Mobile Location Privacy via Time-Windowed Sharing and Error Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location sharing systems on mobile devices lack flexibility in balancing location privacy and sharing, often requiring users to either disable location sharing entirely or allow it universally, which may not suit individual privacy needs.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to set specific time and space-based permissions for location sharing, using a location sharing manager to authenticate and validate locations, and apply errors to location data for privacy protection, enabling selective and accurate sharing with different contacts based on relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If location sharing is disabled entirely, then location privacy is protected, but location sharing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments location sharing into multiple independent components: time windows, geographic boundaries, and contact-specific permissions. Users can grant location access to different contacts during different time periods and locations, rather than having a single on/off switch. This allows partial location sharing that protects privacy while maintaining sharing capability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic location sharing where permissions can change over time and space. Time windows define when location sharing is active, geographic boundaries define where sharing occurs, and these parameters can be adjusted independently. This dynamic approach replaces static disabled/enabled states with flexible, context-dependent sharing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If location sharing is enabled universally, then location sharing capability is maximized, but location privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating contact-specific location sharing rules. Different contacts receive location information with different levels of access based on their relationship to the user. Family members may receive precise real-time location, while acquaintances receive less detailed or time-limited location data. This local differentiation protects privacy while enabling sharing with trusted contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the user's contact list into different groups with different permission levels, allowing universal sharing capability while applying privacy protection selectively to different segments of contacts.
3Loss of information
If time-based permissions are implemented, then location privacy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic time windows to control location sharing, where location data is shared during defined time periods and withheld during others. This periodic pattern simplifies the complexity by using regular, predictable time-based rules rather than requiring continuous manual management of sharing permissions.
4Loss of information
If error application to location data is implemented, then location privacy is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent intentionally introduces location errors as a protective measure. By adding controlled inaccuracy to shared location data, the system converts the harm of reduced precision into the benefit of enhanced privacy protection. The location error prevents precise tracking while maintaining the appearance of functional location sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for sharing mobile device location information. The method includes receiving signals by a mobile device and determining by the mobile device a first location of the mobile device at a first time based on the signals received by the mobile device. Time data is accessed by the mobile device and the mobile device determines based on the time data that the first time is in a first time window. The first location is transmitted to a particular user device at least responsive to the first time being in the first time window. The mobile device determines a second location of the mobile device at a second time based on the signals received by the mobile device. A first error is applied to the second location at least responsive to the determining of the second location at the second time, and the second location is transmitted including the first error to the particular user device.