Centralized Privacy Server for Mobility Data Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The automotive market faces challenges in managing user data privacy as customers transition from vehicle manufacturers to mobility companies, with existing systems presenting multiple opt-in touchpoints and lacking user control and transparency regarding data usage.

Innovation Solution

A centralized privacy management system utilizing a user data server to collect and analyze user data, allowing users to set privacy settings for mobility and journey-planning services, while providing information on the benefits of data sharing through a journey planning application, encouraging users to share more data for improved experiences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centralized privacy management system is implemented, then user control and transparency are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized privacy management server as an intermediary between users and multiple mobility services. This server consolidates privacy settings management, acting as a mediator that handles data sharing permissions centrally rather than requiring users to configure each service individually. The server receives privacy settings from users and distributes appropriate permissions to connected mobility services, reducing user burden while maintaining systematic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The privacy management server is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of data sharing permissions across different mobility services simultaneously. It provides a single interface that manages permissions for journey planning, vehicle telemetry, location data, and other data types across various services, eliminating the need for separate configuration systems for each service or data type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If users are provided with detailed information about data sharing benefits, then user awareness and informed consent are improved, but information overload may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transparencyVSAvoidinformation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments information about data sharing benefits into distinct categories and components. The system presents information in modular sections that cover different aspects such as service improvements, personalization benefits, and data usage purposes. Users can navigate through segmented information topics rather than being presented with a single large block of text, making it easier to process and understand the benefits of data sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that adapt information presentation based on user interactions. When users express interest in specific benefit areas or ask questions about data usage, the system provides targeted additional information. The feedback loop allows users to request more details about specific data sharing aspects without being initially overwhelmed by all possible information, delivering transparency on-demand rather than all-at-once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple opt-in touchpoints are maintained for different services, then service-specific customization is preserved, but user burden and privacy management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice customizationVSAvoiduser burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate opt-in mechanisms into a single centralized privacy management interface. Instead of requiring users to separately configure permissions for journey planning services, vehicle telemetry services, location services, and other mobility services, the system combines all these permission management functions into one unified interface. Users set their privacy preferences once, and the centralized server automatically applies appropriate permissions across all connected services, maintaining service-specific customization through automated permission distribution while dramatically reducing user burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10467551B2Portable privacy management
Publication Date: 2019.11.05 FORD MOTOR CO
  • US10467551B2 patent drawing
  • US10467551B2 patent drawing
  • US10467551B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A memory of a privacy server stores user data and user settings. A processor of the privacy server is programmed to receive user settings corresponding to a user of a journey planning application; receive user data from vehicles and mobility services; manage the user data of the user according to the user settings; and provide information to the journey planning application explaining benefits of the sharing of the user data. A mobile computing device receives responses to a set of questions unrelated to sharing of user data for determining settings, identifies user settings defining the sharing of user data consistent with data indicative of user settings of users who answered the questions in the same manner, and displays terms of service for the sharing of user data based on the user settings.