Mobile Content Filtering via Location and Presence Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging technologies do not effectively manage access to message content based on user location or presence status, leading to potential exposure of inappropriate content to unintended viewers.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for selectively filtering message content on a mobile device using location and presence status-based filtering rules, where inappropriate content is modified to be indiscernible at specific locations or presence statuses and made available when the device reaches a designated safe location or status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If message content is freely accessible without filtering, then ease of operation is improved, but security and privacy are worsened due to potential exposure of inappropriate content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic message filtering that automatically adjusts based on the user's current location and presence status. The system transitions between different filtering states (filtered vs. unfiltered) depending on whether the device is at a safe location or unsafe location, and whether the user is in a safe presence status or unsafe presence status. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system both secure (when needed) and convenient (when safe).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the filtering parameter based on location and presence status conditions. When the device detects an unsafe location or unsafe presence status, it activates content filtering mode; when safe conditions are detected, it switches to unfiltered mode. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain security only when necessary, preserving ease of operation when conditions permit.
2Reliability
If location-based filtering is implemented to prevent inappropriate content exposure, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional location monitoring and filtering mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message content filtering application as an intermediary layer between the message receiving mechanism and the user interface. This intermediary application handles the complexity of location monitoring, presence status detection, and content filtering logic, while presenting a simple user experience. The filtering application acts as a mediator that manages the complex interactions between location services, presence status, and message content without requiring the user to directly engage with these complex systems.
3Reliability
If content is filtered at unsafe locations, then privacy is improved, but loss of information occurs as appropriate content may be hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering system dynamically adjusts content availability based on real-time location and presence status conditions. When the device transitions from an unsafe location to a safe location, or from an unsafe presence status to a safe presence status, the system automatically unfilters the content and makes it available to the user. This dynamic approach ensures that information is hidden only when necessary for privacy protection, and restored when conditions become safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary filtering action to protect privacy at unsafe locations, but this filtering is designed to be reversible. When safe conditions are detected, the system automatically removes the filtering action, restoring full content availability. This preliminary anti-action approach temporarily sacrifices information availability to protect privacy, but ensures no permanent loss of information occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for selectively filtering message content received at a mobile device based upon a current location of the mobile device and/or a user's presence status and devices configured to selectively filter message content based upon a location of the mobile device and/or a user's presence status.