Dynamic Pseudo-MAC Addressing for Wi-Fi Location Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Wi-Fi-based indoor positioning systems fail to protect user location privacy as they use fixed MAC addresses, allowing tracking of users and exposing their location.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a wireless terminal sends an identifier update notification message to an access point to update its identifier periodically or aperiodically, ensuring that the identifier in subsequent messages is not fixed, thereby preventing location tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed MAC address is used for identification in Wi-Fi positioning, then the positioning system can reliably identify and track terminals, but the user's location privacy is exposed and can be traced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the terminal identifier dynamic instead of fixed. The system generates and updates pseudo-MAC addresses periodically or based on specific triggers, so the identifier changes over time. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable identification (the AP can still track the terminal through continuous identifier updates) while preventing location privacy exposure (external observers cannot trace the terminal's movement pattern with changing identifiers).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the Parameter changes principle by changing the identifier parameter from a fixed MAC address to a dynamically generated pseudo-MAC address. The system modifies the identifier's value and validity period parameters, creating a new identifier with different characteristics each time it is updated. This allows the system to maintain identification reliability while protecting location privacy through parameter transformation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If identifier updates are performed frequently to protect privacy, then location tracking is prevented, but the system complexity and message overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Periodic action principle by implementing periodic identifier updates at predetermined intervals or based on trigger events. Instead of continuous or overly frequent updates, the system refreshes the pseudo-MAC address at specific periods, balancing privacy protection with system simplicity. This periodic mechanism prevents location tracking while avoiding the complexity of continuous identifier regeneration and management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the Self-service principle by enabling the terminal to autonomously generate and manage its own pseudo-MAC addresses without requiring complex external coordination. The terminal itself performs the identifier updates and manages the validity periods, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining effective privacy protection through self-managed periodic updates.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dynamic identifier is used instead of a fixed MAC address, then location privacy is protected, but the terminal identification and message routing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Intermediary principle by introducing an identifier mapping mechanism where the access point acts as a mediator between the dynamic pseudo-MAC addresses and the terminal's real identity. The AP maintains the correspondence between changing identifiers and the actual terminal, simplifying message routing by handling the identifier translation internally. This allows privacy protection through dynamic identifiers while maintaining ease of operation through the intermediary's management of identifier mappings.
Data Source
AI summary
A location privacy protection method includes generating an identifier update notification message to be sent to at least one access point, where the identifier update notification message includes a first identifier of a wireless terminal, to indicate that the identifier update notification message is to be sent by the wireless terminal. The identifier update notification message further includes second identifier information of the wireless terminal. The method further includes sending the identifier update notification message, so that the access point acquires a second identifier according to the second identifier information, and uses the second identifier as an identifier of the wireless terminal; and sending a subsequent message including the second identifier to the access point, to indicate that the subsequent message is sent by the wireless terminal.