main operation time zone of the second image storage device.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
Embodiment 1
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to image distribution of the storage moving image server 1. The storage moving image server 1 includes an imaging unit 11, a microphone 12, an image and sound processing unit 13, an image storage unit 14, and an information distribution unit 15.
[0020]
The imaging unit 11 includes an optical system member, a CCD, and the like, and can capture an image of a subject. The image and sound processing unit 13 performs an encoding process and the like on image and sound data input from the imaging unit 11 and the microphone 12. The image storage unit 14 stores the image and sound data output by the image and sound processing unit 13. The information distribution unit 15 distributes the image and audio data output from the image and audio processing unit 13 to the network in real time. The information distribution unit 15 can distribute image and audio data stored in the image storage unit 14 to a network.
[0021]
The storage moving image server 1 has the above functions, and can be installed at a position near the subject to distribute the subject image to the browsing station 3 (shown in FIG. 2) via a network in real time. By receiving a distribution request from the browsing station 3 at an arbitrary timing, the subject images stored in the image storage unit 14 can be distributed to the browsing station 3. The distributed subject image may be a moving image or a still image.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is an overall view of the image distribution system. In the image distribution system, each of the stored moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C having the functions shown in FIG. 1 is installed in each place according to the purpose (for the stored moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C, the stored moving image servers Server 1). Each of the stored moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C is connected via a network. The network includes, for example, the Internet, a dedicated line, a telephone line, and the like, and the storage moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C can communicate with each other using a protocol such as TCP / IP.
[0023]
In the present invention, each of the stored moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C protects the image data by mutually backing up the image data stored between the respective devices. It is.
[0024]
That is, each of the storage moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C stores the image data captured by its own device in the image storage unit 14 of its own device. Each of the stored moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C generates a copy of the image data stored in the image storing unit 14 by the information distribution unit 15 and transmits the generated copied data to another stored moving image server 1. is there.
[0025]
On the other hand, the storage moving image server 1 that has received the copy data from the other storage moving image server 1 stores the received image copy data in the image storage unit 14 of its own device.
[0026]
In this way, the image storage unit 14 of each of the stored moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C stores, in addition to the image data captured by the own device, the other stored moving image servers 1A, 1B, 1C image data is also stored.
[0027]
For example, if the image distribution system includes two storage moving image servers 1A and 1B, a copy of the image captured by the storage moving image server 1A is transmitted to the storage moving image server 1B, and the image storage of the storage moving image server 1B is performed. A backup is made in the unit 14. Conversely, a copy of the image captured by the storage moving image server 1B may be transmitted to the storage moving image server 1A, and the image storage unit 14 of the storage moving image server 1A may make a backup.
[0028]
If the image distribution system is composed of three stored moving image servers 1A, 1B, and 1C, a copy of the image captured by the stored moving image server 1A is transmitted to the stored moving image server 1B, The image storage unit 14 makes a backup, transmits a copy of the image shot by the storage moving image server 1B to the storage moving image server 1C, and makes the image storage unit 14 of the storage moving image server 1C make a backup. The copied image may be transmitted to the storage moving image server 1A, and the image storage unit 14 of the storage moving image server 1A may make a backup. Even when there are more stored moving image servers, by chaining the transfer in the same manner, each of the stored moving image servers 1 allows the stored moving image server 1 to perform, in addition to the image data photographed by itself, another stored moving image server. A configuration in which duplicate data of the server 1 is stored can be adopted.
[0029]
The two backup procedures (combinations) described above are modes in which one stored moving image server 1 stores, as a backup, duplicate data of another stored moving image server 1 in addition to image data captured by the own apparatus. Needless to say, one storage video server 1 may store duplicate data of a plurality of other storage video servers 1. For example, if the specific storage moving image server 1 includes a hard disk having a relatively large capacity, a configuration in which copy data of several other storage moving image servers 1 are stored may be adopted. However, from the viewpoint of risk distribution, it is preferable to disperse backup destinations rather than concentrating data backup of a large number of devices on one storage moving image server 1.
[0030]
By performing such backup processing, it is possible to avoid loss of image data even when one of the servers fails. In addition, since a separate device such as a data backup server is not required, and the existing moving image storage servers function as backup devices, a backup system can be prepared at low cost.
[0031]
Furthermore, since the base station or the like is different from a system for collectively backing up image data of all the stored moving image servers 1, even if a failure occurs in the backup storing moving image server 1, the range of the influence is affected. Is small, and the reliability of the entire system can be improved.
[0032]
<< Embodiment 2 >>
<Functions of each device>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the second embodiment, the storage video servers 1D, 1E, and 1F have the functions of the storage video server 1 shown in FIG. 1 and can store and distribute images (the storage video servers 1D, 1E). , 1F are collectively referred to as the storage moving image server 1 as appropriate.) In the second embodiment, the stored moving image servers 1D, 1E, and 1F include a self-diagnosis unit 17 and a copy processing unit 18 as shown in FIG. 3 in addition to the functions shown in FIG. In the figure, only the storage video server 1D shows functional blocks, but the storage video servers 1E and 1F also have the same function.
[0033]
The self-diagnosis unit 17 is a functional unit that acquires state information for the accumulated moving image server 1 to diagnose the operation state of the own apparatus. Further, the self-diagnosis unit 17 has a function of transmitting status information as a diagnosis result to the base station 3 via a network.
[0034]
Upon receiving an instruction from the base station 3, the duplication processing unit 18 generates duplicate data of the image stored in the image storage unit 14, and instructs the information distribution unit 15 to transmit the duplicate data. It is. Further, the copy processing unit 18 notifies the information distribution unit 15 of information on the backup destination of the copy data specified by the base station 3.
[0035]
On the other hand, the base station 3 includes a storage unit 31, a failure unit diagnosis unit 32, a destination determination unit 33, and a duplication instruction unit.
[0036]
The storage unit 31 is a functional unit that stores duplicate data of an image stored in the image storage unit 14 of the storage moving image server 1. The failure machine diagnosis unit 32 is a functional unit that aggregates the state information acquired by the self-diagnosis unit 17 of each storage video server 1 and diagnoses the possibility of failure of each storage video server 1. The destination determining unit 33 is a functional unit that determines a device that backs up an image of the accumulated moving image server 1 that may have a failure. The copy instructing unit 34 is a functional unit that sends a copy data transmission instruction to the storage moving image server 1 that may have a failure. Further, the copy instructing unit 34 has a function of notifying the information of the backup destination determined by the destination determining unit 33 as the destination of the duplicate data when transmitting the copy instruction.
[0037]
The browsing station 5 is a terminal station that normally browses images stored in each of the storage video servers 1D, 1E, and 1F by transmitting an image distribution request to each of the storage video servers 1D, 1E, and 1F. Further, in the second embodiment, the browsing station 5 includes the storage unit 51 and is used as a backup device for the images stored in the image storage unit 14 of the storage moving image server 1.
[0038]
<Example of self-diagnosis>
As described above, the faulty device diagnosis unit 32 of the base station 3 diagnoses the operation state of each storage moving image server 1. The diagnosis target is not particularly limited, but one criterion needs to be a target that can be quantitatively grasped. This is because the possibility of failure can be objectively determined by diagnosing the state of the device that can be quantitatively grasped. Further, as another criterion, it is necessary that the target is a target whose failure or possibility of failure can be determined. That is, the state of a certain object is quantitatively acquired, and a comparison is made with a predetermined condition (reference). As a result of the comparison, if the predetermined condition is not satisfied, if there is a possibility of failure, or if it is determined that the performance of the apparatus is deteriorated and it is impossible to maintain normal service, the data is backed up. This is because a necessity arises.
[0039]
As an example of a target to be diagnosed, for example, a method in which the information distribution unit 15 of the storage moving image server 1 checks an emission amount for transmitting an image or recording data is considered. As means for quantitatively grasping the emission amount, an FPS value (= number of frames) and a BPS value (= bandwidth) of the data amount distributed by the information distribution unit 15 are measured, and these values are larger than a predetermined value. When it becomes smaller, it is possible to predict a failure. By performing this diagnosis, it is possible to predict mainly a communication device, a communication program, an image distribution program, and other hardware failures.
[0040]
Other examples of performing the diagnosis include a time when each stored moving image server 1 accesses another terminal via a network, and a response time of a sensing (= access sensing), a pin (Ping), a trace (trace) command, and the like. , FTP transfer time, and the like. If the response, the measurement time, or the like becomes larger than a normal value, a failure can be predicted. By performing this diagnosis, it is possible to predict mainly a communication device, a communication program, an image distribution program, and other hardware failures.
[0041]
As another example of performing the diagnosis, a method of checking the data amount of an image input by the image / audio processing unit 13 or the image storage unit 14 of each storage moving image server 1 is considered. When the data amount of the input image is zero or extremely small, it is possible to predict a failure. By performing this diagnosis, it is possible to predict mainly a failure of an imaging system such as an optical system and a CCD, and a failure of an image processing device or an image processing program.
[0042]
In addition, failure prediction can be performed based on results such as malfunctions of buttons and SWs of each storage moving image server 1, a drop in voltage of a built-in battery, and an extreme increase in the operation rate of the CPU. Further, it is possible to predict a failure by checking a failure or response of an externally connected device such as a sensor.
[0043]
Further, as a failure diagnosis, it is conceivable to check the free space of the hard disk of each storage moving image server 1. The free space of the hard disk constituting the image storage unit 14 is checked, and if the free space becomes small, it is possible to determine the possibility of failure in advance. In addition, the loss of the free space of the hard disk is generally not considered to be a device failure. However, the loss of the free space of the hard disk may cause a failure such as an unstable operation of the storage moving image server 1. Therefore, it can be a diagnosis target.
[0044]
None of the diagnosis targets described above is a failure such that the storage medium itself such as a hard disk or a memory becomes unusable. However, when a failure occurs in a part of each component, program, or the like that constitutes the storage moving image server 1, the failure may affect the entire apparatus, and in some cases, such as a hard disk. The storage medium may not operate normally. In such a case, valuable image data stored in the image storage unit 14, such as a hard disk, may be lost. Therefore, it is the gist of the present invention to predict a failure in advance and make a backup. Therefore, the target of the self-diagnosis is not necessarily limited to a target directly related to a failure of a storage unit such as a hard disk.
[0045]
<Process flow>
In the above configuration, a mechanism for backing up an image will be described. First, each accumulated moving image server 1 diagnoses the state of its own device by the self-diagnosis unit 17. Next, the self-diagnosis unit 17 transmits the state information to the failure unit diagnosis unit 32 of the base station 3. The faulty machine diagnosis unit 32 aggregates status information from the accumulated moving image servers 1 in various places. The status information transmitted from the storage moving image server 1 to the base station 3 may be the quantitative measurement result of the diagnosis target itself, or may be information that clearly identifies the cause of the failure. When the measurement result is transmitted to the base station 3, as described above, the failure diagnosis section 32 of the base station 3 performs failure diagnosis (prediction). Alternatively, the self-diagnosis unit 17 of each of the stored moving image servers 1 may perform the processing up to the determination of the failure, and transmit information identifying the cause of the failure to the base station 3. The state information may be periodically acquired from the base station to the storage moving image server.
[0046]
The faulty machine diagnosis unit 32 specifies the stored moving image server 1 having a possibility of failure based on the status information received from each of the stored moving image servers 1. The faulty machine diagnosis unit 32 determines the destination of the specific information of the accumulated moving image server 1 specified as a faulty device (a faulty device is hereinafter referred to as a faulty device for convenience). Hand over to section 33. The destination determining unit 33 determines the stored moving image server 1 as the backup destination. The method of determining the backup destination is not particularly limited. For example, an ID number is assigned to each of the stored moving image servers 1, and the device having the ID number next to the ID number of the failed device is determined as the backup destination. A simple method may be used, or a method of preferentially determining a device having a large free space in the image storage unit 14 as a backup destination may be used.
[0047]
Upon determining the backup destination device, the destination determining unit 33 passes this information to the duplication instruction unit 34. The copy instructing unit 34 includes the backup destination information in the storage moving image server 1 that has a possibility of failure based on the specific information of the failed unit received from the failed unit diagnosis unit 32 and the backup destination information received from the destination determination unit 33. Send a copy instruction.
[0048]
In the storage moving image server 1 that has received the copy instruction, the copy processing unit 18 generates copy data of the image data stored in the image storage unit 14, and sends a copy data transmission instruction to the information distribution unit 15. . The information distribution unit 15 transmits the duplicated data to the corresponding storage moving image server 1 based on the backup destination information.
[0049]
In this way, the duplicate data is transmitted from the failed device to the image storage server 1 determined to be the backup destination. The stored moving image server 1 that has received the duplicate data stores the received duplicate data in the image storage unit 14 of the own device. Thus, the image backup processing is completed.
[0050]
In addition, the destination determination unit 33 of the base station 3 also has a mail transmission function, and transmits an e-mail to the administrator of the storage moving image server 1 determined as a failed unit by the failed unit diagnosis unit 32. I have. As a result, the administrator can immediately prepare for a failure countermeasure. Alternatively, the destination determining unit 33 may notify the administrator of the storage moving image server 1 determined as the backup destination of the electronic mail. As a result, it is possible to notify the administrator of the stored moving image server 1 in which the duplicate data of the other device is stored, to that effect.
[0051]
According to the second embodiment, the base station 3 specifies the malfunctioning device and determines the backup destination of the image data stored by the malfunctioning device. Therefore, even when a large number of storage moving image servers are connected to the network, It is possible to perform backup processing of images stored in each storage moving image server in consideration of the overall balance.
[0052]
In addition, since the backup data is not intensively stored in the base station 3, it is possible to solve the problem that even if a failure occurs in a part of the image storage server 1, the influence is exerted on the entire backup data. Is possible.
[0053]
In addition, by acquiring and diagnosing the status information of each of the stored moving image servers 1, before a failure actually occurs, a failed device (accurately, a device having a possibility of failure and not a failed device). By doing so, backup processing can be performed before a problem such as data loss occurs.
[0054]
In the above description, the backup destination determined by the destination determination unit 33 is described as being any one of the image storage servers 1. However, the base station 3 and the viewing station 5 are determined as one device of the backup destination. You may do so.
[0055]
That is, the destination determining unit 33 of the base station 3 may determine the backup destination device from among the image storage servers 1 or may include the backup destination device including the base station 3 and the browsing station 5 that are the own devices. May be determined.
[0056]
When the base station 3 or the browsing station 5 is selected as a backup destination by the destination determining unit 33, information specifying the base station 3 or the browsing station 5 as backup destination information is included in the copy instruction transmitted by the copy instructing unit 34. Is included. Then, the storage moving image server 1 that has received the copy instruction transmits the copy data of the image to the base station 3 or the viewing station 5. In the base station 3 and the browsing station 5 that have received the duplicate data, the duplicate data is stored in the storage units 31 and 51, respectively.
[0057]
Embodiment 3
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the third embodiment will be described by taking two stored moving image servers 1G and 1H as an example. The storage video servers 1G and 1H have the functions of the storage video server 1 shown in FIG. 1 (the storage video servers 1G and 1H are collectively referred to as the storage video server 1 as appropriate). It has a function of storing captured images in the image storage unit 14 and a function of delivering captured images.
[0058]
The storage moving image server 1G is installed outdoors and is mainly used for outdoor monitoring in the daytime. On the other hand, the storage moving image server 1H is installed indoors, and is mainly used for indoor monitoring at night.
[0059]
In such a case, the outdoor accumulated moving image server 1G places emphasis on monitoring applications during the time period from 6:00 to 18:00. This time zone is set as the main operation time for the storage moving image server 1G. That is, the main operation time is a time period during which the accumulated moving image server 1 is expected to operate for its intended purpose. On the other hand, in the time zone of 18:00 to 6:00, the indoor moving image server 1H is the main operation time.
[0060]
Therefore, each accumulated moving image server 1 obtains the current time from a built-in timer or the like, thereby operating the accumulated moving image server 1H as a backup device during the main operation time for the accumulated moving image server 1G, and conversely. During the main operation time of the storage moving image server 1H, the storage moving image server 1G is operated as a backup device.
[0061]
By switching roles according to such time zones, it is possible to operate each of the storage moving image servers 1G and 1H efficiently. That is, during the main operation time period, it is necessary to use resources such as the CPU and the memory of the own device for the main operation purpose, and it is not preferable that the backup processing load of the other device is applied. On the other hand, in a time zone other than the main operation time zone, the processing load for the main operation purpose is not applied, and by using the hardware resources for the backup processing of the other apparatus, the apparatus can be effectively used. is there.
[0062]
Also, for example, in a system configuration in which data in the hard disk is transmitted to the center after the main operation time has ended, sufficient free space on the hard disk must be obtained in a time period other than the main operation time period. become. Therefore, by utilizing this free space for backup, the storage device can be effectively used.
[0063]
The role of the stored moving image server described above is an example, and a combination of a stored moving image server used for indoor monitoring during the daytime and a stored moving image server used for outdoor monitoring at night may be used.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first or second aspect of the invention, since the image backup is performed between the image storage devices connected via the network, the maintenance related to the backup process is easy. Further, since no special device for backup is required, a backup system can be constructed at low cost. Furthermore, even when there are a large number of image storage devices, the configuration is different from the configuration in which backup data is centrally managed in one place, so that the influence of a failure of one device on the entire backup data can be reduced. It is.
[0065]
Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the image of the image storage device determined to have a possibility of failure is backed up, the backup process is performed more efficiently as needed.
[0066]
Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, since the backup destination device is determined based on the operation state of each image storage device, the backup data is stored in the normally operating device, and the reliability is improved.
[0067]
According to the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a base station or an image browsing terminal as the backup destination device, respectively, thereby providing a highly flexible backup system.
[0068]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the e-mail is notified to the administrator of the device having a possibility of failure, it is possible to prepare a sufficient measure against the failure together with the backup process.
[0069]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the image storage device is switched to the backup application according to the time zone, the device can be effectively used.
[0070]
In the invention according to the eighth aspect, whether or not the image storage device is in the main operation time zone is used as a criterion for switching to the backup application. Is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating basic functions of an image storage server.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image backup mode according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image backup mode according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image backup mode according to a third embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 storage video server
3 base stations
14 Image storage unit
15 Information Distribution Department
17 Self-diagnosis unit
18 Duplication instruction section
32 Malfunction unit diagnosis unit
33 Destination determination unit
34 Copy Instructor

Claims (8)

A system for backing up an image between a first and a second image storage device,
The first and second image storage devices include:
Shooting means,
Storage means for storing the image obtained by the photographing means,
Means for distributing an image stored in the storage means to the image viewing terminal in response to a request from an image viewing terminal connected via a network,
With
The first image storage device further includes:
Means for transmitting a copy of the image stored in the storage means of the own apparatus to the second image storage apparatus via a network,
With
The second image storage device further includes:
Means for storing the received copy in its own storage means,
An image backup system comprising: In an image distribution system including first and second image storage devices and a base station, a system for backing up an image,
The first and second image storage devices include:
Shooting means,
Storage means for storing the image obtained by the photographing means,
Means for distributing an image stored in the storage means to the image viewing terminal in response to a request from an image viewing terminal connected via a network,
With
The first image storage device further includes:
Means for acquiring status information of the own device;
Means for transmitting the state information to the base station,
With
The base station comprises:
Judging means for judging the state of the first image storage device by evaluating the received state information based on a predetermined condition indicating a possibility of failure;
Instructing means for transmitting a copy instruction to the first image storage device when it is determined that the first image storage device has a possibility of failure;
With
The first image storage device further includes:
Means for transmitting a copy of the image stored in the storage means of the own apparatus to the second image storage apparatus via a network when receiving the copy instruction;
With
The second image storage device further includes:
Means for storing the received copy in its own storage means,
An image backup system comprising: 3. The image backup system according to claim 2, wherein the image distribution system includes a plurality of image storage devices including the first and second image storage devices,
The determining means includes:
Means for identifying an image storage device in a normal state as the second image storage device from the status information received from each image storage device,
Including
The instruction means,
Means for instructing an image storage device in a normal state specified as the second image storage device as an image backup device;
An image backup system comprising: In the image backup system according to claim 2 or 3,
The instruction means,
Means for designating the base station as an image backup device replacing the second image storage device;
Including
The first image storage device further includes:
Means for transmitting a copy of an image stored in the storage means of the apparatus to the base station via a network when the base station is instructed as an apparatus for image backup. In the image backup system according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The instruction means,
Means for instructing the image browsing terminal as an image backup device replacing the second image storage device;
Including
The first image storage device further includes:
When the image viewing terminal is instructed as an image backup device, a unit that transmits a copy of an image stored in the storage unit of the own device to the image viewing terminal via a network,
An image backup system comprising: The image backup system according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The base station further comprises:
Means for notifying an administrator managing the first image storage device by e-mail when transmitting the copy instruction;
An image backup system comprising: A system for backing up an image between a first and a second image storage device,
The first and second image storage devices include:
Shooting means,
Storage means for storing the image obtained by the photographing means,
Means for distributing an image stored in the storage means to the image viewing terminal in response to a request from an image viewing terminal connected via a network,
A clock means for outputting the current time;
With
If the current time acquired by the clock unit is a predetermined first time zone, a copy of the image stored in the storage unit of the first image storage device is copied via the network to the second image storage device. When the current time acquired by the clock unit is in a predetermined second time zone, a copy of the image stored in the storage unit of the second image storage device is transmitted to the network. An image backup system for performing backup by transmitting the image data to the first image storage device via the first image storage device. The image backup system according to claim 7,
The first time period is a main operation time period of the first image storage device, and the second time period is a main operation time period of the second image storage device. Image backup system.

Images