Drone Imaging Angle Control for Privacy-Aware Surveillance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveillance systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust their viewing angles and altitudes to exclude specific areas from surveillance imagery, potentially infringing on privacy by capturing images of adjacent properties.
Innovation Solution
A method for surveilling an area using a drone that involves obtaining image data, processing it to detect external objects, determining multiple viewing angles, and adjusting these angles to exclude specific sections of the area from surveillance, thereby controlling the imaging device to focus only on the intended area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the drone uses a fixed wide-angle imaging device to surveil an area, then the coverage area is maximized, but adjacent properties are inadvertently captured causing privacy infringement
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device transitions from a fixed wide-angle configuration to a dynamic adjustable configuration. The patent implements motorized zoom lenses and pan-tilt mechanisms that allow the imaging device to dynamically change its field of view and orientation based on detected objects, thereby maintaining comprehensive surveillance coverage while excluding adjacent properties from the captured imagery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different imaging characteristics to different spatial zones. By detecting objects and determining their locations, the system adjusts the imaging parameters (zoom level, angle) to provide high-detail local surveillance of target areas while deliberately reducing or eliminating coverage of adjacent properties, creating zone-specific imaging quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the drone adjusts viewing angles to exclude adjacent properties, then privacy is protected, but surveillance coverage of the intended area may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts viewing angles based on real-time object detection rather than maintaining fixed exclusion zones. The imaging device continuously monitors for objects of interest and adjusts its orientation and zoom to include them in the frame, ensuring that privacy protection does not compromise the surveillance of intended targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a feedback loop where object detection results directly influence imaging device adjustments. The processor analyzes detected objects, determines their locations, and generates control signals to adjust the imaging device accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that balances privacy protection with comprehensive surveillance coverage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the drone uses complex angle adjustment mechanisms to control surveillance areas, then privacy control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is designed with multi-functional capabilities, combining zoom, pan, and tilt operations within a single integrated system. This universal design allows the device to perform multiple surveillance functions (wide-area scanning, targeted monitoring, privacy protection) without requiring separate specialized mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated object detection and tracking algorithms that enable the imaging device to self-adjust without manual intervention. The processor automatically analyzes image data, identifies objects of interest, and generates appropriate control signals, allowing the complex angle adjustment mechanisms to operate autonomously based on real-time conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for performing privacy-aware surveillance with a security camera drone. The drone obtains image data using an imaging device and processes the image data to detect an object external to the drone. In response to processing the image data, the drone determines multiple viewing angles indicated in the image data with respect to the object. Based on the image data and the multiple viewing angles, a first section of the area for surveillance and a second, different section of the area to be excluded from surveillance are identified. The drone determines an adjustment to at least one of the multiple viewing angles to cause the second section to be excluded from surveillance. Based on the adjustment, the drone controls the imaging device to exclude the second section from surveillance imagery obtained by the drone.