Remote network video content recorder system

Abstract

A concept and method for the remote management of and recording of digital video content from a remote IP video camera to an application server via the internet. The recorder system comprises a user device capable of running a user interface, a server running a communications interface, a recorder module, and a digital recording device, and at least one remote IP camera. Upon system initialization, a recorder object and an associated unique ID for the recorder instance are transmitted with the user interface to the user device. A remote user of the device may request a video image from an associated remote camera to be sent to the server where it is recorded on the recording device. The image does not transmit to the user device, minimizing bandwidth requirements on the control side. The server provides a safe, secure and network-optimized environment for capturing the recording.

1 . A system of safely and securely recording IP video camera content while minimizing network bandwidth requirements and optimizing system settings comprising: 
 at least one IP video camera;    a server, comprising: 
 a recorder module which is operatively associated via a first association with  
 a recorder communications interface and which is operatively associated via a second association with  
 a digital video storage device; 
 said recorder module comprising: 
 the ability to operatively associate via a third association with at least one of said video cameras; and  
 the ability to create a recorder user interface relative to the creation of a recorder instance; and  
 
 
   a user device which is operatively associated via a fourth association with said recorder communications interface.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an ability to request an initialization of said system, said request being transmitted via said fourth and first associations; and    a response to said request by said recorder module comprising: 
 the creation of said recorder instance comprising a recorder object, a unique recorder ID and a user interface; and  
 the transmission via said first and fourth associations of said ID and said user interface to said user device;  
   said request and response enabling said user device to request said video content to be delivered from said at least one video camera to said digital video storage device.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a method of recording said video content comprising: 
 said initialization of said system; and    recording of said video content comprising: 
 a command received by said recorder module via said fourth and first associations to record said video content of said at least one camera;  
 a command received by said at least one video camera via said third association to open a connection with said camera and to transmit said video content and camera status information to said recorder module;  
 periodic delivery of said status information to said recorder module;  
 periodic delivery of said video content to said recorder module;  
 periodic delivery of said status information to said user interface by said recorder module via said communications interface;  
 periodic delivery of said video content to said digital video storage device by said recorder module; and  
 continuation of said periodic deliveries until said status information no longer indicates that said system is recording, subsequent to which 
 said connection to said camera is closed;  
 an environment associated with said video content stored in said digital video storage device is finalized; and  
 said video content stored in said digital video storage device is converted to a desired format.  
 
   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 checking, upon said closing of said camera connection, to see if said user has requested a new recording; and    creating a new recorder instance comprising a new recorder object, a new unique recorder ID and a refreshed user interface if said user has requested a new recording; and    repeating, at said user's option, said recording of said video content.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said video content comprises video images and frame information.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said server has the ability to optimize system settings.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said server provides durable system security, reliability and redundancy.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said user device comprises a thin client utilizing minimum bandwidth.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third and fourth associations exist via the internet.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said recorder module further comprises an algorithm which may be utilized on its own as a stand-alone application.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said recorder module further comprises an algorithm which may be integrated into a third-party application.