Virtual Assistant Sensor Mode Switching for Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voice-controlled digital assistants are vulnerable to undesired manipulations by third parties or children, and existing solutions that rely on full monitoring with cameras or voice recognition are not feasible for ensuring user privacy.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize sensors, such as pressure sensors and radar sensors, to detect human presence by monitoring air pressure changes and electromagnetic waves, allowing the virtual assistant to switch to a child mode or limited functionality mode when a user is detected below a certain height, thereby preventing unauthorized access and ensuring user privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full monitoring with cameras and voice recognition is used to prevent unauthorized manipulation, then authentication and verification capability is improved, but user privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential authentication function from full monitoring systems. Instead of using cameras and continuous voice recognition, it employs specific sensors (accelerometer, microphone) to detect only the critical characteristic - device orientation and presence - thereby achieving authentication while preserving privacy by excluding unnecessary monitoring data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor data (accelerometer readings, microphone input) as an intermediary between the user and the virtual assistant. This intermediary layer enables authentication and verification without requiring direct visual or continuous auditory monitoring, thus maintaining privacy while ensuring reliable user identification
2Reliability
If sensors are used to detect human presence and prevent unauthorized access, then security against third-party manipulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing device components serve multiple functions. The accelerometer, originally designed for motion detection, is repurposed to detect device orientation for authentication. The microphone, intended for voice processing, also detects presence or absence of a user. This multi-functionality enhances security without adding dedicated sensor hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own existing sensors to perform authentication and verification functions, rather than requiring external monitoring equipment. The virtual assistant leverages data already being collected by the device's built-in sensors, enabling the system to authenticate users and detect unauthorized access attempts using self-generated data
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents unauthorized manipulation of virtual assistants by third parties or children while ensuring user privacy without the need for full monitoring, enhancing safety and security in interactions with voice-controlled digital assistants.
Implementation Method 1
controlling, in a first operation mode, at least one sensor to sense a physical quantity... the physical quantity is an air pressure in the environment of the agent device
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for a virtual assistant is provided. The method includes controlling, in a first operation mode, at least one sensor to sense a physical quantity. Further, the method includes receiving, in the first operation mode, sensor data indicative of the physical quantity from the at least one sensor. Additionally, the method includes processing, in the first operation mode, the sensor data to detect whether the sensor data exhibit a predetermined characteristic. If the predetermined characteristic is detected in the sensor data, the method includes setting the operation mode of the virtual assistant to a second operation mode assigned to the predetermined characteristic.