2D Web Trilateration via Network Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining network device location are intrusive and require specific configurations or applications, making them ineffective for devices that do not respond to commands like ping or lack necessary applications such as JavaScript.

Innovation Solution

A 2D web trilateration system using a user device, host server, and multiple satellite servers, where the user device requests items from satellite servers based on GUIDs provided by a master server, allowing the master server to determine the device's location through synchronized clock times and known satellite server locations using triangulation techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intrusive methods like ping commands or JavaScript code are used to determine network latency, then location determination can be achieved, but the method fails when devices are not configured to respond to these commands or lack required applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation determination reliabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with different network devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives requests from both the client device and multiple satellite servers. This intermediary facilitates the trilateration process by coordinating timing information without requiring direct command-response interactions between the client and satellite servers, thereby achieving universal compatibility across different network devices regardless of their configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses standard web protocols (HTTP requests) that are universally supported by all modern network devices with web browsers, replacing device-specific commands like ping or requiring JavaScript. This universal approach allows location determination to work across diverse network devices without configuration requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If 3D trilateration using GPS satellites is used to locate a target, then accurate 3D position can be determined, but the system requires a minimum of 4 satellites and may not be applicable to network device location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to network devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using GPS satellites to determine physical 3D position of network devices, the patent inverts the approach by using network servers at known geographic locations to determine the client device's location through network latency measurements. This adapts the trilateration concept from physical space to network space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct physical distance (GPS) to network latency time, which can be measured through standard network protocols. This parameter change enables location determination for network devices without requiring physical GPS receivers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8779981B22D web trilateration

Publication Date: 2014.07.15 THE 41ST PARAMETER

AI summary

The invention provides systems and methods of locating a network device based on the time latency between a request by a user device and the receipt of the request by a plurality of satellite servers provided at different locations. Preferably three or more satellites may be employed. The request may be for an item, which may have a known file size, and which may or may not exist. Triangulation techniques may be utilized to determine the location of the device relative to the satellite servers.