User Profile Access Control via Selective Data Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The growing concern of privacy and the lack of user control over electronic profile information on the internet, coupled with the inefficiencies in targeted advertising and the rise of spam, necessitate a system that allows users to manage their profile information and control access to advertisers and content providers.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented system that enables users to create and manage their electronic profiles, allowing selective control over the exposure of profile information to third parties, with options for enticements and incentives, and dynamic spam filtering, utilizing machine learning and reasoning for automated access control and content presentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If user profile information is collected and stored for targeted advertising, then advertising effectiveness is improved, but user privacy control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertising effectivenessVSAvoiduser privacy control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments user profile information into multiple categories (demographic data, browsing behavior, purchase history, etc.) and allows users to selectively control access to each category. This segmentation enables targeted advertising using only the information users choose to share, rather than requiring complete profile exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic access control where users can change their privacy settings at any time. The system adapts to user preferences by dynamically adjusting what profile information is made available to advertisers, allowing users to increase or decrease information exposure based on their current privacy concerns or advertising interests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If comprehensive user profile information is made available to advertisers, then targeted content delivery is improved, but spam and unwanted solicitations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent targeting accuracyVSAvoidspam and unwanted solicitations

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between user profile information and advertisers. This intermediary system evaluates advertiser requests against user-defined privacy preferences and only permits access to information that users have authorized for sharing. This mediator prevents spam by blocking advertisers who do not comply with user preferences while still enabling legitimate targeted advertising.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where users can review how their profile information is being used and adjust their preferences accordingly. The system provides feedback to users about advertising effectiveness and spam incidents, allowing them to refine their privacy controls to optimize the balance between receiving relevant content and blocking unwanted solicitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If users provide extensive personal information for online services, then service personalization is improved, but security risks and identity theft concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice personalizationVSAvoidsecurity and identity protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different levels of information exposure for different services and contexts. Users can specify which profile information is shared with which advertisers or services, rather than applying a single privacy setting globally. This enables high personalization for trusted services while maintaining security by limiting information exposure to less trusted parties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If traditional advertising mechanisms are used without user control, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but user satisfaction and advertising efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation complexityVSAvoiduser satisfaction and advertising efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by automatically matching advertisers with users based on the information users have already made available through their privacy preferences. The system autonomously evaluates advertiser requests against user profiles and delivers targeted content without requiring manual user intervention for each advertising interaction, maintaining simplicity while enabling personalized advertising.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8317097B2Content presentation based on user preferences

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Architecture is provided that facilitates user-controlled access to user profile information related to spam filtering. A user is allowed to selectively expose (or mask) portions of his/her profile related to spam filtering to third parties. Additionally, advertisers and/or content providers can offer incentives or enticement in response to the acceptance of which a user exposes larger portions of their profiles related to spam filtering. The architecture comprises a system that facilitates profile management utilizing a profile component that facilitates creation and storage of an electronic profile including spam filtering information of a user, and a control component under control of the user for controlling access to the profile.