Cloud information storage, access, and security

Abstract

Devices and methods for cloud based management of multi-media files and/or associated data files are presented. Methods for using the device(s) to implement different information management techniques for managing information obtained (e.g., recorded) by a plurality of recording devices are also described. A comprehensive use of multiple distinct surveillance systems in a coordinated manner is described. A set of surveillance devices configured for use by one or more law enforcement agencies or other government agencies may upload and share information using cloud information, storage, access, and security methods. Maintaining information using cloud based techniques allows for sharing access (securely and remotely) without redundant copies of information on physical media and may reduce bandwidth transmission requirements. Further, requirements for both chain of custody of evidence and confidentiality regarding digitally recorded evidence may be complied with.

1 . A computer system configured to receive and manage multi-media recordings, the computer system comprising:
 one or more processors;   one or more network communication interfaces communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; and   a storage area accessible to the one or more processors,   wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 receive, via the one or more network communication interfaces, at least one multi-media file and one or more metadata files containing attributes of the at least one multi-media file, the attributes including at least an event tag; 
 categorize the at least one multi-media file using the event tag; 
 provide a set of evidentiary controls for the at least one multi-media file; and 
 determine where to store the at least one multi-media file, the determination based on one or more of the attributes of the at least one multi-media file. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 21 , wherein the indication including information pertaining to accessing the at least one multi-media file comprises a link for accessing the at least one multi-media file in a secure manner, the link providing an indication of security restrictions associated with the at least one multi-media file. 
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 21 , wherein the indication including information pertaining to accessing the at least one multi-media file comprises a link for accessing the at least one multi-media file in a secure manner, the link providing an indication of duration of availability of the at least one multi-media file via the link. 
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 automatically create a copy of the at least one multi-media file on a physical storage medium for transport to the third party recipient.   
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 provide data retention policies regarding access to the at least one multi-media file while taking into consideration the set of evidentiary controls.   
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 monitor and/or control access to the at least one multi-media file while taking into consideration the set of evidentiary controls.   
     
     
         7 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 21 , where the indication of the at least one multi-media file transmitted to the third party recipient includes an indication for a redirect via a secure network to local storage for the at least one multi-media file. 
     
     
         11 . The computer system
 of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 transmit the at least one multi-media file to a particular storage location, the particular storage location determined based on the one or more of the attributes of the at least one multi-media file. 
   
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 11 , wherein the particular storage location is a cloud storage location, and the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to interface with a software as a service (SAAS) cloud based infrastructure regarding the transmission of the at least one multi-media file to the cloud storage location. 
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 12 , wherein the particular storage location is a cloud storage location, and the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to interface with the SAAS cloud based infrastructure regarding evidentiary controls, data retention policies, and/or audit controls for the at least one multi-media file. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to interface with both a software as a service (SAAS) cloud based infrastructure and a docking station to initiate upload of particular metadata files and at least one particular multi-media file from the docking station to a cloud based server, the upload occurring after transmission of the particular metadata files and the at least one particular multi-media file to the docking station and the upload occurring independently of the computer system after initiation thereof,   wherein the particular metadata files may be the same as or different from the one or more metadata files containing attributes of the at least one multi-media file, and the at least one particular multi-media file may be the same as or different from the at least one multi-media file.   
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more audio capture devices communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; and   one or more video capture devices communicatively coupled to the one or more processors,   wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 receive information from the one or more audio capture devices and the one or more video capture devices, the information used to create one or more metadata files and at least one multi-media file associated with the one or more metadata files. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the computer system is configured as a mobile surveillance system. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 17 ,
 wherein at least one of the one or more network communication interfaces comprises a wireless communication interface, and   wherein transmission of the at least one multi-media file to a particular storage location, the particular storage location determined based on the one or more of the attributes of the at least one multi-media file, is initiated via the wireless communication interface while the mobile surveillance system is in transit.   
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one multi-media file is transmitted to the particular storage location at the same time as the one or more processors are receiving information from the one or more audio capture devices and the one or more video capture devices, 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 determine a third party recipient of information pertaining to the at least one multi-media file based on the at least one multi-media file categorization; and   initiate transmission of an indication of the at least one multi-media file to the third party recipient, the indication including information pertaining to accessing the at least one multi-media file.   
     
     
         22 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the determination of where to store the at least one multi-media file, based on the one or more of the attributes of the at least one multi-media file, is made after the at least one multi-media file has been initially recorded. 
     
     
         23 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the determination of where to store the at least one multi-media file, based on the one or more of the attributes of the at least one multi-media file, is made prior to transmission of the at least one multi-media file to a third party. 
     
     
         24 . A computer system configured to receive and manage multi-media recordings, the computer system comprising:
 one or more processors;   one or more network communication interfaces communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; and   a storage area accessible to the one or more processors,   wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 receive, via the one or more network communication interfaces, at least one multi-media file and one or more metadata files containing attributes of the at least one multi-media file, the attributes including at least an event tag; 
 categorize the at least one multi-media file using the event tag; 
 provide a set of evidentiary controls for the at least one multi-media file; and 
 store in local storage the at least one multi-media file and store in cloud storage the one or more metadata files containing attributes of the at least one multi-media file. 
   
     
     
         25 . A computer system configured to receive and manage multi-media recordings, the computer system comprising:
 one or more processors;   one or more network communication interfaces communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; and   a storage area accessible to the one or more processors,   wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 receive, via the one or more network communication interfaces, at least one multi-media file and one or more metadata files containing attributes of the at least one multi-media file, the attributes including at least an event tag; 
 categorize the at least one multi-media file using the event tag; 
 provide a set of evidentiary controls for the at least one multi-media file; and 
 transmit the at least one multi-media file to storage according to an ordering, the ordering based on a priority assigned to the at least one multi-media file, 
 wherein the at least one multi-media file comprises a plurality of multi-media files, each of the plurality of multi-media files being assigned a different priority, the different priorities based on attributes of respective ones of the plurality of multi-media files.