Mobile Device Location Preferences Module for Selective Tracking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional indoor positioning systems lack user control over location tracking, compromising privacy as users cannot selectively choose when and by whom their location data is used, especially with multiple location network infrastructure providers.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a location preferences module that transmits tracking preferences with signal transmissions, allowing users to specify which location networks or providers can determine their location, using identifiers to differentiate permissions for different networks and providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile device transmits signals for location determination in a network-centric positioning system, then the location can be determined by the positioning system, but the user has no control over who can use the location data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating tracking permissions for different location networks and providers. The mobile device includes provider-specific tracking preferences in its signals, allowing different permission levels for different providers rather than a uniform approach. This resolves the contradiction by enabling location determination while giving users granular control over which providers can access their location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the location tracking permission into provider-specific preferences. Instead of a single blanket permission, the system divides tracking consent into multiple independent preferences, one for each location network or provider. This allows the device to maintain location determination capability while restricting access to specific providers, thus resolving the privacy concern.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the mobile device includes provider identifiers and tracking preferences in signal transmissions, then users can selectively control location tracking by different providers, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by using a standardized signal structure that can carry multiple types of information (provider identifiers, tracking preferences, and other communication data) within the same transmission framework. This multi-functional approach allows the device to convey detailed provider-specific preferences without requiring separate communication channels for each provider, thus managing complexity while enabling fine-grained privacy control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If location tracking is completely switched off to preserve privacy, then no location data can be used by any provider, but the device becomes completely unlocatable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making location tracking permission flexible and adjustable per provider rather than static and all-or-nothing. The mobile device can dynamically enable or disable tracking for specific providers based on user preferences, allowing the system to adapt between complete privacy protection and full location determination capability as needed, rather than being locked into either extreme.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a mobile device is located using a signal sent out from the mobile device to nodes of a location network, and the mobile device also sends a tracking preference associated with the signal. This specifies whether a location network is permitted to use the signal to determine the mobile's location, and/or whether a provider of a location related service associated with a location network is permitted to make use of the location. In embodiments the preference may be tagged with the ID of a particular provider. In another aspect, the localization is based on measurements taken by a mobile terminal of signals sent from the nodes, and the nodes also send out an identifier with the signal identifying a provider of a location related service associated with the network. The mobile device can then use this identifier to determine who to share its measurements or location with.