Secure Data Entry via Marker-Based Field Masking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data entry systems lack secure methods for entering sensitive user data, as they often reveal sensitive information, making them susceptible to malicious capture and identity theft.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that associates markers with sensitive data fields or categories, allowing secure entry of user data by referring to the markers instead of the sensitive information, thereby masking the actual data fields and reducing the risk of data exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing data entry systems display sensitive information labels (e.g., 'Social Security number', 'bank account number'), then users can understand what data to enter, but the system becomes susceptible to malicious capture and identity theft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidinformation masking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces markers as intermediary elements that replace direct display of sensitive data field labels. Instead of showing 'Social Security number' directly, the system displays a marker (e.g., 'Field 1') that indirectly refers to the sensitive field. This intermediary mechanism allows users to understand what to enter while preventing malicious capture of the actual sensitive information labels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system masks sensitive data field labels to prevent malicious capture, then data security improves, but users may have difficulty understanding what specific data to enter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoiduser understanding

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to users by maintaining the functional relationship between markers and sensitive fields. When users interact with markers, the system processes their input correctly by mapping markers to the corresponding sensitive data fields behind the scenes. This feedback mechanism ensures users can complete data entry accurately without directly exposing sensitive field labels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the system uses direct labels for sensitive data fields, then ease of data entry improves, but the system reveals sensitive information making it susceptible to identity theft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry easeVSAvoidmalicious capture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sensitive information labels from the user interface and replaces them with markers. The sensitive field identifiers are taken out of direct view, while the functional connection between markers and sensitive fields is preserved through backend processing. This extraction eliminates the exposure of sensitive information while maintaining data entry functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9710657B1Methods, systems, and computer program products for secure input and reception of sensitive user data

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 INTUIT INC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for securely receiving user data includes a computer associating a marker with a sensitive data field in a form. The method also includes the computer using the marker to facilitate secure entry of user data corresponding to the sensitive data field. The method further includes the computer entering the user data in the sensitive data field in the form. The marker is configured to refer to the sensitive data field without revealing additional information regarding the sensitive data field.