Monitoring System with Encrypted Input Masking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional monitoring systems cannot indirectly acquire information from masked areas in monitoring images, making it inconvenient for certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring system comprising an acquirer, extractor, encryption processor, and generator that acquires images from cameras, extracts and encrypts input information, and generates a replaced image with encrypted information made invisible, allowing for secure display and easy retrieval of input information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If information is masked in the monitoring image to protect privacy, then privacy protection is improved, but the ability to acquire information indirectly is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidinformation acquisition capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (mask pattern with extractable information) that mediates between privacy protection and information acquisition. The mask pattern serves as a mediator that obscures sensitive information while embedding extractable data, allowing both privacy protection and indirect information acquisition to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the mask by incorporating extractable information elements (such as codes or patterns) within the mask structure. This parameter change allows the mask to serve dual functions: protecting privacy by obscuring information and enabling indirect acquisition through the embedded extractable elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the monitoring system displays all captured information, then information completeness is improved, but security and privacy protection are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidprivacy exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information display into two parts: masked regions that protect sensitive information and extractable information elements that provide indirect access. This segmentation allows the system to maintain information completeness for legitimate purposes while protecting sensitive data through strategic segmentation of what is directly visible versus what can be indirectly extracted

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the system masks sensitive regions in the monitoring image, then security is improved, but operational convenience is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The extractable information embedded in the mask acts as an intermediary that restores operational convenience. While the mask maintains security by obscuring sensitive data, the embedded extractable elements provide a convenient mechanism for operators to retrieve necessary information without compromising security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3843381B1Monitoring system, monitoring method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3843381B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3843381B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3843381B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A monitoring system of an embodiment includes an acquirer, an extractor, an encryption processor, and a generator. The acquirer is configured to acquire, from one or more monitoring cameras that capture an image of a work area in which presented information to be input is input to an input terminal, a captured image captured by the one or more monitoring cameras. The extractor is configured to extract the information to be input from the captured image acquired by the acquirer. The encryption processor is configured to encrypt the information to be input extracted by the extractor. The generator is configured to generate a replaced image in which the information to be input is made invisible, the replaced image comprising a partial image that displays information encrypted by the encryption processor at a position of the information to be input in the captured image acquired by the acquirer.