Mobile Object Imaging Control for Privacy-Aware Target Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing search systems for autonomous mobile objects continuously activate their imaging means, causing discomfort to users who do not wish to be photographed, and may fail to collect data when users intervene, thereby hindering target object searches.
Innovation Solution
A search system comprising boarding-type mobile objects and a mobile object management server that activates the imager only when a search target is registered, acquires images of the surroundings, and determines if the search target is present, while notifying users of the imager's activation or deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the imaging means is continuously activated to ensure data collection for target search, then the search effectiveness is improved, but user discomfort increases due to constant photographing
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging controller activates the imager periodically or on-demand based on search requests rather than continuously. When a search target is registered, the system activates the imager to capture images, and deactivates it when no search is needed, thereby reducing user discomfort while maintaining search effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from search requests and image analysis results to control imager activation. When the determiner identifies a search target in captured images, the system notifies users and adjusts imaging behavior accordingly, optimizing the balance between search effectiveness and user comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the imaging means is stopped to respect user privacy, then user discomfort is reduced, but data collection fails and target search becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system dynamically adjusts its operation state based on real-time search requests and user needs. The imaging controller transitions the imager between active and inactive states according to whether a search target has been registered, ensuring data collection capability is maintained when needed while respecting user privacy when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for data collection by activating the imager in advance when a search request is received, before actual target detection begins. This ensures that imaging is already underway when the search process starts, preventing data collection gaps while minimizing unnecessary imaging duration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the imager is activated only when search target registration is received, then user discomfort is minimized, but search response time may increase due to delayed data collection
Solution Approach 1:
When a search target registration is received, the imaging controller immediately activates the imager to begin capturing images without delay. This preliminary activation ensures that data collection starts right away, minimizing search response time while still respecting user privacy by only activating when genuinely needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Once activated, the imager continues operating continuously to capture all relevant images for the search process. This ensures uninterrupted data collection during the active search period, preventing gaps that would extend the overall search response time, while the system remains inactive between searches to minimize user discomfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A search system according to an embodiment is a search system including one or more boarding-type mobile objects moving within a predetermined area and a mobile object management server managing the boarding-type mobile objects and includes a receiver that receives registration of information on a search target, an imaging controller that activates an imager mounted on the one or more boarding-type mobile objects when the registration of the information on the search target is received by the receiver, an acquirer that acquires an image of surroundings of the boarding-type mobile object captured by the imager, and a determiner that determines whether the search target is included in the image acquired by the acquirer.