Secure Device-to-Device Media Intercom via Companion Links
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intelligent automated assistant systems face challenges in managing personal or private user data securely, particularly in communal devices used by multiple users, where unauthorized access or use of such data is a concern, and there is a need for privacy-preserving communication mechanisms between smart home devices.
Innovation Solution
A secure, encrypted peer-to-peer communication mechanism, referred to as a companion link, enables device-to-device communication, allowing smart home devices to exchange data securely and maintain privacy by redirecting personal queries to designated companion devices, while also supporting general-purpose messaging and intercom-like audio/video streaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If personal data is stored and processed in communal smart home devices, then device functionality and service capability are improved, but privacy security and risk of unauthorized access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments personal data processing functions from communal devices to dedicated companion devices. Each user has their own companion device that handles their personal data locally, while the communal device provides shared services. This segmentation ensures that personal data never resides on the communal device, eliminating the risk of unauthorized access while maintaining full service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The companion device acts as an intermediary between the user and the communal smart home device. It mediates all interactions requiring personal data by processing requests locally and only transmitting necessary commands to the communal device, never exposing personal data. This intermediary architecture enables full service capability while preserving privacy security.
2Reliability
If personal queries are processed locally on user devices, then privacy preservation is improved, but device complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The companion device is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: local query processing, secure credential storage, intercom media streaming, and device coordination. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional device architecture, the system achieves privacy preservation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If secure encrypted peer-to-peer connections are established between devices, then communication security is improved, but connection establishment time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing trust relationships and storing secure credentials on companion devices before actual communication occurs. When intercom functionality is needed, devices can quickly authenticate using pre-shared keys without performing full cryptographic handshakes in real-time, significantly reducing connection establishment time while maintaining encryption security.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide a communication mechanism that enables electronic device to perform device to device communication using a secure, encrypted, peer-to-peer data connection. The communication mechanism can also be used as a general-purpose communication mechanism that enables smart home device to exchange data, including configuration data. In one embodiment, the general-purpose communication mechanism can be leveraged to enable intercom-like transmission of audio or video data between electronic devices that are connected to the communication mechanism.