Cloud-Based 3D Surveillance Analytics from 2D Video

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surveillance systems rely on 2D images and videos, limiting their ability to provide advanced analytics and requiring costly upgrades to 3D cameras for improved security and surveillance capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A cloud-based surveillance system that generates 3D surveillance data from 2D input data using a network of input capture devices and a cloud-based analytics platform, enabling real-time analytics and immersive 3D visual representation for enhanced security and surveillance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If 3D cameras are used to generate 3D surveillance data, then measurement precision and analytics accuracy are improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurveillance analytics accuracyVSAvoidcamera system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual 3D copy of the physical surveillance environment by processing 2D images from multiple cameras through computer vision algorithms. This virtual 3D model replicates spatial relationships, object positions, and scene geometry without requiring physical 3D cameras, thereby achieving 3D analytics accuracy while using standard 2D camera hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms 2D image data from multiple camera perspectives into a synthesized 3D representation through computational processing. By combining multi-view 2D images and reconstructing depth information algorithmically, the system achieves 3D surveillance capabilities from 2D inputs, avoiding the need for expensive 3D camera hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If multiple 2D cameras are deployed to capture different angles, then device cost is reduced, but the ability to generate accurate 3D analytics deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera system complexityVSAvoid3D analytics accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from multiple independent 2D camera sources into a unified 3D surveillance model. By integrating images from multiple cameras positioned at different angles, the system synthesizes depth information and spatial relationships that would be unavailable from a single camera, achieving accurate 3D analytics through data fusion rather than hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables standard 2D cameras to perform multiple functions: capturing 2D images for traditional surveillance while simultaneously providing the data needed for 3D reconstruction and analytics. The same camera hardware serves both 2D and 3D purposes through software processing, eliminating the need for specialized 3D camera equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If cloud-based processing is implemented to generate 3D data from 2D inputs, then ease of operation and remote access are improved, but use of energy and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidcomputational energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud-based processing platform as an intermediary between 2D camera inputs and 3D analytics outputs. This centralized cloud infrastructure performs the computationally intensive 3D reconstruction and analytics processing, allowing local devices to simply capture and transmit 2D images while the cloud handles the energy-intensive computations, enabling remote access without burdening local hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9514371B1Systems and methods for automated cloud-based analytics and 3-dimensional (3D) display for surveillance systems
Publication Date: 2016.12.06 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
  • US9514371B1 patent drawing
  • US9514371B1 patent drawing
  • US9514371B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for cloud-computing network with distributed input devices and a cloud-based analytics platform for automatically analyzing received 2-Dimensional (2D) video and/or image inputs for generating 3-Dimensional (3D) surveillance data and providing 3D display for a target surveillance area.