Mobile Device Location Tracking via Encrypted Head-End Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location tracking systems for mobile devices lack secure data transmission and efficient resource management, as they do not effectively prevent data interception and often rely on outdated location information, with significant computer resource usage in message handling operations.
Innovation Solution
A method that encrypts location data using a shared key between a mobile device and a displaying unit, optimizing resource usage by minimizing data transmission through secure communication networks, ensuring confidentiality and reducing hacking risks, and allowing simultaneous tracking by multiple displaying units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If location data is transmitted without encryption through communication networks, then data transmission simplicity is improved, but security against data interception and hacking is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing encryption keys between the mobile device and the head-end before location data transmission. The key distribution mechanism is set up in advance, allowing secure encryption of location data without complicating the transmission process. This resolves the contradiction by preparing security measures beforehand rather than adding complexity during active transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a master control station stores and manages location information for multiple users, then centralized location management is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location management system by allowing each mobile device to independently encrypt and manage its own location data using device-specific keys. Instead of a single master control station handling all location information, the system divides management responsibilities across multiple encrypted data streams. This reduces central system complexity while maintaining centralized access control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The head-end acts as an intermediary that receives encrypted location data from mobile devices and forwards it to displaying units without needing to decrypt or process the actual location information. This intermediary role maintains centralized management functionality while minimizing the computational complexity and resource consumption at the central station.
3Adaptability or versatility
If location requests are handled by both sender and receiver with multiple message processing operations, then communication flexibility is improved, but computer resource consumption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the encryption and decryption operations from the message handling process, performing them separately before and after transmission. The mobile device encrypts location data before sending, and the displaying unit decrypts after receiving, eliminating the need for both sender and receiver to perform multiple complex message processing operations. This maintains communication flexibility while significantly reducing overall computer resource consumption.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
AI summary
The present invention refers to a method for tracking at least one mobile device (10) onto a remote displaying unit (20) through a mobile switching center (30) connected to the mobile device (10) by a wireless communication network (1 ) and through a head-end (40) linked to the mobile switching center (30) and connected to the displaying unit (20) by a second communication network (2) different to the wireless communication network (1). The mobile device (10) is identified by a mobile device identifier IDM. The displaying unit (20) is identified by a displaying unit identifier IDDisp and is provided with a module (22) for processing messages coming from the head-end (40) identified by a head-end identifier IDHE. The mobile device (10) is provided with a locating unit (16) able to determine its current location and with a communication unit (12) for supporting at least an instant messaging service. The method comprising: a) an initialization phase including the steps of: - generating a key K and encrypting it with a password PW shared between the displaying unit (20) and the mobile device (10), - setting up, in a memory (13) of the mobile device (10), a first record R1 IDdisp referring to the displaying unit identifier IDDisp and comprising, the head- end identifier IDHE and the key K, b) an operating phase including the steps of: - determining the current location of the mobile device (10) and encrypting the current location by using the key K, - transmitting the mobile device identifier IDM and the encrypted current location to the displaying unit (10) by sending a message successively addressed to the mobile switching center (30), to the head-end (40) and to the displaying unit (20) by means of their respective identifiers, - decrypting the encrypted current location with the key K and displaying this location onto the displaying unit (20).