Privacy Mode Switching via Environmental Context Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face challenges in protecting private user data from unauthorized access, especially in public settings where sensitive information may be inadvertently exposed.

Innovation Solution

A wearable electronic device with sensors monitors the environment to determine whether it is in a public or private setting, communicating this information to a companion device to adjust its operation mode, thereby restricting access to sensitive data in public environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the device operates in normal mode to provide full access to features and data, then user convenience and functionality are improved, but private data may be exposed to unauthorized persons in public settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to private dataVSAvoiddata exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between normal mode and privacy mode based on real-time environmental context detection. Sensors continuously monitor acoustic and visual environments, and the device automatically adjusts its operational state to balance accessibility with privacy protection, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and data exposure risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Environmental context sensors act as intermediaries between the physical environment and the device's operational mode. These sensors detect public vs. private settings and mediate the transition between normal and privacy modes, allowing the system to respond appropriately to environmental conditions without direct user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the device automatically switches to privacy mode in public settings, then data protection is improved, but user convenience and access to information are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidaccess to information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains dynamic adaptability by continuously monitoring environmental conditions and automatically switching between operational modes. This resolves the contradiction by making data protection reliable in public settings while preserving ease of operation in private settings, with transitions occurring automatically based on context

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor the environment and feed this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the device automatically adjusts its mode of operation, ensuring data protection when needed while maintaining accessibility when appropriate, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the device monitors environmental context continuously to determine public vs. private settings, then privacy mode switching accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental context detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor operation energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system employs periodic sampling of environmental conditions. Sensors take measurements at intervals rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient accuracy for detecting public vs. private settings. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and energy usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a partial monitoring approach, activating full sensor suites only when context transitions are detected or suspected. During stable conditions, monitoring is reduced or suspended, providing sufficient accuracy for mode determination while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous full-scale monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11093262B2Electronic devices and corresponding methods for switching between normal and privacy modes of operation

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a user interface, a wireless communication device, and one or more processors. The wireless communication device establishes a paired communication connection with at least one companion electronic device. The wireless communication device receives one or more electronic communications from the at least one companion electronic device. The one or more processors determine, from the one or more electronic communications, whether an environment of the electronic device is a public environment or a private environment. Where the environment is the private environment, the one or more processors cause the user interface of the electronic device to enter a normal mode of operation. Where the environment is the public environment, the one or more processors cause the user interface of the electronic device to enter a privacy mode of operation.