Conference Room Video Bar for Dynamic Sensitive Object Blurring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conference room systems lack effective methods for dynamically masking sensitive information during remote meetings, particularly when objects like whiteboards or client devices change orientation or location, compromising privacy and security.
Innovation Solution
A video bar equipped with a processor and AI/ML techniques identifies objects in a conference room, applies blurring or watermarking based on object orientation and location changes, using ToF calculations to adjust the masking accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the entire conference room image is captured and transmitted, then complete visual information is provided to remote participants, but sensitive information becomes exposed and privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conference room image into multiple regions based on object detection (people, whiteboards, screens, etc.). Each region is independently processed - some regions are transmitted clearly while others are blurred or masked. This allows selective protection of sensitive areas while maintaining visibility of non-sensitive areas, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels to different parts of the image. Sensitive regions (containing personal information, proprietary content, or private conversations) are blurred or masked, while non-sensitive regions are transmitted with full quality. This local differentiation approach ensures that visual information is preserved where appropriate while protecting sensitive data, directly addressing the contradiction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire conference room image is blurred to protect privacy, then sensitive information is protected, but useful visual information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly blurring the entire image, the patent segments it into sensitive and non-sensitive regions. Only the sensitive regions are blurred or masked, while non-sensitive regions remain clear. This selective approach protects privacy while preserving useful visual information such as presentation content, room layout, and non-identifying visual context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality variation across the image by applying blur or masking only to specific sensitive regions while maintaining full quality in other regions. This allows remote participants to retain access to useful visual information while sensitive areas are protected, directly resolving the contradiction between privacy protection and information utility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If real-time object identification and masking is implemented, then sensitive information is protected during remote meetings, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated system where the video bar device performs object detection, classification, and selective masking without requiring manual configuration or intervention. The system automatically identifies sensitive objects (people, whiteboards, screens) and applies appropriate masking based on pre-defined rules, making the complex process transparent to users and eliminating the need for manual setup while still providing comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures masking rules and object classification criteria before the meeting occurs. The system has pre-defined what constitutes sensitive information and how different object types should be handled. This preliminary setup reduces real-time processing complexity while maintaining effective protection, as the system only needs to match detected objects against pre-established rules rather than making complex decisions during the meeting.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If dynamic masking adjustments are made based on object movement, then continuous privacy protection is maintained, but processing requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors object positions and movements in the conference room image. When objects move into or out of sensitive regions, the masking is dynamically adjusted in response. This feedback loop ensures continuous privacy protection by adapting to changing scene conditions while maintaining a relatively simple processing architecture through efficient object tracking and region monitoring.
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
Enhances privacy by dynamically adjusting image masking in response to object changes, ensuring secure and privacy-compliant remote meetings.
Implementation Method 1
The program instructions, upon execution by the processor, may cause the video bar to determine an orientation of the whiteboard based, at least in part, upon a Time-of-Flight (ToF) calculation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for segmented blurring in a conference room are described. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a video bar may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the video bar to: obtain an image of a conference room; and in response to an object being identified, mask a portion of the image corresponding to the object during a remote meeting.