Short Link Code Pairing for Private Location-Based Mobile Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing social networking applications for mobile devices do not facilitate spontaneous connections between strangers based on visual contact and require users to be pre-connected or share personal information for interaction.
Innovation Solution
A location-based communication system using short link codes on mobile devices that allows anonymous pairing and interaction with strangers through a host server, enabling users to connect and exchange information without revealing phone numbers or email addresses, utilizing GPS, Cellular Triangulation, and Crowdsourced Wi-Fi data for location identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users share personal information (phone numbers, email addresses) to connect, then connection reliability is improved, but user privacy and security deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unique link code as an intermediary that mediates the connection process between users. Instead of directly sharing personal information, users generate and exchange these codes which serve as safe intermediaries. The system server acts as another intermediary that validates and processes these codes to establish connections without exposing personal data, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential connection function from personal information sharing. By separating the connection mechanism from personal data (phone numbers, emails), the system uses only the minimal necessary element (unique link code) for connection purposes. This extraction allows reliable connections to be established while removing the harmful aspect of personal information exposure.
2Measurement precision
If users manually input connection details, then connection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual input of complex connection details with a simplified copying mechanism. Users can capture the unique link code through the camera (optical copying) or receive it via message forwarding, eliminating the need for manual typing. This copying approach maintains connection accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation, especially on mobile devices with small keyboards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical action of manual keyboard input with optical recognition and automated code processing. The camera-based scanning system replaces the mechanical typing process, and the system's automated code validation replaces manual verification steps, thereby improving both accuracy and convenience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If location-based matching is used to connect users, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional location-based matching approach. Instead of the system actively scanning for users based on location data, users actively share their location-derived unique link codes with others. This inversion simplifies the system complexity while maintaining adaptability, as the burden of location processing shifts to the user's device without requiring complex system-side location matching algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A networking system utilizes a mobile device which communicates through a host server that identifies the location of a user's device and allows users to easily connect anonymously on their mobile devices over a data network through the host server with other people, businesses, websites and informational pages by simply inputting or saying out loud a short code into their mobile device when the user is within a certain radius of the code they see posted and/or advertised, or, by way of example, flashed at them by another user.