DE102020007336A1 - Sensor for recording optical information with physically adjustable information content - Google Patents

Abstract

The acquisition of optical information enables numerous analyzes of people and environments. Unfortunately, such an analysis often leads to a greater intrusion into people's private lives. This invention relates to a device which has privacy protection elements. As a result, the optical information is distorted by a privacy screen before it is recorded by a sensor. The recorded optical information content can be adjusted by specific selection of the visual protection element. The recorded distorted information can be analyzed for certain events, e.g. with the help of algorithms based on artificial intelligence. The device according to the invention physically limits the optical information content to the essentials. As a result, the complete optical information is securely protected from unauthorized access. The device has the following units: - privacy screen 1 - sensor 3 - electronics unit 5 - housing 2 - rotation mechanism 4

Description

The invention relates to a sensor for detecting optical information.

The analysis of optical information allows the collection of information about the emotional and physical state of people. The devices for capturing optical information are small, inexpensive and easy to install and remove.

Other options include determining the location and position of windows and doors, the status of electrical devices such as televisions, lamps, etc. When observing a person over the long term, the use of artificial intelligence enables various analyzes to detect changes in the state of health, e.g. weight changes, movement analysis, etc .

The recording and processing of optical information is particularly important for people in need of care. Such recordings can be used not only to record the state of health, but also as detectors for possible accidents, e.g. falls. Long-term observations reveal changes in the daily routine, which in turn can indicate health or social problems.

Optical information capture is also used in security systems to detect the presence of people in secured areas and to identify them.

Unfortunately, in most cases, the optical information is captured with a camera. Such a recording method leads to a greater intrusion into people's private lives and is therefore often not accepted.

State of the art

Software-based solutions have often been used to prevent unauthorized access to recorded information. The recorded data is encrypted and only accessible to authorized persons. Unfortunately, hacker attacks on such systems are becoming known again and again.

Complete shielding or shutdown of the camera is often used to ensure no data is recorded. This method is cumbersome and does not allow continuous data collection. There is also no guarantee that the camera will be switched on at the desired moment, for example in the event of an accident.

task

The object of this invention is to enable the anonymous and/or real detection of optical information with a physically adjustable information content by means of a device.

solution

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a device which has a visual protection unit in front of the sensor (e.g. camera) by means of which optical information is distorted. The information content of the recorded data can be adjusted by the strength and type of distortion.

For example, a deformed glass can be used as a privacy screen unit.

For example, a frosted glass can be used as a privacy screen unit.

For example, a deformed mirror can be used to distort optical information.

A perforated privacy film can be used to reduce the visual information content. The film may have a pattern to make it difficult for people to interpret the image. (e.g. in the event of unauthorized access).

The distortion of the optical information can be achieved by one or more deformed lenses.

Information content can be controlled by increasing or decreasing distortion.

The distorted optical information can be recorded with an ordinary camera.

The optical information can be recorded by one or more sensors.

A camera with a lower resolution can also be used instead of the distortion. The information content can be controlled via the resolution.

Realistic-looking images or videos can be created on the basis of the recorded distorted optical data. Missing information can be added to the images, for example by artificial neural networks that are specially designed and trained for this purpose. So For example, the face or the design of rooms can be created artificially. The images or video data generated can contain the important data such as body position, location in space, opening of the window, etc. The artificially generated images or video data can be generated in such a way that the people and/or the room cannot be identified. The generated images or video data can be further processed or evaluated like data recorded by a camera.

The device can also be used in combination with cameras. This allows the cameras to be used in individual rooms. With the undistorted information obtained, the data can be supplemented and the data analysis refined.

The device can be mounted on the sensor or rotated in a device housing. The rotation mechanism allows the sensor or device body to pivot, allowing information to be collected from a larger area.

The privacy screen can be replaced by a mechanical device or removed. This enables the device to take undistorted images and send them on in an emergency. The automatic change of the privacy screen elements enables a quick adjustment to the need for care. The change of privacy protection elements can be indicated by acoustic and optical signals. For example, a continuous tone can be switched on when the privacy screen element is moved away.

Achieved Benefits

The device makes it possible to reduce the optical information to the necessary level through physical protection and thus significantly improve data security.

The device does not record real images, so it is not possible to obtain optical information through unauthorized access.

Despite continuous monitoring of the living space, the device offers a high level of data security. It is especially important for older people who live independently.

By automatically removing the privacy screen, the results of the data analysis (e.g. with artificial intelligence) can be checked quickly in an emergency. As a result, the algorithms for detecting dangerous situations can be set much more sensitively, since the possibility of false alarms can be significantly reduced through visual inspection.

example

• 1: drei Ansichten einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to FIG. It shows:

• 1 : three views of an embodiment of the device.

1 shows views of an embodiment of the device. The device is installed in a housing 2 . Distorted optical information is transmitted into the housing 2 through the visual protection element 1 . The distorted optical information is recorded by the sensor 3. The recorded information is processed in the electronics unit 5 and forwarded. The electronics unit 5 can contain a battery, computer, control electronics, etc. The complete or partial analysis of the recorded information can be performed in the electronics unit or they can be processed, for example, on a server to which the recorded data is sent. The rotating elements 4 enable a pivoting movement of the sensor. This means that a larger area can be scanned periodically or, for example, the position can be changed depending on the time of day.

Claims (7)

Device for recording optical information, characterized in that it has a visual protection element which distorts the optical information. device after claim 1 , characterized in that undistorted images are created again by algorithms. Artificially created people, objects and/or surroundings are shown in these images. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual protection element is constructed from specially deformed transparent or partially transparent material. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual protection element has a number of holes. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor is attached to a movement mechanism behind the screening element. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire device is attached to a movement mechanism. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a mechanism with which the screening element can be removed or replaced.

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