Mobile Device Position Data Digital Signature Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-GNSS based radio positioning systems are vulnerable to manipulation techniques such as spoofing and jamming, which threaten the accuracy and trustworthiness of position data, particularly in indoor environments where satellite signals are unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented on mobile devices to estimate position based on radio signal parameters, determine a digital signature for the position data, and provide both position and signature data to application programs, enabling verification of authenticity and integrity to detect potential manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-GNSS based radio positioning systems are used for indoor positioning, then positioning capability indoors is improved, but vulnerability to manipulation techniques increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidmanipulation vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by generating digital signatures of position data at the source (positioning server) before the data reaches the mobile device. This advance authentication mechanism ensures that position data can be verified for authenticity and integrity before being used by application programs, preventing manipulation attacks from succeeding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces digital signatures as an intermediary mechanism between the positioning system and application programs. These signatures act as a mediator that provides cryptographic proof of data authenticity, allowing applications to verify position data without directly trusting the positioning system, thus mitigating manipulation risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If digital signature verification is implemented, then data authenticity verification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata authenticityVSAvoidverification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex cryptographic verification operations from the mobile device and relocates them to the positioning server. The server generates and manages digital signatures, while mobile devices only need to perform simpler verification operations using provided signature data, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining authentication security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3672309B1Enabling recognizing manipulation of position data
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP3672309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3672309B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3672309B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

It is inter-alia disclosed a method performed by a mobile device (2-1) at least partially under control of a positioning program (602), the method comprising: - estimating (501) a position of said mobile device at least partially based on one or more radio signal parameters obtained by said mobile device, wherein position data representing said estimated position of said mobile device are obtained as a result of said estimating; - determining (502) a digital signature of said position data, wherein signature data representing said digital signature of said position data are obtained as a result of said determining; - providing (503) said position data and said signature data to one or more application programs (605,606).