Masking biometric markers by sensor path control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11544360-B2
Application number	US-201916526428-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 30, 2019
Priority date	Jul 30, 2019
Publication date	Jan 3, 2023
Grant date	Jan 3, 2023

Abstract

In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus that controls sensor paths for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a second device. The apparatus obtains first sensor data that includes a biometric marker associated with a user. The apparatus controls sensor paths by obtaining the first sensor data using sensors on the second device, on the apparatus, and/or on a supplemental functional device. The apparatus further generates second sensor data by masking the biometric marker associated with the user in the first sensor data. The apparatus additionally controls the sensor paths by providing the second sensor data from the first apparatus to the second device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
at a first apparatus including a housing arranged to hold a second device:
obtaining, from a sensor path associated with the second device, first sensor data that includes a biometric marker distinct to a user;
obtaining second sensor data by masking the biometric marker distinct to the user in the first sensor data;
determining whether or not a communication path between the second device and a remote source is secure; and
providing the second sensor data to the sensor path associated with the second device for communication to the remote source in accordance with a determination that the communication path from the second device to the remote source is not secure.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric marker distinct to the user identifies one or more of characteristics or status of the user.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein masking the biometric marker distinct to the user in the first sensor data includes:
determining an appropriate level of obfuscation; and
masking the biometric marker in accordance with the appropriate level of obfuscation.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein masking the biometric marker distinct to the user in the first sensor data includes degrading one or more of reception by or transmission of the first sensor data.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the first sensor data includes:
receiving from the second device, using a local communication channel, the first sensor data recorded by a sensor on the second device.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising establishing a first channel between the first apparatus and the second device, wherein the first channel includes a seal that at least partially blocks data collection by the second device from outside the first channel.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:
obtaining the first sensor data includes obtaining the first sensor data using a sensor on the first apparatus; and
providing the second sensor data to the sensor path associated with the second device includes providing the second sensor data from the first apparatus to the second device through the first channel.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising establishing a second channel between the first apparatus and a third apparatus, wherein obtaining the first sensor data includes obtaining through the second channel the first sensor data, which is collected using a sensor on the third apparatus.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting the first sensor data to a first remote source through a secure channel; and
facilitating transmitting the second sensor data to the remote source different from the first remote source.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
authenticating the user based on the first sensor data; and
allowing or denying access to the second device based on whether or not the user is authenticated.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor data or the second sensor data includes one or more of sound, image, motion, biometry, chemical, location, or telemetry data.

12. An apparatus comprising:
a housing arranged to hold a second device;
a masking engine stored in a non-transitory memory, at least partially supported by the housing, operable to:
obtain, from a sensor path associated with the second device, first sensor data that includes a biometric marker distinct to a user;
obtain second sensor data by masking the biometric marker distinct to the user in the first sensor data;
determine whether or not a communication path between the second device and a remote source is secure; and
provide the second sensor data to the sensor path associated with the second device for communication to the remote source in accordance with a determination that the communication path from the second device to the remote source is not secure.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the biometric distinct to the user identifies one or more of characteristics or status of the user.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein masking the biometric marker distinct to the user in the first sensor data includes:
determining an appropriate level of obfuscation; and
masking the biometric marker in accordance with the appropriate level of obfuscation.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein masking the biometric marker distinct to the user in the first sensor data includes degrading one or more of reception by or transmission of the first sensor data.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein obtaining the first sensor data includes:
receiving from the second device, using a local communication channel, the first sensor data recorded by a sensor on the second device.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a seal, wherein the seal at least partially blocks data collection by the second device from outside a first channel between the first apparatus and the second device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein:
obtaining the first sensor data includes obtaining the first sensor data using a sensor on the first apparatus; and
providing the second sensor data to the sensor path associated with the second device includes providing the second sensor data from the first apparatus to the second device through the first channel.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising at least one connector to a third apparatus, wherein the at least one connector is connectable to the apparatus and operable to establish a second channel between the first apparatus and a third apparatus, and obtaining the first sensor data includes obtaining through the second channel the first sensor data, which is collected using a sensor on the third apparatus.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a remote communication device at least partially supported by the housing, wherein the remote communication device is operable to:
transmit the first sensor data to a first remote source through a secure channel; and
facilitate transmitting the second sensor data to the remote source different from the first remote source.

Assignees

• Ppip Llc

Inventors

• Fong Michael
• Fong Nerie Hsin-Wu
• Thomas Teddy David

Classifications

• G06V40/15

  Biometric patterns based on physiological signals, e.g. heartbeat, blood flow · CPC title

• G06F21/606

  by securing the transmission between two devices or processes · CPC title

• G06V40/53

  Measures to keep reference information secret, e.g. cancellable biometrics · CPC title

• G06F21/6245

  Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes · CPC title

• G06F21/32 Primary

  using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints · CPC title