Dynamic Identity Disclosure in Communication Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems do not allow users to control the disclosure of their identities during shared content sessions, leading to inefficiencies and redundant resource usage, as users may feel uncomfortable revealing their identity, resulting in reduced participation and increased computing resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that enables users to control the disclosure of their identities through different modes of operation, such as anonymous or attributed content sharing, within a single user interface, allowing users to choose when and to whom their identity is revealed, and using a server to manage the display of identities based on user instructions or triggering conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users share their identity with all participants in a communication session, then trust and accountability are improved, but user comfort and participation are reduced due to discomfort in certain circumstances
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts identity disclosure based on user preferences and contextual conditions. Users can select different anonymity levels (fully anonymous, partially anonymous, or fully identified) for different content types and communication scenarios, allowing the system to adapt between trust-building and comfort-preserving modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different identity disclosure policies to different content types and recipients. Users can specify which content types (e.g., text messages, annotations, video) should be shared anonymously versus identified, and can control visibility to different recipient groups (e.g., all participants vs. moderators only), creating localized quality variations in identity disclosure.
2Ease of operation
If users communicate anonymously using separate applications or devices, then identity control is improved, but computing resource utilization increases due to redundant systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges anonymous communication capabilities directly into the existing communication session infrastructure. Users can switch between anonymous and identified modes within the same application and session, eliminating the need for separate applications or devices and reducing computing resource utilization while maintaining identity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is designed to handle multiple communication modes (anonymous text, identified video, anonymous annotations, etc.) within a single unified platform. This multi-functionality allows users to control identity disclosure across different content types without requiring separate specialized applications, optimizing resource usage.
3Loss of information
If users communicate anonymously using separate devices, then identity privacy is improved, but communication efficiency is reduced due to redundant resource usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines anonymous communication features within the same communication session platform, allowing users to maintain identity privacy while communicating efficiently with all participants in a single session rather than using separate devices or applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic identity management where users can switch between anonymous and identified modes based on the communication context, allowing efficient participation in shared experiences while maintaining privacy control without the inefficiencies of separate communication systems.
4Reliability
If the system displays all user identities in a communication session, then accountability is improved, but inclusivity and participation are reduced due to discomfort in revealing identity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts identity visibility based on user preferences and content type. Users can select which content types should be shared anonymously versus with full identification, allowing the system to adapt between accountability and inclusivity modes to maximize participation while maintaining necessary accountability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different identity disclosure policies to different content types and recipient groups. Users can control whether their identity is displayed for text messages, annotations, video content, or other types, and can specify different visibility levels for different recipient groups, creating local quality variations that balance accountability with inclusivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are disclosed for a computing system that allows users to control the disclosure of their identities during communication sessions. Users can control the disclosure of their identities with respect to certain types of shared content. In one mode of operation, a user can share content anonymously. In another mode of operation, identity may be revealed when certain conditions are met or revealed to only certain other users. For example, the identity of a user who shared a comment anonymously may be revealed if multiple other users agree with that comment. In another mode of operation, the user's identity is revealed to all other users such as in a live video stream. The computing system can control display of users' identities based on user instructions or based on triggering conditions. A user interface (UI) can show content items that identify a user together with content items that are shared anonymously.