Agricultural Machine Anonymization Module for Data Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous agricultural work machines face challenges in capturing and storing camera-based images due to legal data protection issues, as existing solutions require multiple stationary cameras and do not align with the farmer's view direction, leading to control and cost disadvantages.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural work machine equipped with an anonymization module that determines and anonymizes non-field areas in sensor-generated images using geo-fence data and position information, allowing for the masking or blurring of non-displayable features to ensure legal and technical compliance with data protection regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stationary camera device is used to capture images for legal compliance, then data protection requirements are met, but the viewing direction does not align with the farmer's view and multiple devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from stationary camera devices to a moving camera device mounted on the agricultural work machine. This dynamic positioning allows a single camera to cover the necessary field areas while aligning with the farmer's viewing direction, eliminating the need for multiple stationary devices and resolving the contradiction between legal compliance and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The anonymization module acts as an intermediary that processes images captured by the moving camera device. It automatically identifies and anonymizes non-field areas containing personal data, enabling legal compliance through software-based solutions rather than requiring multiple physical camera devices, thus resolving the contradiction
2Reliability
If multiple stationary camera devices are deployed to ensure sufficient image coverage, then image reliability is improved, but costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By mounting the camera device on the moving agricultural work machine, the system achieves comprehensive field coverage with a single device. The camera moves along with the machine, dynamically capturing images of different field areas during operation, which eliminates the need for multiple expensive stationary devices while maintaining sufficient image coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital image capture and processing to create virtual representations of the field areas. The moving camera device captures images that are then processed by the anonymization module, providing a cost-effective digital copy approach that replaces the need for multiple physical camera devices and reduces overall system cost
3Loss of information
If camera-based images are captured without anonymization, then complete field documentation is achieved, but data protection laws are violated due to personal data capture
Solution Approach 1:
The anonymization module performs preliminary processing on captured images before they are stored or used. It proactively identifies non-field areas and personal data in the images and anonymizes them in advance, ensuring data protection compliance is built into the system workflow rather than being a post-processing concern, thus resolving the contradiction between complete documentation and data protection
Solution Approach 2:
The anonymization module applies different processing qualities to different parts of the image. Field areas maintain full quality for complete documentation, while non-field areas containing personal data are selectively anonymized. This local differentiation preserves necessary information while protecting personal data, resolving the contradiction between documentation completeness and data protection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) for use in an agricultural field (2). The present invention is based on the general idea that the agricultural machine (1) uses an anonymization module (6) for anonymizing non-field areas (7) in sensor-based environment images (4) of the agricultural machine (1).