Image Sensor Angle Guidance for Privacy-Compliant Surveillance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Surveillance technicians face challenges in positioning image sensors at optimal angles that comply with regulatory requirements and capture clear views while avoiding sensitive information, and there is a need for systems that can automatically adjust camera angles to prevent issues like jackpotting at ATMs.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing machine-learning algorithms, such as convolutional neural networks, to analyze synthetic images and adjust image sensor angles based on classification models to ensure compliance with regulations and detect potential threats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single camera is used for surveillance, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of camera angle positioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera system complexityVSAvoidcamera angle positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of multiple cameras and a processing unit that mediates between the simple single-camera setup and the need for precise angle positioning. The multiple cameras capture images from different angles, and the processing unit synthesizes this data to determine precise camera positioning and compliance with privacy regulations, effectively resolving the contradiction by adding an intermediary processing layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If camera angle is adjusted to capture clear customer views, then surveillance quality is improved, but compliance with privacy regulations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurveillance qualityVSAvoidprivacy regulation violations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processing unit continuously analyzes images from multiple cameras to determine whether the camera angles comply with privacy regulations while maintaining surveillance quality. The system provides feedback on compliance status and can guide adjustments to camera positioning, creating a closed-loop system that balances surveillance effectiveness with regulatory compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses multiple cameras capturing more images than a single camera would, creating an excessive amount of data. However, this partial or excessive action is beneficial because it provides redundant information that allows the processing unit to determine compliance and optimize surveillance quality without violating privacy regulations, as the system can select and analyze only the necessary portions of the captured data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If technicians manually position cameras, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity of surveillance setup deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera positioning operationVSAvoidsurveillance setup efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service system where the processing unit automatically analyzes images from multiple cameras, determines compliance with privacy regulations, and guides camera positioning without requiring extensive technician intervention. The system performs the complex analysis and decision-making functions automatically, maintaining ease of operation for technicians while dramatically improving productivity through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If multiple cameras are deployed for comprehensive surveillance, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcamera system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cameras and their processing functions into an integrated system. The processing unit combines and analyzes images from all cameras simultaneously, determining compliance and optimizing surveillance effectiveness. This merging approach improves detection capability by utilizing data from all cameras while managing complexity through centralized processing rather than requiring separate systems for each camera.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12555345B2Systems and methods for guiding image sensor angle settings in different environments
Publication Date: 2026.02.17 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC
  • US12555345B2 patent drawing
  • US12555345B2 patent drawing
  • US12555345B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for guiding image sensor angle settings in different environments. The system may include a memory storing executable instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations may include obtaining a plurality of synthetic images, the synthetic images representing a plurality of scenes; training a classification model to classify, based on the synthetic images, a plurality of images captured from an environment of a user by an image sensor; determining, based on the classification, whether the image sensor is positioned at a predetermined angle; and adjusting, based on the determination, a position of the image sensor.