Virtual Geographic Zone Authentication via GPS Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately and customarily define virtual geographic zones for mobile devices, leading to inaccurate location tracking and unauthorized access in gaming and other applications, due to reliance on cellular network infrastructure and circular zone limitations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a network, server, and user device to define and track virtual geographic zones and sub-zones, utilizing a User Location Information Process (ULIP) to verify the device's location and authorize or deny gaming activities within designated zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cellular network infrastructure is used to define virtual geographic zones, then the system can leverage existing wireless coverage, but the location accuracy deteriorates due to reliance on cell tower ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces GPS satellites as an intermediary positioning system between the mobile device and the cellular network infrastructure. Instead of relying directly on cell tower signal strength for location determination, the system uses GPS coordinates as an intermediary reference that is then mapped to virtual geographic zones, thereby achieving both broad coverage and precise location accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If circular zones defined by cell tower ranges are used, then the system can simplify zone definition, but the zones cannot be customized to match actual geographic boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual geographic zone system into multiple customizable polygonal zones rather than using a single circular zone per cell tower. Each zone can be independently defined with custom vertices that match actual geographic boundaries, allowing the system to accommodate diverse geographic shapes while maintaining ease of definition through coordinate-based specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter for zone definition from circular geometry (defined by center point and radius) to polygonal geometry (defined by multiple vertices). This parameter change enables zones to conform to arbitrary geographic boundaries such as property lines, street layouts, and jurisdictional boundaries while still being easily defined through coordinate input.
3Measurement precision
If GPS location tracking is implemented, then location precision is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional hardware and software requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universal GPS capability already present in modern mobile devices, making the location tracking system multi-functional by using the same GPS hardware for both navigation and virtual zone authentication. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated location tracking hardware, thereby improving precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for user interaction includes a network, a server connected to the network, a supervisor device receiving information from a global positioning system and connected to the network, a user device receiving information from the global positioning system and connected to the network. The supervisor, having the supervisor device, defines a set of virtual geographic zones and sub-zones in which the user device is tracked, and saves the set of virtual geographic zones and sub-zones to a supervisor account on the server. The user downloads a user application, sets-up a user account, and downloads the set of virtual geographic zones and sub-zones. As the user, having the user device, moves through the virtual geographic zones and sub-zones the location of the user device is determined and a set of supervisor-defined actions are executed on the user device based on the location of the user device.