SUPL Home Location Platform Third Party Client Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current SUPL protocols do not allow for a third party client to receive a position estimate of a target SUPL Enabled Terminal (SET) in SUPL procedures, limiting the application scope of location services.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method and system enable a Home SUPL Location Platform (H-SLP) to receive a positioning request from an SUPL Agent, obtain a position estimate of the target SET, and send a location notification message to a third party client, using information obtained from registration data, privacy information, or the positioning request itself.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the SUPL protocol is extended to allow third party clients to receive position estimates, then the application scope of location services is expanded, but the system complexity increases due to additional message flows and privacy handling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication scope of location servicesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The H-SLP is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only processes positioning requests from SUPL Agents but also handles third party client requests for position estimates. The same positioning infrastructure is made universal to serve both traditional SUPL clients and third party clients, eliminating the need for separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a privacy information mechanism as an intermediary between the H-SLP and third party clients. Privacy information acts as a mediator that controls what location data can be shared with third parties, enabling the system to expand functionality while maintaining security through structured information handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If position estimate information is shared with third party clients, then location sharing capabilities are enabled, but privacy security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation sharing capabilitiesVSAvoidprivacy security risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing privacy information from SETs before positioning requests are made. This pre-collection of privacy data allows the H-SLP to make informed decisions about data sharing in advance, preventing unauthorized disclosure while enabling legitimate location sharing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by handling privacy information differently for different third party clients. Not all location data is shared equally - the system selectively shares position estimates based on the specific privacy information and authorization level of each third party client, enabling fine-grained control over information disclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the H-SLP processes third party client requests, then service functionality is extended, but the processing time and response time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice functionalityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The H-SLP performs preliminary actions by pre-collecting and storing privacy information and positioning request handling logic. This preparation allows the system to quickly process third party client requests without needing to gather information in real-time, reducing processing time while maintaining extended functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1901572B2A method and system based on secure user plane location
Publication Date: 2017.04.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP1901572B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1901572B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1901572B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method based on secure user plane location (SUPL) includes the steps: after receiving a location request message for the target SET from a SUPL agent, H-SLP locates the target SET and obtains the location information of the target SET after the location is finished. Then the H-SLP sends the location information of the target SET to the third party client based on the obtained information of the third party client. A system based on SUPL is also disclosed. The system includes SUPL agent, H-SLP and the third party client. The invention satisfies the need of notifying the location information of the target SET to a third party client, and the application range of the SUPL protocol is further expanded.