Voice Assistant Privacy Controller via Selective Data Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intelligent voice assistants transmit user speech and data outside the household without user control, potentially sharing sensitive information that users wish to keep private.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a controller with a device processor and non-transitory computer readable medium to receive user selections for privacy settings and regulate data transmission from the intelligent voice assistant, selectively preventing the transmission of sensitive data based on user-defined parameters such as time, location, presence of individuals, speech characteristics, and content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intelligent voice assistant transmits user speech data outside the household for processing, then the assistant can provide accurate responses to user queries, but user privacy is compromised as sensitive speech information is shared externally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a privacy regulating system as an intermediary component between the voice assistant and external processing centers. This mediator selectively controls data transmission by analyzing speech content against user-defined privacy parameters (time, location, presence, speech characteristics, content) and blocking transmissions that violate privacy settings while allowing legitimate processing to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission control into multiple independent privacy parameters (time, location, presence, speech characteristics, content). Each parameter can be independently configured and enforced, allowing granular control over when and what speech data is transmitted externally, rather than using a single blanket permission or restriction
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system implements comprehensive privacy regulation with multiple parameters (time, location, presence, speech characteristics, content), then user privacy control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy regulating system is designed as a multi-functional controller that simultaneously handles multiple privacy parameters (time, location, presence, speech characteristics, content) within a single integrated device. This universal approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one unified controller, managing diverse privacy control functions through a common architecture
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system selectively blocks data transmission based on privacy settings, then user privacy is protected, but the quantity of data transmitted for processing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial action by selectively transmitting only those speech data portions that comply with privacy settings while blocking others. Rather than transmitting all speech data or blocking all transmissions, the system performs partial transmission based on parameter compliance, sending sufficient data for legitimate processing while filtering out privacy-violating content
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent voice assistant privacy regulating system may include a controller including: a device processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions executable by the device processor to perform the following steps: receiving a selection from a user as to one or more privacy settings limiting the transmission of data from an intelligent voice assistant; and regulating transmissions from the intelligent voice assistant based on the selection.