Geographic Sensor Data Rules for Privacy-Compliant Package Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

The collection and distribution of sensor data across geographic areas are hindered by varying legal and regulatory restrictions, which existing technologies fail to adequately address, leading to privacy concerns and compliance issues.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for managing sensor data collection and distribution using rule-driven approaches, where sensors consult an information repository to determine compliance with location-specific regulations, restricting or encrypting data collection and access based on geographic location and package-specific rules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If sensor data is collected across multiple geographic areas, then data completeness and analytical value are improved, but compliance with varying legal and regulatory restrictions becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor data volumeVSAvoidcompliance management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments data collection by geographic jurisdiction, applying different data collection rules to different regions. The validator divides the data stream into jurisdiction-specific segments, allowing each segment to be processed according to its local legal requirements while maintaining overall data completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local quality by applying jurisdiction-specific data collection and validation rules to different geographic areas. Each region receives customized data handling based on its local laws, such as different privacy requirements or data retention policies, while the overall system maintains comprehensive data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If location-specific data rules are applied to each data element, then data privacy and compliance are improved, but processing time and system response speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata compliance reliabilityVSAvoiddata processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-validating data elements against jurisdiction rules before data collection occurs. The validator establishes rules and validation criteria in advance, so that when data arrives, compliance checking is rapid rather than requiring real-time analysis of each data element against complex rule sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the validator provides real-time guidance to the data collector about which data elements should be collected in specific jurisdictions. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain high compliance reliability while optimizing processing speed through informed data collection decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If granular data collection rules are enforced, then data privacy protection is improved, but operational flexibility and ease of data collection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata privacy protectionVSAvoiddata collection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling the validator to automatically apply granular data collection rules without requiring manual intervention. The validator autonomously determines which data elements should be collected based on jurisdiction-specific rules, maintaining strong privacy protection while simplifying operational procedures through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting data collection parameters based on the jurisdiction being served. The validator modifies collection rules according to local legal requirements, such as changing data retention periods or privacy standards, allowing the system to maintain granular privacy protection across different regions without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3739492B1Systems and methods for rule-driven management of sensor data across geographic areas and derived actions
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP
  • EP3739492B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3739492B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3739492B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an information gathering method. The information gathering method includes determining (304) a route for delivery of a package from among a plurality of possible routes, each possible route being associated with data collection rules; identifying (306) data collection rules for the route; storing (308) only data collection rules that are applicable for the route; identifying (206) a location of the package, the package being associated with a sensor (102) for collecting data; identifying (208) more than one set of location-based restrictions on collecting data associated with the identified location; determining one set of location-based restrictions that takes precedence over the or each other set of location-based restrictions; and restricting (218) collection of data with the sensor (102) in accordance with the set of location-based restrictions that takes precedence..