Non-Imaging Occupancy Monitoring for Privacy-Safe Access Alerts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Access control systems that rely on video surveillance cameras may infringe on privacy, making them inappropriate for certain areas like hotel rooms or rented premises, necessitating an alternative method to monitor and control access.

Innovation Solution

Implement a computer-implemented method using non-imaging sensors to count people in monitored areas and generate unauthorized person alerts based on predefined maximum and reduced maximum counts, adjusting for system-authorized individuals' locations outside the area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If video surveillance cameras are installed to monitor access control areas, then security monitoring capability is improved, but privacy rights are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity monitoring capabilityVSAvoidprivacy violation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the imaging function from the monitoring system by using non-imaging sensors (such as RFID readers, motion detectors, or temperature sensors) instead of video cameras. These sensors detect presence and characteristics of individuals without capturing visual information, thereby maintaining security monitoring while eliminating privacy violation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the optical/mechanical video camera system with electronic sensing systems that detect physical or electromagnetic properties (such as radio frequency identification signals, thermal signatures, or motion patterns) to monitor occupancy without visual recording.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-imaging sensors are used to count people, then privacy protection is improved, but measurement precision of occupancy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidoccupancy count accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sensors that serve multiple functions: they detect presence, determine characteristics of individuals, and track occupancy patterns simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows accurate occupancy monitoring through data aggregation and analysis from various sensor inputs, compensating for the lack of direct visual counting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that aggregates data from multiple non-imaging sensors and uses algorithms to infer occupancy status. This intermediary layer translates indirect sensor readings into accurate occupancy counts without requiring direct visual observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12412459B1Method and system for unauthorized person alerting

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A method and system for unauthorized person alerting. The method includes activating at least one non-imaging sensor to capture non-imaging data. The non-imaging sensor monitors an area in respect of which a physical access control system restricts access. At least one processor is employed to generate a count of people present in the monitored area from computerized analysis of the non-imaging data. An unauthorized person alert is generated based on at least one of a plurality of alert conditions being satisfied.