Dynamic Location Precision Model for Social Posts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for mitigating privacy, security, and safety risks associated with sharing location information on social networking platforms are inadequate in terms of usability, efficiency, and portability, requiring users to opt out of features or avoid using smart devices and platforms altogether.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that inputs social networking posts to a location precision model to dynamically modify location information, publishing a generalized version of the location that becomes more specific over time or distance, thereby improving user privacy and security without altering interactions with social networking platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If users opt out of location sharing features to mitigate privacy risks, then user privacy and security are improved, but usability and functionality of social networking platforms are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy riskVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated location modification system that acts as an intermediary between the user's location data and the social networking platform. This system automatically generalizes or obfuscates location information before posting, protecting user privacy without requiring the user to manually opt out of location sharing features or alter their interaction with the platform

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service privacy protection by automatically detecting, modifying, and protecting location information in user posts without requiring user intervention. The automated system continuously monitors and adjusts location data, enabling users to maintain both privacy and full platform functionality simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If users manually censor location information in posts, then privacy risks are reduced, but time consumption and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy riskVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically modifying location information before the user publishes their post. The automated location generalization occurs in advance, eliminating the need for users to manually censor or review location data in their posts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system autonomously handles location information protection without requiring user time or effort. The automated detection and modification processes run in the background, freeing users from manual privacy management tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If users avoid using smart devices and social networking platforms, then privacy and security risks are eliminated, but user experience and social connectivity are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity riskVSAvoidplatform functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The automated location modification system serves as a protective intermediary that enables users to safely engage with social networking platforms. By automatically protecting location data, the system eliminates the need for users to avoid these platforms, maintaining both security and full platform adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If precise location information is shared in real-time, then user experience and social documentation are enhanced, but privacy and safety risks are maximized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocial documentation efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by differentiating between the quality of location information shared and the quality of user experience maintained. It selectively modifies only the location data portion of posts, preserving all other aspects of social documentation while applying privacy protection specifically where needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters of location information by automatically adjusting the precision and granularity of location data. It dynamically modifies location parameters such as geographic coordinates, address details, or location descriptors to reduce identifiability while maintaining the social documentation function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11223591B2Dynamically modifying shared location information
Publication Date: 2022.01.11 MAPLEBEAR INC
  • US11223591B2 patent drawing
  • US11223591B2 patent drawing
  • US11223591B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Described are techniques for modifying a shareable location in shared posts. The techniques including a method comprising inputting a social networking post received from a user device to a location precision model executing as an application on the user device, and where the social networking post is associated with a first time and a shareable location. The method further comprises outputting, by the location precision model, a modified shareable location. The method further comprises transmitting the social networking post to a social networking system with a modified shareable location, wherein the modified shareable location is a generalized version of the shareable location.