U.S. patent application number 15/791507 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-18 for system, method and recording medium for location verification.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Saritha Arunkumar, Nizar Lethif, Mudhakar Srivatsa, Enara Vijil.
Application Number | 20190116456 15/791507 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60674912 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190116456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arunkumar; Saritha ; et
al. |
April 18, 2019 |
SYSTEM, METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM FOR LOCATION VERIFICATION
Abstract
A computer-implemented information verification method, system,
and non-transitory computer readable medium, include measuring a
first signal strength from a user device to a second device,
wherein the first signal strength is measured from a perspective of
the user device, measuring a second signal strength from the second
device to the user device, wherein the second signal strength is
measured from a perspective of the second device, comparing the
first signal strength with the second signal strength, and
verifying an information, based on a result of said comparing.
Inventors: |
Arunkumar; Saritha;
(Basingstoke, GB) ; Lethif; Nizar; (Croton on
Hudson, NY) ; Srivatsa; Mudhakar; (White Plains,
NY) ; Vijil; Enara; (Croton on Hudson, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60674912 |
Appl. No.: |
15/791507 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15227868 |
Aug 3, 2016 |
9854398 |
|
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15791507 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 84/12 20130101;
H04W 64/00 20130101; H04W 4/023 20130101; H04W 88/08 20130101; H04W
88/02 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201; H04B 17/318 20150115 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/02 20060101
H04W004/02; H04B 17/318 20060101 H04B017/318 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A computer-implemented information verification method, the
method comprising: measuring a first signal strength from a user
device to a second device, wherein the first signal strength is
measured from a perspective of the user device; measuring a second
signal strength from the second device to the user device, wherein
the second signal strength is measured from a perspective of the
second device; comparing the first signal strength with the second
signal strength to determine a difference in signal strength
between the first signal strength and the second signal strength;
and verifying an information to confirm a location of the user
device in relation to the second device, based on the difference in
the signal strength in a result of said comparing which indicates a
spoofing of the location of the user device according to the
difference in relation to an actual location of the user
device.
22. The method of claim 2.1, wherein the information comprises a
location of the user device, and wherein the result of said
comparing is based on a predetermined threshold value.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first device is selected
from a group consisting of a mobile phone, a laptop, and a personal
digital assistant (PDA).
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the second device is selected
from a group consisting of an access point, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a
network router, and a Bluetooth-enabled device.
25. The method of claim 21, further comprising measuring a
plurality of third signal strengths from a plurality of third
devices to the user device, wherein the comparing compares the
first signal strength with at least some of the third signal
strengths to verify a location of the user device.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the third devices are within a
predetermined distance from the location of the user device.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the location of the user device
is verified based on a difference between the first signal strength
and at least one of the third signals strengths being less than a
predetermined threshold value.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein the location of the user device
is verified based on a difference between the first signal strength
and an average of all of the third signals strengths being less
than a predetermined threshold value.
29. The method of claim 21, wherein the method is practiced in a
cloud-computing environment.
30. A computer program product for verifying information, the
computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage
medium having program instructions embodied therewith,
readable/executable by a computer, to cause the computer to perform
a method comprising: measuring a first signal strength from a user
device to a second device, wherein the first signal strength is
measured from a perspective of the user device; measuring a second
signal strength from the second device to the user device, wherein
the second signal strength is measured from a perspective of the
second device; comparing the first signal strength with the second
signal strength to determine a difference in signal strength
between the first signal strength and the second signal strength;
and verifying an information to confirm a location of the user
device M relation to the second device, based on the difference in
the signal strength in a result of said comparing which indicates a
spoofing of the location of the user device according to the
difference in relation to an actual location of the user
device.
31. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the
information comprises a location of the user device, wherein said
verifying is based on a difference between the first signal
strength and the second signal strength being less than a
predetermined threshold value.
32. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the first
device is selected from a group consisting of a mobile phone, a
laptop, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).
33. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the second
device is selected from a group consisting of a WiFi hotspot, an
access point, a network router, and a Bluetooth-enabled device.
34. The computer program product of claim 30, further comprising
measuring a plurality of third signal strengths from a plurality of
third devices to the user device, wherein the comparing compares
the first signal strength with at least some of the third signal
strengths to verify a location of the user device.
35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the third
devices are within a predetermined distance from the location of
the user device.
36. A location verification system, said system comprising: a
processor; and a memory; the memory storing instructions to cause
the processor to: measuring a first signal strength from a user
device to a second device, wherein the first signal strength is
measured from a perspective of the user device; measuring a second
signal strength from the second device to the user device, wherein
the second signal strength is measured from a perspective of the
second device; comparing the first signal strength with the second
signal strength to determine a difference in signal strength
between the first signal strength and the second signal strength;
and verifying an information to confirm a location of the user
device in relation to the second device, based on the difference in
the signal strength in a result of said comparing which indicates a
spoofing of the location of the user device according to the
difference in relation to an actual location of the user
device.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the system is practiced in a
cloud-computing environment.
38. The system of claim 36, wherein the information comprises a
location of the user device, and wherein said verifying is based on
a difference between the first signal strength and the second
signal strength being less than a predetermined threshold
value.
39.The system of claim 36, wherein the second device is selected
from a group consisting of a WiFi hotspot, an access point, a
network router, and a Bluetooth-enabled device.
40. The computer-implemented information verification method of
claim 21, further comprising: measuring a third signal strength
between a third device in a predetermined proximity of the second
device and the user device, where the third signal strength is
measured from the perspective of the user device; wherein the
comparing compares the first signal strength with the second signal
strength and comparing the first signal strength with the third
signal strength to determine the difference in signal strength
between the comparison of the first signal strength with the second
signal strength and the first signal strength with the third signal
strength, and wherein the verifying verifies the information to
confirm the location of the user device in relation to the second
device and the third device that is in the predetermined proximity
of the second device, based on the difference in the signal
strength in the result of said comparing which indicates a spoofing
of the location of the user device according to the difference in
relation to an actual location of the user device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation Application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/227,868, filed on Aug. 3, 2016,
the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a location
verification method, and more particularly, but not by way of
limitation, to a system, method, and recording medium for verifying
a location of a device based on comparing a signal strength
received by the device with a signal strength received by an access
point (AP) in a vicinity of the device.
[0003] Handheld (portable) devices send a location of a device
based on a Global Positioning System (GPS). However, these
coordinates can be faked or misrepresented by an owner (or another
user) of the device if required to gain access to an access point
that requires a location verification.
[0004] Conventionally, access to specific resources can be given
based on an identification and a location of the user. The user is
typically given a device that can send a location based on GPS
coordinates). This, along with the credentials of the user is used
to verify that a user is at a particular location. Thus, a two-tier
security measure is in place. However, unless the device is
tamper-resistant, the owner can fake the location of the device.
Global attestation procedure is a way of making the job of a
malicious user difficult by validating credentials from surrounding
devices called "Brokers". For example, access to a server can be
guaranteed only if the user's device is connected to the office
network through Wi-Fi. In this case, the access point reports that
the user is physically connected to the office network and hence is
likely inside the office (or at least nearly).
[0005] Thus, the needs in the art include a location verification
technique that is not susceptible to location spoofing due to the
one-way verification required from the device-to-server
verification.
SUMMARY
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention can
provide a computer-implemented information verification method,
including: measuring a first signal strength from a user device to
a second device, measured from the perspective of the user device;,
measuring a second signal strength from the second device to the
user device, from the perspective of the second device; comparing
the first signal strength with the second signal strength; and
verifying the information, based on the comparison results.
[0007] One or more other exemplary embodiments include a computer
program product and a system.
[0008] Other details and embodiments of the invention will be
described below, so that the present contribution to the art can be
better appreciated. Nonetheless, the invention is not limited in
its application to such details, phraseology, terminology,
illustrations and/or arrangements set forth in the description or
shown in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of
embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways and should not be regarded as
limiting.
[0009] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Exemplary aspects of the invention will be better understood
from the following detailed description, with reference to the
drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a high-level flow chart for a location
verification method according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a device-to-AP signal strengths and
AP-to-device signal strengths according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a cloud computing node according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts abstraction model layers according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The invention will now be described with reference to FIG.
1-5, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout. It is emphasized that, according to common practice,
the various features of the drawing are not necessarily to scale.
On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features can be
arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. The present invention
may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product at any
possible technical detail level of integration. The computer
program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or
media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for
causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present
invention.
[0017] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0018] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0019] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated
circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any
combination of one or more programming languages, including an
object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the
like, and procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The computer
readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's
computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software
package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote
computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the
latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's
computer through any type of network, including a local area
network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may
he made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet
using an Internet Service Provider). In sonic embodiments,
electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic
circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable
logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program
instructions by utilizing state information of the computer
readable program instructions to personalize the electronic
circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present
invention.
[0020] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0021] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0022] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0023] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in
the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0024] Exemplary embodiments are provided below for illustration
purposes and do not limit the claims. By way of further example,
although one or more embodiments (see e.g., FIGS. 3-5) may be
implemented in a cloud environment 50 (see e.g., FIG. 4), it is
nonetheless understood that the present invention can be
implemented outside of the cloud environment.
[0025] With reference now to FIG. 1, a location verification method
100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes
various steps to measure and compare signal strengths from a user
device 130 to a second device 140 and from the second device 140 to
the user device 130 to verify the location of the device. As shown
in at least FIG. 3, one or more computers of a computer system 12
according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a
memory 28 having instructions stored in a storage system to perform
the steps of FIG. 1.
[0026] Thus, a location verification method 100 according to an
embodiment of the present invention may act in a more
sophisticated, useful and cognitive manner, giving the impression
of cognitive mental abilities and processes related to knowledge,
attention, memory, judgment and evaluation, reasoning, and advanced
computation. A system can be said to be "cognitive" if it possesses
macro-scale properties--perception, goal-oriented behavior,
learning/memory and action--that characterize systems (i.e.,
humans) generally recognized as cognitive.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, in step 101 a first signal strength
is measured between the user device 130 and a second device 140.
The signal strength can be measured from the perspective of a
client (user device 130) to one or more other devices, e.g., a
server or other device(s), such as second device 140/third devices
150. For example, in step 101 user device 130 can request a radio
signal connection to the second device 140 such that the strength
of the radio signal connection from the user device 130 to the
second device 140 can be measured. In addition, the location of
user device 130 can also be determined. By way of further example,
for devices enabled with conventional Bluetooth technology, the
user device 130 may "pair" (e.g., via) with the second device 140.
Thus, the location of user device 130 can be obtained and the
strength of the "paired" connection between the user device 130 and
the second device 140 measured. By way of still further example,
for devices enabled with conventional technology, user device 130
can request a WiFi connection to the second device 140 (such as a
Wi-Fi router), and thus obtain and store the location of user
device 130 and the strength of the connection between the devices
measured. Such measurements are exemplarily depicted in FIG. 2 as
percentage values in device data table 21.
[0028] For clarity, references to a "signal," "radio signal" and
"connection" are exemplary only and should not be limited to any
particular form of signal or connection. Rather, a signal or
connection can be represented by any signal or connection,
including but not limited to a or Bluetooth connection, such that a
strength of the signal (e.g., a connection between the user device
130 and second device 140) can be measured.
[0029] In step 102, a second signal strength is measured, e.g. a
strength of the connection from the perspective of second device
140 to the user device 130.
[0030] In other words, in step 101, the first signal strength
represents a measurement from the user device 130 to the second
device 140--whereas in step 102, the second signal strength
represents a measurement from the second device 140 to the user
device 130.
[0031] In step 103, a third signal strength can be measured between
the user device 130 and one or more nearby (other) third devices
150. In step 103, the signal strength is preferably measured from
the perspective of the one or more (other) third devices 150 (e.g.,
a strength of the signal as perceived from the third device 150 to
the user device 130). In some embodiments, all third devices 150
(other than the second device 140) which are in proximity (e,g.,
within a predetermined distance) of user device 130 request a radio
signal of the user device 130 and the strength of each of the radio
signal connections from the third devices 150 to the user device
130 is measured. Step 103 measures the third signal strength
between devices at the location where the user device 130 is
indicated (from Step 101). In other words, in step 103 all third
devices 150 within a predetermined proximity to the location of
user device 130 (e.g., as determined in Step 101) request a radio
signal from user device 130 such that the third signal strength
between each of the third devices 150 and user device 130 is
measured (at the alleged location of user device 130). In some
embodiments, each of the third signal strengths can either be
independently stored for comparison or averaged together and the
average stored for subsequent comparison (as described later).
[0032] In step 104, the first signal strength (measured in step
101) is compared with the second signal strength (measured in step
102) and a difference (if any) between the first signal strength
and the second signal strength is quantified and if the difference
is less than a predetermined threshold, the location of user device
130 can be considered as verified. In some embodiments, such
comparison of signal strengths can be expanded to include one or
more (or each of) third signal strength(s) measured from the
perspective of the corresponding third device(s) 150 at the alleged
location. In some embodiments, the location verification can
include a comparison and determination of whether the first signal
stress within a predetermined threshold of a third signal strength
associated with a single third device 150 selected from among one
or more multiple third device(s) 150 at the alleged location. In
some embodiments, the location verification can require that the
first signal strength also be within a predetermined threshold of
multiple third signal strength(s) associated with corresponding
multiple third device(s) 150 at the alleged location. In some
embodiments multiple third signal strengths are averaged and the
comparison with the first signal strength is performed against such
average to identify whether the result is within a predetermined
threshold.
[0033] In some embodiments, the comparative signal strengths can be
considered a further verification that device is actually at a
location (not "spoofing" or "faking" its location) when the result
is within a certain threshold. Such verification may also consider
one or more device characteristics, noise levels,
environment/terrain, etc. at the location. In other words, an
extended two-way verification can be performed by comparing the
respective signal strengths between one or more other devices 150
and user device 130.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present
invention is depicted, where steps 101, 102, and 103 (FIG. 1)
measure the respective first signal strength, second signal
strength, and third signal strengths. The "measured by device data"
table 21 (FIG. 2) shows an example of the results of Step 101. The
user device 130 is attempting to connect to AP.sub.3 (e.g., a
second device 140). As shown, the first signal strength between
user device 130 and AP.sub.3 is 98.3%.
[0035] The "measured by Access Points data" table 22 shows an
example of the results of Steps 102 and 103 as measured by and from
respective access points AP1-AP.sub.3. The depicted AP.sub.3 result
of 95.3% reflects the second signal strength measured by Step 102.
As discussed previously with regard to the example of step 104
(FIG. 1) the signal strengths can be compared as part of the
location verification process. The requirements of the verification
process can be varied based on the device and/or security
requirements of the access point (e.g., the desired level of
security based on the underlying transaction). For example, a 3.0%
difference threshold could suffice for some purposes, but might not
for other purposes e.g., secure locations and
transactions/authentications. In such embodiments, the security can
be customized.
[0036] Referring again to the example depicted in FIG. 2, each of
the access points AP.sub.1, AP.sub.2, and AP.sub.n represent
examples of third devices 150 that are co-located with (or within a
predetermined distance) of user device 130, e.g., "neighboring"
devices. For example, if device 130 is attempting to connect with
AP.sub.3 as discussed above, and AP.sub.1, AP.sub.2, and AP.sub.n
are identified as neighboring devices, in step 103, the signal
strengths between one or more of the neighboring (AP.sub.1,
AP.sub.2, and AP.sub.n) devices and user device 130 can be included
in the verification process. With reference again to the example
described in step 104 (FIG. 1) the greater the number of third
signal strengths that are measured, the greater the confidence will
be that the purported location of the user device 130 is true (not
faked or spoofed). In the example where AP.sub.3 (FIG. 2) is
identified as nearby to AP.sub.1, AP.sub.2, and AP.sub.n, the
respective measured signal strengths to device 130 should be
similar to that measured by AP.sub.3. By way of further example,
such as is described in step 104 (FIG. 1), the first signal
strength can be compared to each of the third signal strengths. Let
us further assume that the third signal strength between AP.sub.2
and device 130 is 10.2% and the first signal strength between
device 130 and AP.sub.2 is 18.2%. In this example, if the
verification settings state that a signal strength difference of 8%
or less meets a predetermined threshold value, the location can be
stated as verified.
[0037] In one embodiment, a mobile device requests information from
a location based service from the service provider. The service
provider may need to verify the location of the device before
providing the information to the device. The device making the
request for information will be connecting to a particular access
point (e.g., a second device) in the network. The access point can
record the signal strength provided by the device (e.g., Step 101,
FIG. 1). The access point (e.g., a second device) can request the
location of the device and measure the signal strength of the
device from its perspective (e.g., Step 102, FIG. 1). The access
point (e.g., a second device) can verify by comparing the signal
strength provided by the device with the signal strength measured
by the access point (e.g., a second device) (e.g., Step 104, FIG.
1). A comparison that results in a match (within a predetermined
threshold value), can thus provide better assurance that the
requesting device is not misrepresenting its location.
[0038] It is noted that second device 140 and one or more (other)
third devices 150 can comprise (without limitation) one or more
access points, such as a connection, a "hot spot", a Bluetooth
connection, and a network router.
[0039] Thus, it can be seen that embodiments of the invention
address one of many needs in the art. This need can be addressed by
leveraging information available from associated Wi-Fi hotspots,
Bluetooth signals, and other Near Field Communication (NFC) to
better ensure that the requesting device is actually in the
location that before providing the information requested by the
device.
[0040] It is further noted that "pairing" preferably refers to the
type of well-known pairing of Bluetooth-capable devices. However,
the "pairing" can also be more generally understood in the sense of
two devices establishing a "connection" over one of many
communication media (wired, wireless, optical . . . ) and/or
protocols e.g., IP, Wi-Fi, SSMP.
[0041] In one embodiment, a service provider (e.g., Verizon.TM.,
IBM.TM., Comcast, DirectTV, etc.) can measure a connection from a
cell phone (e.g., user device 130) to a Wi-Fi capable router (e.g.,
second device 140) as well as from the perspective of the Wi-Fi
router second device 140) to the cell phone (e.g., user device
130). The signal strengths can then be compared and e.g., if the
result is within a predefined threshold, the purported cell phone
location is better assured to be correct. Along the lines
previously discussed, a service provider can further strengthen the
verification if, for example, more security is appropriate, by
measuring a signal strength from nearby third devices (e.g., a TV
near the Wi-Fi router, a neighbors Wi-Fi router, etc.) to the cell
phone and comparing the measured signal strength with the first
signal strength.
[0042] Although the above embodiment is described in terms of a
service provider measuring the signal strengths, the invention is
not limited thereto. The method 100 can nonetheless be performed by
any means that can measure and compare the signal strength in two
directions.
[0043] Exemplary Aspects, Using a Cloud Computing Environment
[0044] Although this detailed description includes an exemplary
embodiment in a cloud computing environment, it is to be understood
that implementation of the teachings recited herein are not limited
to such an environment. Rather, embodiments of the present
invention are capable of being implemented in conjunction with any
other type of computing environment now known or later
developed.
[0045] Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling
convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of
configurable computing resources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth,
servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtual
machines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and
released with minimal management effort or interaction with a
provider of the service. This cloud model may include at least five
characteristics, at least three service models, and at least four
deployment models.
[0046] Characteristics are as follows:
[0047] On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally
provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network
storage, as needed automatically without requiring human
interaction with the service's provider.
[0048] Broad network access: capabilities are available over a
network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use
by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile
phones, laptops, and PDAs).
[0049] Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are
pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with
different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and
reassigned according to demand. There is a sense of location
independence in that the consumer generally has no control or
knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may
be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e.g.,
country, state, or datacenter).
[0050] Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and
elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly
scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the
consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear
to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any
time.
[0051] Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and
optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some
level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g.,
storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource
usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported providing
transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized
service.
[0052] Service Models are as follows:
[0053] Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to use the provider's applications running on a cloud
infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client
circuits through a thin client interface such as a web browser
(e.g., web-based e-mail). The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers,
operating systems, storage, or even individual application
capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific
application configuration settings.
[0054] Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure
consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming
languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does
not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including
networks, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control
over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting
environment configurations.
[0055] Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided
to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and
other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to
deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating
systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating
systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited
control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).
[0056] Deployment Models are as follows:
[0057] Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely
for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a
third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.
[0058] Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by
several organizations and supports a specific community that has
shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and
compliance considerations). It may be managed by the organizations
or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.
[0059] Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to
the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an
organization selling cloud services.
[0060] Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of
two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain
unique entities but are bound together by standardized or
proprietary technology that enables data and application
portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between
clouds).
[0061] A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a
focus on stainlessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic
interoperability. At the heart of cloud computing is an
infrastructure comprising a network of interconnected nodes.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic of an example of a
cloud computing node is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one
example of a suitable node and is not intended to suggest any
limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments
of the invention described herein. Regardless, cloud computing node
10 is capable of being implemented and/or performing any of the
functionality set forth herein.
[0063] Although cloud computing node 10 is depicted as a computer
system/server 12, it is understood to be operational with numerous
other general purpose or special purpose computing system
environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing
systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable
for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are not limited
to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin
clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop circuits multiprocessor
systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable
consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe
computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that
include any of the above systems or circuits, and the like.
[0064] Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general
context of computer system-executable instructions, such as program
modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program
modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic,
data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server 12
may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where
tasks are performed by remote processing circuits that are linked
through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing
environment, program modules may be located in both local and
remote computer system storage media including memory storage
circuits.
[0065] Referring again to FIG. 3, computer system/server 12 is
shown in the form of a general-purpose computing circuit. The
components of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not
limited to, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system
memory 28, and a bus 18 that couples various system components
including system memory 28 to processor 16.
[0066] Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus
structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a
peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or
local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of
example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA)
bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards
Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component
Interconnects (PCI) bus.
[0067] Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of
computer system readable media. Such media may be any available
media that is accessible by computer system/server 12, and it
includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and
non-removable media.
[0068] System memory 28 include computer system readable media in
the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30
and/or cache memory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further
include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile
computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage
system 34 can be provided for reading from and writing to a
non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically
called a "hard drive"). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive
for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic
disk (e,g., a "floppy disk"), and an optical disk drive for reading
from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such
instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more data
media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,
memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set
(e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to
carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.
[0069] Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program
modules 42, may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not
limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application
programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the
operating system, one or more application programs, other program
modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include
an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 42
generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of
embodiments of the invention as described herein.
[0070] Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or
more external circuits 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing circuit, a
display 24, etc,; one or more circuits that enable a user to
interact with computer system/server 12; and/or any circuits (e.g.,
network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 12 to
communicate with one or more other computing circuits. Such
communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 22. Still
yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one or mare
networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area
network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via
network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates
with the other components of computer system/server 12 via bus 18.
It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware
and/or software components could be used in conjunction with
computer system/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited
to: microcode, circuit drivers, redundant processing units,
external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data
archival storage systems, etc.
[0071] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary cloud computing
environment 50 is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment
50 comprises one or more cloud computing nodes 10 with which local
computing circuits used by cloud consumers, such as, for example,
personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone 54A, desktop
computer 54B, laptop computer 54C, and/or automobile computer
system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 may communicate with one
another. They may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually,
in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or
Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof.
This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offer infrastructure,
platforms and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer
does not need to maintain resources on a local computing circuit It
is understood that the types of computing circuits 54A-N shown in
FIG. 4 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing
nodes 10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with
any type of computerized circuit over any type of network and/or
network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary set of functional
abstraction layers provided by cloud computing environment 50 (FIG.
4) is depicted. It should be understood that the components,
layers, and functions shown in FIG. 5 are illustrative only and
embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. As depicted,
the following layers and corresponding functions are provided:
[0073] Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and
software components. Examples of hardware components include:
mainframes 61; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture
based servers 62; servers 63; blade servers 64; storage circuits
65; and networks and networking components 66. In some embodiments,
software components include network application server software 67
and database software 68.
[0074] Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from
which the following examples of virtual entities may be provided.:
virtual servers 71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73,
including virtual private networks; virtual applications and
operating systems 74; and virtual clients 75.
[0075] In one example, management layer 80 may provide the
functions described below. Resource provisioning 81 provides
dynamic procurement of computing resources and other resources that
are utilized to perform tasks within the cloud computing
environment. Metering and Pricing 82 provide cost tracking as
resources are utilized within the cloud computing environment, and
billing or invoicing for consumption of these resources. In one
example, these resources may comprise application software
licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloud
consumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other
resources. User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing
environment for consumers and system administrators. Service level
management 84 provides cloud computing resource allocation and
management such that required service levels are met, Service Level
Agreement (SLA) planning and fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement
for, and procurement of, cloud computing resources for which a
future requirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA.
[0076] Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for
which the cloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of
workloads and functions which may be provided from this layer
include: mapping and navigation 91; software development and
lifecycle management 92; virtual classroom education delivery 93;
data analytics processing 94; transaction processing 95; and, more
particularly relative to the present invention, location
verification functionality 100.
[0077] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the
embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement
over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0078] Further, Applicant's intent is to encompass the equivalents
of all claim elements, and no amendment to any claim of the present
application should be construed as a disclaimer of any interest in
or right to an equivalent of any element or feature of the amended
claim.
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