Obfuscating Wireless Transceiver Locations via Error Terms

The patent applies local quality by providing different location data qualities to different mobile devices based on their status. Preferred mobile devices receive accurate location coordinates without error terms, while non-preferred devices receive obfuscated location data with error terms added. This differential approach allows the system to maintain high location determination accuracy for authorized devices while preventing privacy violations and competitor exploitation for unauthorized devices.

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through error terms that are added to location coordinates before transmission to mobile devices. These error terms act as a protective layer that prevents competitors from directly obtaining accurate location data. The error terms are constructed using unique identifiers and scaling factors, creating an intermediate representation that preserves functionality for authorized devices while blocking data exploitation by unauthorized parties.

The patent applies partial action by selectively adding error terms only to location data transmitted to non-preferred mobile devices, while leaving location data for preferred devices unchanged. This selective approach ensures that security measures are applied only where necessary, maintaining full location determination accuracy for authorized devices while implementing protective obfuscation for unauthorized devices. The error terms are calculated using unique identifiers and scaling factors to provide appropriate security without excessive impact on functionality.