Host Location via Gateway Proximity and Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the geographic location of network entities, especially those not directly associated with a wireless network, are often inaccurate due to frequent IP address changes and insufficient precision of IP-based geo-location services, which is a challenge for location-based services (LBS) requiring more precise location data.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves identifying gateways communicatively coupled to hosts, determining their geographic location based on proximity relationships with localizable entities, and using a location server to process location reports from hosts to estimate their geographic location, incorporating techniques like triangulation for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IP-based geo-location services are used to determine the location of network entities, then the method is simple to implement, but the location accuracy deteriorates to city-level precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary entity between the host and the location determination system. The gateway, which has a known location, serves as a mediator to enable indirect location determination. By resolving packets through the gateway and using its known position, the system achieves accurate location data without requiring direct GPS or complex wireless infrastructure at the host level.
2Measurement precision
If triangulation using multiple base stations is used to determine host location, then location accuracy improves, but device complexity and system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location determination function from the host device and relocates it to the gateway infrastructure. Instead of requiring the host to perform complex triangulation calculations using multiple base stations, the system extracts the location data determination to the gateway level, where the gateway's known location is used to resolve packet destinations and determine host positions more simply.
3Measurement precision
If GPS devices are deployed in all end-user devices to achieve high location accuracy, then location precision improves, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of location determination capability at the gateway level. Instead of requiring physical GPS hardware in every host device, the system copies the location determination function to the gateway infrastructure. The gateway maintains a database of known locations and resolves host positions based on packet routing information, providing accurate location data without requiring expensive GPS devices in each end-user device.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to determining the geographic location of network entities. An embodiment is a method of determining the geographic location of a host including, identifying at least one gateway communicatively coupled to the host, determining a geographic location of the at least one gateway based upon a proximity relationship between the gateway and a localizable entity, and determining the geographic location of the host based upon the determined geographic location of the at least one gateway. Another embodiment is a method for a host to determine its geographic location by determining reachability information to communicatively coupled network entities, sending the reachability information to a location server, and by receiving geographic location information from the location server.