Distributed Ledger Proximity Records for Spoof-Resistant Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining a user's location, such as GPS, WiFi scanning, and IP address resolution, are not reliable enough to be used as a factor in authentication due to susceptibility to spoofing and privacy concerns, as they often provide circumstantial information that can be easily manipulated or shared with third parties.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a distributed ledger to record and verify proximity records from mobile devices, allowing them to independently post and attest to each other's location information, creating a secure and private proof of location through proximity records shared and received, which are then stored in a distributed ledger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS information is used to determine location, then location data can be obtained, but it can be easily spoofed by injecting GPS coordinates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification system using distributed ledger technology and proximity sensing. Instead of directly trusting GPS coordinates, the system uses intermediate proximity records from multiple devices that can physically verify the location through sensor data (WiFi, Bluetooth, accelerometer, GPS cross-validation). This intermediary layer prevents spoofing because the proximity records create an immutable chain of physical presence evidence that cannot be faked without actual physical co-location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple location determination methods (GPS, WiFi scanning, Bluetooth beacon detection, accelerometer data, gyroscope data) into a unified proximity record system. By combining these diverse data sources and requiring corroboration from multiple independent devices, the system creates overlapping verification layers that make spoofing extremely difficult. The merged data is then hashed and stored on a distributed ledger, further securing against manipulation.
2Reliability
If private location information is shared with third parties for location determination, then location can be determined, but it becomes susceptible to spoofing and privacy breaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential verification elements from full location data. Instead of sharing complete location information with third parties, the system extracts and shares only proximity records - which are cryptographic hashes of location evidence combined with anonymized device identifiers. The actual location coordinates and personal identifiers remain private and are never shared with third-party verification services. This extraction approach maintains verification reliability while protecting privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cryptographic copying where the original location data remains private on the user's device, but a cryptographic hash (copy) of the location evidence is stored on the distributed ledger. This hash copy serves as verifiable proof of location without revealing the actual location coordinates or personal information. The copying mechanism allows verification while preserving privacy through one-way cryptographic functions.
3Ease of operation
If a centralized system is used to verify location, then authentication can be performed, but it creates a single point of failure and trust vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized verification authority into multiple distributed nodes forming a decentralized ledger network. Instead of one central server that could be compromised, the verification function is distributed across many independent nodes that collectively maintain the proximity records. Each node independently validates and stores proximity evidence, eliminating the single point of failure. This segmentation maintains authentication capability while dramatically improving trust security through decentralization.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods and storage media associated with proof of location are disclosed herewith. In embodiments, an apparatus may include communication circuitry configured to communicate with one or more external servers jointly hosting a distributed ledger of proximal device records, and posting circuitry configured to post records of sharing of a proximity record of the apparatus with one or more other apparatuses located proximally to the apparatus, and records of receipts of proximity records of the other proximally located apparatuses from the other proximally located apparatuses, into the distributed ledger. The proximity records posted into the distributed ledger may be used to prove the apparatus's location. Additionally, other embodiments, including a participating host server of a distributed ledger or a server of a product/service provider, are also disclosed.