Drone Camera Angle Control for Privacy-Safe Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous robots, such as drones and wheeled robots, often capture images and videos of private residences and individuals without consent, raising concerns about privacy and the need for an efficient means to prevent unwanted image capture.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an autonomous robot equipped with sensors that capture data of its environment, generate a map, localize itself, determine floor types, and adjust its settings, including the elevation of components, to prevent unwanted image capture while navigating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the robot captures images and videos of the environment, then the robot can perform mapping and localization functions, but the robot may capture unwanted images of private residences and individuals without consent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the camera elevation angle before capturing images. The system proactively sets the camera to point downward at a predetermined angle to prevent capturing images of private residences and individuals before the privacy issue can occur. This preventive approach allows the robot to maintain mapping and localization functions while avoiding privacy violations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the robot adjusts its elevation settings to prevent unwanted image capture, then the robot can address privacy concerns, but the robot may lose environmental data needed for mapping and localization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the camera elevation angle adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically change the elevation angle based on the robot's operational state and environment. During mapping operations, the camera can be positioned at angles that capture sufficient environmental data, while during navigation or when privacy risks are detected, the angle adjusts to prevent unwanted captures. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between privacy protection and data collection.
3Device complexity
If the robot uses a fixed camera orientation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the robot cannot adapt to different operational requirements for image capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the camera's elevation angle parameter rather than changing the entire camera system. This simple parameter adjustment allows the robot to adapt camera orientation to different operational requirements. The elevation angle can be changed programmatically to suit mapping, navigation, or privacy-protection needs, providing versatility without adding mechanical complexity to the camera mounting system.
Data Source
AI summary
Some aspects include a method for operating an autonomous robot, including: capturing, with a first sensor disposed on the robot, data of an environment of the robot; generating, with the processor, a map of the environment based on at least the data of the environment; localizing, with the processor, the robot within the environment; capturing, with a second sensor disposed on the robot, data of a floor surface; determining, with the processor, a floor type of areas of the environment based on the data of the floor surface; and determining, with the processor, settings of the robot based on at least the floor type of the floor surface, wherein the settings comprise at least an elevation of each of at least one component of the robot from the floor surface.