Network Information Anonymization and Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service providers face challenges in collecting network information while maintaining user privacy, as traditional methods often infringe on users' privacy settings and lack flexibility in controlling access to sensitive data.

Innovation Solution

A system that separates network information into anonymized and user identifiable components, using a correlation key to control access based on privacy settings, allowing anonymized data to be shared independently of identifiable information, and encrypting identifiable data for secure access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If network information is collected to optimize network performance and improve user experience, then network performance and user experience are improved, but user privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performance optimizationVSAvoiduser privacy infringement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network information into two distinct categories: anonymized network information (excluding user identifiers) and user identifiable information. This segmentation allows the system to collect and process network performance data while protecting user privacy by separating identifiable information from operational data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts user identifiable information from the collected network information and handles it separately through encryption and access control mechanisms. This extraction allows the system to utilize network performance data while isolating and protecting sensitive user identifiers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional methods are used to collect network information, then data collection is simple, but access control and privacy protection are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection simplicityVSAvoidprivacy protection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network information platform as an intermediary between data collection and data access. This platform implements privacy settings, encryption, and access control mechanisms that mediate between the simplicity of data collection and the reliability of privacy protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of user identifiable information by applying encryption transformations. This parameter change converts plaintext identifiable information into encrypted form, maintaining data utility while enhancing privacy protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If user identifiable information is accessed freely, then data accessibility is high, but privacy security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidprivacy security risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic access control for user identifiable information based on privacy settings and authorization. The system dynamically adjusts data accessibility, allowing free access to anonymized information while restricting access to identifiable information only when authorized and settings permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different access control qualities to different types of information. Anonymized network information receives high accessibility with minimal restrictions, while user identifiable information receives restricted access with enhanced security controls, creating local quality differences in data protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8739271B2Network information collection and access control system
Publication Date: 2014.05.27 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC
  • US8739271B2 patent drawing
  • US8739271B2 patent drawing
  • US8739271B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An approach is provided for collecting and controlling access to network information. A network information anonymizer receives network information associated with a device, separates the network information into anonymized network information and user identifiable information, and enables access to the anonymized network information independently of the user identifiable information based on a privacy setting.