Sensitive Message Routing for Primary and Companion Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging systems that synchronize messages across multiple devices associated with a user account compromise security and privacy, particularly for sensitive information like one-time passwords, as they can be accessed by unintended or malicious users on less secure companion devices.
Innovation Solution
A messaging system that routes sensitive messages only to a designated primary device and sends placeholder notifications to companion devices, preventing synchronization of sensitive content while maintaining a seamless user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If messages are synchronized across all devices associated with a user account, then user convenience and accessibility are improved, but security and privacy are compromised due to unauthorized access on less secure companion devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments message synchronization by device type, delivering full messages only to the primary device while providing placeholder notifications to companion devices. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining accessibility (companion devices show notifications) while ensuring security (sensitive content remains on the primary device only).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating the primary device and companion devices differently in terms of message delivery. The primary device receives complete message content with full access, while companion devices receive only placeholder notifications. This differentiated approach allows each device type to have appropriate access levels, resolving the security-convenience contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If sensitive information is delivered to all companion devices, then user convenience is improved, but unauthorized access and privacy breaches increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sensitive information from the message delivery process for companion devices. Instead of delivering complete messages containing sensitive data to all devices, the system removes the sensitive content and delivers only placeholder notifications to companion devices. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining message availability while eliminating unauthorized access risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that controls message delivery based on device type. The server acts as a mediator between the message source and the various devices, intelligently routing full messages to the primary device and placeholder notifications to companion devices. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by enabling selective delivery that balances availability and security.
3Loss of information
If full messages are transmitted to all devices, then complete information delivery is achieved, but security vulnerabilities and privacy risks are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments information delivery by device type, providing complete message information to the primary device while delivering only placeholder notifications to companion devices. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by ensuring information completeness where needed (primary device) while minimizing security risks (companion devices).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by delivering different levels of information completeness to different devices. The primary device receives full message content with complete information, while companion devices receive only placeholder notifications without sensitive details. This differentiated information delivery resolves the contradiction between information completeness and security risks.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for selectively delivering sensitive messages to primary and companion devices associated with a user account. When a message containing sensitive information is received, it may be delivered to a designated primary device. After confirming delivery to the primary device, a placeholder message may be sent to companion devices, notifying the user of the sensitive message without revealing its contents.