Smart Case Sensor Path Control for Biometric Privacy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Personal communication devices collect biometric data that can be exploited for privacy invasion and unauthorized biometric authentication bypass, as businesses and malicious users can derive sensitive information from unstructured data without user consent.
Innovation Solution
An active case or smart case that controls sensor paths and communication channels on personal devices, obscuring biometric markers in sensor data through processing and encryption before transmission, allowing users to manage and protect their private information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor data is collected and transmitted without processing, then data completeness is maintained, but user privacy is compromised due to biometric marker exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary masking of biometric markers in sensor data before transmission. The masking engine processes audio, image, and sensor data to remove or obfuscate biometric markers such as voice characteristics, facial features, and gait patterns, ensuring privacy protection is established before data leaves the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a masking engine as an intermediary component between data collection and data transmission. This intermediary processes the raw sensor data, selectively masking biometric markers while preserving non-sensitive information, thus mediating between complete data retention and privacy protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all sensor data is transmitted to remote sources, then data availability is maximized, but unauthorized data mining becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes harmful biometric markers from sensor data before transmission. The masking engine identifies and extracts sensitive biometric information such as voice prints, facial recognition data, and gait patterns, then removes or masks them while allowing the remaining non-sensitive data to be transmitted for legitimate uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different portions of the data. Sensitive biometric markers are heavily masked or removed, while non-sensitive portions of the sensor data are transmitted in full detail, creating local variations in data quality that protect privacy while maintaining data utility.
3Ease of operation
If biometric data is used for authentication, then security convenience is improved, but vulnerability to authentication bypass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potential harm of biometric data exposure into a benefit by using the same biometric markers for both authentication and privacy protection. The masking engine uses knowledge of biometric characteristics to properly mask them in transmitted data, while still allowing legitimate authentication to occur when needed, thus converting the security risk into a protective mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus that controls sensor paths for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a second device. The apparatus obtains first sensor data that includes a biometric marker associated with a user. The apparatus controls sensor paths by obtaining the first sensor data using sensors on the second device, on the apparatus, and/or on a supplemental functional device. The apparatus further generates second sensor data by masking the biometric marker associated with the user in the first sensor data. The apparatus additionally controls the sensor paths by providing the second sensor data from the first apparatus to the second device.