Video recorder

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for recording video data of an event. The apparatuses include a processor communicating with memory. The memory stores video data of the event captured by a camera, and the video data includes a series of picture frames of the event. A loop buffer also stores video data of the event captured by the camera. A rule-based engine stored in the memory uses a set of rules to store the contents of the loop buffer in the memory. The apparatus utilizes the loop buffer to provide video data prior to occurrence of the event.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A video recorder, comprising:
 a processor communicating with memory, the memory for storing video data of an event captured by a camera, the video data comprising a series of picture frames;   a loop buffer also storing video data of the event captured by the camera; and   a set of rules stored in the memory, the set of rules determining when to transfer the contents of the loop buffer into the memory,   wherein the video recorder utilizes the loop buffer to provide video data preceding the event.