Utility Usage Data Subscription via Privacy-Preserving Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electronic devices often lack direct access to utility usage information without setting up an online account with the utility provider, and existing methods do not adequately address privacy and authentication concerns in accessing such data.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is provided for users to subscribe to utility usage information through an intermediary server that collects and manages data from utility servers in a privacy-preserving manner, allowing access to utility usage information without requiring a customer portal account, using tokens and authentication processes to ensure secure data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users set up an online account with the utility provider to access usage information, then they can obtain utility usage information, but the process becomes complex and requires customer portal account setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party service as an intermediary between users and utility providers. This service uses voice biometric authentication to verify user identity and obtains authorization to access utility usage information from multiple providers, eliminating the need for users to create accounts with each utility company.
2Loss of information
If users access utility usage information through traditional methods, then they can obtain their data, but privacy concerns arise due to direct exposure of personal information to utility providers
Solution Approach 1:
The third-party service acts as a privacy-protecting intermediary that collects voice biometrics and obtains user authorization before accessing utility data. Personal information remains protected as the intermediary handles authentication and data retrieval without requiring users to expose sensitive information directly to utility providers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the user's voice biometric template for authentication purposes. This voiceprint copy is stored securely and used to verify user identity without requiring users to repeatedly provide sensitive personal information, thereby protecting privacy while enabling access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple utility providers are accessed directly by users, then comprehensive usage data can be obtained, but authentication and data management becomes increasingly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The third-party service provides a universal authentication system using voice biometrics that works across multiple utility providers. A single voiceprint template and authorization process enables users to access usage information from any number of utility companies without managing separate credentials or authentication mechanisms for each provider.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology provide for establishing at a user device, as subscription for utility usage data from a utility provider at a server of the utility provider. The subscription may be handled by an intermediary server and data provided to the user device from the intermediary server. Various authentication and validation steps can be made to ensure that the user attempting to subscribe to the utility usage data corresponds to the customer of the utility provider.