Electronic Device Privacy Protection via Environment-Based Output Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual assistant systems do not effectively protect user privacy by outputting sensitive information as voice responses in public environments, potentially exposing private information to others.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device that determines the surrounding environment and controls the output method of response information based on this context, using a processor to identify privacy information and adjust output methods such as encryption, volume, or transmission to external devices to protect user privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If virtual assistant services output responses as voice, then user inquiry responses are provided efficiently, but user privacy is compromised when private information is exposed in public environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the output method adjustable based on environmental context. The system dynamically switches between voice output and other output methods (text display, silent notification) depending on whether the environment is detected as private or public, thereby maintaining efficiency while adapting to privacy requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the output parameter from fixed voice output to variable output methods. By detecting environmental context and changing the output parameter (voice vs. text vs. silent), the system maintains productivity while preventing privacy exposure in public settings
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system provides response information through multiple methods based on environment, then privacy is protected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the response provision function into multiple independent output methods (voice output, text display, silent notification). Each method is implemented as a separate module that can be independently controlled based on environmental detection, managing complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an environmental detection intermediary that mediates between the user inquiry and the response output. This intermediary detects whether the environment is private or public and determines the appropriate output method, simplifying the control logic by centralizing the decision-making process
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device is disclosed. An electronic device comprises: a communication interface including circuitry; and a processor for, when a user voice is received, providing a virtual secretary function of providing, by voice, response information corresponding to the received user voice, wherein the processor: identifies whether the response information corresponding to the user voice is privacy information; if the response information is identified to be privacy information, identifies whether a surrounding environment of the electronic device is a public environment; and if the surrounding environment is identified to be a public environment, controls the communication interface to transmit the response information to an external device.