Sensor Data Exchange Node for Incentivized Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems face challenges in capturing and managing sensor data from outside owned sources, particularly from individuals, as well as in controlling data usage and providing appropriate incentives for sharing, due to differing motivations and preferences among data providers.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a sensor data exchange node in a communication network that receives sensor data from User Equipment (UE), assesses its value, determines rewards based on this assessment, and stores these rewards in a database, allowing individuals to control data usage and incentives through unique identifiers and watermarking for traceability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If sensor data is shared freely to contribute to sustainable city development, then data availability and public benefit are improved, but control over data usage and compensation are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidcontrol over data usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sensor data exchange node as an intermediary between data providers and data consumers. This node manages the exchange process, enabling controlled sharing where providers can specify usage conditions and receive compensation, while data consumers can access data according to agreed terms. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by facilitating both data availability and controlled usage rights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where data providers receive compensation based on the value and usage of their sensor data. The exchange node tracks data usage and provides feedback to providers about how their data is consumed, enabling ongoing control and adjustment of sharing parameters while maintaining data availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If individuals provide sensor data with personal identity disclosure, then data trust and accountability are improved, but privacy and anonymity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata trustVSAvoidprivacy and anonymity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification information into separate components: a unique identifier is assigned to each data provider, but this identifier is decoupled from personal identity information. The exchange node maintains the unique identifier for tracking and compensation while preventing direct linkage to personal data, thus maintaining trust and accountability without compromising privacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor data exchange node acts as an intermediary that handles identification and tracking functions without accessing or storing personal identity information. It manages the unique identifiers and compensation processes while maintaining anonymity of the actual data providers, resolving the contradiction between trust and privacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If different incentives are provided for different individuals, then motivation and data contribution are improved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata contributionVSAvoidincentive management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal incentive management framework within the sensor data exchange node that can handle multiple types of compensation (monetary, non-monetary, points) through a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach allows the node to manage diverse incentive schemes without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same core infrastructure supports all incentive types.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows flexible parameter changes in incentive schemes without restructuring the core system. Different individuals can be offered different incentive parameters (amounts, types, conditions) while using the same underlying exchange node architecture, enabling adapted motivation strategies without proportional complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2976759B1Method, computer program and node for distribution of sensor data
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2976759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2976759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2976759B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method in, computer program and a sensor data exchange node (100) in a communication network for enabling distribution, and rewarding of sensor data in the communication network. The method comprises: receiving sensor data (A1) from a UE (120), transmitting the sensor data (A3) to a data processing node (140), receiving a value assessment (A4) of the sensor data from the data processing node (140), determining a reward (A5) based on the received value assessment by a reward unit (200), and storing the determination (A6) of the reward in a reward database (210).