Aggregation Server Personal Data Transparency Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The lack of transparency and control over personal data collection and usage in modern surveillance practices erodes user trust, as individuals are unaware of how their data is being monitored and shared without their consent.

Innovation Solution

An aggregation server that indexes and manages personal data, allowing users to control what data is shared, with whom, and for what purposes, enabling users to specify approved entities and receive compensation for data access, thereby creating a transparent market for data usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data monitoring and collection is performed to enable personalized experiences and improve service quality, then user experience and service personalization are improved, but user trust and transparency are deteriorated due to lack of user awareness and control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice personalizationVSAvoiduser awareness of data usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where users receive notifications about data collection activities and can view their personal data profiles. The system provides continuous feedback to users about what data is being collected, how it is being used, and allows users to adjust their privacy settings based on this feedback, thereby maintaining service personalization while improving user awareness and trust

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between data collection and usage that provides transparency to users. This intermediary mechanism allows users to review their data profiles, see which entities have accessed their data, and control data sharing preferences, thus mediating between the need for data-driven personalization and user trust/awareness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive data collection is performed to enable effective data matching and distribution, then data utility and matching accuracy are improved, but system complexity and user control mechanisms become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata matching accuracyVSAvoiddata management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data management system into distinct functional modules: data collection module, data profile generation module, matching module, and distribution module. Each module handles specific tasks independently, which simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high matching accuracy through specialized processing in each segment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-generating and storing user data profiles before actual data matching is needed. User data is collected, processed, and organized into structured profiles in advance, which enables efficient and accurate matching when data distribution requests occur, reducing real-time processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If user control over data sharing is enabled to improve trust and transparency, then user trust and privacy control are improved, but data distribution efficiency and accessibility may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser trust in data collectionVSAvoiddata distribution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables users to pre-configure their data sharing preferences and permissions before data distribution requests occur. Users can specify which entities are authorized to access their data and under what conditions, which streamlines the data distribution process while maintaining user control and trust, as the authorization checks are pre-established

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where users autonomously manage their own data profiles and privacy settings without requiring manual intervention for each data access request. Users can independently review their data, adjust sharing preferences, and control access permissions, which maintains high user trust while enabling efficient automated data distribution according to user-defined rules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9953386B2Method and system for controlling distribution of composite data of user by aggregation server
Publication Date: 2018.04.24 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P
  • US9953386B2 patent drawing
  • US9953386B2 patent drawing
  • US9953386B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Transparent collection and profiling of personal data builds trust. A central database aggregates personal data reported by source devices. Users may view their individual personal data. Users may approve the personal data for sharing with approved entities, such as trusted retailers.