Motion Detection Mask

[GenesisCorp]

Create a solution whereby a user can create a "mask" of an area either to be "included" or "excluded" for motion detection. This functionality is similar to the type of features of editing in NLE's (Non-Linear Editors) where a cutout can be performed for a particular part of an image.

The cameras are fixed with a wide field of view, yet often only a portion of the image area really needs motion detection and not the entire field of view. 

The practical (end-user) experience would be as a menu item under Motion Detection or Utilities that provide a live image with a pen tool to draw areas on the screen. A radio option of "include" or "exclude" an area can be selected and would be universal. Allow 1 contiguous areas of impact indicated by a color representing the user selection to include or exclude. So they would draw a circle, box, rectangle or any other geometric shape representing the area they want affected as long as it was contiguous.

Two ways to implement this depending on how your system works but it could be included as part of the camera intelligence such that it processes movement locally before sending it to the base station; or it could be part of the base station where it can process it prior to uploading to the cloud. The subroutines to do this have already been created in the image editing industry. The challenge is implementing such a feature into your development libraries. 

I have this situation where motion detection is picking up motion from the corners and triggering a video. Something as simple as a car driving by or a person walking on the sidewalk gets their feet recorded. It's annoying and from a technological perspective, an easy fix.

My recommendation is: Either allow for changes in the field of view with a 'zoom' feature like lenses have had since photography began and/or implement a motion detection system with masking capabilities.

I hope this is received with interest that incites some positive dialogue.

[StephenB]

There already are activity zones which provide the "included" feature of your suggestion.  I agree that an "excluded" area would be useful.  FWIW, Arlo does this processing in the cloud when the camera is battery powered.

Note that while this would result in reducing the number of recordings and notifications, it would not improve battery life.

[zachhandy]

This is still a much needed feature that puts arlo at the back of the current pack of options in terms of features. Most competitors achieve this with firmware that allows the user to indicate "ignore" areas of the visible camera view in which motion x/y location is checked against and if in ignorable area does not trigger recording or user alert. 

Generally speaking the main draw to arlo is the free cloud recording, but in terms of feature value it is still quite low on the scale for the price. Please consider at least improving the mobile app ui intuitivity and adding some basic features that almost all competitors have such as this one.

[michaelkenward]

Add your vote here:

 Activity Zone Options - Option to exclude the area... - Arlo Community