Digital Image Sanitization for Sensitive Content Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital images often contain sensitive information, such as location coordinates and corporate display media, which can be inadvertently shared, compromising privacy.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that identifies sensitive information in digital images, such as depictions of corporate display media, and sanitizes them by modifying or removing the sensitive content before sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If digital images are shared without processing, then sharing speed and convenience are improved, but sensitive information leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and sanitization processing on digital images before they are shared. The processor identifies sensitive information such as corporate display media, documents, and whiteboards in the image, and automatically redacts or modifies this content before the image is transmitted or stored, thereby preventing sensitive information leakage while maintaining sharing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system between the user and the shared image. This intermediary component automatically analyzes the image content, detects sensitive information, and applies appropriate redaction or modification techniques, serving as a mediator that protects sensitive information while allowing legitimate sharing to proceed
2Reliability
If image processing is performed to remove sensitive information, then privacy protection is improved, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the processing algorithm automatically detects sensitive content types (documents, whiteboards, screens) and selects appropriate redaction strategies without requiring manual user input. The processor autonomously identifies what needs to be protected and applies the correct sanitization method, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high privacy protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in image processing techniques to efficiently remove sensitive information. By adjusting processing parameters such as redaction intensity, region of interest thresholds, and content detection sensitivity, the system achieves effective privacy protection through optimized processing rather than complex manual intervention
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive sensitive information detection is performed, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into multiple stages: first, the system quickly identifies potential regions containing sensitive content using coarse detection methods; then, it applies more accurate analysis only to these identified regions. This segmentation allows comprehensive detection of sensitive information types (documents, whiteboards, screens, metadata) while minimizing overall processing time by avoiding exhaustive analysis of the entire image
4Loss of information
If metadata is retained in digital images, then image information completeness is improved, but privacy risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes sensitive metadata from digital images while preserving non-sensitive information. The processor identifies metadata fields containing personal or confidential information (such as GPS coordinates, device identifiers, timestamps) and selectively extracts only the harmful portions, maintaining the utility of the image for legitimate purposes while eliminating privacy risks
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for removing sensitive information from a digital image. An instruction to share a digital image is received. It is then determined that the digital image contains a depiction of a corporate display medium that is classified as sensitive based on a policy and, based on the determination that the digital image contains the depiction of the corporate display medium that is classified as sensitive based on the policy, the digital image is processed to modify the depiction. The digital image is shared.