Systems and Methods for Determining Location Over a Network

• US 20110040870A1
• Filed: 06/17/2010
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Channel IP BV
• Original Assignee: Devicescape Software, Inc. (Pareteum Corp.)
• Inventors: Wynn, Simon, Gordon, John, Kimdon, David Whedon
• Granted Patent: US 9,326,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/062 for key distribution, e.g. centrally by trusted party cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving a central third party H04L9/0819
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/185 by embedding added-value information into content, e.g. geo-tagging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining location over a network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises scanning, by a digital device, an area for one or more wireless networks, receiving one or more BSSIDs associated with the one or more wireless networks, generating a location request in a DNS protocol formatted message, the location request comprising the one or more BSSIDs, providing the location request, receiving a location response based on the location request, and retrieving at least one location identifier from the location response.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

scanning, by a digital device, an area for one or more wireless networks;

receiving one or more BSSIDs associated with the one or more wireless networks;

generating a location request in a DNS protocol formatted message, the location request comprising the one or more BSSIDs;

providing the location request;

receiving a location response based on the location request; and

retrieving at least one location identifier from the location response.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the location response is formatted as a DNS protocol.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising encoding the one or more BSSIDs in the location request.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising decoding the at least one location identifier from the location response.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the location request is provided to a location server on a network using an open port of a network access device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the open port is port 53.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one location identifier comprises a latitude and a longitude.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the at least one location identifier to an application of the digital device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing GPS coordinates and one or more network device identifiers to a server.

20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the location response is formatted as a DNS protocol.

10. A system comprising:

a scan module configured to scan an area for one or more wireless networks and to receive one or more BSSIDs associated with the one or more wireless networks;

a DNS module configured to generate a location request in a DNS protocol formatted message, the location request comprising the one or more BSSIDs and to provide the location request; and

a location module configured to receive a location response based on the location request and to retrieve at least one location identifier from the location response.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the location response is formatted as a DNS protocol.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the DNS module is further configured to encode the one or more BSSIDs in the location request.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the location module is further configured to decode the at least one location identifier from the location response.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the DNS module is configured to provide the location request to a location server on a network using an open port of a network access device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the open port is port 53.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one location identifier comprises a latitude and a longitude.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the location module is further configured to provide the at least one location identifier to an application of the digital device.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the DNS module is further configured to provide GPS coordinates and one or more network device identifiers to a server.

19. A computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions, the instructions comprising a method, the method comprising the steps of:

scanning, by a digital device, an area for one or more wireless networks;

receiving one or more BSSIDs associated with the one or more wireless networks;

generating a location request in a DNS protocol formatted message, the location request comprising the one or more BSSIDs;

providing the location request;

receiving a location response based on the location request; and

retrieving at least one location identifier from the location response.