Network Camera Image Transmission Control via User Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread use of networked video cameras in residential and business environments has made it difficult for users to maintain privacy, as these cameras often transmit images over the Internet by default, leading to potential unwanted exposure, and manually disabling them is cumbersome and insecure.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a local network to detect the location of identified users and limits camera image transmission based on user identity and location, allowing users to define which cameras are controlled and under what conditions they can access the Internet, thereby prohibiting unauthorized image transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network cameras are kept in an always on state for security and video call functionality, then security and accessibility are improved, but user privacy is compromised due to continuous image transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system dynamically changes its operational state between on and off based on detected user presence. When users are detected via motion sensors, microphones, or other detection mechanisms, the system automatically transitions the camera to an off state to protect privacy. When no users are present, the camera remains on to maintain security monitoring capabilities. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the camera's operational status to contextual requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where user presence is continuously detected and this information feeds back to control the camera's transmission state. Sensors detect user presence and send signals to the camera control system, which then adjusts image transmission accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the camera automatically responds to user presence, maintaining security when absent and protecting privacy when present.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If users manually turn cameras off to protect privacy, then privacy protection is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to cumbersome operation and potential failure to re-enable
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system performs privacy protection automatically without requiring user intervention. The system self-monitors for user presence through integrated sensors and automatically disables image transmission when users are detected, eliminating the need for manual on/off switching. This self-service approach ensures consistent privacy protection while maintaining security readiness, as the camera automatically returns to an active state when users depart.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting user presence before privacy violations can occur. Motion sensors, audio detectors, or other presence detection mechanisms identify user arrival in advance, triggering automatic camera disablement before any private moments are captured. This preliminary detection and response mechanism ensures privacy is protected proactively rather than reactively, eliminating the need for users to manually intervene.
3Reliability
If cameras transmit images continuously over the Internet, then security monitoring capability is improved, but loss of information control increases as users cannot control who receives their images
Solution Approach 1:
The image transmission function dynamically adjusts its operational status based on user presence detection. The system transitions between transmission enabled and disabled states automatically, controlling information flow in real-time. When users are present, transmission is disabled to maintain control over image distribution. When absent, transmission remains enabled for security monitoring. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by allowing full transmission capability when needed while preventing unauthorized distribution when users are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control layer between the camera and Internet transmission that automatically regulates image flow based on user presence. This intermediary mechanism, comprising sensors and control logic, monitors user presence and intermediates the transmission process by blocking or allowing images accordingly. This intermediary control ensures users maintain information control without manually managing transmission settings, as the intermediary automatically enforces privacy boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for responsively prohibiting images collected by a networked video camera from being transmitted from a local network to the Internet or other non-local network as a function of the location of identified users. The disclosed technology provides for utilizing a local network to detect the location of one or more identifiable users. The ability of one or more cameras connected to that local network to transmit collected images outside of that local network is then limited as a function of the user identity and location. The system includes an interface enabling a user to define the particular individuals that the system will recognize, the network camera(s) that will be controlled by the system, and the conditions under which access to the Internet by a particular camera will be prohibited.