Location Control Service for Device Theft Deterrence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller data centers and consumer devices are vulnerable to theft due to lack of effective deterrents, as existing security measures are inadequate for devices that are not large enough to be secure by themselves.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a location control service that uses GPS and regional position data to monitor device location, disabling functionality and restricting access if an unauthorized change in location is detected, with authorization from network-based services, peer verification, or key-code validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If location monitoring and control services are implemented, then theft deterrence and data protection are improved, but device complexity and operational restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location control service as an intermediary layer between the device and the user. This service monitors location changes and mediates the response by requesting authorization from the user before allowing location changes, thereby providing theft deterrence without directly controlling device functionality. The intermediary handles the complexity of location monitoring and authorization coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The location control service enables devices to autonomously monitor their own location and automatically request authorization when location changes are detected. The device self-manages the authorization process by presenting the user with authorization requests and enforcing the decisions, reducing the need for external security systems while maintaining protection.
2Loss of information
If location changes require authorization, then data protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring device location and providing real-time authorization requests to the user when location changes are detected. This feedback mechanism ensures data protection by requiring user awareness and consent for location changes, while the user can quickly respond to authorization requests to maintain ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The location control service performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing authorization frameworks and preparing authorization requests before actual location changes occur. The system is configured in advance to monitor location and automatically initiate authorization processes, ensuring data protection is maintained while minimizing operational disruption to the user.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments of a location control service, location data that identifies the location of a device is stored in a memory module, such as secured non-volatile memory or a storage module, of the device along with a timestamp that correlates to local time at the location of the device. A determination is then made as to whether the location of the device has changed. Functionality of the device can be disabled, and access to data stored on the device restricted, when determining that a change in location of the device was not authorized. Alternatively, the location data can be updated to identify a new location of the device when determining that a change in location of the device was authorized.