Method for verifying geographical location of wide area network users

• US 20020089960A1
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crystal Mountain Communications, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: IdeaFlood, Inc.
• Inventors: Shuster, Gary Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 6,895,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/50 Telephonic communication in combination with video communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/02 Calling substations, e.g. by ringing selective calling H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/104 Location integrity, e.g. secure geotagging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/12 Inter-network notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A method for verifying a purported location of a wide area network user is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving information from a user via a wide area network, including a purported geographical location of the network user. A first network address from which the information is received is recorded, and an access code is generated and recorded. The access code is broadcast in a defined region that includes the purported geographical location of the user. A user access code is then received via the wide area network from the user. The user access code is compared with the access code broadcast in a defined region, and the first network address is compared to a second network address from which the user access code is received. If the codes and addresses match, the geographical location of the user is considered verified and the user may be validated. Various methods for broadcasting the access code and various systems for implementing the method are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for verifying a purported location of a wide area network user, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving information from a user via a wide area network, the information including a purported geographical location of the user;

recording a first network address from which the information is received;

generating and recording an access code; and

transmitting the access code for broadcasting in a defined region, the defined region including the purported geographical location of the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user access code via a second network address of the wide area network.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising comparing the user access code with the access code generated in the generating step, and comparing the first network address to the second network address.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising validating the user if the user access code matches the access code generated in the generating step, and the first network address matches the second network address.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising assigning a limited life to the access code, wherein after expiration of the life, the access code is not acceptable for matching to any user access code.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving a confirmation of receipt of the access code from the user through a communication link separate from the wide area network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the receiving a confirmation step further comprises receiving a confirmation code, and further comprising recording the confirmation code.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving a user confirmation code from the user via the wide area network, and invalidating the user unless the user confirmation code matches the confirmation code recorded in a memory.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a broadcasting method for broadcasting the access code in the defined region.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the selecting step further comprises selecting a broadcast method from a cellular phone broadcast, a wireless pager broadcast, a UHF television broadcast, a VHF television broadcast, an AM radio broadcast, an FM radio broadcast, a shortwave radio broadcast, a CB radio broadcast, a microwave broadcast, a cable television broadcast, or a satellite broadcast.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising selecting an alternate broadcasting method if an initially selected broadcasting method is not capable of broadcasting to a region including the purported geographical location.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the selecting step further comprises selecting a broadcasting method including broadcasting with a scanning beam.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the selecting step further comprises selecting a single antenna of a multi-antenna network for broadcasting the access code exclusively from the single antenna.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the selecting step further comprises selecting a plurality of antennas having an overlapping broadcast area including the purported geographical location, and further comprising segmenting the access code in segments, wherein unique ones of the segments are designated for broadcast from unique ones of the plurality of antennas.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing the user with instructions for ordering the segments to produce the user access code.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further operable to perform the step of receiving a confirmation of receipt of the access code from the user through a communication link separate from the wide area network.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further operable to perform the steps of receiving a confirmation code with the confirmation of receipt, and recording the confirmation code in a memory.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further operable to perform the steps of receiving a user confirmation code from the user via the wide area network, and invalidating the user unless the user confirmation code matches the confirmation code recorded in a memory.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising assigning a limited life to the access code, wherein after expiration of the life, the access code is not acceptable for matching to any user access code.

16. A system for verifying a purported location of a wide area network user, the system comprising:

a computer operable to connect to a wide area network;

a memory connected to the computer; and

instructions in the memory, the instructions operable to perform the steps of;

receiving information from a user via the wide area network, the information including a purported geographical location of the user;

recording a first network address from which the information is received;

generating and recording an access code for broadcast in a defined region, the defined region including the purported geographical location of the user;

receiving a user access code via the wide area network from a second network address;

comparing the user access code with the access code recorded in the recording step, and comparing the first network address to the second network address; and

validating the user if the user access code matches the access code recorded in the recording step and the first network address matches the second network address.