Method and apparatus for monitoring individuals while protecting their privacy
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring the presence and movement of an individual while protecting the individual'"'"'s privacy, the method comprising:
- capturing data corresponding to objects positioned within a field-of-view of at least one energy sensor, such that identifying the individual cannot be ascertained from the captured data, wherein the at least one energy sensor is configured to capture energy reflected from the individual and the objects within the field-of-view;
generating depth data for the field-of-view based on the captured data from the at least one energy sensor;
identifying elements of the depth data that correspond to the individual within the field-of-view;
identifying elements of the depth data that correspond to an inanimate object within the field-of-view;
calculating one or more spatial measurements based on the elements that correspond to the individual and the elements that correspond to the inanimate object, wherein each of the one or more spatial measurements corresponds to a physical dimension; and
generating a schematic output representative of the field-of-view, based on at least one or more spatial measurements, wherein at least the individual and the at least one inanimate object are labeled in the schematic output.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring individuals while protecting their privacy includes at least one energy emitter configured to emit energy onto a field-of-view that may contain an individual, and at least one energy sensor configured to capture reflected energy from within the field-of-view. A spatial measurement module calculates spatial measurements of objects within the field-of-view based on data from the energy sensor. A schematic generation module creates schematic views of objects within the field-of-view, distinguishing human beings from each other and from inanimate objects or animals. Three-dimensional measurements of the individual and environs are transformed into a two-dimensional or other schematic view, allowing ongoing monitoring of the individual while preventing viewing of the individual'"'"'s face and appearance, and preventing observation of what the individual may be wearing or watching.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the presence and movement of an individual while protecting the individual'"'"'s privacy, the method comprising:
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capturing data corresponding to objects positioned within a field-of-view of at least one energy sensor, such that identifying the individual cannot be ascertained from the captured data, wherein the at least one energy sensor is configured to capture energy reflected from the individual and the objects within the field-of-view; generating depth data for the field-of-view based on the captured data from the at least one energy sensor; identifying elements of the depth data that correspond to the individual within the field-of-view; identifying elements of the depth data that correspond to an inanimate object within the field-of-view; calculating one or more spatial measurements based on the elements that correspond to the individual and the elements that correspond to the inanimate object, wherein each of the one or more spatial measurements corresponds to a physical dimension; and generating a schematic output representative of the field-of-view, based on at least one or more spatial measurements, wherein at least the individual and the at least one inanimate object are labeled in the schematic output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of monitoring the presence and movement of an individual while protecting the individual'"'"'s privacy, comprising:
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capturing data corresponding to objects positioned within a field-of view of at least one energy sensor, such that identifying characteristics of the individual cannot be ascertained from the captured data, wherein the at least one energy sensor is configured to capture energy reflected from the objects within the field of-view; generating depth data for the field-of-view based on the captured data from the at least one energy sensor; identifying elements of the depth data that correspond to the individual within the field-of-view; identifying elements of the depth data that correspond to an inanimate object within the field-of-view; calculating one or more spatial measurements based on the elements that correspond to the individual and the elements that correspond to the inanimate object, wherein each of the one or more spatial measurements corresponds to a physical dimension; and generating a schematic output representative of the field-of-view, based on at least the one or more spatial measurements, wherein at least the individual and the at least one inanimate object are labeled in the schematic output. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification