Forensic video recording with presence detection

Abstract

At a high level, embodiments of the invention relate to augmenting video data with presence data derived from one or more proximity tags. More specifically, embodiments of the invention generate forensically authenticated recordings linking video imagery to the presence of specific objects in or near the recording. One embodiment of the invention includes video recording system comprising a camera, a wireless proximity tag reader, a storage memory and control circuitry operable to receive image data from the camera receive a proximity tag identifier identifying a proximity tag from the proximity tag reader, and store an encoded frame containing the image data and the proximity tag identity in the storage memory.

1 . A proximity device coupled to at least one image recording device, the proximity device comprising:
 a proximity tag reader operable to detect a proximity tag; and   a communication connection with the at least one image recording device, wherein the proximity device is configured to:
 transmit a proximity signal to the at least one image recording device via the communication connection, the proximity signal comprising:
 a signal strength indicative of a first position of the proximity tag relative to the proximity tag reader at a first time, 
 wherein the proximity signal is configured to augment an individual frame of a set of video data recorded by the at least one image recording device to include the signal strength; and 
 
 transmit a subsequent proximity signal to the at least one image recording device via the communication connection, the subsequent proximity signal comprising:
 a subsequent signal strength indicative of a second position of the proximity tag relative to the proximity tag reader at a second time, 
 wherein the subsequent proximity signal is configured to augment a subsequent individual frame of the set of video data recorded by the at least one image recording device to include the subsequent signal strength. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The proximity device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity signal is indicative of at least one identity associated with the proximity tag. 
     
     
         3 . The proximity device of  claim 2 , wherein the proximity tag is integrated into a law enforcement badge such that the proximity signal is associated with an identity of a law enforcement officer. 
     
     
         4 . The proximity device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity signal is indicative of a law enforcement vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The proximity device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication connection comprises a wireless connection. 
     
     
         6 . The proximity device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity device is communicatively coupled to a recording device manager. 
     
     
         7 . The proximity device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity device is further configured to:
 transmit a trigger signal to the at least one image recording device, the trigger signal configured to initiate recording by the at least one image recording device based on detection of the proximity tag.   
     
     
         8 . The proximity device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity tag reader comprises an RFID reader. 
     
     
         9 . A video combiner for associating image data with proximity within a video recording system, the video combiner comprising:
 a first communication connection with at least one image recording device, the first communication connection configured to receive video data recorded by the at least one image recording device;   a second communication connection with at least one proximity device, the second communication connection configured to receive proximity data; and   at least one processor programmed to:
 receive the video data via the first communication connection, the video data comprising a plurality of image frames including at least an earlier frame and a later frame corresponding to an earlier time and a later time respectively; 
 receive the proximity data via the second communication connection, the proximity data comprising at least a first signal strength and a second signal strength corresponding to the earlier time and the later time respectively; 
 augmenting the earlier frame to include the first signal strength; and 
 augmenting the later frame to include the second signal strength. 
   
     
     
         10 . The video combiner of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:
 augment the earlier frame with an earlier time stamp associated with the earlier time; and   augment the later frame with a later time stamp associated with the later time.   
     
     
         11 . The video combiner of  claim 9 , wherein the first signal strength is augmented into a metadata field of the earlier frame, and the second signal strength is augmented into a metadata filed of the later frame. 
     
     
         12 . The video combiner of  claim 9 , wherein the video data further comprises audio data captured by at least one speaker associated with the at least one image recording device. 
     
     
         13 . The video combiner of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:
 after augmenting the earlier frame and the later frame, transmit the video data to a data store.   
     
     
         14 . The video combiner of  claim 13 , wherein the data store is a remote data store and the video data is transmitted wirelessly over a wireless network. 
     
     
         15 . A recording device manager comprising:
 a first communication connection with at least one image recording device, the first communication connection configured to receive video data recorded by the at least one image recording device;   a second communication connection with at least one proximity device, the second communication connection configured to receive proximity data; and   at least one processor programmed to:
 receive the video data via the first communication connection, the video data comprising a plurality of image frames including at least an earlier frame and a later frame corresponding to an earlier time and a later time respectively; 
 receive the proximity data via the second communication connection, the proximity data comprising at least a first proximity signal and a second proximity signal corresponding to the earlier time and the later time respectively; 
   augmenting the earlier frame to include the first proximity signal; and   augmenting the later frame to include the second proximity signal.   
     
     
         16 . The recording device manager of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:
 transmit a trigger signal configured to initiate recording by the at least one image recording device responsive to a trigger.   
     
     
         17 . The recording device manager of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:
 further augment the earlier frame to include an indication of the trigger.   
     
     
         18 . The recording device manager of  claim 17 , wherein the trigger is associated with a proximity tag detected by the at least one proximity device. 
     
     
         19 . The recording device manager of  claim 15 , wherein the earlier frame and the later frame are consecutive frames of the plurality of image frames. 
     
     
         20 . The recording device manager of  claim 15 , wherein the earlier frame and the later frame are non-consecutive frames of the plurality of image frames and wherein the plurality of image frames further comprises one or more non-augmented frames.