Robotic Customer Service Agent Identity Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of robots in customer homes for service tasks raises concerns about security, privacy, and trust due to potential misuse of gathered information, necessitating robust authentication and data protection measures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a robotic solution with advanced security and privacy features, including anti-virus verification, multi-factor authentication, 3D reconstruction for identity verification, and data blocking functions to ensure secure and controlled interactions between contact centers and customers, with third-party oversight for safety and liability management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If robots are deployed to perform service tasks in customer homes, then productivity and service capability are improved, but security risks and privacy concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice task capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication and verification actions before the robot executes service tasks. The contact center verifies the robot's identity, checks for unauthorized modifications, and confirms operational integrity in advance, preventing security issues before they can affect service delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The contact center acts as an intermediary between the robot and customer environment. It mediates security verification, monitors robot behavior, and coordinates authentication processes, reducing direct security exposure while maintaining service productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If comprehensive security verification systems are implemented, then security and privacy protection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity verificationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot performs self-verification of its own security credentials and operational status. It autonomously checks its authentication tokens, verifies its component integrity, and reports its security state to the contact center, reducing the need for complex external verification infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The contact center platform performs multiple security functions including authentication, verification, monitoring, and coordination through a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into one centralized platform rather than distributing it across multiple specialized systems

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

3Reliability

If multi-factor authentication and verification processes are used, then security is improved, but interaction time and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Authentication and verification processes are performed in advance before service tasks begin. The contact center verifies robot credentials, checks security protocols, and confirms operational authorization beforehand, so that once verified, the robot can execute tasks without repeated verification delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system efficiently rushes through verification processes by using pre-configured authentication protocols and trusted credential validation. Once initial security checks are passed, the robot can skip redundant verification steps and proceed directly to service tasks, minimizing time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS9975243B2Movement and interaction verification
Publication Date: 2018.05.22 AVAYA INC
  • US9975243B2 patent drawing
  • US9975243B2 patent drawing
  • US9975243B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Robotic customer service agents may require verification of a human. The verification may be of the identity of the human and/or a capability of the human. If verified, the robot operates in a verified mode and otherwise operates in a non-verified mode. The robot performs a customer service task in one of the verified mode or the non-verified mode, which may alter, omit, or substitute actions as appropriate for the mode.