Relative Device Positioning for Consent-Based 3D User Avatars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user representation techniques in multi-user, three-dimensional environments such as extended reality (XR) environments often infringe on user privacy by generating avatars without consent and requiring sensitive data uploads or facial recognition.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first user's device estimates the relative location of a second user's device and sends this data to a server to determine user preferences or obtain consent without uploading exact positions or performing facial recognition, allowing for privacy-preserving user representation in XR environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user representation techniques generate avatars without consent or use facial recognition, then user representation functionality is improved, but user privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining user consent and collecting preferences before generating avatars. The server stores user preferences and consent status in advance, so that when an avatar needs to be generated, the system can check pre-stored consent information rather than requesting it at the moment of avatar creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between users and the avatar generation process. Instead of direct facial recognition or unauthorized data access, the server mediates by receiving position data, checking stored preferences, obtaining consent when needed, and then facilitating appropriate avatar generation based on pre-authorized preferences.
2Measurement precision
If the system uploads exact device positions to determine user preferences, then preference accuracy is improved, but location privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary information (relative position data) from the complete device position information. Instead of uploading exact device positions, the system calculates and transmits only the relative position between devices, which is sufficient for determining user preferences while preserving absolute location privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the parameter being transmitted from absolute device position coordinates to relative position data. This parameter change maintains the functionality needed for preference determination (knowing relative spatial relationships) while eliminating the exposure of precise location information.
3Measurement precision
If the system performs facial recognition using a facial image database, then user identification accuracy is improved, but facial privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing direct facial recognition on users, the system uses copied or representative data in the form of stored user preferences. The server maintains preference information that can be matched against current contexts without requiring actual facial image analysis, thus achieving user identification functionality while preserving facial privacy.
4Productivity
If the system automatically generates user representations without consent, then productivity is improved, but user autonomy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining and storing user consent and preferences in advance. This allows the system to automatically generate avatars later without needing to repeatedly request consent, thus maintaining both productivity (automatic generation) and user autonomy (pre-obtained consent).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where user preferences and consent status are stored and referenced in future avatar generation requests. This feedback loop ensures that automatically generated avatars respect previously expressed user preferences, combining efficiency with user autonomy.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations provide a method for determining how a second user prefers to be depicted/augmented in a first user's view of a multi-user environment in a privacy preserving way. For example, a method may include determining that a physical environment includes a second device, where a second user associated with the second device is to be depicted in a view of a three-dimensional (3D) environment. The method may further include determining position data indicative of a location of the second device relative to the first device. The method may further include sending the position data indicative of the location of the second device relative to the first device, to an information system (e.g., a user preference system). The method may further include receiving a user preference setting associated with the second user for depicting or augmenting the second user in the 3D environment from the information system.