System for Image Analysis in a Network that is Structured with Multiple Layers and Differentially Weighted Neurons

• US 20120056742A1
• Filed: 11/08/2011
• Published: 03/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, Dean P. Alderucci, Geoffrey M. Gelman, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Stephen C. Tulley, Vincent M O'Neil
• Inventors: TEDESCO, Daniel E., JORASCH, James A., GELMAN, Geoffrey M., WALKER, Jay S., TULLEY, Stephen C., ALDERUCCI, Dean P., O'NEIL, Vincent M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,345,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5838 using colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5854 using shape and object relationship
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19641 Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19663 Surveillance related processing done local to the camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19673 Addition of time stamp, i.e. time metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1968 Interfaces for setting up or customising the system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating the usage of an online workforce to remotely monitor security-sensitive sites and report potential security breaches. In some embodiments, cameras are configured to monitor critical civilian infrastructure, such as water supplies and nuclear reactors. The cameras are operatively connected to a central computer or series of computers, and images captured by the cameras are transmitted to the central computer. After initially registering with the central computer, Guardians “log on” to a central website hosted by the central computer and monitor the images, thereby earning compensation. Site owners compensate the operator of the computer system for this monitoring service, and the operator in turn compensates Guardians based on, for example, (i) the amount of time spent monitoring, and/or (ii) the degree of a given Guardian'"'"'s responsiveness to real or fabricated security breaches.

Claims

1. A method comprising, by one or more computing systems:

receiving an image to be reviewed at one or more servers associated with an image-distribution network;

routing, using one or more processors associated with the one or more servers, the image to a first group of users, wherein each user in the first group has access to the image-distribution network;

determining, using the one or more processors, that the image qualifies for escalation;

routing, using the one or more processors, the image in accordance with a level for the escalation to a second group of users, wherein each user in the second group has access to the image-distribution network;

assessing review information transmitted by one or more users in the second group of users; and

determining a result based on the review information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assessing initial review information transmitted by one or more users in the first group of users;

determining an initial result based on the initial review information; and

wherein the determining that the image qualifies for escalation comprises determining that the initial result exceeds a threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assessing initial review information transmitted by one or more users in the first group of users; and

wherein the determining that the image qualifies for escalation comprises determining that the the initial review information is insufficient to review the image.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a user to whom the image was routed has not provided review information within a designated period of time; and

re-routing the image to another user who has access to the image-distribution network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each user in the second group of users has a higher average accuracy score.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising uploading a buffer of images associated with the image.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising executing an alert notification.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising pre-processing the image prior to routing the image to the first group of users.

9. A system for facilitating image review using an image-distribution network, comprising

one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying one or more instructions;

and

one or more processors communicably coupled to the media and operable when executing the instructions to;

receive one or more images;

receive a request for review of the one or more images;

route the one or more images to a first group of users, wherein each user in the first group has access to the image-distribution network;

determine that the one or more images qualify for escalation;

route the one or more images based on a level of the escalation to a second group of users, wherein each user in the second group has access to the image-distribution network;

assess review information transmitted by one or more users in the second group of users; and

determine a result based on the review information.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein any user included in the first group of users is excluded from the second group of users.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein users in the second group of users have an average level of skill for evaluating images that is higher than the average level of skill of users in the first group of users.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein users in the second group of users have an average level of skill for evaluating images that is higher than the average level of skill of users in the first group of users.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising uploading a buffer of images associated with the image.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising executing an alert notification.

15. The system of claim 9, further comprising pre-processing the image prior to routing the image to the first group of users.

16. One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying software that is operable when executed by one or more processors associated with one or more computer systems to:

receive an image;

receive a request for review of the image;

route, using one or more processors associated with the one or more servers, the image to a first group of users, wherein each user in the first group has access to the image-distribution network;

determine, using the one or more processors, that the image qualifies for escalation;

route, using the one or more processors, the image based on a level of the escalation to a second group of users, wherein each user in the second group has access to the image-distribution network;

assess review information transmitted by one or more users in the second group of users; and

determine a result based on the review information.

17. The media of claim 16, further comprising software to:

assess initial review information transmitted by one or more users in the first group of users;

determine an initial result based on the initial review information; and

wherein the software to determine that the image qualifies for escalation comprises software to determine that the initial result exceeds a threshold.

18. The media of claim 16, further comprising software to:

assess initial review information transmitted by one or more users in the first group of users; and

wherein the software to determine that the image qualifies for escalation comprises software to determine that the the initial review information is insufficient to review the image.

19. The media of claim 16, further comprising software to:

determine that a user to whom the image was routed has not provided review information within a designated period of time; and

re-route the image to another user who has access to the image-distribution network.

20. The media of claim 16, wherein each user in the second group of users has a higher average accuracy score.