Wireless Access Point Validation for Untrusted Device Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination methods for mobile devices, such as GPS and WiFi, are prone to spoofing and misrepresentation due to signal interference, posing security risks and requiring cumbersome pre-configuration, especially when determining eligibility for Region of Interest (ROI) participation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses wireless access points to validate a device's position by instructing the device to identify visible access points, receiving their identifiers, and verifying them against trusted agents to confirm proximity to a Region of Interest, thereby corroborating GPS locations without requiring precise positioning or pre-configured WiFi access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to determine device location, then location calculation is provided, but the location can be spoofed or incorrectly calibrated due to signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless access points as intermediary validation nodes between the device and the location verification system. These access points serve as trusted mediators that confirm device proximity through identifier validation, addressing the GPS spoofing problem by adding an independent verification layer that cannot be easily compromised
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having devices report visible access point identifiers to a server, which then validates these identifiers against a database of legitimate access points within the region of interest. This feedback loop provides continuous verification and correction of location claims
2Measurement precision
If WiFi is used to track device location with pre-configured access points, then location can be determined, but the pre-configuration requirement is cumbersome and lacks flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring only the wireless access points within the region of interest with unique identifiers, rather than pre-configuring every device. This reverses the traditional approach and significantly reduces configuration complexity while maintaining location determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless access points serve multiple functions: they provide network connectivity, enable location verification, and act as validation nodes for the region of interest. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate location tracking infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
In a system of mobile agents operating in a region of interest, it may be necessary to validate the position of an untrusted device prior to allowing the untrusted device to perform agent functions within the region of interest. Trusted mobile agents within the region of interest may activate wireless access points with randomly generated identifiers. The untrusted device may be instructed to provide a list of identifiers of visible wireless access points to confirm that the untrusted device is within the ROI.