Image Sensor Encryption for Selective Personal Data Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image encryption methods for surveillance cameras require high security measures to prevent personal information leakage, leading to increased costs, and there is a need for efficient encryption that balances information concealment with cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with an array sensor and encryption unit that detects target areas in images and encrypts them using different encryption keys, allowing partial decryption based on key possession, and employs photoelectric random numbers for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire image is encrypted using high security measures to prevent personal information leakage, then security level is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into multiple regions including target areas (containing personal information) and non-target areas. Different encryption keys are applied to different regions, allowing selective encryption of only the necessary portions rather than the entire image, thus reducing cost while maintaining security for sensitive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different encryption strengths and keys are applied to different parts of the image based on their sensitivity. Target areas containing personal information receive stronger encryption, while non-sensitive areas use weaker or no encryption, optimizing the balance between security and cost.
2Reliability
If the entire image is encrypted to prevent personal information leakage, then personal information protection is improved, but information accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image is segmented into target areas requiring protection and non-target areas that can remain accessible. This allows information in non-sensitive regions to be viewed without decryption keys, maintaining accessibility while protecting sensitive personal information in target areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full encryption to the entire image, only partial encryption is applied to specific target areas containing personal information. This partial action approach maintains information accessibility for non-sensitive content while providing adequate protection where needed.
3Productivity
If different encryption keys are used for target areas and non-target areas, then encryption efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image is pre-processed to identify and mark target areas before encryption. This preliminary segmentation allows the encryption system to efficiently apply appropriate keys to the correct regions without complex real-time decision-making during the encryption process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
A region identification module acts as an intermediary between the image input and encryption processes. This mediator automatically determines which areas require which encryption keys, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing the decision logic in a dedicated component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides secure image encryption that prevents personal information leakage while reducing costs by allowing controlled information access and improving tamper resistance, enabling efficient image analysis and encryption without storing plaintext signals.
Implementation Method 1
an array sensor in which a plurality of pixels each having a light receiving element of visible or invisible light are arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally
Data Source
AI summary
Image encryption in which excessive concealment of information is prevented while reduction in cost is achieved by eliminating a need for a receiving side of an image to take measures against leakage of personal information is realized. In one example, a sensor device includes an array sensor with pixels having a light receiving element of visible or invisible light. A detector detects a target area on the basis of an image signal obtained by the array sensor. The target area in the image signal is encrypted on the basis of information from the detector. Thus, encryption of the image signal can be performed in the image sensor at least to the extent that no individual can be identified. Also, depending on a decryption key on a receiving side of the image, a part of the content of the image can be visually recognized while personal information is concealed.