Motion Detection on Encrypted Video Streams via Macroblock Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in performing motion detection on encrypted video data streams, which compromises security and increases the risk of unauthorized access, as they require decryption for processing, whereas motion detection on unencrypted data is more feasible but less secure.

Innovation Solution

The method involves encrypting video data streams by maintaining constant macroblock sizes and storing macroblock size information separately, allowing motion detection to be executed on encrypted data without decryption, using techniques like H.264, H.265, or MPEG encoding, and validating macroblock sizes against thresholds for motion detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If video data streams are decrypted for motion detection processing, then motion detection accuracy is improved, but security and risk of unauthorized access deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection accuracyVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential motion information from encrypted video data by analyzing changes in encrypted data characteristics (such as macroblock size variations, coefficient changes) without decrypting the full video stream. This allows motion detection to be performed on a subset of features rather than requiring complete decryption of all video data, thereby maintaining security while achieving motion detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using encrypted video data directly as input for motion detection algorithms, rather than requiring decryption as an intermediate step. Specialized algorithms analyze patterns in the encrypted data (such as changes in macroblock dimensions, coefficient distributions) that correlate with motion events, enabling motion detection to occur on the encrypted stream itself without exposing the decrypted video content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If motion detection is performed on unencrypted video data streams, then processing feasibility is improved, but security and unauthorized access risk worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing feasibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts motion-related features from encrypted video data by analyzing specific characteristics such as macroblock size variations, coefficient changes, and data pattern differences between frames. This extraction approach enables motion detection on encrypted streams by focusing only on the essential motion information carriers within the encrypted data, avoiding the need for full decryption while maintaining processing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical decryption process with an alternative analytical approach that operates directly on encrypted data. Instead of using decryption mechanisms to make video data processable, the system substitutes this with specialized algorithms that can interpret motion patterns through encrypted data characteristics, thereby eliminating the security vulnerability introduced by decryption while preserving processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cloud service providers decrypt video data for motion detection, then motion detection capability is improved, but unauthorized data access risk worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection capabilityVSAvoidunauthorized data access risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces encrypted video data as an intermediary that enables motion detection capability without requiring cloud service providers to possess decryption keys or access decrypted content. The motion detection algorithms operate on the encrypted stream by analyzing patterns such as macroblock size changes and coefficient variations, which retain motion information even in encrypted form, thus providing motion detection capability while eliminating unauthorized access risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts motion detection functionality from the decryption process itself, allowing cloud service providers to perform motion detection on encrypted video data without ever obtaining the decrypted content. By analyzing specific features within the encrypted data stream (such as changes in macroblock dimensions, coefficient distributions, and data patterns between frames), the system separates motion detection capability from decryption capability, enabling providers to maintain motion detection services while eliminating access to sensitive video content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2835978B1System and method of motion detection on encrypted or scrambled video data streams
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP2835978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2835978B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2835978B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods of motion detection on encrypted or scrambled video data streams are provided. Some methods can include identifying macroblock size information for an encrypted/scrambled video data stream, and using the identified macroblock size information to determine a presence of motion in the encrypted/scrambled video data stream without decrypting and descrambling the encrypted/scrambled video data stream.