Sensor Privacy Management via Resolution Lowering
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Solution Overview
Problem
User devices equipped with sensors generate data that, if accessed without control, can compromise user privacy, as it can reveal sensitive information such as location or sound recordings, necessitating a method to limit sensor accuracy while preventing circumvention through secondary sensors.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a sensor management dataset to determine secondary sensors capable of estimating a property, and lower their resolution based on a resolution requirement set for a primary sensor, ensuring privacy by preventing more accurate determination of the property through secondary sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sensor accuracy is limited to protect user privacy, then user privacy is improved, but sensor measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the resolution parameter of sensor data by lowering it to a level that prevents precise location determination while maintaining sufficient accuracy for privacy protection. This involves transforming high-precision sensor readings into lower-resolution data that cannot be used to track user movements precisely.
Solution Approach 2:
A processor acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the application, receiving raw sensor data, applying resolution lowering transformations, and outputting privacy-protected data. This intermediary component ensures that privacy requirements are enforced while maintaining system functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If resolution of sensor data is lowered to enforce privacy, then privacy protection is improved, but information availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system selectively changes the resolution parameter of sensor data to the minimum level required for privacy protection, rather than removing all detailed information. This allows retention of sufficient information for legitimate uses while eliminating data that could compromise privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial resolution lowering - not completely anonymizing the data but reducing it to a level that prevents precise tracking. This partial action maintains utility for applications while achieving privacy goals.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a memory configured to store a sensor management dataset, and at least one processing core, configured to process an instruction to limit an accuracy of a first sensor in accordance with a resolution requirement of a property measured by the first sensor, determine, using the sensor management dataset, at least one second sensor which is capable of estimating the property, and cause lowering of resolution of data produced by the at least one second sensor, the extent of resolution lowering being determined based on first resolution requirement and the sensor management dataset.