Selective Media Obfuscation for Automated Privacy Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obfuscating objects in media data, such as those used by law enforcement, are resource-intensive and require manual review, especially when dealing with lengthy data that needs to be reviewed multiple times.
Innovation Solution
A computing device and method that automatically identifies and obfuscates objects within media data based on predefined rules, applying obfuscation effects at specific locations and times, and encodes the data to prevent removal of these effects, using object recognition techniques and machine learning models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual review methods are used to obfuscate objects in media data, then privacy protection can be achieved, but resource consumption increases and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical review processes with automated computer vision algorithms and machine learning models. The system uses object detection models to automatically identify and classify objects in media data, then applies appropriate obfuscation effects without human intervention, thereby maintaining privacy protection while dramatically improving processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables media data to be processed autonomously through automated object detection, classification, and obfuscation. The algorithms automatically analyze the content, determine which objects require obfuscation based on privacy rules, and apply the appropriate effects, eliminating the need for manual review and reducing resource consumption.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual review is performed on lengthy media data multiple times, then accurate obfuscation can be achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary object detection and classification in a single pass through the media data. By pre-identifying all objects that require obfuscation and their precise locations, the system eliminates the need for multiple review passes, thereby maintaining obfuscation accuracy while significantly reducing the time required.
Solution Approach 2:
Automated computer vision algorithms replace manual reviewers, enabling the system to accurately process lengthy media data in one pass. The machine learning models can rapidly analyze frames, track objects across time, and determine obfuscation requirements without fatigue or the need for repeated reviews.
3Productivity
If automated obfuscation is applied, then resource consumption is reduced, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified automated obfuscation system that handles multiple object types (people, vehicles, text) and multiple obfuscation effects (blurring, pixelation, blacking out) through a single multi-functional platform. This universal approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual processes, reducing overall system complexity while improving resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses adjustable parameters in the machine learning models and obfuscation algorithms to handle different scenarios. By changing parameters such as detection thresholds, object categories, and obfuscation intensity, the system can adapt to various requirements without requiring fundamentally different systems, thereby managing complexity while maintaining resource efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein are techniques that may be used to provide for automatic obfuscation of one or more objects in a media data. Such techniques may comprise receiving, from a data source, a media data comprising a depiction of a number of objects, identifying, within the received media data, a set of objects associated with the media data, and storing an indication of one or more locations of the objects in the set of objects within the media data with respect to time. Upon receiving a request for the media data, such techniques may further comprise updating the media data by applying an obfuscation effect to the one or more locations with respect to time, and providing the updated media data in response to the request.