Location Identity Sharing Controls for Mobile Privacy Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing social media platforms lack the ability to selectively control and manage the sharing of location information of mobile devices, leading to potential privacy concerns and unwanted exposure of user locations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for selectively blocking location identification on mobile devices, allowing users to enable a blocking mode that restricts location sharing for a specified time, location, or proximity, using a graphical user interface to manage privacy settings and prevent location information transmission or display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If location information is shared on social media platforms, then user connectivity and social interaction are improved, but user privacy and security are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation sharing capabilityVSAvoidprivacy exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic location sharing by allowing users to change their location visibility status in real-time through a blocking mode that can be activated or deactivated at any time. The system transitions from static location sharing to dynamic control, where users can temporarily block their location from being displayed to other users while maintaining the ability to share it when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments location sharing control by introducing selective blocking mechanisms that allow users to control visibility to different user groups or individuals. The system divides the location sharing function into shareable and blockable segments, enabling granular control over who can see location information at any given time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If continuous location tracking is enabled, then real-time location accuracy is improved, but user control and privacy management are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidprivacy control
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to dynamically switch between continuous location tracking and blocked states, providing real-time control over location data transmission. Users can activate blocking mode to immediately stop location updates being shared, while maintaining the ability to resume sharing when desired, thus balancing accuracy needs with privacy control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service privacy control by allowing users to independently manage their own location sharing preferences through intuitive interface elements. Users can activate or deactivate blocking mode themselves without requiring administrator intervention, giving them direct control over their location data's visibility and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If location blocking is implemented, then user privacy is improved, but location sharing functionality is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwanted exposureVSAvoidlocation sharing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking mechanism is designed to be dynamic and reversible, allowing users to switch between blocked and unblocked states as needed. This dynamic approach maintains location sharing flexibility by enabling users to restore sharing functionality at any time, thus preventing permanent restriction while providing temporary privacy protection when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12520101B2Selective location-based identity communication
Publication Date: 2026.01.06 SNAP INC
  • US12520101B2 patent drawing
  • US12520101B2 patent drawing
  • US12520101B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for selective location-based identity communication. The systems and methods identify a current location of a mobile computing device and detect a selection of a user interface element associated with the current location. The systems and methods cause presentation of a set of display elements corresponding to the current location and detect selection of a display element of the set of display elements. The systems and methods modify a display characteristic for the current location of the mobile computing device within a set of mobile computing devices based on the selection of the display element.