Authentication Circles of Trust for Surface Computing Data Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In surface computing environments, there is a need to ensure secure and selective sharing of information among users while maintaining user privacy, as existing technologies lack effective mechanisms to control the confidentiality and accessibility of data in collaborative settings.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an authentication component to identify users through various methods, including manual input, biometrics, and object-based identification, and a sharing component that utilizes 'circles of trust' to classify information into public, private, and quasi-public levels, allowing users to control what information is shared based on their authentication status and desired confidentiality levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users share information in a collaborative computing environment, then productivity and collaboration efficiency are improved, but security and confidentiality of user data deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user data into different circles of trust (first circle, second circle, third circle) based on confidentiality levels. Each circle represents a different level of access permission, allowing collaborative sharing within acceptable risk levels while maintaining security boundaries. This segmentation enables selective sharing without compromising overall data confidentiality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different security characteristics to different portions of data based on their sensitivity. Each circle of trust has specific access controls and permission levels tailored to the confidentiality requirements of that data category. This allows highly sensitive data to remain protected while less sensitive data can be freely shared for collaboration.
2Reliability
If the system implements strict security controls to protect user data, then data confidentiality is improved, but ease of operation and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes circles of trust and data classification in advance before actual collaboration occurs. Users pre-configure which data belongs to which circle of trust and define access permissions beforehand. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex security decisions during collaboration, maintaining both security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages security controls based on the established circles of trust. Once users define their data classification and permission structures, the system self-manages access control, encryption, and sharing restrictions without requiring continuous user intervention. This maintains strong security while preserving user convenience.
3Productivity
If the system allows automatic information sharing in a public computing environment, then productivity is improved, but user privacy control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic permission management where sharing restrictions can be adjusted based on the current computing environment and user context. The system automatically adapts sharing behavior to the situation while respecting the user-defined circles of trust. This allows efficient automatic sharing within safe boundaries while maintaining privacy control.
Data Source
AI summary
Within a surface computing environment users are provided a seamless and intuitive manner of modifying security levels associated with information. If a modification is to be made the user can perceive the modifications and the result of such modifications, such as on a display. When information is rendered within the surface computing environment and a condition changes, the user can quickly have that information concealed in order to mitigate unauthorized access to the information.