Location-Based Service Authorization in Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems lack the ability to restrict multimedia services based on location, leading to issues such as unauthorized video or audio streaming in sensitive areas like stadiums or schools.
Innovation Solution
A system that authorizes services in wireless devices by querying a location service for the device's location during session setup, preventing service enablement if the location is unauthorized, and optionally informing the user or using stored location data for self-determination of service authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wireless systems enable multimedia services without location restrictions, then service availability and user freedom are improved, but unauthorized service usage in restricted areas cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location verification before enabling multimedia services. During session setup, the application server queries the location service to determine if the device is in an authorized location before allowing service activation, preventing unauthorized usage before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary location service and application server that mediates between the wireless device and the multimedia service. This intermediary layer verifies location authorization by comparing device location against restricted area databases, enabling controlled service access without affecting overall system availability
2Reliability
If location-based service authorization is implemented by querying location services during session setup, then unauthorized service usage is prevented, but system complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional components in the wireless network, such as the application server and location service, to perform both their original functions and the additional location verification function. This avoids adding separate dedicated verification systems, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the application server receives location information from the location service, processes it against restricted area criteria, and uses this feedback to determine service authorization. This structured feedback loop provides reliable control while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear information flow
3Measurement precision
If real-time location verification is performed for every service request, then service authorization accuracy is improved, but network traffic and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs location verification as a preliminary step during session setup rather than continuously during service operation. This approach maintains high authorization accuracy by verifying location before service activation while reducing network overhead by avoiding redundant verification during service execution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies location verification selectively based on service type and location sensitivity, rather than uniformly for all services. This partial action approach maintains high authorization accuracy for restricted services while reducing overall network overhead by applying verification only where necessary
Data Source
AI summary
A system for authorizing services in wireless devices based on a type of service requested and a location of the wireless device. For example, in a wireless telephony system, when a session is set up via an Internet Protocol-based system, an application server queries a location service for the location of the handset requesting the service. If the handset or the receiving handset is in a location that is not authorized for the requested service based on the position of the handset, the connection is not enabled. A message may be transmitted to the sending handset to inform a user that the service is not authorized for the location.