Monitoring an area using multiple networked video cameras
A system and method to connect several cameras located in a given location, such as a parking garage, or area, such as in a neighborhood, is provided. The system allows each camera to function independently from each other with the purpose of recording video within the field of view of the particular camera. Image recognition processes the video to identify objects of interest and generate classification data. A search request can be generated, for example, by touching on a specific object shown on a display of the video, and networked cameras are searched for classification data that matches the search request, e.g., the selected object. Networked cameras can determine the relative spatial views of other cameras. Within a prescribed location or area, a camera or other user can access other networked cameras to extend the range of the search for the requested classification data in a “peer-to-peer” manner. Artificial intelligence software and logic is used to determine which of the surrounding networked cameras is likely to provide requested classification data.
1. A method of sharing video data between a plurality of remote cameras and a local camera in wireless-communication with each other, the method comprising:
initiating, at said local camera, a preliminary search of the plurality of remote cameras, the preliminary search automatically searching a memory in each of the plurality of remote cameras for data that matches a search criteria;
receiving, in response to said preliminary search, an indication that the data in the memory of at least one of the plurality of remote cameras matches the search criteria;
requesting, at said local camera, permission to perform a secondary search of the memory of the at least one of the plurality of remote cameras;
requesting the secondary search of the memory of the at least one of the plurality of remote cameras, the secondary search configured to identify video data matching a video search query; and
receiving video data matching the video search query from said at least one of said plurality of remote cameras.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said requesting permission step is performed in response to receiving the indication that the data in the memory of at least one of the plurality of remote cameras matches the search criteria.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said secondary search checks more data in the memory than the preliminary search.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said search criteria includes metadata and location information of said local camera.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said search criteria includes classifier data.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication comprises identification information of said at least one of the plurality of remote cameras.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving, in response to said preliminary search, an indication further comprises receiving an indication from a plurality of the remote cameras that a data in each of the remote cameras of the plurality of remote cameras matches the search criteria and further wherein said requesting step further comprises requesting permission to perform the secondary search of the memory of the remote cameras of the plurality of remote cameras.
8. A method of sharing video data between a plurality of remote cameras and a local camera, each camera being in wireless-communication with each other, said method comprising:
initiating, at said local camera, a preliminary search of the plurality of remote cameras, the preliminary search automatically searching a memory in each of the plurality of remote cameras for data that matches a search criteria;
receiving, in response to said preliminary search, an indication that the data in the memory of a subset of the plurality of remote cameras matches the search criteria;
requesting, at said local camera, permission to perform a secondary search of the memory of the subset of the plurality of remote cameras;
requesting the secondary search of the memory of the subset of the plurality of remote cameras, the secondary search configured to identify video data matching a video search query; and
receiving video data matching the video search query from at least one of the subset of the plurality of remote cameras.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said requesting permission step is automatic in response to receipt of the indication of a match from said subset of the plurality of remote cameras.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said secondary search is more detailed and comprehensive than said preliminary search.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein said search criteria includes metadata and location information of said local camera.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein said search criteria includes object classifier data.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein said receiving step includes receiving identification information of said subset of the plurality of remote cameras.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein said requesting step only requests permission to search said subset of the plurality of remote cameras.
15. A method of sharing video data between a plurality of remote cameras and a local camera in wireless-communication with each other, the method comprising:
initiating, at said local camera, a preliminary search of the plurality of remote cameras, the preliminary search automatically searching a memory in each of the plurality of remote cameras for data that matches a search criteria;
receiving, in response to said preliminary search, an indication that the data in the memory of at least one of the plurality of remote cameras matches the search criteria;
requesting, at said local camera, permission to perform a secondary search of the memory of the at least one of the plurality of remote cameras;
requesting the secondary search of the memory of the at least one of the plurality of remote cameras, the secondary search configured to identify video data matching a video search query based on a first algorithm;
receiving video data matching the video search query from said at least one of said plurality of remote cameras;
displaying said received video data on a display associated with the local camera;
receiving user confirmation that the received video data matches the video search query; and
adjusting the first search algorithm based on the user confirmation to improve an accuracy of a subsequent search.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising requesting the subsequent search of the memory of the remote camera for data that matches the search criteria, based on said adjusted first search algorithm.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the user confirmation is based at least in part on input from a touch-screen display indicative of video data that matches the video search query.
18. A method of sharing video data between a plurality of remote cameras and a local camera in wireless-communication with each other, the method comprising:
initiating, at said local camera, a preliminary search of the plurality of remote cameras, the preliminary search automatically searching a memory in each of the plurality of remote cameras for data that matches a search criteria, said search criteria including metadata and a video clip corresponding to an event;
receiving, in response to said preliminary search, an indication that the data in the memory of at least one of the plurality of remote cameras matches the search criteria;
requesting, at said local camera, a permission to perform a secondary search of the memory of the at least one of the plurality of remote cameras, the requesting a permission comprising notifying an authorizing user of the at least one of the plurality of remote cameras by playing the video clip corresponding to the event on a display for viewing by the authorizing user;
requesting the secondary search of the memory of the at least one of the plurality of remote cameras in response to receiving the permission from the authorizing user, the secondary search configured to identify video data matching a video search query;
receiving video data matching the video search query from said at least one of said plurality of remote cameras.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said playing is automatic.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the initiating comprises sending a text message from the local camera to the plurality of remote cameras.