Monitoring System Using Terminal ID and Video for Event Attribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring systems for public spaces, such as trash boxes, lockers, and vending machines, face challenges in identifying individuals responsible for specific events like trash dumping without requiring extensive face image registration and are limited to specific applications.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring system that includes a monitored device with signal receiving, terminal distance estimation, terminal direction estimation, and video capturing capabilities, along with a management device for analyzing captured video to determine the likely cause of a prescribed event by utilizing identification information from terminals within a prescribed range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If monitoring cameras capture images constantly to identify individuals responsible for events, then identification accuracy is improved, but data management complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring camera performs periodic image capture at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous capture. The control device determines whether to capture images based on time information and comparison with predetermined intervals, reducing data volume while maintaining identification capability for events occurring within the monitoring period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses terminal identification information (from mobile phones or other terminals) carried by individuals as a self-identifying marker. When an event occurs, the control device matches the terminal ID with captured images to identify the responsible person, eliminating the need for complex face recognition databases while maintaining identification accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If face images are registered in advance for identification, then person identification capability is improved, but system setup time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperson identification capabilityVSAvoidsystem setup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of registering face images in advance, the system captures terminal identification information (such as mobile phone IDs) that individuals already carry with them. This terminal ID serves as a copy or proxy for personal identification, eliminating the need for complex face registration databases while maintaining the ability to identify responsible persons

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary capture of terminal identification information in the vicinity of the monitored device before events occur. By having terminal IDs ready and stored in advance, the system can quickly match them with event timestamps to identify responsible persons without requiring face registration setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If monitoring is specialized for specific devices like trash boxes, then detection accuracy for device-specific events is improved, but system versatility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevent detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is designed with universal components that can be applied to various devices and facilities. The control device receives terminal identification information and manages image capture based on event occurrence timing, a framework that can be adapted to different monitored devices (trash boxes, lockers, vending machines, etc.) without requiring device-specific customization, thus maintaining both detection accuracy and versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3279878B1Monitoring system, control method, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 NEC CORP
  • EP3279878B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3279878B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3279878B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To contribute towards easily specifying a person who represents the cause of an event in a device, a facility, etc. This monitoring system includes a monitored device and a management device for communicating with the monitored device. The monitored device is provided with: a signal receiver for causing a signal that includes identification information for identifying a terminal to be received as a reception signal from a terminal present within a predetermined range relative to the monitored device; a terminal distance estimation unit for estimating the distance from the monitored device to the terminal as terminal distance information on the basis of the reception signal; a terminal direction estimation unit for estimating the direction to the terminal from the monitored device as terminal direction information on the basis of the reception signal; and a video capturing unit for capturing a predetermined image-image-capturing range on the neighborhood of the monitored device. The management device is provided with a data analysis unit for analyzing the video that has been captured, determining that a predetermined event has occurred, and specifying the terminal distance information, the terminal direction information, and the identification information associated with the point in time of the image capture.