Conditional Data Access Control via User Compliance Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data sharing technologies lack flexibility in controlling access, often resulting in either unrestricted sharing leading to loss of control for the original user or highly restricted access, failing to meet users' intuitive expectations regarding data ownership and control, especially in scenarios requiring temporary or conditional access.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that establish an access control policy defining collaborative conditions for data access, allowing access only when a predetermined number of users meet these conditions, with monitoring to ensure compliance, and providing access control mechanisms such as geographical and temporal conditions, along with encryption techniques to secure data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If data is shared freely without technical hindrance, then ease of data sharing is improved, but control over the data by the original user is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of data sharingVSAvoidcontrol over data
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic access control where the data sharing state can change based on conditions. The system transitions between different sharing states (shared vs. restricted) based on temporal conditions, geographical conditions, or user presence, allowing the original user to maintain control while enabling flexible sharing when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of data access by introducing conditional parameters such as time windows, location boundaries, and user presence requirements. These parameter changes allow the same data to be shared under different conditions, maintaining both ease of sharing and user control simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If document security is applied to restrict access, then data security is improved, but flexibility in data sharing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidflexibility in data sharing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static document security with dynamic conditional access control. Instead of permanently restricting or allowing access, the system dynamically adjusts access permissions based on real-time conditions such as user presence, location, and time, providing both security and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary access control layer between the data and users. This intermediary evaluates conditional parameters (temporal, geographical, presence-based) and mediates access requests, allowing secure yet flexible data sharing without requiring permanent security restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of a document are shared through iterations, then collaborative editing capability is improved, but version control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaborative editing capabilityVSAvoidversion control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing access control policies and conditions before collaborative editing begins. The system pre-defines the rules for data access and sharing, which automatically manage version control and access permissions throughout the collaboration process, reducing the complexity of manual version management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If physical devices are used to temporarily share data, then data control is maintained, but ease of data transfer is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata controlVSAvoidease of data transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical device transfer with an electronic/digital system. Instead of physically moving devices or media to share data temporarily, the system uses digital data transfer with embedded access control policies that maintain user control while enabling convenient electronic sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3133524B1Data collaboration
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 PUSHPULL TECH LTD
  • EP3133524B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3133524B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3133524B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system are provided for enabling collaborative access to a data object. The method comprises establishing an access control policy, the access control policy defining at least one collaborative condition under which access to the data object is permissible, monitoring a plurality of users for compliance with the collaborative condition and providing access to the data object after a predetermined number of the users meet the at least one collaborative condition.