Privacy-Sensitive Positioning via Deviate Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor positioning systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of a single apparatus, such as a WLAN access point, due to privacy concerns, as existing technologies require multiple co-located access points and do not allow for precise location tracking of individual devices, limiting positioning availability.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for determining a position estimate of a single apparatus by adding a deviate information offset to the position estimate, providing an uncertainty radius instead of the true coordinates, thereby addressing privacy issues and enabling positioning even with a single apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If position estimate is determined for a single apparatus, then positioning availability is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary offset value that is added to the true position to generate a deviated position estimate. This offset acts as a mediator between the positioning system and the user, providing position information while protecting privacy. The offset can be random or systematic, and may be provided by the user or generated by the system, creating a buffer that prevents direct tracking of true location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of position accuracy by intentionally introducing deviation through the offset mechanism. Instead of providing the exact true position, the system provides a position estimate that is deliberately altered by the offset value. This parameter change transforms the output from precise location data to approximate location data, resolving the contradiction between availability and privacy.
2Measurement precision
If true position coordinates are provided, then positioning precision is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of precise position tracking into a benefit by deliberately adding offset to reduce precision. The offset mechanism transforms what would be overly precise (and thus privacy-invasive) position data into sufficiently accurate (for most applications) but privacy-protecting data. This converts the harmful effect of high precision into a beneficial privacy protection feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the precision parameter of the position output by applying an offset. The true position coordinates are transformed into deviated coordinates through the offset addition, thereby controlling the level of precision delivered to the user while maintaining privacy protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If offset is added to position estimate, then privacy protection is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts a controlled deterioration in position accuracy as the trade-off for achieving privacy protection through offset addition. The offset parameter is configurable and can be adjusted to find the optimal balance between privacy protection and acceptable positioning accuracy for different application scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed that includes obtaining a request for determining a position estimate of a certain position. With the request, the certain position of a single apparatus is requested. The method also includes obtaining or determining a deviate information indicative of an offset that is added to the position estimate to be determined. The method further includes determining the position estimate based at least partially on the deviate information and the fingerprint information. The position estimate is indicative of a position with an uncertainty radius. It is further disclosed an according apparatus, computer readable storage medium and system.