Camera data retention using uptime clocks and settings

Abstract

A surveillance camera and surveillance data management system includes a video management system with a data retention module for determining when surveillance data is deleted. Blocks of the surveillance data are deleted based on the ages of the blocks, which are calculated based on the difference between a recorded start date for each block and the current time and adjusted to subtract durations of periods of system downtime that occurred since the start date. The ages are also calculated using a counter, which is initialized to a predetermined value for each block and incremented or decremented only during uptime. In another embodiment, an override module determines an override status based on input from an interface, which can include a physical switch or a keyboard, mouse and display, and returns the override status. No surveillance data is deleted when the override status is true.