Watcher Identification Using Gaze Detection at Incident Scenes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video recording and playback systems are unable to reliably identify whether objects of interest at an incident scene are being watched by public safety personnel, as multiple objects may be present in a responder's field of view, and video sources may not be associated with individual responders, making it difficult to determine who is observing what during an incident.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a communication interface and electronic processor to receive an object identifier, determine a watcher status, and generate notifications to ensure that available watchers at the incident scene are aware of and monitoring objects of interest, using video devices and cameras to capture and process video streams, and employing gaze detection techniques and laser markers to identify watchers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If video recording devices are used to document incident scenes, then visual control and documentation are improved, but the ability to identify specific watchers of specific objects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of gaze detection devices, object identifier markers, and a communication system that mediates between the video recording devices and the watchers. This intermediary layer enables the identification of specific watchers viewing specific objects without disrupting the existing video documentation process, thereby resolving the information loss about watcher identity while maintaining reliable visual control.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple objects are present in a responder's field of view, then comprehensive scene coverage is improved, but the precision of identifying which object is being watched deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the incident scene into discrete objects, each marked with a unique object identifier. The gaze detection system then segments the watcher's attention by determining which specific marked object is being viewed, even when multiple objects are within the field of view. This segmentation approach enables precise identification of the watched object while maintaining comprehensive scene coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes visual markers with distinct colors or patterns on different objects of interest. The gaze detection system identifies which colored/marked object the watcher is focusing on by detecting the specific color or pattern in the watcher's line of sight, enabling precise object identification even when multiple differently-marked objects are present in the field of view.
3Device complexity
If video sources are not associated with individual responders, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to determine who is observing what is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where each watcher's device automatically performs gaze detection and automatically associates the detected object with the watcher's identity through the communication interface. The system self-configures the watcher-object associations without requiring manual configuration or complex centralized management, thereby maintaining low system complexity while recovering the lost information about who is observing what.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for identifying watchers of an object of interest at an incident scene. One method includes receiving, with an electronic processor, an object identifier corresponding to the object of interest. The method includes determining a watcher status for the object of interest. The method includes generating a notification based on the watcher status and the object identifier. The method includes transmitting, with a communication interface communicatively coupled to the electronic processor, the notification to an available watcher at the incident scene.