Service Robot Security Authentication via Intermediary Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current robotic systems face challenges in securing customer trust due to concerns over security, privacy, and misuse, particularly when interacting with personal information and performing tasks within customer-owned environments, necessitating enhanced authentication and data protection measures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a robotic solution with advanced security features such as anti-virus verification, multi-factor authentication, 3D reconstruction for identity verification, and privacy controls to limit data collection and usage, along with third-party oversight mechanisms to ensure safe operation and compliance with user settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a robot is deployed to perform tasks in customer environments with basic security measures, then the robot can operate and provide services, but customer trust and security against misuse are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer trustVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary security assessments and authentication before the robot is allowed to operate in the customer environment. This includes verifying security software presence, checking authentication credentials, and establishing trust relationships in advance, so that when the robot operates, security risks are already mitigated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that acts as a mediator between the robot and the customer environment. This intermediary verifies security credentials, manages authentication tokens, and coordinates trust verification, thereby reducing direct security risks while enabling robot operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If comprehensive security and authentication measures are implemented, then customer trust and security are improved, but system complexity and operational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity assuranceVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system is designed to be universal and multi-functional, handling multiple security verification tasks through a single integrated framework. The same authentication mechanism serves both initial robot verification and ongoing task authorization, reducing overall system complexity despite comprehensive security measures

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

Solution Approach 2:

The robot and system components perform self-verification and self-authentication where possible, reducing the need for complex external verification systems. The robot autonomously manages its own security credentials and authentication tokens, simplifying the overall authentication architecture while maintaining high security assurance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the robot collects and processes customer information to perform tasks, then service capability is improved, but privacy risks and data misuse potential increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capabilityVSAvoidprivacy risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by applying different privacy protection levels to different types of data and different service contexts. Sensitive information receives enhanced protection measures while less sensitive data undergoes standard processing, allowing the robot to maintain versatile service capability while mitigating privacy risks through differentiated data handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing privacy protection measures before data collection and processing occurs. Privacy policies are established in advance, data minimization principles are applied during information gathering, and protective safeguards are pre-configured to prevent potential privacy violations before they can occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10040201B2Service robot communication systems and system self-configuration
Publication Date: 2018.08.07 PULSELINK SYSTEMS LLC
  • US10040201B2 patent drawing
  • US10040201B2 patent drawing
  • US10040201B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A service robot is provided to communicate with other devices of a service location, such as another robot. A first and second robot may be tasked with performing a customer service task requiring a physical interaction. The first robot may determine that the second robot lacks instructions to perform the customer service task. Upon making the determination, the first robot retrieves physical interaction instructions and causes the second robot to load and execute the physical interaction instructions. The second robot is then transformed, by the first robot, into a configured robot able to perform the customer service task.