Location Permission Determination for WLAN-Based Application Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack appropriate methods for determining whether to allow the use of position information services for application programs, particularly when running on certain operating systems like Windows, due to the absence of direct application programming interfaces for acquiring this information.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to determine the use of position information services by using an alternative approach that prompts the user for permission when the direct API is unavailable, ensuring the predetermined app can acquire necessary information for connection settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a direct API is used to acquire position information service usage, then the determination process is simple and efficient, but the system cannot operate on certain operating systems like Windows where such APIs are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary determination process that works across different operating systems. When direct APIs are unavailable (as on Windows), the system uses alternative methods including checking connection settings between devices, analyzing communication patterns, and prompting users for permission. This intermediary approach enables cross-OS compatibility without requiring OS-specific direct APIs.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination process is segmented into multiple independent methods: (1) direct API acquisition when available, (2) connection setting analysis when API is unavailable, (3) user permission prompts as fallback. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different OS environments by activating appropriate segments, thereby improving versatility while keeping each individual segment relatively simple.
2Reliability
If the system prompts users for permission to use position information services, then appropriate user consent is obtained, but the operation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The permission acquisition process is made dynamic by adapting to the OS environment. On systems where direct APIs are available, the system silently obtains permission information without user interaction. On systems where APIs are unavailable, the system dynamically prompts users for permission. This dynamic approach ensures reliable permission acquisition while minimizing time loss in environments where direct APIs exist.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial permission acquisition actions based on available information. When connection settings can indicate position service usage, the system uses that partial information without requiring full user permission prompts. This reduces the time and complexity of permission acquisition while maintaining sufficient reliability for determining whether position information services are allowed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system checks connection settings to determine position information service usage, then it can operate on Windows without direct APIs, but the determination accuracy may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple determination methods to compensate for the lower accuracy of connection setting checks alone. The system combines: (1) connection setting analysis, (2) communication pattern recognition, (3) device proximity detection, and (4) user permission prompts when needed. This merging of multiple indicators restores determination accuracy while maintaining Windows compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the results of connection setting checks are continuously validated against actual communication behaviors. If the determination from connection settings contradicts observed communication patterns, the system adjusts its determination or prompts the user for explicit permission. This feedback loop maintains high determination accuracy even when using indirect methods on Windows.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to more appropriate determination of whether the use of position information service is allowed for application programs. The issue is solved by providing a program for causing a computer to function as an instruction means for instructing a second application program different from a first application program to call a predetermined application programming interface (API) for acquiring predetermined information from an operating system (OS) of an information processing apparatus, the predetermined information being acquired by the information processing apparatus using a wireless local area network (LAN) function.