Distributed video data base with remote searching for image data features

Apparatus for storing and retrieving video data, comprising:

• a data storage device located at a first location for storing data representing plural images of a dynamic video image stream;
• a host processor, located at a second location remote from the first location, for storing a program file representing a search algorithm for searching for a desired image among the images represented by the data stored at the first location;
• and
• means for downloading said program file representing said search algorithm from said host processor to said data storage device;
• said data storage device including means for using said downloaded program file to search for said desired image in said video data stored in said storage device.

Apparatus for storing a distributed video data base, comprising:

• a first video information source, at a first location, for providing first video information which includes at least one dynamic sequence of video information frames;
• first analysis means for receiving the first video information provided by said first video information source and for analyzing the received first video information in accordance with a first image analysis algorithm to generate first analysis data;
• first storage means for storing, in the form of digital data, the first video information provided by said first video information source and the first analysis data generated by the first analysis means;
• a second video information source, at a second location remote from said first location, for providing second video information which includes at least one dynamic sequence of video information frames;
• second analysis means for receiving the second video information provided by said second video information source and for analyzing the received second video information in accordance with a second image analysis algorithm to generate second analysis data;
• second storage means, provided at a location remote from said first storage means, for storing, in the form of digital data, the second video information provided by said second video information source and the second analysis data generated by the second analysis means;
• and
• means operatively connectable to said first and second storage means for selectively retrieving the first and second video information from said first and second storage means, respectively.

A method of storing and retrieving video data, comprising the steps of:

• storing first video information in a first information storage device at a first location;
• generating first analysis data by analyzing the first video information in accordance with a first image analysis algorithm;
• storing said first analysis data in the first information storage device;
• storing second video information in a second information storage device at a second location remote from the first location;
• generating second analysis data by analyzing the second video information in accordance with a second image analysis algorithm;
• storing said second analysis data in the second information storage device;
• and
• selectively retrieving the first and second video information from said first and second storage means, for transmission to a retrieval device at a third location remote from said first and second storage devices.

Apparatus for storing a distributed video data base, comprising:

• a first video information source, at a first location, for providing first video information which includes at least one dynamic sequence of video information frames;
• first storage means for storing, in the form of digital data, the first video information provided by said first video information source;
• a second video information sources at a second location remote from said first location, for providing second video information which includes at least one dynamic sequence of video information frames;
• second storage means, provided at a location remote from said first storage means, for storing, in the form of digital data, the second video information provided by said second video information source;
• retrieval means, located remotely from at least one of said first storage means and said second storage means, for selectively retrieving video information frames stored in said first storage means and said second storage means, said retrieval means including means for defining search parameters according to which video information frames stored in said first and second storage means are retrieved;
• first connection means for forming a first data communication path between said retrieval means and said first storage means;
• and
• second connection means for forming a second data communication path between said retrieval means and said second storage means.

Apparatus for storing a distributed video data base, comprising:

• a first video information source, at a first location, for providing first video information which includes at least one dynamic sequence of video information frames;
• first storage means for storing in the form of digital data, the first video information provided by said first video information source;
• a second video information source, at a second location remote from said first location, for providing second video information which includes at least one dynamic sequence of video information frames;
• second storage means, provided at a location remote from said first storage means, for storing, in the form of digital data, the second video information provided by said second video information source;
• third storage means, located remotely from said first and second storage means, for storing an image analysis algorithm;
• a first processor operatively connected to and co-located with said first storage means;
• a second processor operatively connected to and co-located with said second storage means;
• and
• means for sequentially downloading said image analysis algorithm from said third storage means to said first processor and to said second processor;
• said first processor responding to downloading thereto of said analysis algorithm by retrieving the first video information from said first storage means and analyzing the retrieved first video information in accordance with the downloaded analysis algorithm to detect a moving object represented by the retrieved first video information;
• said second processor responding to downloading thereto of said analysis algorithm by retrieving the second video information from said second storage means and analyzing the retrieved second video information in accordance with the downloaded analysis algorithm to detect a moving object represented by the retrieved second video information.