Private Location Verification via Distributed Ledger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Location data accuracy is compromised due to suboptimal conditions such as GPS signal blockage and outdated Wi-Fi positioning databases, and is vulnerable to spoofing, particularly in scenarios where users are incentivized to provide location data, necessitating a method to verify location data while respecting user privacy and adhering to data protection regulations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a distributed ledger system and private set intersection technique to verify the location of mobile devices without sharing location information, ensuring accuracy and privacy by determining common tiles between possible and detected locations without revealing actual locations to either party.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If location data is collected and shared for verification, then location accuracy can be improved, but user privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The location verification system segments the location data into discrete geographical tiles. Instead of sharing complete location information, the system only compares tile identifiers between the mobile device and verification system. This segmentation allows accuracy verification while preserving privacy, as the actual location coordinates remain undisclosed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using distributed ledger technology that acts as a neutral mediator. The system uses commit-reveal schemes where tile commitments are verified without revealing the actual tile identities until necessary. This intermediary layer enables third-party verification of location accuracy while maintaining user privacy through cryptographic protocols.
2Measurement precision
If location verification is performed using traditional methods, then location accuracy can be verified, but computational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The verification system divides the geographical space into a hierarchical tile structure (e.g., 15 levels of detail). This segmentation allows the system to perform verification at appropriate granularity levels, reducing the computational burden compared to verifying continuous coordinates. The tile-based approach enables efficient set operations and comparisons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-computing and storing tile commitments in the distributed ledger before verification is needed. Commitment schemes are established in advance, allowing rapid verification without intensive real-time computation. This preliminary preparation significantly improves computational efficiency during actual verification operations.
3Reliability
If location data is shared with third parties for verification, then location reliability improves, but data protection requirements are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed ledger system serves as a trusted intermediary that enables third-party verification without direct data sharing. The commitment-reveal protocol allows verifiers to confirm location authenticity through cryptographic proofs without accessing raw location data. This intermediary mechanism satisfies data protection requirements while maintaining verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of sharing actual location data, the system uses cryptographic copies (commitments) of the location information. These commitments can be verified by third parties but contain no actionable location information themselves. This copying approach enables reliability verification while preserving data protection compliance, as the copies are computationally infeasible to reverse-engineer into actual locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for privately verifying and enhancing location data by a distributed ledger system are disclosed. A location-based services server receives a possible location of a mobile device. A location verification system determines a detected location of the mobile device. A distributed ledger system uses a private set intersection technique to determine whether the possible location corresponds to the detected location without the possible location or detected location being shared. Probabilities associated with the possible and detected locations can also be combined to enhance the accuracy of the possible location.