Augmented Reality Application for Public Safety Visual Data Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Public-safety institutions face challenges in gathering visual data from areas without cameras, particularly during incidents, where existing technologies do not effectively utilize augmented-reality game play to provide necessary visual data.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize an augmented-reality application to direct players' cameras towards public-safety areas of interest, allowing images to be captured and sent to dispatch centers, with the ability to influence game play to direct people away from incident areas or track suspects, using a virtual object placement strategy within the game to facilitate data collection without user awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If cameras are placed in various locations to capture visual data, then visual data coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes mobile devices already carried by individuals in the area to capture images. These devices perform the surveillance function autonomously through the augmented reality application, eliminating the need for centralized camera installation and deployment infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile devices serve dual purposes: their primary function for personal use and the secondary function of capturing surveillance images through the augmented reality application. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated surveillance cameras in hard-to-reach areas.
2Productivity
If augmented-reality game play is used to gather visual data, then data collection effectiveness is improved, but user privacy concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The augmented reality application acts as an intermediary that processes images on the user's device before transmission. The application identifies areas of interest and selectively captures only relevant images, filtering out unnecessary personal information while still providing valuable surveillance data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different processing qualities to different parts of the captured image. Areas of public interest are captured in full detail, while personally identifiable information in unrelated areas is blurred or excluded, maintaining privacy while preserving surveillance effectiveness.
3Loss of information
If virtual objects are placed to direct cameras towards incident areas, then visual data acquisition is improved, but operational secrecy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual objects are deployed temporarily and periodically only when surveillance is needed. The augmented reality application activates image capture functionality only during specific time windows when public safety incidents are detected, maintaining operational secrecy while ensuring data acquisition when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for gathering visual data using an augmented-reality application is provided herein. During operation a location for a public-safety area of interest is determined. The location is provided to an augmented-reality server where an augmented-reality application (e.g., an augmented-reality game) is modified to place a virtual image in a position that is based on the public-safety area of interest. Images are then obtained from devices that point their cameras towards the public-safety area of interest.