Dynamic Data Field Obfuscation via Intermediary Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to effectively obfuscate sensitive information displayed on user interfaces shared between users, potentially leading to unauthorized access to confidential data.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic data field obfuscation system integrated into a host application, allowing users to selectively enable and disable obfuscation tools using a user interface, which employs machine learning models and optical character recognition to locate and obscure sensitive data fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a data field obfuscation tool is integrated into a host application, then sensitive information is protected during sharing, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of sensitive informationVSAvoidcomplexity of host application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary obfuscation layer that sits between the host application and the user interface display. This intermediary component captures the user interface elements, identifies sensitive data fields, and applies obfuscation transformations without modifying the underlying host application code or data structures. The obfuscation is applied as a visual overlay or transformation layer, allowing the host application to remain unchanged while still protecting sensitive information during sharing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If obfuscation is applied to data fields, then sensitive information is protected, but the readability of data is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of sensitive informationVSAvoidreadability of data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic obfuscation that can be selectively applied based on the sharing context. The system monitors whether the host application is being shared or displayed to other users and dynamically enables or disables obfuscation accordingly. When sharing is detected, obfuscation is applied to protect sensitive information; when sharing is not active, the original readable data is displayed. This dynamic approach ensures that data readability is preserved when protection is not needed while enabling protection when sharing occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If machine learning models are used to locate data fields, then obfuscation accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of data field locationVSAvoidprocessing time for obfuscation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-training and configuring machine learning models to recognize common data field patterns and sensitive information structures before actual obfuscation is needed. The system pre-processes user interface elements to identify potential data fields and categorizes them by type (e.g., personal information, financial data, contact details). This preliminary identification and classification work is done in advance, so when sharing is detected and obfuscation is required, the system can quickly apply the appropriate transformations without extensive real-time analysis, significantly reducing the processing time penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12306987B2Dynamic obfuscation of information
Publication Date: 2025.05.20 WELLS FARGO BANK NA
  • US12306987B2 patent drawing
  • US12306987B2 patent drawing
  • US12306987B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Dynamic obfuscation of information displayed on a user interface. In examples, the user interface is generated by a host application, and a data field obfuscation tool is provided as an extension of the host application and configured to dynamically obfuscate one or more data fields displayed on the user interface. In examples, the data field obfuscation tool can be configured, enabled and/or disabled by a user via another user interface.