Time Zone Delta Detection via Clock and Server Longitude

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack an effective method to determine the time zone difference between a user's computer location and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) server location, which is crucial for fraud detection and personalized services, as they rely on incomplete or unreliable data such as IP addresses and browser IDs.

Innovation Solution

A system that captures the user's time zone from their computer, determines the ISP server's longitude using geolocation algorithms, and calculates the delta time zone by converting longitude differences into time zone differences, enabling accurate reporting of this parameter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If IP addresses and browser IDs are used to identify user location, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of user location and time zone is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidtime zone determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/location-based identification methods (IP address geolocation, browser ID analysis) with a direct temporal measurement approach. By capturing the user's computer clock time and comparing it with the server time, the system directly measures time zone difference without relying on indirect location inference, thereby substituting imprecise spatial identification with precise temporal measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from spatial coordinates (IP-based geolocation, browser ID metadata) to temporal parameters (computer clock time, server time). This parameter transformation enables direct calculation of time zone difference, improving measurement precision while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If no time zone verification is performed, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability of fraud detection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing simplicityVSAvoidfraud detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the calculated time zone difference is used to verify user location consistency. The system compares the derived time zone with expected time zones for the user's IP address or declared location, and uses this feedback to flag potential fraud. This additional verification layer enhances reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated background processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs time zone verification as a preliminary check before completing transactions. By calculating and validating time zone difference early in the transaction process, the system prevents fraudulent transactions before they can cause harm, while the automated nature of this preliminary action does not significantly impact user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10334060B1System for determining a time zone difference between a user's computer and an ISP server

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)

AI summary

A system to determine a difference in a time zone of a user's computer accessing the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) server and the time zone of the ISP server including capturing from a clock of the user's computer the user's time zone, capturing the location of the ISP server, calculating a difference in the time zone of the user's computer and a time zone of the ISP server to determine a delta time zone number; and reporting the delta time zone number.