Privacy shield for unmanned aerial systems
Inventors
Torres, Gabriel E. • Chambers, Steven B. • Coronado, Carlos Augusto • Hudson, Gordon Bryan • De Baets, Peter
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11153537-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-19
Expiration Date
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Abstract
A system having: a processor and addressable memory, where the processor is configured to: receive a geographic data defining a selected geographical area; receive an operating mode associated with the selected geographical area, where the received operating mode restricts at least one of: a viewing of a UAV data and a recording of the UAV data by at least one user device; and broadcast the UAV data to the at least one user device based on the selected geographical area and the received operating mode.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system comprising a processor and addressable memory where the processor is configured to receive a geographic data defining a selected geographical area, receive an operating mode associated with the selected geographical area that restricts at least one of a viewing of a UAV data and a recording of the UAV data by at least one user device, and broadcast the UAV data to the at least one user device based on the selected geographical area and the received operating mode. The UAV data may comprise at least one of a video stream from a UAV imager and a metadata associated with the video stream from the UAV imager.
Aerial surveillance and surveying have typically been relatively expensive endeavors, and with an increase in the use of UAS having video capabilities the pervasiveness of such flights is forecast to greatly increase, which has created concern in the general public about potential privacy abuses from governmental and commercial aerial surveillance. A need exists to reduce public concerns and to create effective controls for reducing the opportunity for privacy abuses.
The detailed description states that an operator of a Ground Control System may select a geographical area and an operating mode and send the selected geographical area and selected operating mode to a processor of a UAV, where the processor determines a field of view of a UAV imager and broadcasts UAV data defining the selected geographical area, the selected operating mode, and the field of view of the UAV imager to at least one user device, and where the selected operating mode restricts at least one of viewing and recording by the at least one user device. The description further states that the operator may be allowed to view but not record video to maintain operator situational awareness while respecting privacy concerns.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims. The main inventive features across these independent claims total thirteen and relate to: receiving geographic data and operating modes that restrict viewing/recording, determining UAV imager field of view, broadcasting UAV data subject to restrictions, method steps for selecting and sending areas and modes and broadcasting restricted UAV data, and database-based metadata management and updating of do-not-record requests.
Receive geographic data defining a selected geographical area
As recited in claim 1: the processor is configured to receive a geographic data defining a selected geographical area.
Receive an operating mode that restricts viewing or recording when field of view is within the selected area and imager is outside the selected area
As recited in claim 1: the processor is configured to receive an operating mode associated with the selected geographical area, wherein the received operating mode restricts at least one of a viewing of a UAV data and a recording of the UAV data by at least one user device when a field of view of a UAV imager is within the selected geographical area, and wherein the UAV imager is located outside of the selected geographical area.
Broadcast UAV data based on the selected geographical area and received operating mode
As recited in claim 1: the processor is configured to broadcast the UAV data to the at least one user device based on the selected geographical area and the received operating mode.
Select a geographical area using a Ground Control System
As recited in claim 12: selecting, by an operator of a Ground Control System having a processor and addressable memory, a geographical area.
Select an operating mode to associate with the geographical area
As recited in claim 12: selecting, by the operator of the GCS, an operating mode to associate with the geographical area.
Send the selected geographical area and operating mode to a UAV processor
As recited in claim 12: sending, by the operator of the GCS, the selected geographical area and selected operating mode to a processor of a UAV having addressable memory.
Determine a field of view of a UAV imager
As recited in claim 12: determining, by the processor of the UAV, a field of view of a UAV imager.
Broadcast UAV data defining the selected area, operating mode, and field of view to user devices with restrictions
As recited in claim 12: broadcasting, by the processor of the UAV, a UAV data defining the selected geographical area, the selected operating mode, and the field of view of the UAV imager to at least one user device, wherein the selected operating mode restricts at least one of a viewing of the UAV data and a recording of the UAV data by the least one user device when the field of view of the UAV imager is within the selected geographical area, and wherein the UAV imager is located outside of the selected geographical area.
Receive metadata from at least one database on areas viewed or recorded by UAV imagers
As recited in claim 22: the processor is configured to receive, from at least one database, metadata containing information on one or more geographical areas where at least one UAV imager has at least one of viewed the one or more geographical areas and recorded the one or more geographical areas.
Receive user geographic data defining a selected geographical area for evaluation
As recited in claim 22: the processor is configured to receive, by a user, a geographic data defining a selected geographical area and determine if the selected geographical area was at least one of viewed and recorded based on the received metadata on one or more geographical areas.
Receive a request to prevent viewing or recording by UAV imagers
As recited in claim 22: the processor is configured to receive, by the user, a request to prevent at least one of viewing the selected geographical area and recording the selected geographical area by the at least one UAV imager.
Update the database with a received request
As recited in claim 22: the processor is configured to update the at least one database with the received request.
In conclusion, the independent claims cover a processor-based system that receives geographic areas and operating modes to restrict viewing and recording based on UAV imager field of view, a method for selecting and communicating areas and modes and broadcasting restricted UAV data, and a database-enabled system for tracking viewed/recorded areas and updating do-not-record requests.
Stated Advantages
Reduce public concerns about potential privacy abuses by creating effective controls for restricting UAV viewing and recording.
Allow an operator to set restrictions on viewing and recording UAV data to respect privacy concerns regarding UAV operation among certain users.
Maintain operator situational awareness while restricting recording or viewing for other users.
Prevent public display of sensitive operational information, for example preventing news crews from displaying police locations during events such as a search for a suspect.
Documented Applications
Aerial surveillance and surveying using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) having video imaging capability.
Agricultural surveying, for example surveying crops to determine crop health while excluding non-target areas such as houses or driveways.
Public safety operations, including police use with search warrants and SWAT approaches, where viewing and recording access can be restricted.
Broadcasting UAV video and metadata to additional users such as news crews with controlled viewing and recording permissions and degraded or blocked outputs.
Maintaining and accessing databases of parcel maps, property boundaries, do not record areas, and metadata indicating areas that have been viewed and/or recorded by UAS.
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