Anonymizing Location Data via Intermediary Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for providing location data using mobile devices are either cumbersome, requiring manual management of location services or risky, as users must trust applications with their location data, and do not offer a seamless way to provide anonymized location information while still accessing location-based services.
Innovation Solution
A system that receives a location request from an application server, defines a geographic cell based on user settings, identifies and selects a participating device within that cell, and routes the request to the selected device to provide anonymized location data, allowing users to opt-in for anonymized location services while still using location-based applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users provide their actual location data to access location-based services, then service functionality is improved, but user privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location service provider as an intermediary between users and location-based services. This intermediary collects, anonymizes, and manages location data, allowing users to access services without directly exposing their actual location to service providers. The intermediary acts as a buffer that protects user privacy while enabling service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates anonymized location data as a copy of the actual location information. Instead of sharing real location coordinates, the system generates fictitious location data that preserves the statistical and spatial characteristics needed for location-based services while removing personally identifiable information. This copy serves the same functional purpose without compromising privacy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If users manually manage location services to protect privacy, then privacy control is improved, but system complexity and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated privacy protection mechanisms that operate without user intervention. The system automatically anonymizes location data, manages privacy settings, and controls data sharing based on user preferences. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually manage complex privacy controls while maintaining their privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs anonymization and privacy protection actions in advance, before location data is shared with services. By pre-processing location data to remove identifying information and establishing privacy protocols beforehand, the system eliminates the need for users to continuously manage privacy settings during service usage.
3Measurement precision
If actual location data is shared with applications, then service accuracy is improved, but security risks and trust requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces actual location data with anonymized location copies that maintain the spatial and statistical properties necessary for accurate location-based services. These anonymized copies contain no personally identifiable information, thereby eliminating security risks associated with sharing real location data while preserving service accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The location service provider acts as a secure intermediary that handles all location data processing. This intermediary implements security measures, data protection protocols, and controlled access mechanisms, eliminating the need for users to directly trust individual applications with their location information. The intermediary centralizes security management and reduces trust requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches presented herein enable servicing a location request for a user device by providing anonymized location data. Specifically, a location request for a user device is received from an application server associated with a location-based/location-tracking application. Based on an application setting option associated with the location-based/location-tracking application, a geographic cell is defined. A set of available participating devices within the geographic cell is identified. A participating device is selected from the set of available participating devices. The location request is routed to the selected participating device, wherein the selected participating device forwards a location of the selected participating device to the application server.