Encrypted Identifier Broadcast for Secure Proximity Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for sharing and discovering location in close proximity are inefficient, as they consume significant power and fail to securely share location information only with intended members, risking exposure to unauthorized individuals.
Innovation Solution
A system where a broadcasting user designates an inner circle, sending private keys to members via an identification server, allowing them to decrypt an encrypted identifier broadcast using low-energy signals, ensuring secure proximity detection within the inner circle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional location sharing methods are used, then location information can be shared, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifier information needed for location discovery and transmits it via low-energy broadcasts, separating the critical location data from unnecessary communication overhead. This allows reliable location sharing while minimizing power consumption by transmitting only the minimum required data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from continuous high-power communication to periodic low-power broadcasts. By adjusting the broadcast interval and using energy-efficient transmission modes, the system maintains location sharing reliability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to conventional continuous location updates.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If location information is broadcast openly, then discoverability improves, but security deteriorates as unauthorized individuals can access location data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the receiver group into authorized inner circle members only. By dividing access rights and distributing decryption keys selectively to specific individuals, the system enables discoverability for authorized users while preventing unauthorized access, as each key is tied to a specific authorized recipient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary encryption/decryption mechanism between the broadcaster and receivers. The encrypted identifier acts as an intermediary that only authorized parties with the correct private key can decrypt, thereby maintaining security while enabling discoverability for the intended inner circle members.
3Reliability
If encrypted identifiers are broadcast continuously, then secure proximity detection improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic broadcasting of encrypted identifiers instead of continuous transmission. By sending broadcasts at scheduled intervals rather than continuously, the system maintains reliable secure proximity detection capability while significantly reducing power consumption during battery operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for enabling discovery of a user by a member of an inner circle of the member when the user is in close proximity to the member. An indication is received from a user device indicating members of an inner circle of the user. A private key is sent to the mobile devices of each member of the inner circle. When the user device broadcasts an encrypted identifier, member devices with the private key can decrypt the encrypted identifier, allowing the member to discover that the user is in close proximity. The user can also update membership of the inner circle so that only members presently in the inner circle can discover that the user is in close proximity.