Gaze-Directed Haptic Camera Control for Privacy-Friendly Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of capturing images without pointing a camera directly at a person, which can be perceived as intrusive, is addressed by enabling a user to orient a camera at a region of interest and concentrate imaging on that region simply by looking at it, using wearable imaging devices with multiple image-sensing devices and a controller to analyze the user's direction of gaze.
Innovation Solution
A wearable imaging device with at least two image-sensing devices mounted in opposing directions, a controller to analyze the user's gaze direction, and a haptic interface to guide alignment, allowing the device to capture and zoom in on the region of interest without direct alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is pointed directly at a person to capture an image, then the imaging can be captured clearly, but it is regarded as an offence and intrudes on privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using multiple image-sensing devices mounted in different directions. Instead of directly pointing the camera at the subject, the system uses sensors positioned at angles to capture images, then processes these images to determine the subject's gaze direction and automatically adjusts the camera orientation accordingly. This intermediary approach allows imaging without direct pointing, thus avoiding privacy intrusion while maintaining imaging clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pointing mechanism with an automated image processing system. Instead of manually or mechanically directing the camera at the subject, the system uses image sensors to detect gaze direction and automatically controls camera orientation through software processing. This substitution eliminates the need for direct mechanical alignment while achieving clear imaging of the subject of interest.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple image-sensing devices are mounted in opposing directions to enable gaze-based imaging, then privacy intrusion is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using multiple image-sensing devices that serve dual purposes: they capture images for gaze direction determination and also provide the raw imaging data for the final photograph. The same sensors mounted in opposing directions perform both the function of detecting user gaze and capturing the actual image content, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components and mitigating the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional camera orientation to a multi-dimensional sensing arrangement. By mounting image-sensing devices in opposing directions (creating a spatial dimension), the system gains the ability to determine gaze direction through image analysis. This dimensional expansion allows the system to infer orientation information without adding complex mechanical steering mechanisms, thus managing complexity while achieving privacy-friendly imaging.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device including a plurality of image-sensors including at least a first image sensor and a second image sensor mounted in substantially opposing directions, and a controller coupled to the sensors. The controller captures the first image content from the first image sensor, and the second image content from the second image sensor, substantially simultaneously, then analyzes the first image content to detect a user of the imaging device, and to determine a direction in which the user is looking, The controller then captures the second image from the second image sensor, and selects a zoom part of the second image. The zoom part located in the user looking direction. Alternatively, the controller selects a second image sensor from the plurality of image sensors, where the selected second image sensor is directed in the user looking direction.