Server Annotation System Using Segmentation for Label Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional annotation technologies limit label assignment to predefined or user-defined labels, posing security and privacy risks when social tagging is applied to user actions, as it exposes information to unspecified individuals.

Innovation Solution

A server device with a first registering unit, a second registering unit, and a providing unit that acquires and registers user action information, specifies similar action information, and assigns labels based on hierarchical relations within an organization, ensuring secure label assignment without public exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If social tagging technology is applied to annotate user actions, then label diversity and richness are improved, but information security and personal information protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel diversityVSAvoidinformation security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments users into different groups (e.g., colleagues, department members, organization members) based on hierarchical relationships. Label annotation is restricted to within these segments, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining label diversity within each secure segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different permission levels and annotation capabilities are assigned to different users based on their hierarchical position and relationship to the action subject. This allows label diversity where appropriate while maintaining security where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If predefined labels are used for user actions, then information security is maintained, but label flexibility and user customization capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation securityVSAvoidlabel flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The label system transitions from static predefined labels to dynamic user-defined labels that adapt based on user needs and hierarchical permissions. Users can create custom labels within their authorized scope, providing flexibility while maintaining security through the hierarchical permission framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Users are empowered to define their own labels and annotations within their permitted scope, rather than being limited to system-provided labels. This self-service capability increases label flexibility while the hierarchical permission system ensures security constraints are maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If user actions are opened to unspecified individuals for labeling, then label assignment efficiency is improved, but personal information protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel assignment efficiencyVSAvoidpersonal information protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the user base into hierarchical segments (colleagues, department members, organization members) and restricts label assignment to within these segments. This maintains efficiency by allowing collaboration within trusted groups while protecting personal information from unspecified individuals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hierarchical permission system acts as an intermediary layer between users and their actions. It mediates label assignment by automatically determining which users have permission to annotate specific actions, maintaining both efficiency and security without requiring manual permission checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9338049B2Server device, annotation system, annotation method, and computer program product
Publication Date: 2016.05.10 TOSHIBA DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CORP
  • US9338049B2 patent drawing
  • US9338049B2 patent drawing
  • US9338049B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to an embodiment, a server device includes a first registering unit, a second registering unit, and a providing unit. The first registering unit is configured to acquire first action information regarding an action performed by a first user from a client device, and register the first action information in an action information storage unit in which pieces of action information of users are stored in association with labels of the respective pieces of action information. The second registering unit is configured to specify at least one piece of action information similar to the first action information among the pieces of action information, and register the label associated with the specified piece of action information in the action information storage unit in association with the first action information. The providing unit is configured to provide the label associated with the first action information to the client device.