Officer Field of View Determination Using Stereoscopic Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current police recording systems using single-axis cameras or 360-degree cameras struggle to accurately determine the field of view of an officer during incidents, as they capture more information than the officer can see, making it difficult to assess what was visible at the time of an event, especially when justifying the use of force.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic camera system positioned on the neck and shoulders of an officer, using multiple cameras with overlapping fields of capture, combined with facial feature analysis and sensor data, to determine and display the officer's field of view within the recorded data, allowing for a more accurate representation of what was visible during an incident.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single-axis camera or 360-degree camera is used to capture the incident, then the field of capture is expanded to cover more area, but the ability to accurately determine the officer's field of view deteriorates because the camera captures more information than the officer can see
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the camera's wide field of capture into multiple segments by using multiple cameras positioned at different locations (e.g., left and right sides of the officer). Each camera captures a specific portion of the scene, and by analyzing which cameras detect the officer's face or body, the system can segment the overall capture area into regions that correspond to the officer's actual field of view versus peripheral areas they cannot see.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces facial recognition technology as an intermediary mechanism to bridge the gap between the camera's wide field of capture and the officer's limited field of view. By detecting the officer's face in the captured images and determining the orientation and position of facial features, the system can infer the officer's line of sight and accurately delineate their field of view boundaries, even when using cameras with broader capture areas.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras with overlapping fields of capture are used to improve field of view accuracy, then the measurement precision of field of view improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the multiple cameras serve multiple functions: they not only capture the incident scene but also simultaneously serve as reference frames for determining the officer's field of view. The same cameras that record the event also provide the spatial and orientational data needed to calculate field of view boundaries, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the field of view determination function with the existing camera recording function. Instead of adding separate field of view sensors or markers, the system combines facial recognition, camera positioning data, and image analysis into a unified processing system that simultaneously achieves both scene recording and field of view measurement, thereby reducing redundant components.
3Measurement precision
If facial feature analysis is used to determine the officer's field of view, then the accuracy of field of view determination improves, but the processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the spatial relationships, orientations, and capture parameters of each camera before the incident occurs. Camera calibration data, relative positioning information, and field of view geometric models are prepared in advance. This preliminary setup allows the system to quickly determine field of view boundaries during the incident by simply analyzing facial feature positions relative to pre-known camera parameters, significantly reducing real-time processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining a person's field of view with respect to captured data (e.g., recorded audiovisual data). A multi-camera capture system (e.g. bodycam, vehicular camera, stereoscopic, 360-degree captures system) records audiovisual data of an event. The field of capture of a capture system or a field of capture of captured data combined from multiple capture systems may be greater than the field of view of a person. Facial features (e.g. eyes, ears, nose, and jawlines) of the person may be detected from the captured data. Facial features may be used to determine the field of view of the person with respect to the captured data. Sensors that detect head orientation may be used to determine the field of view of the person with respect to captured data. The field of view of the person may be shown with respect to the captured data when the captured data is played back.