Infrared Light Source for Proactive Image Obfuscation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals face challenges in protecting their privacy from unwanted photography, especially in public places or situations where they may not wish to be captured, due to the widespread use of digital cameras and social media.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device equipped with an infrared light source that can be activated or deactivated based on user preferences, location, time, or contextual conditions to obscure images taken by cameras, using a hardware processor and memory to manage privacy settings and detect camera presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an infrared light source is activated to mask images, then privacy protection is improved, but visibility and lighting conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light emission by using infrared light instead of visible light. This allows the masking function to operate at a different spectral parameter, protecting privacy while maintaining visible light illumination for normal vision and camera capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared light acts as an intermediary between the camera flash and the subject's face. It blocks the camera's visible light path without affecting the camera's ability to detect the flash, creating a selective masking effect that protects privacy while preserving camera functionality.
2Reliability
If continuous infrared light emission is used, then privacy protection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared light source operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only during specific events such as camera flash detection. This periodic operation maintains privacy protection during critical moments while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from camera flash detection to trigger infrared light emission. The hardware processor monitors for camera flash signals and activates the infrared light source only when needed, creating a feedback-controlled system that optimizes energy usage based on actual privacy protection requirements.
3Ease of operation
If manual activation is used, then user control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting camera flash signals and activating the infrared light source without requiring manual user intervention. The hardware processor monitors for camera events and autonomously triggers the masking function, eliminating the need for users to manually activate protection while maintaining full user control through the wearable device interface.
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
Effectively protects user privacy by selectively blurring or masking images in real-time, allowing individuals to control their visibility in photographs without compromising security camera functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared light source comprising at least an infrared light emitter... operable to control the infrared light source to emit the infrared light
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit is coupled to an infrared light source including at least an infrared light emitter. The infrared light source may be embedded in a wearable device. The control unit captures user preference and also receives current context associated with the wearable device and/or a user wearing the wearable device. The control unit determines automatically based on the current context meeting the user preference, whether to activate the infrared light source to emit infrared light or deactivate the infrared light source to stop emitting infrared light. Responsive to determining that the infrared light source is to be activated, the infrared light source is activated to emit the infrared light. Responsive to determining that the infrared light source is to be deactivated, the infrared light source is deactivated to stop emitting the infrared light.