Dynamic Mask Area Generation for Privacy Zone Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional observation systems struggle to accurately and efficiently mask privacy zones within observation areas, as they limit the size and shape of mask areas, restrict the number of mask areas per screen, and fail to display masks at high camera operation speeds due to fixed zoom values and slow calculation speeds.
Innovation Solution
An observation system that calculates and displays mask areas using a hemispheric three-dimensional coordinate system, converting camera angles and zoom values into two-dimensional coordinates, allowing for dynamic mask area generation and display, with the ability to set multiple mask areas and adjust sizes and shapes based on user commands, and employs a mosaic scheme for image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed zoom value and fixed 4:3 aspect ratio are used for mask area, then the mask area can be displayed on the camera screen, but the mask area cannot be minutely set and is limited in size and shape
Solution Approach 1:
The mask area is transformed from a fixed static rectangle to a dynamic adjustable region. The system allows real-time modification of mask area parameters including position (Pi, Ti), size (width Wi, height Hi), and shape, enabling minute adjustments to precisely cover privacy zones while adapting to different observation scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes multiple parameters of the mask area simultaneously: zoom value (to adjust magnification), aspect ratio (to adapt to different privacy zone shapes), and position coordinates (Pi, Ti). These parameter changes enable the mask area to be minutely adjusted to match various privacy zone requirements
2Quantity of substance
If storage space is limited, then the system can maintain simple storage structure, but the number of mask areas that can be set on a single camera screen is limited to four or less
Solution Approach 1:
The mask area functionality is segmented into independently configurable units. Each mask area is stored as a separate record with its own parameters (position, size, shape), allowing multiple mask areas to be defined and managed independently. The system supports setting more than four mask areas per screen by dividing the masking function into multiple discrete mask region objects
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional screen display to a three-dimensional parameter space for mask area definition. By introducing zoom value as a third dimension and allowing variable aspect ratios, the system can define mask areas in multiple layers and scales, effectively increasing the number of simultaneously displayable mask areas beyond the traditional four
3Speed
If calculation speed is slow, then the system can use simple calculation algorithms, but the mask area cannot be displayed on the camera screen when the observation camera pans and tilts by more than a set speed
Solution Approach 1:
Mask area parameters including position, size, and shape are pre-calculated and stored in memory before camera movement occurs. When the camera pans or tilts, the system retrieves pre-computed mask parameters and applies them directly, avoiding real-time calculation delays and ensuring continuous mask display even during rapid camera operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and stores copy versions of mask area parameters for different camera positions and zoom levels. These pre-computed parameter copies are quickly retrieved and applied during camera movement, eliminating the need for slow real-time recalculation and maintaining mask display continuity at high operation speeds
Data Source
AI summary
An observation system for masking a privacy zone and method thereof are provided. The observation system has a camera part that photographs a certain observation area. An operation part receives a user-set command for selecting a privacy zone among the observation area, where the privacy zone requires no observation. A control part outputs a control signal for setting a mask area that masks the privacy zone according to the user-set command. An area set part generates a plurality of vertexes forming the mask area according to the control signal. An image signal process part uses a mosaic scheme to masks the privacy zone photographed by the camera part according to the mask area formed by the plurality of vertexes set by the area set part. An output part displays the mask area masked by the image signal process part. Therefore, the privacy zone photographed from the camera part is not displayed on a screen.