Terminal Location Tracking via Access Point ID Timestamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location-based services for information processing terminals, such as cellular phones and portable game terminals, face challenges in accurately determining the location when access points within communication range do not provide network access, leading to incorrect location association with the time of reception of access point identification information.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a location information providing server that receives and processes access point IDs from user terminals, even when they are out of network range, by storing these IDs with reception timestamps and using them to identify the terminal's location based on pre-registered location information, allowing for accurate location determination even without active network access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal uses access point identification information for location estimation, then location-based services can be provided, but the location accuracy deteriorates when the access point does not grant network access
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal stores access point identification information and reception timestamps in a list before location estimation is needed. This preliminary recording ensures that even if the access point is later unavailable or denies network access, the terminal retains the necessary data for accurate location estimation by matching stored timestamps with current time.
2Productivity
If the terminal associates location information with the time of reception of access point ID, then location tracking is enabled, but incorrect location association occurs when network access is denied
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal introduces a timestamp as an intermediary element between the access point identification information and the location estimation. By recording the exact reception time and using this timestamp to match with current time, the terminal accurately associates location information with the correct time period, even when network access is denied or the access point is unavailable.
3Reliability
If the terminal requires network access from access points, then authentication and security are maintained, but location determination fails when access is denied
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal extracts the access point identification information (such as BSSID or MAC address) from the network communication process and stores it independently with its reception timestamp. This extraction allows the terminal to perform location estimation using only the stored identification information and timestamp, without requiring active network access or authentication from the access point, thereby maintaining security while enabling location services.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a configuration where a server transmits location information based on identification information of at least one access point in response to the reception of the identification information, the time of reception of identification information of an access point that is associated with a location indicated by the location information received from the server can be associated with the indicated location, irrespective of the time of reception of the location information. An access point ID receiving unit 30 receives identification information of an access point. A location information management unit 32 associates identification information of at least one access point with reception time information that indicates the time of reception of the identification information. A location information requesting unit 34 transmits the identification information associated with the reception time information to a location information providing server. A location information receiving unit 36 receives location information based on the transmitted identification information from the location information providing server. The location information management unit 32 associates the received location information with reception time information that is associated with the transmitted identification information.