Avatar PI Data Restriction Based on User Trust and Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in virtual environments is the potential disclosure of personal identifiable data (PI data) to untrusted users, either when a user directly controls their avatar or when the avatar acts independently, posing a risk to user privacy.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determines the proximity of avatars within a virtual environment and identifies untrusted relationships, allowing users to restrict the presentation of PI data through various actions, such as muting voice, disguising identity, or pixelating images, and preventing unauthorized recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user utilizes an avatar to represent themselves in a virtual environment, then the user can interact with other users, but personal identifiable data may be disclosed to untrusted users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different levels of data protection based on the trust relationship between users. Trusted users receive full PI data while untrusted users receive restricted or anonymized data. This is achieved through the trust determination module that evaluates relationships and the data restriction module that applies appropriate protection levels to different user groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary trust determination module that mediates between the avatar system and data protection requirements. This module acts as a gatekeeper that evaluates trust relationships and controls what PI data is disclosed to which users, preventing direct exposure of sensitive information while maintaining functional interaction.
2Reliability
If the system restricts PI data presentation to untrusted users, then user privacy is protected, but the user experience and interaction quality may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data restriction where the level of PI data disclosure is not fixed but adjusts based on the trust relationship evaluation. The system can dynamically modify what information is presented to different users based on their trust status, allowing flexible balance between privacy protection and interaction quality without rigid restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data disclosure by applying different transformation levels to PI data based on user trust. Instead of binary hide/show, the system applies parameter-based transformations such as anonymization, aggregation, or selective disclosure, allowing nuanced control over information presentation that maintains interaction quality while protecting privacy.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first virtual location of a first avatar of a first user within a virtual environment, determining a second virtual location a second avatar of a second user within the virtual environment that is in proximity to the first virtual location, and determining that the second user has an untrusted relationship with the first user. Further embodiments include presenting on a user interface of a first communication device of the first user a group of actions for restricting personal identifiable (PI) data of the first user presented by the first avatar in the virtual environment to the second user, receiving a selection of a first action from the group of actions for restricting the PI data, and restricting presentation of the PI data in the virtual environment according to the first action. Other embodiments are disclosed.