Mobile Location Service Authorization Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of modern mobile devices are concerned about the sharing of their location data with third parties, and existing technologies lack mechanisms to effectively manage and protect user privacy regarding location service access.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that allows applications to specify location service authorization types through an API, providing users with customizable authorization dialogs and settings to control how their location data is used, with options for continuous updates based on application usage or always, and displaying status indicators for location service usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If applications can access location service continuously, then location data availability is improved, but user privacy protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation data availabilityVSAvoiduser privacy risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic authorization that changes based on application state. The location service transitions between different authorization levels (when-in-use vs. always) depending on whether the application is actively being used by the user, creating a flexible privacy model that adapts to current context rather than using static permissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the authorization parameter based on application usage state. When the application moves from foreground to background or is terminated, the authorization parameter dynamically changes from 'always allowed' to 'only when in use', thereby controlling data flow based on operational parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If location service provides continuous updates to all applications, then service functionality is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation service functionalityVSAvoidmobile device energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous location updates for all applications, the system implements periodic action by only providing location data when the application is actively in use. The location service periodically checks application state and only transmits data during active periods, eliminating continuous background data transmission and associated energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If applications can specify custom authorization dialogs, then user control is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control over location dataVSAvoidauthorization management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary authorization dialog system that mediates between the application and the user. This dialog serves as a communication bridge that presents authorization options in a user-friendly manner while managing the underlying complexity of different authorization types and application requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11706584B2Location service management

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 APPLE INC

AI summary

An application manager of a mobile device can provide a user with the ability to control whether an application can use location information provided by a location subsystem of the mobile device. The application can request a current location of the mobile device and the location subsystem can provide the location of the mobile device in accordance with a location services authorization type that is assigned to the application.