Motion Information Filtering for Wearable Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling devices, such as smart watches and tablets, collect extensive user data from sensors, which can be accessed by applications without user consent, potentially leading to privacy violations, as current permission settings do not allow for granular control over data access, especially for sensitive activities.
Innovation Solution
A method that receives motion sensor information from wearable devices, identifies motion patterns, compares them to stored patterns, and modifies or filters the information if it matches sensitive activities, preventing unauthorized access to private data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If applications access motion sensor information directly without filtering, then applications can utilize sensor data for personalization and functionality, but user privacy is compromised as sensitive activity data may be exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (motion information filtering system) that sits between the motion sensors and applications. This intermediary analyzes motion patterns, identifies sensitive activities, and selectively filters information before passing it to applications. The intermediary enables both application functionality and privacy protection by acting as a intelligent gatekeeper that permits legitimate data access while blocking sensitive information.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If motion sensor information is filtered to protect privacy, then user privacy is enhanced, but applications lose access to useful sensor data needed for personalization and functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering system applies partial filtering rather than complete blocking. It selectively filters only the portions of motion sensor information that correspond to sensitive activities, while allowing non-sensitive data to pass through to applications. This partial action approach ensures that applications retain access to useful data for personalization and functionality while privacy protection is applied only where necessary.
3Ease of operation
If rule-based permission settings are used for data access control, then implementation is simple, but granular control over sensitive activity data access is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rule-based permission system with an intelligent, data-driven filtering system. Instead of relying on static permission rules that cannot distinguish between different types of data, the new system uses motion pattern analysis and machine learning to dynamically identify and filter sensitive information. This substitution enables granular control over data access while maintaining ease of operation through automated analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: utilizing at least one processor to execute computer code that performs the steps of: receiving motion sensor information from a plurality of sensors on a wearable device; identifying, based on the motion sensor information, a motion pattern corresponding to an activity of a user; comparing the motion pattern to a plurality of stored motion patterns; determining, based on the comparing, if the motion pattern matches one of the stored motion patterns that is identified as a motion pattern of a sensitive activity; and modifying, whether the motion pattern matches one of the stored motion pattern identified as a motion pattern of a sensitive activity. Other aspects are described and claimed.