Trajectory Anonymization with Gaps for Endogenous Event Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location-based services face challenges in maintaining user anonymity while providing accurate and timely navigation assistance, particularly when dealing with dynamic data and unanticipated endogenous events that compromise privacy.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that segment trajectories into sub-trajectories and introduce gaps based on tailored use cases, determining the transmission of data points to maintain privacy and ensure the inclusion of endogenous events are reported.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If trajectory data is transmitted continuously to provide accurate location-based services, then service accuracy is improved, but user anonymity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments continuous trajectory data into discrete sub-trajectory segments with intentional gaps between them. Each segment contains location data points that are transmitted separately, allowing the service provider to analyze movement patterns while the gaps prevent reconstruction of complete user paths, thus maintaining anonymity while preserving service accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes specific portions of trajectory data (creating gaps) from the continuous stream before transmission. By selectively excluding certain location data points and time intervals, the system maintains essential movement information for service accuracy while removing identifying continuous path information that would compromise user anonymity.
2Loss of information
If trajectory data is segmented and gaps are introduced to maintain anonymity, then user privacy is protected, but service utility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic segmentation where the length and positioning of sub-trajectory segments and gaps are adjusted based on real-time conditions, service requirements, and anonymity risk assessments. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize the balance between privacy protection and service utility rather than using fixed segmentation parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters of trajectory data transmission including segment duration, gap length, and data point density to optimize both privacy protection and service utility. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on service type and context, the system maintains reliability for different location-based services while preserving user anonymity.
3Manufacturing precision
If sub-trajectory segments are transmitted with minimum duration constraints, then data quality is maintained, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits partial trajectory segments rather than complete continuous trajectories, sending only the necessary minimum duration segments required for service functionality. This partial action approach maintains data quality thresholds while avoiding transmission of excessive redundant data, thus reducing overall transmission time while preserving essential movement information.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to anonymizing of trajectories of mobile devices through the introduction of gaps between sub-trajectories and accommodating endogenous events. Methods may include: receiving a set of probe data points defining a trajectory; receiving a mode, where the mode is established based on a preceding set of probe data points defining a trajectory, where the mode includes an indication of whether a preceding set of probe data points terminated during a sub-trajectory or a gap, and a time at which the sub-trajectory or the gap of the preceding set of probe data points began; receiving an indication of an event occurring at an event time; determining whether to transmit a sub-trajectory including a sub-set of the set of probe data points based on the mode and the event time; and transmitting the event to a service provider for use in providing location-based services.