Location-Based Sensor Data Access Control for Packages in Transit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in managing and encrypting sensor data across geographic areas while adhering to location-specific regulations, ensuring compliance with varying laws and restrictions that apply to data collection and distribution, particularly for packages in transit across international borders.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves identifying the location of a package and restricting access to sensor-collectable data based on location-based restrictions, using sensors and a data repository to determine permissible data collection and distribution, and employing encryption methods that comply with local regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If sensor data is collected across international borders, then data availability and analysis capability are improved, but compliance with location-specific regulations and data privacy laws deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidregulatory compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by determining the location of the package and identifying applicable location-based restrictions before sensor data collection occurs. The information gathering system looks up restrictions in advance based on package location, enabling proactive compliance rather than reactive response to regulatory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the information gathering system that acts as a mediator between the sensor collection system and the data processing system. This intermediary determines location and restrictions, then controls what data is collected and distributed, ensuring compliance while enabling necessary data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If location-based restrictions on data collection are enforced, then data privacy and regulatory compliance are improved, but data collection capability and operational flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata privacy protectionVSAvoiddata collection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts data collection based on location. The information gathering system determines package location and retrieves applicable restrictions in real-time, allowing the sensor collection system to adjust what data is collected based on current geographic conditions. This dynamic approach maintains privacy compliance while preserving operational flexibility where permitted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by implementing location-specific data collection rules. Different geographic locations have different data collection restrictions, and the system tailors the data collection behavior to match local requirements. This allows maximum data collection flexibility in permissive locations while enforcing privacy protection in restricted jurisdictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If comprehensive sensor data is collected for delivery operations, then delivery monitoring and operational efficiency are improved, but exposure to location-specific legal restrictions and data breaches increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery operational efficiencyVSAvoidlegal risk and data breach exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes restricted data elements before they enter the data processing system. The information gathering system identifies which sensor data types are prohibited in specific locations and prevents collection of those specific elements, allowing comprehensive data collection for operational efficiency while extracting only the necessary data for delivery monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The information gathering system serves as a protective intermediary between sensor data collection and data processing. It filters and controls data flow based on location restrictions, reducing legal risk and data breach exposure by preventing prohibited data from entering the system while maintaining operational efficiency through selective data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11734643B2Systems and methods for rule-driven management of sensor data across geographic areas and derived actions

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an information gathering method. The information gathering method includes identifying a location of a package, the location associated with one or more location-based restrictions on collecting data. The information gathering method also includes restricting access to sensor-collectable data associated with the package in accordance with the one or more location-based restrictions.