User Defined Location Names for Privacy Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems rely on coordinate-based location representation, which may compromise user privacy and do not allow for flexible or user-defined location descriptions, limiting their usability in social networking and task management applications.
Innovation Solution
A system that converts location information into non-specific, user-defined names or descriptions, which can be textual, graphical, or a combination of both, allowing users to assign meanings that do not reveal precise coordinates, and can be shared on websites or used within applications like instant messaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If coordinate-based location representation is used, then location precision is improved, but user privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary location information (general area identification) while removing precise coordinate data. The system determines whether a device is in a predefined area and transmits only the area identifier, not the exact coordinates, thereby maintaining location functionality while protecting user privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces predefined geographic areas as an intermediary layer between the device's exact location and the information shared with others. Instead of sharing raw coordinates, the system maps locations to area identifiers that serve as privacy-protecting intermediaries, allowing location-based functionality without exposing precise positions.
2Loss of information
If standard coordinate display is used, then location information is provided, but flexibility and user-defined descriptions are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the location representation dynamic and adaptable by allowing users to define custom area identifiers and descriptions. The system can switch between different area identification methods (coordinates, named areas, custom descriptions) based on user preferences and context, providing both information completeness and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows different parts of the location information system to have different properties. Precise coordinates are maintained locally for accuracy where needed, while user-defined area identifiers provide contextual meaning and flexibility for sharing. Each geographic area can have its own custom description and identification method.
Data Source
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AI summary
A user's location may be tracked by tracking a device associated with the user. The user's location may be published (e.g. on a website) using a user defined name or some other name that is not related to the coordinates of the location based on the tracked location of the device. If published to a website, the name may be uploaded to the website in a user-editable area of the website, which area may or may not be directed to tracking the location of the user. The device may also be configured to trigger reminders based on whether the device is leaving an area and/or based on whether the device is approaching a location based on the location's membership in a class of locations (e.g. approaching a grocery store).