Optical Privatizing Device for Depth Sensor Privacy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There are concerns about privacy related to the remote access and data collection by sensor devices like the Microsoft Kinect, which capture full-body motion and images, as consumers worry about their data being accessed without permission.
Innovation Solution
An optical privatizing device and system that includes a removable frame with a blurring lens to modify light passing to a depth sensor, rendering the object's profile unidentifiable while maintaining depth parameters, and a panel to block the RGB sensor, ensuring privacy during data capture and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a depth sensor captures detailed profile information, then measurement precision is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating how different types of data are handled: depth information is preserved with high fidelity for motion tracking purposes, while facial and profile information is deliberately blurred to protect privacy. This selective processing ensures that each type of data receives the appropriate level of detail based on its intended use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sensor data into distinct categories: identifiable profile data (blurred for privacy) and depth/motion data (preserved for functionality). By separating these data types and applying different processing methods to each, the system maintains measurement precision where needed while protecting privacy in other areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an optical blurring lens is added to neutralize profiles, then privacy protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical privacy filter as an intermediary component between the sensor and the subject. This filter selectively blurs identifiable features while allowing depth information to pass through, serving as a physical mediator that resolves the conflict between privacy protection and functional data collection without requiring complex electronic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic or software-based privacy protection mechanisms with a simple optical filter. This mechanical/optical solution achieves privacy protection through physical light filtering rather than digital processing, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a panel blocks the RGB sensor, then privacy protection is improved, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the RGB sensing capability from the system by blocking it with a panel, while retaining the depth sensing functionality. This extraction eliminates the source of identifiable visual information that could compromise privacy, while preserving the non-identifiable depth data needed for motion tracking applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively neutralizes identifiable features in captured data, maintaining privacy and allowing for accurate depth sensing and motion tracking without storing identifiable information, thus addressing consumer privacy concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a blurring lens coupled to the removable frame and configured to optically modify light passing to a depth sensor. The optical modified light has a privatizing blur level to neutralize a profile of an object sensed by the depth sensor
Implementation Method 2
A panel selectively coupled to the frame closes the first aperture to blank-out the RGB sensor of the multi-sensor device
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to an optical privatizing device (100), system and methods of use. The device includes a removable frame (101) removably attachable to a sensor housing (1A). A device includes a blurring lens (130) coupled to the removable frame (101) and configured to optically modify light passing to a depth sensor wherein the optical modified light has a privatizing blur level to neutralize a profile of an object sensed by the depth sensor within a working volume of the depth sensor to an unidentifiable state while maintaining a depth parameter sensed by the depth sensor.