Dynamic Cell Identifier Masking for Mobile Network Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geolocation technologies in mobile networks can compromise user privacy as static cell identifiers and location area codes can be used to track users without their knowledge, and existing masking protocols do not provide optimal protection against such privacy violations.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to generate dynamic cell identifiers and location area codes within the mobile network architecture, using a masking module to prevent external actors from resolving these identifiers into geographic coordinates, while allowing authenticated services to access the necessary information for location estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If static cell identifiers and location area codes are used for geolocation, then location tracking capability is improved, but user privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static cell identifiers and location area codes into dynamic identifiers that change over time. The masking module generates dynamic cell identifiers by combining static identifiers with time-varying parameters, ensuring that location tracking cannot rely on fixed identifiers, thus protecting user privacy while maintaining the ability to track location through authenticated services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a masking module as an intermediary component between the network infrastructure and external services. This module dynamically masks static identifiers before they are transmitted to mobile terminals, preventing external actors from directly obtaining location information while allowing authenticated services to access location data through proper authorization channels.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dynamic cell identifiers are generated to protect privacy, then user privacy protection is improved, but network equipment complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the identifier generation process into separate functional modules: a masking module that generates dynamic identifiers from static ones, and a reverse generation module that reconstructs static identifiers from dynamic ones. This segmentation allows each module to perform a specific function, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving privacy protection through dynamic identifier generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of cell identifiers from static to dynamic by introducing time-varying components. The masking module modifies the static identifier parameters using algorithms that incorporate time elements, ensuring that identifiers change periodically or event-driven, thereby protecting privacy without requiring complete system redesign.
3Reliability
If masking module is integrated into network architecture to generate dynamic identifiers, then location security is improved, but information accessibility for authenticated services deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reverse generation module that provides feedback mechanisms to authenticated services. When location information is needed, the reverse generation module can reconstruct the original static identifiers from the dynamic ones, allowing authenticated services to access location data while maintaining security for unauthenticated actors. This feedback loop ensures that information accessibility is preserved for authorized users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels of identifier accessibility to different parts of the system. For external actors and unauthenticated services, identifiers remain dynamically masked and inaccessible. For authenticated services and network infrastructure, the reverse generation module provides the necessary information to reconstruct static identifiers, ensuring location security is maintained while information accessibility is preserved where needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves generating static radiofrequency cell identifiers or static location area codes from dynamic radiofrequency cell identifiers or dynamic location area codes, to ensure translation of the static radiofrequency cell identifiers or the static location area codes to an destination of equipments of a mobile network, using a conceal module (11). The static identifiers or the static codes are generated at the level of a signalization channel, using an inversed generation module (12). The equipments and an operator information system (9) are updated using another conceal module. An independent claim is also included for a device for concealing static radiofrequency cell identifiers or static location area codes.