Adaptive Location Grid for User Anonymity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In densely populated areas, precise location sharing for local searches reveals user privacy, while in sparsely populated areas, low resolution searches are sufficient but may not maintain anonymity.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine a reduced resolution location based on estimated population density using a grid overlay, which generates a less precise location for improved user anonymity in local searches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If precise user location is used for local searches, then search accuracy is improved, but user privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the location precision dynamically based on the local population density. In densely populated areas, higher precision is used since many users are in the same location anyway, while in sparsely populated areas, lower precision is used to protect user anonymity. This resolves the contradiction by making the location precision adaptive to the local context rather than uniformly high or low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the location resolution based on estimated population density of the geographic area. The location data is transformed from precise coordinates to a reduced resolution representation that varies depending on the density characteristics of the area, allowing the system to optimize between accuracy and privacy in real-time based on environmental conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If reduced resolution location is used to protect privacy, then user anonymity is improved, but search accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different levels of location resolution are applied to different geographic areas based on their population density characteristics. Urban areas with high density receive higher resolution treatment while rural areas with low density receive lower resolution treatment, ensuring that search accuracy is maintained where needed while privacy is protected where sufficient anonymity already exists naturally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of location data based on the population density parameter of the geographic area. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves an optimal balance between privacy protection and search functionality, transforming location precision to match the requirements of each specific geographic context.
Data Source
AI summary
Reduced resolution location determination for improved anonymity of a user location is disclosed. In some implementations, a first location of a computing device operating in a geographic area is determined. A population density of the geographic area is estimated. A grid overlay is generated, including a number of cells based on the estimated population density. Using the grid overlay, a second location is generated for the computing device that is less precise than the first location. The less precise second location can be used in a local search or other application to improve the anonymity of the user location.