Voice Interface Privacy Switching Based on Ambient Voice Trust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voice interfaces for computing devices pose privacy concerns as private user interactions can be overheard by others, especially when ambient voices are not trusted or unknown, leading to potential exposure of sensitive information.
Innovation Solution
A privacy tool that detects ambient voices and adjusts communication channels based on trust levels, shifting from audio to visual, haptic, or biometric modes when untrusted or unknown voices are detected, using proximity and device association to determine privacy levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice interface is used for computing device interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates due to potential overheard sensitive information
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the communication channel based on real-time detection of ambient voices and trust assessments. When untrusted voices are detected, the system transitions from audio output to visual display or haptic feedback, making the privacy protection adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of voice operation while dynamically preventing privacy exposure only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary privacy tool that sits between the voice interface and the output channel. This intermediary monitors the environment, assesses trust levels of nearby voices, and mediates the selection of appropriate output channels (audio, visual, or haptic). This intermediary layer enables voice operation convenience while filtering out privacy risks through intelligent channel selection.
2Ease of operation
If audio channel is used for communication, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases due to audible exposure of sensitive data
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of information delivery channel based on environmental conditions. When privacy risk is detected, the output channel parameter switches from audio (prone to exposure) to visual display or haptic feedback (private channels). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation through voice input while preventing information loss through adaptive channel selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of ambient voice detection into a benefit by using the detected voices as triggers to switch to more private communication channels. The presence of untrusted voices, which would normally cause privacy loss, instead triggers a channel switch to visual or haptic output, thereby converting the harmful situation into an opportunity to enhance privacy protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If privacy protection measures are implemented, then privacy protection is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple communication channels
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device utilizes existing multi-functional capabilities (audio output, visual display, haptic feedback) that are already present in modern devices. The privacy tool orchestrates these existing functions rather than introducing entirely new hardware. This universal approach resolves the contradiction by implementing privacy protection through coordinated use of existing multi-functional components, minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The privacy tool operates autonomously by automatically detecting ambient voices, assessing trust levels, and selecting appropriate output channels without requiring user intervention. The system self-manages the complexity of coordinating multiple communication channels, freeing the user from managing privacy settings manually. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by automating privacy protection, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining robust multi-channel capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Various examples described herein are directed to systems and methods for managing an interface between a user and a user computing device. The user computing device may determine that an audio sensor in communication with the user computing device indicates a first command in a user voice of the user, where the first command instructs the user computing device to perform a first task. The user computing device may determine that the audio sensor also indicates a first ambient voice different than the user voice and match the first ambient voice to a first known voice. The user computing device may determine that a second computing device associated with the first known voice is within a threshold distance of the user computing device and select a first privacy level for the first task based at least in part on the first known voice.