Cross-Device IP Matching for Precise Network Device Location
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IP address matching systems are unable to precisely locate a device based solely on its public IP address, as they only provide general geographical region information.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the location of a network device with a specific IP address by cross-referencing historical location data from other devices associated with the same IP address, using device profiles that include activity and location data to pinpoint the device's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If public IP address location methods are used, then general geographical region information is provided, but precise device location cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile device location data as an intermediary to bridge the gap between IP address and actual device location. By collecting location information from mobile devices that connect to the same network, the system can infer the location of devices without direct location capabilities, thus achieving precise location determination while maintaining IP address anonymity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of location information by associating IP addresses with location data from multiple mobile devices. Instead of directly tracking the target device, the system copies location patterns from associated mobile devices to infer the location of devices like televisions that don't report their own location, achieving precise location through data replication
2Measurement precision
If cross-device IP address matching is implemented, then precise location determination is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination process into distinct modules: IP address collection, mobile device location data collection, association logic, and location inference. By dividing the complex task into separate functional segments, the system manages complexity through modular architecture while achieving precise location determination
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-collecting and storing location data from mobile devices before the actual location determination is needed. By building up an database of device-location associations in advance, the system simplifies the real-time location inference process, reducing computational complexity during actual use
Data Source
AI summary
A cross-device IP address matching system is disclosed that receives a public IP address associated with a particular transmission of digital content and furthermore determines computing devices associated with the public IP address. The system receives data from one or more applications downloaded onto the computing devices, where the data is processed to identify behavioral characteristics corresponding to the computing devices and their corresponding users. The system generates longitudinal profiles for the computing devices based on the received data and the identified behavioral characteristics. The data received from one or more applications includes public IP addresses through which the respective computing devices and applications routed internet communications. In response to receiving a pubic IP address associated with a particular transmission of digital content, the system compares the public IP address to IP addresses stored in connection with the device profiles.