Proximity-locked Connection System for Trustworthy User Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing social network systems lack a mechanism to ensure the quality of user connections by verifying physical proximity, leading to potential anonymity and reduced trust in interactions.
Innovation Solution
A proximity-locked connection system that requires physical proximity between users before establishing a connection, using positioning data from user devices to determine if they are within a predetermined threshold, facilitating trusted connections through face-to-face encounters and vetting of identities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical proximity requirement is implemented, then connection quality and trust are improved, but system complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces positioning data as an intermediary element that mediates between users and the connection system. The server acts as a mediator that receives positioning data from user devices, determines proximity relationships, and facilitates connections based on proximity thresholds, thereby resolving the contradiction by adding a mediating layer rather than direct complex user-device interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual verification of physical proximity (mechanical/systematic verification) with automated positioning data-based proximity determination. Instead of requiring users to manually verify or prove physical presence, the system substitutes this with automated processing of GPS or other positioning data to determine whether users are within the proximity threshold
2Reliability
If physical proximity requirement is implemented, then connection quality and trust are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically handling proximity verification through positioning data without requiring user intervention. Users simply need to have location services enabled on their devices, and the system automatically determines proximity relationships and facilitates connections, eliminating the need for users to manually verify or manage proximity requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning data and server act as intermediaries that handle the complex proximity verification process, shielding users from the complexity while maintaining ease of operation. Users interact with a simplified interface while the intermediary system manages the backend proximity determination logic
Data Source
AI summary
A proximity-locked connection system may include a server configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices, each user device operable by a user thereof, receive from user devices user device locations, calculate a distance between user devices of a pair of users, determine that a distance therebetween is within a connection threshold, and create a connection between the pair of users at least in part due to the distance being within a connection threshold. In some implementations, a server may maintain connection expiration dates (or connection expiration timers) at least in part based on locations received from user devices, wherein an expiration date (or expiration timer) may be reset for an existing connection given a distance between user devices associated therewith is within a connection refresh threshold. In some implementations, a server may disable (or delete) a connection upon an expiration date (or timer expiration) associated therewith.