Terminal Location Verification Using Comparative Reference Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Location information acquired by terminal devices can be falsified, leading to issues such as unauthorized use of services, fraudulent credit card transactions, and inaccurate disaster response due to the inability to detect falsification.

Innovation Solution

A check device that compares terminal location information with comparative location information, such as that from a fixed base station or landline telephone, to determine authenticity by calculating distances or verifying the location within an active area, using a threshold to validate the accuracy of the terminal's location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If terminal location information is used directly without verification, then service accessibility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential falsification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoidlocation information authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a check device as an intermediary between the terminal device and the service system. This check device receives location information from the terminal device, verifies its authenticity by comparing with comparative location information, and then determines whether to allow service access. This mediator approach maintains ease of operation for legitimate users while ensuring reliability through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If location information verification is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional check device requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation information authenticityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the verification function from the terminal device itself and places it in a separate check device. The terminal device simply provides location information without needing to perform complex verification operations. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on the terminal device while maintaining reliability through the dedicated check device that handles verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If comparative location information from fixed objects is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to dependency on external objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation verification accuracyVSAvoidindependence from terminal device
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses comparative location information from fixed objects (base stations, landline telephones) as reference copies to verify terminal location information. These fixed objects serve as stable, known reference points that can be compared against the terminal's self-reported location. This copying approach improves measurement precision by providing external verification while the system maintains functional independence through the verification process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4727189A1Determination device, determination method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS INC
  • EP4727189A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4727189A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4727189A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A check device configured to check authenticity of terminal location information indicating a location of a terminal device is provided, the check device including: an information acquiring unit configured to acquire the terminal location information from the terminal device; and a check unit configured to determine whether the acquired terminal location information is authentic information by comparing the acquired terminal location information with comparative location information indicating the location of an object that is subject to comparison with the terminal device.