Location monitoring method

Abstract

The invention relates to a location monitoring method comprising carrying out, by means of a portable electronic device in a user's possession, with a geolocator, a biometric reader and a connection to an external server, the steps of: - issuing periodically, or according to actions of the user or the device, an identification request to the user by means of the device; - identifying the user by means of the biometric reader; - linking the user position detected by the geolocator to the identification; - sending, in encrypted form, the user position and the moment of identification to the server, with an optional delay in the user response; - storing information linked to the identification, position and moment in the server and in a blockchain; - enabling the production of a report that reflects, during a given time period, the days spent in different jurisdictions and the regions thereof, to determine physical residence or for any other purpose aimed at monitoring stay in a place linked to an identity and moment.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Location control method

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] This application refers to a method of controlling a user's location, which allows validating their identity and presence at a specific time and place, initially intended as an application to tax matters, but also as a way to control other conditions (restraining orders, minors...) where it is important to control identity at a specific time and place.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] The prior art includes methods for monitoring a person's presence in a location, whether for security purposes, tax matters, or any other situation where the objective is to prove identity—that is, a person's presence—at a specific time and place. For example, the use of GPS bracelets or wristbands is known. This system has its uses, but also its drawbacks. These types of systems are bulky and have a very limited range of applications, given that no user would want to use them due to the association of such devices with criminal activity.

[0007] In the area of ​​tax matters, US2021073929 describes a method for retrospectively demonstrating a person's tax residency. US2011256845 discloses a similar method designed to determine the applicable tax rates based on a person's location. This system has its flaws and can only be used by government agencies due to the significant processing involved. It cannot be used by individuals to actively demonstrate their tax residency.

[0008] The applicant is unaware of any method similar to the invention.

[0009] BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention relates to a method for monitoring a user's location that validates their identity and presence at a specific time and place, thereby allowing, for a given period, the recording of days spent in different locations, whether countries, regions, or even specific places; helping, for example, to determine stays for the purpose of calculating tax residency. To this end, it implements a method according to the claims. Its embodiments improve upon and resolve problems in the art.

[0011] The method for validating identity at a specific time and place relies on a portable electronic device in the user's possession, with minimal technical requirements: a camera, geolocation (usually GPS), and an internet connection. The method will typically be implemented as an application (app), although other implementation methods are possible.

[0012] The most preferred version of the method uses services that enable geolocation, precise time-tracking, biometric identification, and other related data. This data is then encrypted and stored on servers and the blockchain. This process generates records accessible only to the user, but not editable, and which serve as legal evidence. The stages of this method are as follows:

[0013] - Download the software that runs the method and register as a user, ensuring that it learns how to recognize the user by their biometric characteristics. This may require a trusted authority to verify the user's identity.

[0014] The device itself, along with the applied technology, periodically detects events that trigger a registration requirement and sends an identity validation request, generating a record that includes at least the user's identity, time, and location. This event is triggered by: changing country / region, turning on the mobile device, connecting after losing signal, activating airplane mode, random validation requests from the system, or by the user's voluntary request, as well as other events that activate the method. The user must complete this biometric validation for valid daily records to be generated, meaning records that verify presence, time, and location at a minimum. If the user does not validate their identity, the record will be generated without it. Additionally, the user can attach files of various formats to this record before it is encrypted.Examples of files can be photographs, which are dated and located (useful in an expert report or inspection), contracts... The set of all records forms a temporal history that provides a specific number of days of stays in countries and regions, or even in specific places between the dates analyzed.

[0015] The collected records can be exported by the user to a third party for report generation. Optionally, the third party has access to the stored records and / or their encryption, securely stored on the blockchain.

[0016] The report received by the professional can be supplemented with comments, documents and files that you wish to add.

[0017] Finally, a report is obtained with the records and their verification methods with respect to the original proof, as well as verification of the block in the blockchain that has been stored.

[0018] All original data is stored on the user's device and encrypted on the servers. This ensures the system provides backups to the user in case of any device malfunction or replacement, as well as for any records pending submission to the blockchain for final storage.

[0019] All records are encrypted before being recorded on the blockchain, thus maintaining total privacy but allowing comparison between the original data and the data stored on the blockchain at any time.

[0020] In general, the process incorporates the following stages:

[0021] - Issue, periodically or based on user or device actions that require it, an identification request to the user through the device. The identification being biometric.

[0022] - Associate the user's position detected by the geolocation device with the identification.

[0023] - Perform the corresponding internal tests on the system to detect possible manipulation of the location by the user through the use of external applications that exist for that purpose.

[0024] - Send an encrypted file with associated information: at a minimum, the user's identification (or not), the date and time, and location, optionally along with any files the user wishes to attach to the server at that moment. The information sent encrypted can be complete or a hash function.

[0025] - Store the encrypted file on the server and in the blockchain.

[0026] The automated method uses a randomized frequency to ensure the user is not always expected to be identified at the same time, thus preventing fraud. The method can also be activated at the user's request or by the occurrence of specific, predetermined, or programmed events.

[0027] The user has a specific amount of time after each request or validation requirement from the system. Once this time has elapsed without a response, a record will be generated without identity validation.

[0028] The rest of the memoir describes other specific achievements.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] Figures are not considered necessary for understanding the invention.

[0031] MODES OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

[0032] Next, a brief description is given of one way of carrying out the invention, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

[0033] The implementation example starts with a portable electronic device, such as a phone or smartwatch. This device includes a geolocation sensor and a biometric reader, which could be a camera. The biometric reader could be a fingerprint reader, a facial recognition camera, an iris recognition camera, or any other system that verifies the user's identity. The device connects to an external server, for example, via the internet.

[0034] The device also includes programming to execute the method.

[0035] The method involves periodically sending the user a series of identification requests via their device. The user must identify themselves by completing biometric validation. At that point, a timestamp and geolocation data are added, along with any files the user chooses to attach (such as photos of the surroundings or nearby people, or any other type of file). All of this data is encrypted for storage on the server and on a blockchain system.

[0036] The frequency of requests is continuous, without variations throughout the monitored period. However, additional or alternative requests may occur when any of the predefined events take place, at the user's request, or through random daily requests from the system at different times so the user doesn't know when they will receive the request, or at a predetermined time. For the purpose of quantifying stays for tax residency purposes, a daily frequency will be used, randomly, or at least twice a day. A request will also occur when any of the predefined events requiring validation take place, including, but not limited to: change of country or region (detected by the geolocation device), turning off the geolocation device (using the last known location), airplane mode, and turning on the mobile device, which will require user validation.

[0037] Since the identification is biometric, the user cannot give their device to a second person to impersonate them.

[0038] Additionally, the method includes a series of internal tests to detect the possible installation of computer applications by the user in order to artificially modify the terminal's position at the time of registration.

[0039] In order to provide the privacy that every user needs, the following options are permitted, which, even when exercised, do not compromise the integrity of some of the purposes for which the data has been collected:

[0040] Possibility of requesting validation at a specific time

[0041] Possibility to manually turn off tracking, if applicable leaving an encrypted record of geolocation, time and duration.

[0042] Ability to turn off tracking during a predetermined time frame.

[0043] The option to request time and location validation in response to requests from certain jurisdictions worldwide. When exporting to a third party, it is possible to exclude records, provided the following two rules are met: Records (responses to requests) lacking identity validation can never be omitted. There must be at least one record per country, region, or specific location.

[0044] The above rules are those that allow the integrity of the information obtained for the purposes of the intended objective: control of days in countries or regions for the purposes of tax residence.

[0045] The third party processing the report will in turn be able to filter the records again, ensuring compliance with the above rules.

[0046] All comments and files added by the third party are clearly differentiated in the final report issued to prevent them from being understood as source information.

[0047] The system has mechanisms that allow a third party to verify the accuracy of the report's content, for example, using the code stored in the blockchain system.

Claims

CLAIMS 1- A method for controlling the location of a user, characterized in that it comprises performing, by means of a portable electronic device in the possession of the user, with a geolocator, a biometric reader and a connection to an external server, the steps of: periodically issuing or based on actions of the user or the device, an identification request to the user by means of the device; attempting to identify the user by means of the biometric reader; associating to a response to the request: at least, the time of response, the position of the user detected in the geolocator and the result of the identification attempt; sending in encrypted form to the server information associated with the position, the time, the result of the attempt; Store the result of the identification attempt, position, and date. 2- Location control method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the periodicity is at least daily.

3. Location control method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the actions that produce the issuance of a request include changes in the location of the device. 4- Location control method, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a random variation in periodicity. 5- Location control method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system uses information encryption technology on the server and information storage by means of blockchain.