Suspicious Activity Detection Using Camera and RFID Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surveillance systems that rely solely on RFID or biometric authentication face limitations in achieving precise activity analysis and alarm control, particularly in environments where not all individuals or vehicles are equipped with RFID tags or undergo biometric authentication, leading to false alarms and restricted application ranges.

Innovation Solution

A suspicious activity detection apparatus that integrates image data from cameras with RFID or biometric authentication information, using an activity analysis section to detect and track objects, an authentication information input section to acquire and process ID data, an authorization authentication section to determine authorization levels, and an activity determination section to generate alarms only for unauthorized activities, thereby reducing false alarms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If RFID or biometric authentication is used for surveillance, then authorization verification capability is improved, but application range is limited because not all persons or vehicles carry RFID tags or undergo biometric authentication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization verification capabilityVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The surveillance system is segmented into multiple independent detection modules: RFID reader for tagged objects, camera for visual detection, and activity analysis section for behavior recognition. Each module operates independently and contributes partial information to the overall surveillance function, allowing the system to handle both RFID-equipped and non-RFID objects effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surveillance system is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse object types. The camera and activity analysis section serve as universal detection means that can identify any object in the monitoring area regardless of whether it carries RFID tags or undergoes biometric authentication, while the RFID reader provides enhanced verification capability for tagged objects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If RFID-only surveillance is used, then device complexity is reduced, but surveillance function is insufficient because absence of RFID response cannot distinguish between no event and unauthorized activity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidsurveillance function
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The camera acts as an intermediary detection device that provides visual confirmation of object presence and activity. When the RFID reader does not detect a tagged object, the camera captures images to determine whether an object is present and what activity it is performing, thereby distinguishing between genuine absences and unauthorized activities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges RFID detection functionality with camera-based visual surveillance to create a comprehensive monitoring solution. The RFID reader provides rapid identification of tagged objects, while the camera provides universal detection and activity analysis, and the information integration section combines both data sources to achieve reliable surveillance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If alarm is issued for any prohibited activity detection, then detection precision is improved, but false alarms increase because authorized persons cannot be distinguished from unauthorized persons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivity detection precisionVSAvoidfalse alarms
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where detection results from RFID authentication and camera activity analysis are continuously cross-verified. The information integration section processes feedback from both detection channels to update the authorization status determination, ensuring that alarms are issued only when both detection methods confirm unauthorized activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authorization verification by checking RFID tags before monitoring activities. Persons with authorized RFID tags are pre-identified and their activities are monitored with relaxed alarm criteria, while persons without valid authorization are pre-flagged and their activities trigger alarms more readily, preventing false alarms for authorized persons

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7973656B2Suspicious activity detection apparatus and method, and program and recording medium
Publication Date: 2011.07.05 NEC CORP
  • US7973656B2 patent drawing
  • US7973656B2 patent drawing
  • US7973656B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A device for detecting a suspicious activity, efficiently performing surveillance of a person and vehicle detected by a surveillance camera. The device uses signal generation means, a sensor for receiving a signal from the signal generation means, and image data taken by the camera. The device detects mobile bodies, such as a person and a vehicle, included in an image taken by the camera and uses them as mobile body information, uses as authentication information an ID number represented by a signal received by the sensor, defines permitted activities and prohibited activities according to authorized activities corresponding to authentication information, and issues an alarm when the device detects that an activity represented by mobile body activity information is a illegal or prohibited activity.