System and method for logging and retrieving information on video

Abstract

A method and system for use in a computer controlled video surveillance system are disclosed for storing and retrieving data relating to information recorded on a video tape, thereby locating visual information recorded on a video tape. The system comprises means for recording visual information on a plurality of segments of a video tape, each of the segments being defined by a time at which its recording begins and a time at which its recording ends. Means are provided for recording a tape identification code on the plurality of segments of the video tape. A tape counter generates a tape count such that for each segment, a corresponding initial tape count is generated at the time when recording of that segment begins. The invention further comprises a database. Stored in the database is a log corresponding to the video tape. The log comprises a record relating to each segment. Each record contains searchable fields. One of the fields contains the initial tape counts corresponding to the segment to which the record relates. Means are provided for communicating the tape count to the database. The method has the following steps: generating an identification for identifying the tape; recording the identification code at a plurality of locations on the tape; recording visual information on a plurality of segments of the tape; generating an initial tape count when the recording of the visual information starts; generating an end tape count when the recording of the visual information ends. Each of the segments of the tape are defined by reference to the tape count when the recording of the visual information on that segment starts and the tape count when the recording of the visual information on that segment ends. The method further includes generating a log in a database such that the log is associated with the video tape. The log is stored in the database with reference to the identification code for the tape and the log contains a plurality of records each respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of segments of the tape. Each record contains searchable fields. One of the fields contains the initial tape count. In order to locate the visual information on particular segment of the tape, the fields of the records are searched.