Multi-source Location Verification for Mobile Fraud Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location verification methods for mobile devices are inadequate in ensuring the authenticity of user locations, particularly in transactions and network access, as they may be susceptible to fraud or unauthorized access due to potential discrepancies in location determination methods.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves verifying a user's location by accessing at least two determined locations using methods such as GPS and radio-frequency identification (RFID) between a mobile device and a known location, comparing these determinations, and allowing or prohibiting functionalities based on their correspondence, with additional validation through social networking information if applicable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple location determination methods are used to verify user location, then location verification reliability is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location verification process into distinct components: obtaining first location information from location determination methods (GPS, cell tower triangulation, WiFi positioning), obtaining second location information from social networking system data (check-ins, tagged photos, posted locations), and comparing these separate sources to verify authenticity. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism that acts as a mediator between location determination methods and the system requiring location verification. The intermediary compares location data from multiple independent sources (GPS coordinates, cell tower data, social media check-ins) and determines authenticity based on consistency across these sources, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual components.
2Reliability
If multiple location determination methods are used to verify user location, then fraud detection capability is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by obtaining and storing location information from social networking systems in advance of the verification need. Social media check-ins, tagged photos with location data, and posted locations are captured beforehand and stored in the system. When verification is required, this pre-captured data is readily available for comparison, eliminating the need for real-time collection and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by selectively applying verification based on risk assessment. Not all location verification requests require full multi-source comparison - the system can determine whether verification is needed and what level of verification is appropriate based on the context, such as the sensitivity of the operation or the user's historical behavior pattern.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing at least two determinations of the location of a mobile computing device, with each determined location having been determined without reference to explicit location information manually input by a user of the mobile computing device. At least one first determined location is compared with at least one second determined location, with comparisons being made between location determinations made based on different location determination input. A functionality associated with the mobile computing device is allowed if the first determined location corresponds to at least one of the second determined locations.