System for image analysis in a network that is structured with multiple layers and differentially weighted neurons

• US 8,345,963 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2011
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tedesco, Daniel E., Jorasch, James A., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S., Tulley, Stephen C., O'Neil, Vincent M., Alderucci, Dean P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desire, Gregory M
• Application Number:
  US13/291,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20120056742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/531, 340/540, 348/143, 379/45, 379/49, 382/103, 382/115, 382/159, 709/208, 709/225, 709/229, 725/105
• US Class Current: 382/159
• 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:

selecting one or more users registered with a content distribution network to monitor images, wherein, for each registered user, a user profile including unique identification data and being stored in association with the content distribution network;

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

sending, using one or more processors associated with the one or more servers, the image to a first group comprising at least one of the one or more registered users;

sending, using the one or more processors, the image in accordance with a level for the further review to a second group comprising at least one of the one or more registered users;

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

determining a result based on the review information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, using the one or more processors, that the image qualifies for further review.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

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

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

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

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

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

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

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

sending the image to another user registered with the content distribution network.

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

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

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

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising pre-processing the image prior to sending the image to the first group.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein users in the second group have higher ratings than users in the first group.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the rating for a user is based at least in part on accuracy of the user'"'"'s responses upon receipt of one or more test images.

12. A system for facilitating image review, 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;

select one or more users registered with a content distribution network to monitor images, wherein, for each registered user, a user profile including unique identification data and being stored in association with the content distribution network;

receive one or more images;

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

send the one or more images to a first group comprising at least one of the one or more registered users;

send the one or more images based on a level of the further review to a second group comprising at least one of the one or more registered users;

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

determine a result based on the review information.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein any user included in the first group is excluded from the second group.

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

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising uploading a buffer of images associated with the image.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising executing an alert notification.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising pre-processing the image prior to sending the image to the first group.

18. 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:

select one or more users registered with a content distribution network to monitor images, wherein, for each registered user, a user profile including unique identification data and being stored in association with the content distribution network;

receive an image;

receive a request for review of the image;

send, using one or more processors associated with the one or more servers, the image to a first group comprising at least one of the one or more registered users;

send, using the one or more processors, the image based on a level of the further review to a second group comprising at least one of the one or more registered users;

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

determine a result based on the review information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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