Polarization Filter Assembly for Selective Camera Privacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Networked cameras are vulnerable to unauthorized access and control, allowing unauthorized recording and transmission of private scenes even when believed to be off or disabled, compromising privacy and hindering applications requiring continuous imaging like SLAM.

Innovation Solution

Optical/photonic devices with multiple planar polarizer plates and a polarization control mechanism that dynamically adjust to allow or block light based on polarization state, ensuring privacy protection while maintaining functional imaging for SLAM and other applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a single polarization filter is used to block light from private regions, then privacy protection is improved, but light intensity for functional imaging (SLAM) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized light from private regionsVSAvoidlight intensity for SLAM imaging

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The field of view is segmented into private and non-private regions, and the polarization filter assembly is divided into multiple independently adjustable polarization filters (first, second, and third polarization filters) that can be oriented differently to selectively block light from different regions while maintaining sufficient light for functional imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different polarization filter orientations are applied to different parts of the optical path to achieve local privacy protection. The first polarization filter blocks light from private regions with a specific polarization state, while the second and third filters are oriented to maintain light transmission for SLAM functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple polarization filters are added to enable selective regional privacy protection, then privacy protection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized recording of private regionsVSAvoidpolarization filter assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple polarization filters are merged into a single integrated polarization filter assembly that functions as one unit. The assembly combines the first, second, and third polarization filters with mounting structures into a unified component that can be installed as a single module on the camera

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The polarization filter assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides privacy protection for specific regions, maintains sufficient light transmission for SLAM imaging, and allows dynamic adjustment between different privacy modes (first privacy mode, second privacy mode, and non-privacy mode)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If polarization filters are fixed in position to maintain privacy protection, then privacy reliability is improved, but adaptability to orientation changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protection consistencyVSAvoidresponse to camera orientation changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The polarization filter assembly transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic system where the first and second polarization filters can be rotated independently around the optical axis. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain effective privacy protection and SLAM functionality regardless of camera orientation changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Provides selective privacy protection by preventing unauthorized recording of private regions while ensuring sufficient imaging of non-private areas, effectively resisting tampering and maintaining camera functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The polarization assembly, when being adjust to the privacy-protection mode, is configured to reject input light in a predefined polarization state with respect to the predefined reference frame from entering the optical aperture of the camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS12554143B2Optical and photonic configurations and devices for selective privacy protection

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LTD

AI summary

The disclosure below is directed to optical/photonic devices and systems configured to control polarization state of light for selective privacy protection in optical imaging. In particular, the various embodiments disclosed below provide an application of polarization manipulation techniques with multiple optical polarization filters to enable partial or full privacy while maintaining functioning of image-based spatial mapping and localization algorithms used in video devices such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and robot/drone cameras. In the disclosed example approaches, the various polarization filters are configured to allow no or negligibly small amount of light from the privacy protected regions of a scene into the cameras in a privacy mode and to reject 100% of all light and enable full privacy in a block mode. The disclosed approaches also dynamically account for orientation changes during operation of the camera devices such that privacy is dynamically protected in real-time.