Virtual World Information Storage Security via Local Client Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In virtual world environments, users face security concerns as their created objects and information are stored on servers, making them vulnerable to access by the server hosts, especially during sensitive activities like prototype evaluation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows users to create, transmit, and selectively store virtual world information on a local memory external to the server, enabling users to control access and storage, using a client device with modules for information creation, transmission, and restoration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If information is stored on the server in virtual world environments, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but security and control over sensitive information deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of informationVSAvoidsecurity of sensitive information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments information storage into two distinct locations: server storage for general accessibility and local client device storage for sensitive information. This segmentation allows different types of information to be stored in different locations based on their security requirements, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts sensitive information from the server environment and stores it locally on the client device. This extraction removes the security risk associated with server storage for sensitive information while maintaining the ability to access and use that information in the virtual world environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If information is stored locally on the client device, then security and control are improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidaccessibility of information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that allows local information to be selectively transmitted to and from the virtual world environment. This intermediary process maintains security by keeping information local while enabling accessibility when needed through controlled transmission to the server environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all information is made visible in the virtual world environment, then collaboration and interaction are improved, but security and privacy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration capabilityVSAvoidunauthorized access to information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different information to have different visibility and access characteristics. Sensitive information stored locally maintains privacy and security, while non-sensitive information can be shared in the virtual world environment for collaboration. Each piece of information can be treated differently based on its security requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8938776B2Method and system for user defined local storage of information and objects in a virtual world

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

The invention provides a method and system for securing information for a virtual world environment. The method includes creating information for a virtual world environment, transmitting the information to the virtual world environment from the memory, selectively removing the information from the virtual world environment, and selectively storing the information on a memory external to the server to prevent access from the server.